Our Last Day of Early Intervention

This day had been 3 years in the making. It was coming faster than I realized. The finish line was here.

The last day of Ethan's Early Intervention programs. The final day of professional help & therapy before Ethan starts Kindergarten.

Several friends of mine, including my mother-in-law, are preparing to send their children off to college. In talking with them, most of them are excited but worried too. "Did we teach them enough? Did we do all we could to prepare them for this moment? Did we do all we possible could for them & their future?"

These same thoughts were running through my head as I walked Ethan into his last day at Easter Seals ITAP program.

Our journey with Early Intervention started even before his autism diagnosis.
It was October 2010....almost 3 years ago. Most of Ethan's life has been dedicated to Early Intervention either through professionals or at home. All trying to prepare him as best we could for a general education Kindergarten classroom. And now....we are done. The race has been run, and we are crossing the finish line.

I am so proud of how hard Ethan has worked. He has come so far. To think of where he was when we began this journey & where he is at today is nothing short of a miracle. Thank you, God.

I never thought I would say this, but I will miss Early Intervention. The teachers & therapists that have come into our lives have become so important to our family. We truely worked as a team....sharing ideas, concerns, victories, tears & hugs. We have shared major highs & major lows & everything inbetween.....the good, the bad & the ugly. They, along with my family, have been our support through our early years of learning to live with autism.

So, today, I am allowing a rare day of sadness. A brief moment to remember all that the last 3 years has brought as well as mourn the loss of seeing our friends on a regular basis. Grateful is the only word that I can think of to even come close to describing how I feel today. Because of Team Ethan's hardwork, Ethan will be going to a general education Kindergarten classroom. Our goal has been accomplished, and I am so proud of Ethan.

To anyone who has been a part of Ethan's Early Intervention journey, our family thanks you from the bottom of our heart. I know that Ethan would not be where he is today without each one of you. From our first meeting with Glenda to our last day at Easter Seals, it has been a lot of work & a lot to work through....but we have done it.....thanks to you.

We will always remember you. We love you. God bless each of you. Thank you for ALL you have done for our Ethan. He may not realize all you have done for him now.....but someday he will.....we will be sure of it!

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!