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Post by Claire on Jun 2, 2006 20:19:10 GMT -5
Things are going a bit better with my emotional roller coaster and hurt that we had to deal with because of the abuse Adam's received at his old school. We had the first IPRC at his new school today. I was really dreading it. It has always been quite the battle at the other school to get anything for our son. After all he is the only child with DS in our community so they don't want to spend to much money for just one kid. Well I came home so happy after the meeting. They have went ahead and ordered a new joystick instead of the mouse for the computer, as Adam's index fingers are a little arched and it makes it difficult for him to click and drag a computer mouse. (I fought and even raised 1/2 the money and it took us 2 years to get it at the previous school). They have a full time teacher assistant hired full time for him next fall all day, and are going to integrate him in gym, music and art with the grade ones. They made us part of every decision. I almost cried of happiness and relief. I guess when they say things happen for a reason they are right, too bad Adam had to suffer the abuse before we sent him to this school. Just happy things are finally turning around after a 6 month roller coaster. Adam will be happy again. They actually talked about his behavior problems and kind of joked about, said that they had seen worse and would get the handle on things, that it was there job to educate and teach Adam proper behaviors and that we needed a rest and to leave it up to them for a while. They also said he was like his mom, strong minded, and stubborn and won't quit until it is right. ;D ;D ;D I'll take that as a compliment.
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Post by shellk on Jun 3, 2006 8:24:32 GMT -5
Claire,
That is awful that he suffered abuse at his old school....I have been out of the loop for a while here and was not aware of any of that. I am glad the hear that he has a new school and that things are looking up ....Hope they continue this way.
Best of luck Michele
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Post by NZ Carolyn on Jun 3, 2006 16:43:57 GMT -5
I sure can relate to how you're feeling! We too went through a similar experience. Nicki was in a Montessori Primary School (not sure what the equivalent is in the Northern Hem). EVERYTHING was a battle. Getting anything for her was a nightmare. She had speech therapy maybe once a term if she was lucky and the physio was downright abusive to the point where I felt I needed to write a letter of complaint. She shoved Nicki who was seated in a chair so hard up against the table that she couldn't breathe let alone see the computer screen - this was to stop her for slouching? ? Yikes! Finally her Teacher Aide hours were cut so serverely she had no support in class at all. All the hours were being used on supervising her at lunchtimes. When I called into the school unexpectedly, Nicki was reading a book in the corner yet again while all the other kids were actively engaged in "work". I asked the teacher about what was going on to include Nicki, she threw up her hands in horror and said a few things that really upset me. Emma was already in a special school so we pulled Nicki out of Montessori and she is now in the same class and Emma AND a much happier child. I think the timing was right and it's so nice to know that they are there for Nicki and don't see her as a major hassle as in the other class. Nicki's self esteem has really improved - I didn't realise how sad she was until we made the move. Everything is better and we feel fantastic! So glad things worked out for you too but it's a horrible road getting there! Cheers Carolyn
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Post by Claire on Jun 4, 2006 19:09:47 GMT -5
I feel sad for you too, as I know how frustrating and how much it hurts to see your child be treated that way. After only 3 months in the special needs class Adam is already getting less frustrated and comes home happy. They do teach him some academics but for this year we have agreed on working on the frustrations that were causing the behaviors. They have been great with us. Don't get me wrong I do believe in integration and inclusion, but not at the point where my son gets sooo frustrated or is not treated like a human being. Next year they will start integrating him with grade 1 for gym and music and we'll see from there. Academics will come and we have lots of time for that, ;)what is the most important is for Adam to be happy. ;DIt is good that at the other school he could read at a grade 1 level and type grammar on a computer, but he was not happy and not ready for these things. It seems that from the day our children are born they have to be put at work for learning. Like there is something to prove. ???I think early intervention is good to a certain point, but they also need to be a child and I have missed just being a mom so bad it hurts. It's a tough call to make, we are glad we made the decision to transfer him to another school for now. He may be integrated fully in the future but if he is not, we are OK with that. Like I said, what makes Adam a happy person is what is important, and even though we thought we we're doing what was in the best interest for Adam, we we're wrong. Hey we learn from our mistakes, that's how we don't make them again.
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