September 2008
Saul started out this year as a reluctant student but has really perked up once he noticed that most of his classes were out of the special day classroom. Saul has several regular classes and completes most of his academics in the resource classroom. Saul is so happy about the change in his schedule. He is working hard in school and at home with his homework.
While the academic load is modified for Saul, he feels much better about his own performance and school in general. Saul really has a desire to blend in with the typically functioning students despite his developmental delays. What a positive change in Saul's attitude! The best part of this for us is Saul's ability to advocate for himself. We will continue to support Saul's skills in self-advocacy and independence.
July 2008
Saul continues to mature. He loves to help around the house and is frequently asking if we need his assistance. Saul is always there to advocate for his younger brothers when they need something or get in conflict with our family helpers. Saul appreciates fairness and always tries to make sure everyone's needs can be met in a fair way. Recently Saul even started advocating for himself in the school setting. Toward the end of the school year Saul went to the principal and told her that he wasn't being challenged enough. He noticed that the school he was doing in sixth grade was the same work he had completed in fifth grade. He complained that his teacher was treating him like a "baby." He said that he was a sixth grade student and wanted to be treated like one. Saul knows that he has weakness in certain areas and he pushed for school work that would help him improve his reading and math skills. Saul said he wanted to "catch-up" with the other students in middle school. Because of Saul's self-advocacy this school year he will be transitioned from the Special Day classroom to enrolling in more regular education classes with Resource classroom support. We are thrilled with Saul's motivation to improve his academic skills and even more excited to watch him develop conflict resolution skills and to negotiate with peers and adults in a calm and appropriate manner. Additionally, Saul's newly discovered self advocacy skills will be helpful to him his whole life.
May 2008
Saul received his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do! This
was very exciting news as Saul had worked very hard on
all of the requirement to earn a Black Belt. Saul will
continue to take Tae Kwon do classes now with the other
Black Belts in the family, Jordan and George!
Saul is looking forward to summer. He has been troubled
recently as his special day teacher took an extended
leave of absence for the last two months of the school
year. Saul already had issues with this teacher not
challenging him academically now with a long term
substitute in place it seems like Saul is even getting
more frustrated. Saul definitely needs a break! This
summer Saul will be attending a variety of camp programs
including four weeks of Catalina Sea Camp. this camp was
Saul's favorite from last year and did an excellent job
participating with typical campers. Saul did especially
well in the photography class last year and is looking
forward to taking an advanced photography class this
summer. Saul will also attend Sports Camp and Camp
Titan.
February 2008
Saul is preparing for his Black Belt test in April. Saul is taking special classes weekly, doing his written homework, and preparing his speech. Saul is taking this preparation very seriously and is looking forward to the actual test day. If Saul passes his Black Belt test he will be the third in our family to earn a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Saul is looking forward to going on a 7-day Caribbean cruise with Grandma Sue during spring break. This will be Saul's first airplane ride and of course his first cruise. After seeing the movie "Titanic" Saul is a little worried about the safety of a cruise ship. Ivan and Mathew are reassuring Saul that he will not only be safe but that he will love cruising!
November 2007
Saul enjoyed competing in team sports during the Special Olympics Fall Games. He played on a volleyball team. Saul's team had some of the youngest and smallest players in the competition. For many of the players, including Saul, it was their first experience playing volleyball. During the beginning of season the team really looked like the "Bad News Bears" but as the season progressed the players really shaped-up. Saul is very competitive and enjoyed learning how to play volleyball. Saul was very excited when his team won the championship at the fall games. Saul is looking forward to learning how to play tennis through the Orange County Special Olympics during the next season.
September 2007
Saul loves middle school. He is excited to be able to walk to school and not ride the school bus. Saul is able to function independently in a special day class without instructional aide support which is also very exciting. Saul enjoys the independence and freedom he feels moving from class to class without an adult following him around. Saul is also joining the sixth grade Cross Country (running) team. We are very proud of Saul's increasing maturity and independence both at home and at school! This is definitely a different boy than the behaviorally challenged little boy who was placed in our home wearing a soft helmet for protection from self-abuse. Its amazing what community recreational opportunities, a full-inclusion education, and a loving and supportive "forever" family can do to help develop increased self-esteem and appropriate behaviors. Saul is definitely living proof that behaviorally challenged children can make incredible changes with the right support.
August 2007
Saul was excited to graduate from Perry Elementary School. It seems like the past two years have not been that positive for Saul. Apparently Saul was getting frustrated with the academic work and the appropriate supports were not in place for Saul to feel successful. Instead there was a lot of negatively both from Saul and the Perry teaching staff. This cycle caused a lot of stress on Saul which then created a vicious cycle of frustration for everyone. At home Saul is very successful with the activities he participates in throughout the week. We have made sure that we are Saul's biggest cheerleaders. Saul works so well for praise and complements. We encourage Saul to push himself, and don't give him much feedback for comments like "it's too hard!"
As a result Saul has been able to participate successfully in many sports activities, theater productions, and camp activities with his typical peers. Saul has been able to develop positive peer relationships and develop many skills. When the adults around Saul believe in his abilities, Saul will rise to the occasion. We are very proud of Saul and are hopeful his middle school experience will be an encouraging and positive one.
