Lately quite a few of my internet friends have been battling their school districts and insurance companies. I feel helpless when I read of their troubles, and don't leave a comment because all I can think to write is "gosh, my school district is great- I guess I'm lucky" and that pretty much makes me sound like an ass.
Part of this is that Henry is older, and I am further removed from the initial testing and placing and IEP-ing that is so so so stressful. When I look back on that time, I can remember all three of his preschool teachers who didn't understand him and didn't even try to. (This included the teacher in his "special education" preschool.)
They really just didn't want this problem child who needed special attention and different treatment to take up their time and energy. They wanted a room full of little preschooler clones, whose only behavior issues might involve using a swear word or playing with forbidden Power Rangers.
It broke my heart to hear their reports every day and have them ask me for suggestions. Yet they refused to use the picture schedules that had been provided to them. I scrambled for ideas to help my son and, unfortunately, had not yet found this network of brilliant parents on the internet.
Henry is only in first grade, and I have attended IEP meetings and teacher conferences at 4 different schools. How is this appropriate for a child who craves, above all, stability?
But, one constant has been at all these meetings, and that is my school district's Special Education Director. At first it seemed like she was just there to recite policy and use words that I didn't understand. But as the years passed, and she got to know Henry better, I realized that she was my ally.
We pay an inordinate amount of money for our small old house on a very busy street, because we wanted to live in this school district. The district is small and very well-respected in the area. We moved here the summer before Henry turned 2, before we had any inkling of his special educational needs. But I'm so thankful now that we did. I guess maybe all those ratings are actually worth something.
This is just the most recent of many times that I've felt thankful for stumbling into a good situation. I know that you other moms who are being so proactive and such advocates for your children will find an answer. I wish I could help.
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2 comments:
From someone who is also happy with the services that my son is receiving through our school district (for now), I too do not know what advice to give my friends who are having a difficult time with their's. Except, keep on fighting!
P.S. bloglines may not be picking up my posts since I upgraded like you, so be sure to stop by and check in.
We stumbled onto one too, in regard to Jim's parents' town having just the right program for Charlie.....nonetheless, previous experiences have taught me never to not exercise vigilance!
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