July provision-summer saviour!

I only heard of July provision last yr. had no idea what it was. We were looking at new schools for Mia as her old school felt like they couldn't take her any further as they didn't have the resources. It had been a very hard yr for Mia and us. She wouldn't participate in class, was being bullied and was falling behind in maths in a huge way. So much so her ability was marked the same as junior infants level. She had great teachers but they had tried everything she just couldn't participate in anything.  Four weeks before we decided to change school we were called in and told the school was recommending Mia be put in an autism unit. I was shocked. We both were. We both walked away from the meeting feeling defeated and lost. I decided to join a support group and heard about EducateTogether. They had an autism unit attached and seemed to have more resources. We went up to look at it and straight away I had a good feeling about it.  They told us about July provision.its an extra month in school for children with autism and it's a mixture of class work and  social activities two things Mia needed help with. It also kept the children in routine which they badly need. We signed her up. It started off well. She seemed to adjust although rarely mixed with the others. She loved the day trips. Two weeks in the teacher asked me was Mia verbal. I was shocked I said yes she's well able to talk! It turned out for two weeks shed barely said a word and was copying some of the non verbal kids to make herself more comfortable! She came out of herself more the last two weeks and didn't want it to end. When I think back to last August it makes me full of anxiety. It was the worst summer so far. Mia was in turmoil. Change in routine and thoughts of starting a new school had her like an Antichrist at home. She defied everything we said. She didn't sleep qst all we were lucky to get two hours sleep a night with her.
Anxiety was at a high she pulled her hair out everyday and constantly pulled the skin off her lips so much so we were living in the chemist getting creams for her. We rang the hse begging them for help but it fell on deaf ears. It was a very isolating time and a scary one. I thought August would never end, I remember taking the kids to the beach to meet my mum and my two aunts and I literally fell on my mum crying my heart out that Mia had me drained and was so hard to live with. My Family were a great support and I don't know were we would be without the breaks they gave us. July provision was definitely on for Mia this yr so we enrolled her hoping it would help her. This yr was so different for her. She had settled into educate together brilliantly and is in mainstream with the help of resource hours. She gets to use the sensory room and activity room and also the outdoor class room. She loves the sensory garden as well.
She has actual friends something we had hoped for for so long! This was her first week in July provision it's held in the autism unit. She's in a class with mostly aspergers children and ADHD. She bounces in every morning and chats away. Her class sna told me they can't believe the difference in her this year. Her anxiety is at a minimum and she's interacting well with the other children. They understand each other so well. It's so great to see her be able to be herself in there and not have to worry about her. It gives me time with Ava and jack and they need that. I know how much they have to adjust to Mia daily. There great with her. Mia is happy this summer so far I hope to God it lasts! They need these services so much. Without routine they really struggle to cope with daily life.