What our kids are saying . . .
 

Liz (16 ) says she is no longer home schooled and attending a sobriety high school and getting A's and B's. She is writing lyrics and performing in addition to speaking with her mother about fetal alcohol. Liz has won the Tiger Woods Start Something Scholarship and was Minnesota Adopted Child of the Year. Her digit spans went from 3 to 6.5 (Program 2.5 years then she fired Toni and advised her her brain was fixed and didn't need anymore) -- ADHD, LD, FAE, SI, Adopted

Morgan (16) says she is not falling off her horse any longer. She has a job and she is in Algebra. When she is away from program she gets frustrated more easily and cannot think as clearly. She is a good artist. Her digit spans are now 7 and she started at 4. -- FAE, ADHD, LD, ODD, Adopted

Tom (15) says this is ludicrous, but he can focus and is calmer inside. He is learning easier and he is working on his Boy Scout Eagle Badge. He is more coordinated and able to express his thoughts into words better. His digit spans are 7 and started at 4. -- FAE, LD,  Adopted

Paige (14) says she doesn't rage anymore. She is getting prettier because she can breathe through her nose and she now has cheeks. She learns easier and is calmer. She can now follow instructions and not get into trouble as much. When she is corrected she no longer cusses the person out. When she finishes program she wants to work at the center. Her eyes and ears are not as sensitive so things don't bother her like they used to. Her digit span began at 4 and is now at 8.  -- FAE, PTSD, ODD, RAD, SI Adopted

Dawn (14) says can read now. He can follow directions. He can sit and focus and play computer games now. He is on less medication. He is more calm. He is more coordinated. He does program everyday because he knows that if he skips it is make life hard. He knows how old he is but still doesn't know when his birthday is. He can count to 10. His digit span was 2 and now is 5. -- FAE, DD, SI, Adopted

Opal (14) says she can read and count now. She can follow through. Her speech has improved. Her tremors are not as bad. She is more helpful.

Ben (13) says he is calmer and more focused. He is more coordinated. He is learning easier. His digit span was 3 and is now 5. - FAE, ODD, Anxiety disorder, PTSD

Jessie (12) says he no longer climbs the walls only trees. He remembers to put dads tools away now. He understands why he gets in trouble now but he doesn't get in trouble as often. Because my brain is organized I finally understand fractions. Because his brain knows he has fingers his cursive handwriting is now cool. He does wet the bed any more. Not driving people crazy so he's getting friends. His digit spans began at 4 he is now at 7.  -- FAE, PSTD, ODD, RAD, ADHD, Adopted

JoAnna (12) says she can tie her shoes. Her learning is easier and she likes to read. She can cross midline. Her digit span was three and is now five.

Tanya (12) says --Won grand champion for her chickens this summer in 4H and 15 other ribbons in two fairs, Her reading improved and her math improved. She was focusing. -- FAE, 

Sara (10.5) says she was really scared before all the time and now she is not so scared about everything. She can hopscotch and do two monkey bars. She can read now that is cool. She can remember how to set the table, comb her hair, make her bed and can even read. Her digit spans went from 3 to 5. -- FAE undiagnosed adopted from another country - PTSD, DD, Adopted

Kendra (10) says she hates program but learning is easier and she is in a hard private school and doing it. Her name is not on the board everyday now for behavior. Her digit spans began at 5 and is now at 7. -- Cocaine baby, ODD, Adopted

Becky (10) can make sounds now. She can skip and is potty trained. She can follow directions. She can breath through her nose. She can read even though she still cannot talk. She understands place value. -- DD. Surprise twin, oxygen deprived, blood disorder.

Grant (10) says knows all the capitols of every country in the world. He has gone from 5 to 7 digit span. His behavior has improved and he is being transitioned to a different classroom. He likes program because he knows it is helping him be good. He is a good artist.  -- drug baby, ODD, RAD, Adopted

Meg (9) says she is having less seizures and her speech is improving. She can do a two foot hop and do hop scotch. She can do two bars on the monkey bars and she can do cross march. She is starting to remember her alphabet and some of her sounds. She can count now! Her digits spans are still three. -- Seizure disorders, PTSD, ODD, CP, DD, Adopted

Dustin (9) is on a ventilator and has calf muscles and can stand up now. Has a digit span of 5 instead of three, He can play Gin Rummy and usually wins. He can load the dishwasher from his wheelchair. He remembers faces. - Spinal bifida, paralyzed pharnyx

Nicole (8) says Toni tinkers with my brain and she makes me do hard work, because I can do 5th grade level work if I want to. Nicole is part of our private school program. She doesn't fall over air anymore. She is more coordinated. She can feel her insides. Her digit spans began at 6 and can do 7. -- FAE, RAD, High IQ, PTSD, Adopted

Joey (8) says he's calmer and not raging all the time. He is starting to be interested in how to spell and what does this say. His speech is better. His digit spans started at three and is now four. --FAS, RAD, PTSD, ODD, LD, Adopted

Zack (6) -- his digit spans are 4. He is more coordinated and confident. He is beginning to read. Attached to his family, -- fine and gross motor issues, Adopted

EeJay (4) is moving his tongue a little better and speech is improving. Not as sensory defensive. He is at 3 digit spans.. -- speech and articulation problems, Adopted

Bethany (3) she can now beat mom at Concentration and her digit spans are over her age at 4's. She is calmer and able to follow directions. She is learning to count to eight. Her fine and gross motor are improving. 

Mathew (3 mos) learning to eat and hold his head up. -- 3 # preemie.