Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Leaving UAA

We decided to put Dylan back in the school district and leave Utah Autism Academy.  It was a hard decision because we have loved that school and love knowing he is going somewhere that he is loved.  The only problem I have with that facility is that they do not focus on Academics at all.  So in the end, I just couldn't let him go another year without getting the education that he deserves.   We loved UAA but it was time to move on.

On his last day there, I felt ok about the decision but when I went to pick him up they started saying how they would miss him.  John, the main ABA guy came and told me he wanted to hear about his future whether it be in 3 days or 3 years and that I was taking one of his favorites away, but he understands we need to do what is best for our family.  Then I look up to see them bringing Dylan out with about 3-4 people and they all start hugging him, so then I started to feel a bit sad and doubt our decision.  They gave me a book they had made for him and I put it in the car.  On the way home I decided to open it up to see what it was all about.  Well I happened to flip to the page of Dylan and Jake and I started bawling.  Seeing the happy look on his face and the connection they had.  Jake was the first person I saw Dylan really connect with there and so I always was excited to see when he worked with him.  Linda(not in the book because she left the month before) and Hannah(I think she has also left) were my 3 favorites.  Linda told me she cried when they put Dylan in a different group and her husband told her to request working with him still so she did.  She also says she wants to name her future son Dylan, we are now Facebook friends, so it will be fun to see if she does, ha ha.  Not only did I take Dylan from a school he loved but I took him away from many people that love him.  I sure hope we made the right choice, because wow that was hard.   Here is the book they made for him:


















He is now going to Foothills Elementary and they have put him in an Autism Cluster Unit with Kindergarten and First Graders.  Since they are going off of his IEP from preschool they want to do a 45 day trial and then will meet again to come up with his new IEP and see if that is a great fit for him.  I have been impressed so far because they really include his class with the whole school.  They have 5th Grade Buddies once a week and then 4th Grade Lunch Buddies daily.  I am excited to see what this year brings and hope we have made the right decision for him!