Praise the lord and pass the vodka! Badger has been approved for IEP services with the school district!
Let me tell you guys something, I was so nervous I almost threw up going in to this meeting. I have been hearing “Let’s just wait and see.” and “Well, he seems OK, except for that, you know, thing where he attacks other kids at random. Have you tried time-outs?” for so damn long, I actually had given up hope that the evaluation would find him in need of services, especially when the psychologist said he didn’t see many signs of “specific behaviors that signaled qualifying special needs”. It turns out he just meant “Badger doesn’t show signs of Autism”, which I already suspected.
So, for 4 days a week starting in 2 weeks (approximately), my no-longer-a-baby boy will be picked up by the school bus and attend a structured special education program with no more than 11 students at the local elementary school for 2-1/2 hours, then be dropped off at home again. I had no idea what to expect so I was pretty amazed at the level of detail they went in to with respect to goals, timeframes, and the like. I will receive progress reports and we will also meet in 6 months to review Badger’s progress.
The best part? He cannot be kicked out for behavior. Because he is referred to the program due to behavioral issues, in large part, it is the program’s responsibility to ensure that he and the other kids are safe by providing the appropriate level of supervision. No more phone calls saying come pick up your monster! CAN YOU SAY AMEN, SISTERS AND BROTHERS?
I was so relieved to have someone believe me AND offer substantial help that I burst into tears as soon as I left the office. I love my son more than anything, but I can’t lie, it has often been a rough 3 years and 9 months of trying to figure out what was going on with him.
I don’t expect a quick fix or perfect results. I am just so, so happy to have a starting point for my sweet son.
Thank the gods, something finally went right.
Ahhhhhhh! CONGRATS COCO!!!!
Oh Coco, That is great news for you and for Badger! Sounds like he will get the environment that he needs…
And as far as him not being small anymore, I have a distinct memory of lil moonspun at 3 really starting to look more like a kid…not toddler like, if that makes sense!
WOOOHOOO!!!!!!!
I’m so glad you got the services you need!
Hang in there!
AMEN, SISTA! Yay for Badger and yay for the school doing wht they need to to help. Hoping for the best. Thanks for keeping us updated!
AMEN indeed, this is such spectacular news!!! I am so happy and relieved for you, my dear, and for sweet, adorable Bean.
Just one teensy word of warning: That first morning, when the bus comes and picks him up? Have many, many kleenex handy. It is *killer* that first day.
Doing a happy dance for you!! xoxo
oh i am so over joyed for you! IEP is a great program when done properly and from the way you described the meeting it sounds like it is on the right track to being done properly! I hope it works wonders! It won’t work instantly like you said, but I can tell you from my experience in the education field that you will see one soon and you will be amazed!
Coco, I am just OVER JOYED for you! What wonderful, fantastic news!
I hope they can give your sweet little man the help he needs.
That is great news for you guys!
AMEN! HALLELUJAH! HOORAY! I’m so happy for you, Coco! Good for you for fighting for what your son needs. Tell Badger Bean that Cenzo is mighty jealous that he gets to ride a bus to school!
so very very happy for you and Badger
GREAT NEWS!!! I’m so happy something is finally happening for you with this.
What I have learnt through the process with Eli is definately know your state laws and your rights. Schools often don’t tell you everything. I absolutely love Eli’s vision teachers BUT I’m fighting for more services that they haven’t suggested. Get every detail in that IEP that you are concerned about. This is Eli’s third year with an IEP and I’m still learning.
Here’s some great links on IEPs.
http://www.PACER.org -Geared toward residence of Minnesota, but I took an awesome Webinar through them.
http://www.wrightslaw.com
-Sorry I haven’t been around commenting for awhile, but please know I am reading and thinking about you!
I’m so glad to hear this! I hope it works out!
Glad to hear there is a solution available to help your child. Having the validation alone must be a huge relief for you. Best of luck to all of you.
Well, that’s just great news! I’m so happy for you guys. I returned the paperwork for our son to be evaluated yesterday morning. I’m not so sure I want an IEP for him, the way that our school system handles it, but at this point we’ll take any help we can get. He’s sooo far behind, even with a tutor that’s costing me a fortune ;(
*sobs*
God, that’s wonderful news.
That’s so awesome that you got him into a program like that. I have friends that have had a hard time getting the resources that their kids need. So way to go!
Yay!! and finally. Hope it all goes well and that your babe finally has a chance to settle into a routine that will be life changing for him!!!