I apologize for being distracted today. The Boy starts his new school today, and I am anxious. He was picked up early this morning in his new transport van, and off they went. I hope it all goes well, and I’m waiting for a report.
Keep him in your thoughts today, and I will keep you posted.
~Annie 😉
At our reconvened meeting yesterday, the team reached a consensus that The Boy’s needs would best be met through the pilot program at the school across the county! He and I will visit early next week, and will officially start the Monday of (American) Thanksgiving week, which I hope will give him transition, being a short week.
I have to say that I was intimidated by the number of people that would be there, and I wasn’t sure of everyone’s agendas, but it turned out to be a very positive thing, and a constructive process to arrive at our decision. Everyone there was really interested in what was best for The Boy, and I was very pleased at the level of conversation.
And for all of the hoping I’ve been doing, I know it won’t be “the answer” to all of our problems and issues. Indeed, we may have exchanged new ones for the old. But I truly feel that the depth of knowledge of the special ed staff in regards to autism, the training that the general ed staff has received and continues to receive, and the fact that The Boy has actual friends already at the school will go a lot further towards our goals for him than the program he is currently in.
I’m anxious for him, as it is all another change, and big one (and lots of little ones!), but I’m hopeful. More hopeful than I’ve been in a long time.
Our rescheduled IEP meeting is today, and let me tell you, I feel so much more prepared this time around. I am so glad that I was able to call them out on a technicality and give myself some more time to gather my wits and my resources. Today, I’m bringing our regional rep from the Autism Society in our state. I’ve talked with her a bunch over the last couple of weeks, and she will be there to advise me, and be an extra pair of ears.
They will still have a passel of personnel in attendance, but they don’t scare me anymore. I have data from his previous school that supports everything that I say he needs and isn’t getting. I have documentation in the form of emails from his current teachers that supports everything I say he needs and isn’t getting. And I have a better understanding of their intentions, as well as the process, and my rights.
And my focus now is on the IEP, even though we will be discussing placement, as well. He needs and aide, he needs autism-savvy teachers, and he needs help with organization. Period. I would like to see him go to a school that is better equipped for his needs, but I’m not as steadfast in that as I was, because I’m not sure I want him in a school where they so obviously are against him being there. When it comes down to it, no matter where he is placed, we will continue to have a fight on our hands, and now that I know that, I am better prepared to roll with the punches (Inner Biker Chick is present and accounted for, thankyouverymuch).
What a difference a couple of weeks makes. Let’s ride!
Laura & Margie – biker chicks, mslaura
Simple. I Just Do. 