Wednesday, September 8, 2010

School Meeting

Well, today I had my meeting w/ the principal, Director of Special Ed, my son's teacher and the school Social Worker. I'm not sure how much was solved and I never got any straight forward answers to any questions regarding seminars required by teachers to attend for SPD. I keep telling them this is a very hard disorder because there is a fine line and finding that line is difficult. Things do change day to day with my son so because of that he isn't qualified for an IEP because they don't feel it would be affective at this time since he isn't having any trouble w/ his school work.

I feel like I'm up against a brick wall here. I still get the nods like "yes we know what you're saying, we understand what you're going through", but really they DON'T GET IT!! What to do What to do?? I don't feel like this is over and I'm going to keep doing what I know to do and that is to help my son the best way I know how. I do think that through this the principal knows I truly mean business and I will do whatever it is I have to do to be heard! I am my son's voice and thank God I was blessed w/ a very loud one!!!

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Private vs Public

Well yesterday I went to one of our private schools in town to check out their school and see if maybe it would be a good fit for my son. WOW! I was so impressed with them and their knowledge of Sensory Processing Disorder and how they incorporated strategies into each classroom because they know it doesn't just help the kids with disorders but also the kids without disorders. They have 2 special ed teachers on staff and on campus everyday and they both went to 2 seminars this year to learn more about SPD and how to help these kids at school. They have researched how to visually have their classrooms so that it isn't overwhelming for these kids, and if you have ever been into a public school classroom you know how it overloads you visually, they also have special lights in each classroom so that it won't bother these kids with disorders (no humming sound, not too bright, ect..). They take the kids out for sensory breaks no questions asked, they use whatever tools needed to help these kids, no questions asked. I did say to the principal that I'm sure the public schools haven't done this kind of research or gone to these seminars because of funding and she told me that the funding is there because they were able to use some of the public school funding for their teachers to go to the seminars. FASCINATING!! What's their excuse going to be I wonder?!

After this meeting at the private school I called the Director of Special Ed for our district for the public schools and I asked her "Why hasn't any of the resource teachers in our district gone to these seminars for SPD since there is funding for it and the private school was able to use some of you funding for their teachers to attend", and I got the run around, "oh I'm sure someone attended these seminars but I don't know who and our teachers do take special courses as they come up".  Ok, so you are the "Director of Special Ed" for this district but you don't know "who" attended the SPD seminars this summer. Does that sound right to you cuz it sure doesn't to me?! Shouldn't this be MANDITORY for every Social Worker or Special Ed teacher to attend any seminar regarding SPD or any other disorder so they can know better on how to help these kids and their teachers? I think so. Where in the world is our tax paying dollars going cuz I can tell you where it isn't going, it isn't going to educate our "educators" on any disorders or to help our kids with disorders!

Man, they have me all lit up inside!! I have a meeting this next week with the Director of Special Ed and my sons principal and I can't wait!!! They are definitely going to get my 2 cents about this. Even if my son leaves this school and goes to private that doesn't mean they have heard the last of me! There are other kids out there that need help and who's fighting for them? Something has to change so these kids get the help they deserve and get it without fighting tooth and nail for it. The private school said they would automatically give my son an IEP (Individualized Education Program) to better help him and I'm still getting resistance from the public school for this and they have the money and resources to get an IEP quicker than a private school.

So my frustration lives on! I'm going to get something done regarding this, I don't know how or when but I'm going to make sure it happens. I have the good Lord on my side and He's going to make the path before me and open up the right doors so I can help, not just my son, but any child with SPD. I will let you know how the meeting goes, I'm super excited about it, it's a step in the right direction!