What can I say? The girl is doing amazingly well! We recently had her IEP meeting (IEP = Individualized Education Plan) with her teachers and therapists at her school and we all sat there amazed at how FAR she has come this year. Her special needs class (especially her teacher, Mrs. Hall) has been the biggest blessing in our little girl’s life! She loves school and is happy every morning when I ask her if she wants to go see Mrs. Hall. We all still feel like she needs one more year in the SN class, but for the first time I can truly imagine Isabelle NOT needing any therapy or intervention! Praise God! It was just a bit over a year ago that we were told by a developmental pediatrician that Isabelle was autistic. Clearly, she is not! She does have her own way about doing things, but more and more she is just simply, a normal little girl 🙂
We were able to discontinue her private speech therapy last month, she is doing so well! She was tested on her last visit and she tested at 3-0 years for receptive, 3-1 for expressive and 3-8 for articulation! What an amazing feat for a little girl who had ONE word just a year and a half ago!! She still receives speech therapy at school 3 times a week and her SLP thinks she is coming along wonderfully.
She is becoming so much more inquisitive, too. Her favorite (and only) questions used to be “More, please?” but recently she has asked “Where are we going?” “Where is daddy?” and even the long awaited, “Why?” I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when she asked me this… it’s been a long time coming, but she is finally becoming interested in what’s going on around her! When we drive she will now point out things, “Look mama! A school!” or “Look mama, it’s raining!” It’s so exciting to hear her pipe up in the back of the car where she used to sit silently, content to just watch the show on the DVD player. We still don’t read a lot of books as she just hates to sit still that long, but she is making such huge strides! It has been such a blessing to witness her blossom into the child that God intended for her to be. We still don’t know exactly what her future holds, but we don’t worry about it any longer. I questioned God many times during those dark days that followed her autism diagnosis… but His plan is perfect. And His creation, Isabelle, is perfect. Just as she is 🙂
Stefanie, I knew what a special little one she was from the first moment I saw her. I am so glad you are her Momma because she has the most amazing family and she just beams in all her pictures. I am so happy she is doing so well. Kathy
Hi Stef! How wonderful for you all!
I remember reading your post last year when you received the report from the doctor. I am in awe of what a difference a year can make.
Praise God!
Amy
She is perfect, just how God created her. It brings tears to my eyes to see her and hear how far she has come. Her eyes tell so much about her personality. Vibrant, joyful and ready for any challenge that awaits her. 🙂
Way to go Isabelle! Great pictures, as usual Stefanie;-). Your love, guidance and support as a family is obviously making such a difference to this little one, and enabling Isabelle to flourish in every sense of the word! God is so good!
I’m so glad to hear this great update about Isabelle! Congratulations on answered prayers of a faithful mom & dad!
Yes & Amen!!
Rejoicing over the creation that is Isabelle and God’s plan for her to be surrounded by family who love her unconditionally!
Such cute pictures!!
BTW – I have to tell you that Eli loves looking at pictures of Jude. Not on your site, but in the ponseti calendar. We bought one and it is one of Eli’s favorite things to ‘read’ before bed each night. He always asks what Jude’s name is and points to him over and over until we turn the page to the next month 🙂
How wonderful, God is so good, all the time !!!
Karen Whitt
HOORAY! So happy for sweet Isabelle! I worked in Special Education and those “specialists” for speech, auditory, PT, OT, etc totally rock! She looks like one happy, well-loved little lady!
FABULOUS!!! What a wonderful update on that sweet Isabelle! The spark & joy in her eyes is pure delight! God has an amazing plan for her I’m sure & it’s so wonderful that you all will help her achieve it! You know how the saying goes in the adoption community…that we all are matched with the perfect child for us…well, it definitely works both ways, because Isabelle got one ROCKIN’ fam full of love & faith!
HUGS!!
I’m so glad to hear your sweet Isabelle is making such great progress. She is just so beautiful and her joy just shines through in all her pictures.
There’s nothing better than happy tears springing to your eyes. I’ve got those, right now, reading this, and looking at her beautiful face.
I am often blown away by how much she’s changed and grown. I still have this picture in my mind of her referral photos that you posted on our yahoo site. Seems like a lifetime ago at times, doesn’t it? Even last year, meeting her for the first time feels like it happened years and years ago, especially in light of all these amazing leaps and bounds in her therapy!
How wonderful! I am so happy to hear she is doing so well! I just know that someone with so much life and joy in her eyes has a wonderful future ahead of her!
Yea!! Praising God with you!!
As a mama to four and one on her way from China, I’ve learned that each child is so wonderfully unique. Each is God’s most prized creation and He rejoices over each little one!
It’s time to celebrate with sweet Isabelle!! :o)
Jenn
Glad to read Isabelle is doing so well. She is just beautiful! As we like to say around here “God is Good – All the Time!”
Awesome Isabelle!! It is so amazing how much our children grow and change once they are home.
Thanks you for posting that-we are day 33 home with a SN child that is 7 but acts more like3 at times and don’t know the diagnosis yet-it is hard to wait to hear the news but I just want to get it over with and get her on a raod to which she can start doing better-it will be a long journey but I have some good shoes on for it!
Awesome, way to go Isabelle!!! I remember when you were told she had autism and I thought “who, what?” I’m so glad she has many so many strides. Keep up the good work.
..and she is – perfect.
This is one of my favorite posts ever from you and you know why! I knew from the beginning – I told you early on and I felt such peace about your sweet girl – PRAISE GOD for a wonderful IEP, for the work that Isabelle has done with grace and dignity, for teachers who knew that she is just a normal little girl and for parents who have trusted their instincts, prayed for her and most importantly loved her and acted as her advocate – you made me cry happy tears tonight – YIPPEEEE! She is GORGEOUS!
Love,
Heather
I find some people quick to diagnose children on the spectrum for autism. Sometimes it is just not true and then the real need goes un diagnosed or un treated. As an ECSE-APE teacher I see this way too often and some children just need the right environment to grow and learn. So happy Isabelle is blossoming with your love and support.
God Bless
Paulette
This is such wonderful news. I am thrilled that Isabelle got exactly what she needed and that she is thriving now. Praise GOD!
K