April 2007
Saul was excited to get three new guinea pigs from a young man named Alex whom we met from the Craig's List. Alex had his guinea pigs but was unable to give them enough attention due to his work and school schedule. He listed them on the Craig's List. In the meantime Saul really wanted a playmate or two for his guinea pig, Jack. We contacted Alex, via the Craig's List, and the guinea pigs were matched with us. Saul and Alex had a nice visit while Saul was introduced to his new guinea pigs. So far Saul is working slowing to introduce the new guinea pigs to Jack, as Jack is used to being an "only child." We hope that eventually all of the guinea pigs can live as one happy family!
February 2007
Saul auditioned for a national Toyota commercial and it looks like he will get the job. This will be Saul's first big acting job. While he has acted in several student films he has yet to book a paying job. The commercial will be seen in the United States and in Canada. The spot features a Special Olympic athlete saying "My disability does not stop me from playing sports." If the casting agents are looking for an excellent Special Olympic athlete, Saul is the man. He has competed in basketball, floor hockey, roller skating, ice skating, skiing and gymnastics. He is also a Junior Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do! We are keeping our fingers crossed for Saul!
December 2006
Saul is now an Advanced Brown Belt in Tae Kwon Do and is eagerly awaiting to test for the next few belts until he reaches Black Belt in late 2007. Saul is also an excellent skateboard rider and roller skater. He is extremely fast and can do many tricks. Saul is very athletic and does extremely well in non-team sports. There are many more components to team sports. It can be very difficult for Saul to follow complex directions from the coach especially when there are many distractions We are working on Saul's ability to play cooperatively, listen to directions, and follow the rules while playing a team sport. Currently Saul is on a Special Olympic floor hockey team and is doing well.
October 2006
Saul is about ready to practicing with his floor hockey team. Saul is excited about starting a new sport. This will be Saul's first attempt at a team sport. Saul is very athletic and will undoubtedly do very well. Saul continues to take Tae Kwon Do and skateboard lessons several times a week.
Saul is happy that Christmas is just around the corner. He most especially would like to get a companion guinea pig for the guinea pig her got for his birthday. Saul has shown a lot of responsibility with his pets, the guinea pig, frogs, and turtle. Just last year Saul thought that pets were more like toye than living creatures. Now Saul is very gentle with his animals and he is able to clean his cages independently and always remembers to feed his pets. Pet care maybe a future job for Saul!
July 2006
Saul has attended several residential camps this
summer already. Saul is doing awesome in his camp
programs. We have received many comments from the
various counselors that Saul is always so polite and
helpful to both the staff and other campers. Saul's
social skills have grown so much as has his self-esteem
that he is able to function, without additional support,
in camp programs with typical children. We are so proud
of Saul's success. Saul will also be testing for his Red
Belt in Tae Kwon Do later this month.
May 2006
Saul is just wrapping up the production of the MYART play "Alice in Wonderland." Saul performed in seven shows. It was a grueling "hell week" of long rehearsals followed by two weeks of performances. Saul really put his best effort into the shows. This was probably the first MYART production where Saul seemed to be the most relaxed and confident about being on stage. Saul plans on taking the summer off from community theater but will return for the next MYART production in September 2006.
Saul had a terrific "BIG" birthday party. He says he liked all of the new clothes that grandma bought for him but his favorite birthday present was two guinea pigs, "Nancy" and "Jack." Saul really enjoys helping Nikolai care for all of the small pets so having his "very own pets" was very exciting. Saul is already talking about having a wedding for "Nancy" and "Jack" so they can "have babies." Hmmmm, if it was only as simple as that!
March 2006
Saul continues to be an awesome helper around the house. He has learned how
to do laundry, set the table, clean the dishes, and he is even learning how
to cook. Saul is always eager to help out wherever he is needed. Saul is
also very responsible with our pets. He always remembers to feed them and to
clean-up after them as needed. Saul is looking forward to his up-coming
birthday and continues to come up with different ideas on how to celebrate.
Ultimately Saul says the most important thing to remember about his birthday
is that he want to have a BIG party! Saul continues to pursue his athletic
endeavors. Currently, Saul is getting ready for another ice skating
tournament in a few weeks. Saul is probably the fastest ice skater on his
team! He loves both roller skating and ice skating. Saul recently started
taking gymnastic lessons as well. Its hard to keep up with this very busy
guy.
February 2006
Saul is becoming quite an athlete. He is involved in swimming, skate boarding, bike riding, roller skating, ice skating, basketball and Tae Kwon Do. Saul recently took first place in an ice skating competition and is practicing for another competition in March. As Saul's athletic skills soar so does his self-esteem. Saul used to be very tentative about trying anything new activities but now he is the first to volunteer. In fact, at his persistence, Saul is already signed-up for a week at Sports Camp and for the three week Junior Life Guard program this summer. Saul says he would like to be able to surf by the end of this year. With his determination, we are sure he will meet his goal.
