Wednesday, June 3, 2009

School support

Akila has had a great school year, by far her best yet. I am super happy about this, but I wish I could say the same about home. At home, each year gets worse. But I am very thankful that she is doing well at school. I do know that will more than likely change at some point. But I have to share something that may shock many of you, especially those of you who are parents of a child with special needs.

I got an email today from Akila's teacher requesting me to come next week and meet with her IEP team and the Special Ed Director. Sounds scary doesn't it? They want to meet to talk about the possibility of a para in the future for Akila. Should I say that again? The school has initiated this. I can't tell you how thankful I am for all of the support and acceptance that we have gotten from our school. I know tons of parents who have had to fight tooth and nail to get support for their kids, and I have not hit any resistance.

I'm not sure if they are talking about next school year, the teacher mentioned trying to think ahead into middle school, which Akila is one school year away from (she will enter 5th grade next year). But I really appreciate opening up the discussion. Akila's behavior has not been too rough this year, but I think that academically, she is often pretty lost and this is the age where most FASD kids start to plummet as the curriculum gets more abstract. I am just tickled pink that I get to work with a school team that is proactive.

2 comments:

Janine said...

I am envious. Seth was almost thirteen and in secondary school before we managed to get any funding for a teacher aide (which is shared between three boys who all get some funding). Even then it was only on the basis of a diagnosis of autism - because there is no recognition of FASD or the learning and behavioural difficulties that accompany it here in Australia. Stevie doesn't present as autistic but even our paediatrician was happy to sign off on it if it gave us the support he needed.

the johnson crew said...

that is awesome barb! that will be a blessing.