Miller did it! After a year and a half, Miller has graduated the intensive ABA therapy program at Florida Autism Center (FAC) and is transitioning into public school. 🥳
Given Miller’s Autism Level 3 diagnosis and his history of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, we are approaching this transition with the utmost care. The behavior team from FAC is in communication with the new ABA providers, and both teams are joining Miller and I at school to create a comprehensive plan that addresses Miller’s unique needs in the least restrictive environment.
Miller graduated today (Dec. 2, '25), and our entire team meets at the school for the first time next Tuesday, the 9th. With a little help from the insurance elves, the new ABA providers will be ready to join Miller at school by the end of next week, which will give Miller about a week of getting accustomed to school before Christmas break. School will resume on January 6, and hopefully Miller can adjust quickly.
An unavoidable consequence of all this good news is that I will be unable to work during this time, as it is critical that I be available to and for Miller at every point of this transition. The first few days at school will be abbreviated, "introduction" days. And during the school break Miller, his brother, and I are on our own.
We hope for the best, but it's just not good sense to be at a Waffle House 30 minutes away from Miller when it's highly likely he will experience crisis-level behaviors due to Autistic overwhelm as he goes back to school for the first time in two years. The moment Miller stabilizes in his new school, I'll be right back to the Waffle House cooking and serving eggs and bacon with a grateful heart. From here and now, I would estimate that Miller should be fully transitioned by the third week of January.
The decision to initiate a fundraiser was not easy. Pride has sat like a lump in my throat this last month, but today is here and the need is crystal clear. Without sharing our reality and asking for help, we will be dangerously underwater.
From our budget we will be missing about $1,000 from December and January each, hence the $2,000 fundraising goal. The Spotfund platform takes no commission, and only holds back 2.9% of donations to cover card processing fees.
If you have cash to spare, or can only say a prayer, we are grateful to be in your heart this season.
- Shannon & The Boys
