Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Middle school bound!

I've been very neglectful about posting, but I guess the only way to explain that is that things are going along pretty well.  This blog has served as my outlet for venting about problems and frustrations, and I'm happy to report that both are at a minimum at the moment.  I know I usually post about my anxiety during the annual review process, but this year it has been notably absent.  I attribute that, in part, to being well prepared to handle whatever came our way.  We started this process over a year ago, when we could see the middle school transition on the horizon.  We took a serious look at whether we should move or not, hired a very expensive consultant to tell us what was lacking in Sam's program and where he should be to make the transition easier, had quite a few meetings with teachers about how to improve his academic performance, and spent hours and hours on homework and building school work skills in general.  So it pays to be prepared, even over prepared.  I now feel like I have a much clearer handle on what Sam does in school, where he needs help, and where we need to go from here.  But, it was kinda nice to go along oblivious for a year or two!  That said, I doubt I will be that dis-attached again.  It doesn't pay to let it go, only to have to play catch-up later.

Another reason for the low stress level in this process is the CSE person we've been dealing with, D.  I remember thinking when she took over the job when Sam was starting 4th grade that I was glad  it was not the transition year and that I would have to be dealing with a new person right away.  I went to her with my concerns and hopes for the future at the end of last year, and since then she has been very receptive, proactive, genuinely concerned, and effective in helping us advocate for Sam.  This has been a very welcome development- while I feel that overall we have been treated fairly by our school district, I would say that prior to D taking over the job, most of the hard work was done by Tom and I.  I feel that D has made this into more of partnership.

You always hear that that is how the special ed system is supposed to work- parents, teachers and administrators coming together to craft a plan that is in the best interest of the individual child.  Judging from all the horror stories we hear at Friday Knights and various support groups, this is rarely the case.  Everyone has their own agenda, and they are usually vastly different.  Sometimes it shakes out like parents and teachers vs. administrators, or parents vs. teachers vs. administrators.  I'm seeing how lucky we are, because I feel like through the series of meetings we have had this year, we are probably as close to being on the same page as is possible.  Improvements have been made to Sam's academic program, his social goals, his mainstreaming- all because of this partnership.  He is doing well with it.  That makes everything worth it- I'm glad this process has been so positive and has worked so well, it seems, for everyone.

Our annual review meeting is scheduled for May 6.  I'm prepared- Sam is heading to a middle school program where he will have the support he needs, the opportunities he can take advantage of, a teacher who is recommended by many, and the support of the team behind the scenes.  I'm glad the system is working for us!