Day 17: 31 For 21 Blog Challenge for Down Syndrome Awareness
Last May we met with all of Bradley's teachers and the County and the District, I guess we could call it his team. We could call it his posse, but we aren't completely sure that some of his team are completely on board with finding the best path for him, especially if that path might require money from them for his improvement. But I want to believe that they all have his best interests at heart, even if a percentage are more concerned about the dollars. Either way. It's called his "IEP: Individualized Education Plan", geared toward him and his needs based on his skills assessments and diagnosis.
To get to his IEP, we had to do testing and establish that he is delayed, but we had to determine how delayed. I suppose a necessary evil, but go ahead and put the emphasis on evil. The only thing worse than watching an assessment and listening to the report about how your child is the equivalent of a three year old or whatever, is having to fill out the assessment yourself. Yeah, that's fun like getting a cavity filled with no numbing medicine. But once the assessment is done and the IEP is written, it's a contract. All of Bradley's goals are there, all his progress good and bad, all of it is there. And where the Regional Center Reps will try to add all the nuances they can to help describe this incredible little child they are providing services for, there is little to none of that inside an IEP.
But back to his team, Bradley's team makes sure that Eric and I are fully aware at how wonderful they think our little boy is. The IEP may be stark, but his educators aren't. They are careful in how any potentially viewed negative behavior is revealed and detailed about how all his positives are displayed. They don't sugar coat anything, they just want to make sure that they highlight all of his strengths and present his weaknesses with plans in motion or potential plans prepared if Plan A does not work. Considering we run on a Plan A through Z strategy in our house out of necessity; I appreciate this immensely.
Today was our follow up IEP. Today, we discussed how to work on integrating Bradley into a Special Day Class twice a week for fifteen minutes. Bradley has been in formal schooling for a year and a half, we feel that he should become accustomed to transitions in his classroom now to help him as he grows and moves in and out of classrooms. We figure this was the best way to start. My favorite question of the day: "What are looking for?"
My answer: "We need to know if he can be there and be successful, if he can't then we will need to talk about what supports he needs to make him successful." Ending with my most compelling smile and a certain 'take no crap' look in my eye that set her back and had her nod ok. They really hate when you use their language successfully: like a reminder that you might have some education to back you up, that you might know how to read, that you might prepare for these kinds of things in advance, that you might not just sit and eat what they feed you and hope for the best.
So Bradley will try this, going from his classroom to another for fifteen minutes in that classroom, twice a week. Until he is showing success and interest, his second teacher will have something he considers a preferred fun thing to do there during that time with the option of his participation in whatever the class is doing once he finds his comfort level is appropriate. One of the aides from his class will go with him and stay the whole time because he does have medical issues that have to be addressed immediately when necessary. This made me feel much better. After the Holidays, we will discuss whether the time should be extended or if he is not proving successful, do we need to wait or do we need to provide other supports for him to be successful. So literally, time will tell.
I've asked before, but I asked again today as his teaching team left, I wanted to know if they thought he could do it. They said yes. I said ok, you think he can and I think he can, but I know that they don't really think he can. But they smiled at me and one said, "Yes, but they don't know Bradley like we do." Nice.
We're not sure where we need him to go from here, but we do think that letting Bradley let us know the path he needs is important, we just have to offer some options. With his medical needs, full inclusion is probably not in the future for him, at least not the next few years. When he has his next surgery, we'll have to assess (yeah, my favorite thing) what he loses cognitively and determine where to go from there. I guess that's partially why we wanted to start now; so that when the surgery happens somewhere down the road, this will all be habit and routine for him, something he might enjoy going back too, something he might remember.
So a successful IEP, with big plans and tiny but big changes coming up for Bradley. Life is a roller coaster, all you can do is get in, buckle up and hold on. Where ever this takes him, Dad and I will be sitting right with him, all of us holding on for dear life and hopefully, laughing along the way!
Not too bad for a Monday. Have a great night all!
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