Hello. I am the very proud mom of Patrick Costello who has Autism. He decided to write a letter to his 5th grade class at the close of this year. I was unaware of this letter. To my surprise his aide Bonnie sent home a copy for me. I can only say that I am proud beyond words! We have spoken very honestly in our home about Autism and I had always hoped that it would help him to understand himself & what he needs in this world.My hope in sharing a piece of our private world is that you will be inspired to see such an amazing young man! We all have struggles daily and uphill battles on a regular basis... stop & please read this!
In Patrick's own words..."I would like to thank my fellow students and friends for being really nice and thoughtful to me. I would also like to thank all my teachers this year and numerous other teachers from past years. Also special special thanks to Bonnie (1:1 Aide) for being there when I always need her and sticking up for me when times are dark. You may not know that I have a disability. I have Autism. Sometimes I need my space and I appreciate when you give it to me, Other times I need to get away for awhile. Many of you have helped me through my darkest hours. I'd like to give special thanks to Colin Sorensen who has stuck up for me and has been one of my dearest friends. Next, I would have to give a bunch of thanks to Janine Snyder who can cheer me up every day of the week. Last but certainly not least Colton Bills, I know I have sometimes pushed him to the limit, but he has been very patient with me. All of you have been great great friends to me and I hope to see you next year in Middle School."
Thanks in advance for reading...
Stacey Costello (Patrick's Mom)
You definately have reason
You definately have reason to be so proud :) This letter your son wrote is positively inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing it with everyone.
God Bless
Suzanne
www.myspace.com/autismhope
I am a graduate student
I am a graduate student working on my master’s degree in childhood education and special education (grades 1-6). I am currently taking a class that is entirely based on autism. I absolutely love this story about your son! Your story gives me hope that students in school can accept one another and care about each other. Sometimes I think that this might just never truly happen. As a substitute teacher, I am constantly teaching students to accept and respect each other. This is essential in order to create a caring community in the classroom. Students need to feel accepted and respected so they can feel comfortable in the classroom. If students are not comfortable in the classroom, they will not learn to the best of their ability.
I hope that the students with special needs in my future classroom feel just as accepted and comfortable as your son did in his classroom. I want all of my students to understand that everyone is different. Children also need to understand that different is not a bad thing. I will teach my students to respect the differences of others so that all of the students in my classroom feel accepted. I hope this will help the students with special needs in my classroom to feel part of the classroom community.
It must feel so good to know that you have raised such a great son. Your son is a great role model for his peers. He understands the importance of saying “thank you” to others for the nice things they have done for him in school. He obviously understands the impact that his teachers and peers have had on his life and is grateful for their assistance. Good luck to him in middle school. I know he will be very prepared to succeed!
stacey costello Hello, I
stacey costello
Hello,
I don't check this site very often so I'm sorry to be responding to you so after the fact... I so appreciate your response to my letter! It is very refreshing to hear from someone that is entering the school setting with such convictions to help our kids!!!
Patrick is a wonderful kid who tries so hard to fit in among his peers. Most of his teachers have been very suppotive of his challenges and he feels very welcome in their classes.
Bravo to you for going the exra mile in helping to promote inclusion.
Best Regards,
Stacey~
www.staceycostello.com
my webiste has a blog link that I will be using as a way to get the word out about Autism
Stacey, What a wonderful
Stacey,
What a wonderful opportunity your son has given his classmates. I am a sixth grade teacher and understand how difficult it is for students to accept each other. Your son, Patrick, showed the students in his class the inportance of being accepted and feeling like a meaningful part of the classroom community. It was very brave for your son to put himself out there in a very vulerable way, something most adults would never do.
I often see my students focusing on what other students are getting rather than what they are receiving from the experience. It is important for children to realized that everyone is different and therefore requires different needs.
I think it is wonderful that you and Patrick have such an open relationship with the people who educate him. That is really important.
As a mother, I am sure you are completely touched by the fact that your son did this on his own. That is a testimony to your parenting. Being a mother is a lot of work, it is in those moments when all the work is worth it.
