This new school year has given Ben a fresh start on his view on education. He is loving his new school, his teacher and some new friends. I am so glad that we made this move to Ingersoll. He is attending a much smaller school, Westfield Publc School. Unfortunatley it's set to close next year and the children will be bused to a school currently being renovated to house more students. I pray that Ben will cope with that change as well as he has with this one.
He actually is enjoying going to school, not making up excuses or challenging me every morning when it's time to go.
He also has made some good friends, and has nearby Quinton (bestest cousin ever!) to play with, so he actually is not sitting in frount of the TV playing video games all day! Fresh air and a little freedom, being able to ride his bike!
I would also like to think that the security of knowing I am home and not at work helps him to. Knowing if he needs me I am only 5 min away! He is also able to come home at lunch time, this gives him a much needed break before heading back for the afternoon.
Recently we also got a kitten! I was a little unsure about how Ben would treat her, but he has been ever so gentle. I have to remind all the kids actually to be gentle...she is a living breathing animal, not a stuffed toy! The called her Whiskers and I love her!
So we have seen big improvements in Ben's behavior, only brief moments of unreasonableness. He still has a tick that shows up when he is feeling stressed, but generally that has disappeared. He is commenting alot about noises bothering him..almost to the point of driving him to madness at times, it makes him mad if the noise continues even if it's as simple as his sister singing...if he wants it to stop she must stop! He still requires things to go his way or no way, and has little room for comprimise, however this to comes and goes depending on his mood.
Recently we met with Vanier phycologists to recieve the report on their assesment of Ben. They saw him over a period of 4 sessions of about 2 hours in length....during this time they have questionairs they fill out..they play games and make him draw pictures to judge his emotional state.
The assessment revealed that Ben has a very low self asteem, he feels very anxious about the future. He doesn't think he is smart, has friends. He scores mid to high on their depression chart.
They feel he has a mild form of Chronic Depression called Dysthymia, which is a depression that last at least 2 years, those that suffer from this often feel irritable, lack abitliy to consentrate, have low energy, low self esteem and feelings of hopelessness. They generally feeling blue or depressed most of the time.
I do agree that Ben suffers from a mood disorder, as he is often very down feels hopeless. He feels most of the time that the world is against him and there is no point in trying. He has extreme highs and lows sometimes within hours..at times though he can go weeks doing very well with little problems. But then we will have a very difficult few weeks or months.
I also believe that Ben has a behavioral disorder...if it's Oppositional Defiance Disorder or ADD...or a combination of both..I am not sure, but in order to have that diagnosed it means starting the process all over again with a phyciotrist..which takes more time...and possibly money....so for the time being we will continue on the road we are leading right now..and hopefully maturity will help.
My little Miss Olivia started in SK this year and she is loving it! Not a single tear, and she runs to get in line when the bell rings to start the day! She is in half day every day in the afternoon. It works well with Ben coming home for lunch, then we just all walk back for the afternoon. She has made some great new little friends and is always telling me great storys!
Isaac is home with me for one mre year, next year he can go to JK if I choose, we shall see. It will be the all day everyday program at Harris Hieghts. This also will involve a bus..not sure if I am ready to see my baby go off all day...although some quiet time with no kids is tempting.....we shall see.
