Easter Seals Series: The Striblings at School
By: Maria Chandler WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: October 18, 2012
ATLANTA- For a child with with autism, a full day at a big school can be scary.
We first introduced you to our Easter Seals family, the Striblings, last month.
Now school's started for two of the boys.
And this year is already shaping up to be pretty stellar.
There's a new student in Mrs. Adam's kindergarten class at Olympia South Elementary school in Atlanta.
Rilian Stribling is making huge strides here in Early Childhood.
"He's doing so well. The work that he does in Early Childhood is way above what the other kids are doing in here. And he's transitioning so well when he goes over to the kindergarten room," says ECE teacher Joan Tracy.
Meaning a big, full time, move across the hall very soon.
"It's gonna break our heart to see him leave our classroom, but it's so rewarding to see the kids progress like they do."
Rilian turned five this summer.
He's been in the early childhood room since he was three.
His brother, Roran, is just getting started here.
"You know, kids like Rilian, they come to us and they're not talking and they're not potty trained," explains Tracy. "Roran was very attached to mother. So, when school started, the elephant was in the book-bag just in case he needed it."
Today, you'd never know it...
"Rilian kind of baffled me, saying he was autistic, because of the social aspect that he has. Last year, he would come in and say, "Good morning, Mrs. Tracy, good morning, Ms. Amber."
Here at school, that social aspect, follows them everywhere.
And speech therapy at Olympia piggybacks on what the two learn at Easter Seals.
So that the boys thrive socially in and outside of the classroom
It's only October, but this school year is already producing some Stribling star-students.
Making progress, like singing to a room full of students, possible.
And making some teachers, pretty proud, too.
Rilian should be making the transition to full time kindergarten within the next few days.
We first introduced you to our Easter Seals family, the Striblings, last month.
Now school's started for two of the boys.
And this year is already shaping up to be pretty stellar.
There's a new student in Mrs. Adam's kindergarten class at Olympia South Elementary school in Atlanta.
Rilian Stribling is making huge strides here in Early Childhood.
"He's doing so well. The work that he does in Early Childhood is way above what the other kids are doing in here. And he's transitioning so well when he goes over to the kindergarten room," says ECE teacher Joan Tracy.
Meaning a big, full time, move across the hall very soon.
"It's gonna break our heart to see him leave our classroom, but it's so rewarding to see the kids progress like they do."
Rilian turned five this summer.
He's been in the early childhood room since he was three.
His brother, Roran, is just getting started here.
"You know, kids like Rilian, they come to us and they're not talking and they're not potty trained," explains Tracy. "Roran was very attached to mother. So, when school started, the elephant was in the book-bag just in case he needed it."
Today, you'd never know it...
"Rilian kind of baffled me, saying he was autistic, because of the social aspect that he has. Last year, he would come in and say, "Good morning, Mrs. Tracy, good morning, Ms. Amber."
Here at school, that social aspect, follows them everywhere.
And speech therapy at Olympia piggybacks on what the two learn at Easter Seals.
So that the boys thrive socially in and outside of the classroom
It's only October, but this school year is already producing some Stribling star-students.
Making progress, like singing to a room full of students, possible.
And making some teachers, pretty proud, too.
Rilian should be making the transition to full time kindergarten within the next few days.