Enjoy,
KIM
stacey costello Dear
stacey costello
Dear Kim,
Thank you very much for taking the time to write in. I am showing all of these reponses to Patrick and he has been so proud! (me too!) He is in 6th grade this year and so far doing very well. His teachers are all so supportive of him and I am as you can imagine very grateful. We are a very close family and work very hard to give him encouragement to conquer his difficulties. Open communication is key.
Many thanks to you!
Stacey~
www.staceycostello.com
I have a blog link on my website that I have posted a few Autism related things.. When Patrick read my description of him on one of my blog posts he teared up and said "mom I love you so much". It doens't get better than that!
That is really nice, great
That is really nice, great Mom moment for you and his aide was kind to bring home a copy for you. I also like her since we share the same name. My son Nick is now in 7th grade, homeschooled for the Middle School years due to safety issues as we live in Los Angeles and since he was in general ed and a minority here (we are white) this is the best option. We use california virtual academy, at http://www.caliva.org
Anyway he too has known about autism due to the fact he has a brother 15 months younger who is severe and nonverbal. They go to an autism summer day camp each year and he can tell me which kids are low, high or medium functioning. It has helped him learn more about autism. I also had many books when he was younger.
I wrote some reviews on my website that are books for kids of all different age groups. Nick likes giving me his perspective when I write the review. You may want to blog about some boooks and offer your son the option to read them and give feedback, since he too is an expert on autism.
Bonnie - http://autismspectrumdisorders.bellaonline.com
stacey costello Bonnie, I
stacey costello
Bonnie,
I have a speical place for your name as you can imagine. I wanted to thank you so much for writing in. Patrick feels so porud when he read what people have said. As you know self confidence is so very important for our kids. They have to struggle so hard every day just to do and fit in. He has made unbelievable progress but we still have many miles to go. This blog as been a great way to let the world know about what we go through and the many struggles we face as families and parents.
The best to you!
Stacey~
www.staceycostello.com
I have a blog link on my website that I have posted a few things about Patrick & autism and I plan on doing more.
Thanks for the links you provided. I will check them out.
turmangirl Hello proud mom
turmangirl Hello proud mom of Patrick...What a blessing in your life this marvelous individual must be!! It would be sooooooooo nice if more "typical" children had the insight to have this kind of gratitude. Heck...it would be MARVELOUS if more of us adults had this insight..Everyday gives us opportunities to thank those in our lives...your entry has given me inspiration to remember this...Tell Patrick he has inspired me! I hope middle school will be rewarding for him....Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks for your very kind
Thanks for your very kind words! I will pass your message onto Patrick!!
No thanks necessary....I
No thanks necessary....I have 2 "typical" grandsons and 1 granddaughter with autism...She is such a joy to us...can't imagine life without her. She just finished first grade for the second time. She is 8 and LOVES school, but it is a very big challenge to her. I am afraid learning will always be difficult for her. I would love to believe that she will be like your Patrick when she reaches Middle School. We can both count our Blessings.
Hello I am new to this, but
Hello I am new to this, but I just want to say how inspiring your story has been. My son Joshuah has PDD and is about to enter Kindergarten this year. Most parents are excited for their child to go off to kindergarten, but not me. I am soooo nervous. I just hope the children in Joshuah's school treat him like the children in Preston's school, because we all know how cruel kids can be....
stacey costello Hello, So
stacey costello
Hello,
So sorry that I have not responded sooner to your post.
I don't check this site very often..but I will plan on checking more!!
I really understand your concern! I too was a nervous wreck before he entered school. Actually ever year I go through a terrible time worrying how he will be treated. Sometimes I wish I could just go for him! Having the support of your teachers are key. I hope that your son has a compassionate teacher who sees just how special he is. We have had very good experience with each teacher and I truly believe it has been the difference between success and failure.
I won't tell you it gets easier but I will say... Keep fighting! It is soooo worth it.
Best regards,
Stacey~
www.staceycostello.com
My website has a blog link that I have posted some things about Patrick...He loves reading what I write.:) I am planning on writing more to keep the awareness alive. Our kids deserve compassion and inclusion.