Zachariah's first day of school

Things have gone so smoothly with our move as far as the babies go. I was told after the last staffing that I needed to get Zachariah started in a theraputic daycare. Everyone that is involved with his care agree that he would benefit from it, and that he needs much structure everyday. I agree...since moving, and he has been home for 2 weeks, he has been a WILD child. He constantly seeks sensory stimulation, and he needs constant supervision. He gets that between all of us here, but he thrives on structure...and there is only so much structure we can have around here.

He is going to Helping Hands in Maumelle, which I have heard wonderful things about. They have speech, occupational, physical, sensory, and psychological therapy there. Wheh...and I think he will probably qualify for all of it. Early intervention is hugely important for children with FAS, and it is such a blessing that he is able to get into Helping Hands so quickly, as there is usually a waiting list.

He has been attending daycare for over a year now, I am not sure why I am so sad to see him go. This is really more like sending him off to school....when he isn't quit 2. Helping Hands is Medicaid paid, and they have to meet so many hours per week...I used to keep him home a lot before, and now he will have to be there unless he has appointments or is sick. He will be able to attend his new school until he starts Kindergarten....and even for 1 extra year if he isn't ready to start when he is 5.
He is a smart little boy, but he does have a lot of challenges. He is able to learn, but has to learn differently from other kids. We have been learning so many new things, new ways to teaching, disciplining, and lots of patience. The statistics for children with FAS being successful as adults is not very favorable. Lots of mental illness, crime, homelessness....scary stuff. Zachariah, luckily, has about the best case scenario he can have. I kinda look at raising him a little differently. We all raise our kids to be functional, successful adults, but we usually assume that is going to be the final outcome with our children. We can't just assume that for him. FAS is true brain damage, and many have very low I.Q.'s, making it difficult to live independently. We know, that is a possibility for him, and maybe both boys. So, even at the age of 2, I am very conscious of his future, and getting the best possible resources sent his way, to help him out the best way we can. I feel that the Lord has sent all of this his way. To have the diagnosis he has, things have gone so well in diagnosing him and getting him services. I feel God's arms wrapped around us, and him everyday.