A chance to be normal
I post here so irregularly anymore, I feel like I have to back up a million years just to catch up to what I want to post about. Suffice it to say, we have been butting heads with the school over the Kinglet's IEP and how things roll for him at school - mostly in a subdued way, but definitely with a lot of tension and clashing perspectives. But things have been in a holding pattern, more or less, while they "collect data" and while we wait for various evaluations to happen.
And by "holding pattern", I mean "not much of anything good"... there was a couple of weeks there where we didn't get any phone calls, but that is not to say that things were peachy at school - the Kinglet didn't set any fires or slash any tires. But he made up for it by whacking his teacher with a book on Monday - the first day back from a week-long Thanksgiving break. That earned him (me) a five-day suspension - because that's exactly what he needs, right? More time at home?
BUT, let me skip that rant and focus on today.
Today I met with some of the evaluators from the state Autism Program to discuss their findings - specifically, whether or not the Kinglet qualifies for the Educational Disability Label of "Autism" (as opposed to the "Developmental Delay" Label he currently has. This is a really important distinction, because without the Autism label he can't qualify for the Autism Program. And even if he doesn't qualify, he's still better off with the Autism label, because "Developmental Delay" has some inherent drawbacks. (Plus, you know, HE HAS AUTISM. Call it what it is, damn it.)
I had my doubts, but they surprised me right off the bat by telling me the Kinglet definitely qualifies for the Autism label. They went on to describe their observations, some of which was new information to me, some of which was actually pretty entertaining (because the Kinglet may be dysfunctional, but he is definitely a character.)
So that, in itself, made for a good meeting.
The next part, though, is potentially life-alteringly awesome. Potentially. I'm not getting too excited yet, because we've just been through too much hell not to expect the other shoe to drop... such an odd saying, that. But so many shoes have dropped in this kid's short life, I can't not squint at the sky for falling Nike's. I'm not getting my hopes too high because the people in the room today are not the people with the power to make the final call.
HOWEVER... I am given to understand... unofficially... off the record... that the Kinglet is considered eligible for the state Autism Program. Not only eligible - they're eager to work with him. It's just up to the program administrators and the members of the Kinglet's current IEP team. And, I'm given to understand, that the current team is not at all in favor of leaving him in general ed, as he is now, without any supports - so why wouldn't they approve him for the program he desperately needs? I mean, seriously, if any of them try to deny him I might camp out on their front lawn until they change their mind. I'm not even fucking kidding.
So... barring cruel twists of fate or administrative whim, it looks like the Kinglet is going to be taken under the program umbrella very soon. Potentially even by the end of next week, since the placement hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
If the placement is approved, there are a lot of variations to consider regarding where he will attend school and to what extent he will be integrated with mainstream kids; however, he would assuredly have extensive and INTENSIVE special ed support by Autism professionals... access to specialized therapy... access to other kids with Autism... special transportation... most importantly, he won't get suspended for having Autism symptoms. I won't have to spend my days waiting for the phone to ring.
I'm not getting my hopes up too far yet, but... this is what we've been fighting for since this child was in preschool. Preschool to half-way through second grade... a chance to take a breath. A reason to hope my son can go to school and actually learn things. That he might actually get treatment for what's wrong with him, rather than punishment. A chance to be normal.
Dear Special Education Godz... dear Godz of mothers and children... dear Godz of administration and caprice... please. Please. Make this happen.
And by "holding pattern", I mean "not much of anything good"... there was a couple of weeks there where we didn't get any phone calls, but that is not to say that things were peachy at school - the Kinglet didn't set any fires or slash any tires. But he made up for it by whacking his teacher with a book on Monday - the first day back from a week-long Thanksgiving break. That earned him (me) a five-day suspension - because that's exactly what he needs, right? More time at home?
BUT, let me skip that rant and focus on today.
Today I met with some of the evaluators from the state Autism Program to discuss their findings - specifically, whether or not the Kinglet qualifies for the Educational Disability Label of "Autism" (as opposed to the "Developmental Delay" Label he currently has. This is a really important distinction, because without the Autism label he can't qualify for the Autism Program. And even if he doesn't qualify, he's still better off with the Autism label, because "Developmental Delay" has some inherent drawbacks. (Plus, you know, HE HAS AUTISM. Call it what it is, damn it.)
I had my doubts, but they surprised me right off the bat by telling me the Kinglet definitely qualifies for the Autism label. They went on to describe their observations, some of which was new information to me, some of which was actually pretty entertaining (because the Kinglet may be dysfunctional, but he is definitely a character.)
So that, in itself, made for a good meeting.
The next part, though, is potentially life-alteringly awesome. Potentially. I'm not getting too excited yet, because we've just been through too much hell not to expect the other shoe to drop... such an odd saying, that. But so many shoes have dropped in this kid's short life, I can't not squint at the sky for falling Nike's. I'm not getting my hopes too high because the people in the room today are not the people with the power to make the final call.
HOWEVER... I am given to understand... unofficially... off the record... that the Kinglet is considered eligible for the state Autism Program. Not only eligible - they're eager to work with him. It's just up to the program administrators and the members of the Kinglet's current IEP team. And, I'm given to understand, that the current team is not at all in favor of leaving him in general ed, as he is now, without any supports - so why wouldn't they approve him for the program he desperately needs? I mean, seriously, if any of them try to deny him I might camp out on their front lawn until they change their mind. I'm not even fucking kidding.
So... barring cruel twists of fate or administrative whim, it looks like the Kinglet is going to be taken under the program umbrella very soon. Potentially even by the end of next week, since the placement hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning.
If the placement is approved, there are a lot of variations to consider regarding where he will attend school and to what extent he will be integrated with mainstream kids; however, he would assuredly have extensive and INTENSIVE special ed support by Autism professionals... access to specialized therapy... access to other kids with Autism... special transportation... most importantly, he won't get suspended for having Autism symptoms. I won't have to spend my days waiting for the phone to ring.
I'm not getting my hopes up too far yet, but... this is what we've been fighting for since this child was in preschool. Preschool to half-way through second grade... a chance to take a breath. A reason to hope my son can go to school and actually learn things. That he might actually get treatment for what's wrong with him, rather than punishment. A chance to be normal.
Dear Special Education Godz... dear Godz of mothers and children... dear Godz of administration and caprice... please. Please. Make this happen.