It never rains in California

This is it. T-minus four hours until we leave for our flight to CA. I'm taking my 14 year old, autistic, learning disabled daughter to the Stowell Learning Center in Chino for two weeks of super-intensive training with the hope of jump-starting some new pathways in her brain. Georgia is considered to be "high-functioning" as far as her autism goes: she connects pretty well with people, can have a coherent conversation (well, sometimes she interjects a few odd comments, and she likes to blurt out things that most families would rather keep to themselves) and is a bright (and at times quite insightful!) young lady. But she has some pretty severe learning issues- problems that we've worked for years to overcome. She recently completed an ILS program (integrated listening system), and we saw some amount of improvement, mainly with her sleep patterns. Her OT during this time, Amber, attended a conference in Colorado where she heard Jill Stowell speak about her methods of re-training the brain. Methods she's put to use for nearly 30 years with apparently great success. Amber approached Jill and told her about this amazing client she was working with who was quite the conundrum. Jill was very interested in Georgia's case, and asked to be put in touch with us. Long story short: We start at the center tomorrow at 9a.m. with a series of tests to determine Georgia's course of action. Then we implement those actions. I will be trained as well so that when we return home, I can help Georgia continue her plan. We'll meet via video conference with our distance learning coordinator once a week. For as many weeks as it takes.



 So.We're packed, with the exception of Georgia's backpack. That will be tricky. I've been putting it off, imagining the mini-battle that might ensue when I tell her she can't take twelve coloring books and six sets of markers. She's expressed a bit of nervousness about the actual traveling, not having been to this place, and not being able to visualize her route. I'll see if she wants to get on Google Earth, so she can get a visual of Chino. The airport will be a stressor, but as long as I stay a step ahead with descriptions we should be good.

That's my intro folks. I'll post again as soon as there's anything worth blogging about.
Peace.