New Class Time Gets Better Results

Last week, Raquel's teacher asked if I'd be open to trying her out in his morning orthopedic class instead of the afternoon one. The afternoon class has been pretty inconvenient for me, my work, and Gabby's school, but also has interfered with Raquel's napping (or lack of, since she was sleeping in class), so I was open to trying out the morning class.

Yesterday was her first day. Although I did receive a call to let me know she was carrying on, they said she was perfectly safe, wasn't distrupting anyone, and could stay until the class ended. They just wanted to let me know what was going on. I chose to go get her, and when I arrived, found her happy and content and enjoying a little snack. As soon as I got off the phone with the nurse, she was redirected by food (that's my girl!), and was able to get her composure back.

Today she had a great day! No episodes whatsoever and she was able to stay the whole time. They are very optimistic that the transition will be very easy - especially considering that today I brought them the secret weapon - the CD. At one point she appeared to get a little aggitated, but once they started the music, she immediately calmed down. And now that she's going to the morning class, there is no more sleeping during class, which is a really great thing. I pick her up, feed her lunch, walk, and then she's ready for her nap and is taking a much longer one, probably because she's tired from school.

Why the orthopedic class since Raquel isn't an ortho kid? Because the orthopedic class is less mobile, and they are able to give Raquel one-on-one attention and work with strengthening her legs and core. For those that don't know Raquel, she is constantly moving and to have her in a class with other kids on the go just meant she was another one that they were chasing around. In the morning class, there are only 3 students, so when they are having their ortho therapy, which doesn't apply to Raqi, instead they are able to put her on the tricycle, do leg exercises, etc. She still does circle time and meal time with them and gets that social interaction. Today when I picked her up, I saw her outside having a ball being pushed around in a wagon with her new "friends".

Raquel's allergist, Dr. Welch, also called today to check in on how she's doing. Since we've noticed big improvements since him putting her on the antibiotic, he feels that she truly had a hidden sinus infection since the 2007 fires and wants her to stay on the medication for a full 20 days. He also wants to see her again in another 4 weeks.