Well, it's official, Hamilton Southeastern school system made the wrong decision today, that's for sure. Back in May they stated that because Jude was too intelligent he didn't qualify for services through the school. I disagreed with them and was able to get an independent evaluation done so that at least they could look at the things I thought were important and difficult for Jude. So we did that and waited for the school committee to come back to say that indeed Jude is "too advanced" to require services from the school system. (But truthfully those school therapists he worked with were only supervising Jude, not ever really providing therapy)
But I honestly believed they would do the right thing, despite how well Jude is doing in school, his disability lies in his physical capabilities not his mental capabilities. The thing is they are cutting out the bridge between what he mentally can do and what he can physically do. They say he is at a high reading level but who is going to hold those advanced books for him to read because he can't physically do it. An iPad they say works great for problems like this but do you think there's a chance that the school would provide this to Jude, I'd bet not. They're just so focused on making these kids cookie cutter kids so it's easier but they aren't thinking about the kids individually.
Though Jude is a pretty lucky guy, he seems to have a fantastic teacher who cares about Jude more than just a number. I feel really confident she's a great asset to Jude's team, I just wish she had the support from the school. She hasn't been able to do his assessments because he's been at therapy both times his group was evaluated. This week he was upset that he had such easy homework but that's only because his teacher hasn't had the time to assess and then challenge him. He's missing out on school success because he's gaining at therapy. Where do we fix this?
I probably shouldn't fight over this he has so many advantages that others don't and I should be grateful for that. But he has such potential. He has the ability to do great things and BECAUSE of his disability he has the drive to work hard and excel. I just want him to do what he wants to do whatever it is, no limitations. I thought that used to be a common goal but it doesn't seem like the case. At least not here in this school system.
Anyway, the subject seems to be tabled right now, at least unless we have a truancy problem because of the therapies. Not sure of my next step, I'm still a bit shocked at their decision. I'll start on that tomorrow maybe.
"This too shall pass"
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Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Future looks bright
Great news, we were called by the Riley Children's Hospital to see if Jude would participate in their robotics program! They just opened this study within the last year and we are so excited to be a part of it. I may be putting the cart before the horse because we have not done the actual evaluation but he should have no problem qualifying. It is 18 sessions of therapy on his upper affected extremity (right) twice per week. It is almost like a game simulation where he will have to move a joystick to the proper movements while playing a game. I am not all together positive about how it works, I assume it will all be explained on Thursday and I will let you all know!
We finally scheduled the case conference for Jude's IEP (individual education plan) so we are looking forward to next week. Then we will all take a look at my independent evaluations compared to what the school therapists saw. At least twice at the case conference in May his physical therapist admitted that what she wrote in the report was not actually correct. She said there was not a significant gait difference when he walked but was when ran. That's the total opposite of what is really going on, when Jude runs he looks symmetrical. He does hold his hand in a flexed position but his legs look perfect. But when he walks you there is a significant limp. That is just one of the errors in her report. I understand that they have a lot of kids they see and a short time to assess them but if it's not correct then why write that in your evaluation.
One of my biggest concerns about this year were things like opening packages and markers and glue sticks but was assured that he would be assisted if he needed it. I was told that people would watch out for him just like they would for every other kindergartener. I've found out this is not necessarily true especially in the lunchroom. His teacher seems wonderful, he doesn't say a bad thing about the classroom. But when we talk about the lunchroom he says he is sad and embarrassed. Sad because one of the two times he took hot lunch he barely made it to his table with his tray before it fell, luckily it was on the table that he dropped it and nothing spilled so he didn't feel bad. But now he is sad because he wants to carry his tray but the lunch lady said she has to do it for him. Why can't she assist him in carrying it, be there in case it slips instead of doing it for him. How will he ever get strong enough to do that on his own or will she be following him every day until high school? As of right now they won't guarantee someone will do that because he doesn't qualify for services. He also feels embarrassed because he has spilled his fruit cup twice when trying to open it. Friday he came home with a stain on the front of his shirt from his peaches and today he told us he couldn't eat his fruit cup because the lunch lady opened it a little bit and told him to do the rest and he couldn't do it in time. I've already changed the way I pack his lunch, anything that I can repackage (like lunchables) I do so in a ziploc bag and any packages I tear a start in the bag but what else am I supposed to do? So tomorrow morning I have a meeting with his principle to talk about these things and how we can make sure Jude is taken care of. If I have to be there every day for lunch I will definitely do that. But he wants to be independent, who wants your mom coming to open your lunch bags in front of all his friends, certainly not Mr Independent Jude! Hopefully tomorrow will bring good news.
We have a lot of hills in our little road but I am confident that we are at least traveling on the right road. My hope is that I can address these things with Jude so that hopefully someone with the same issues doesn't have as many bumps in their road. If I can do that I'd consider it a success.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We finally scheduled the case conference for Jude's IEP (individual education plan) so we are looking forward to next week. Then we will all take a look at my independent evaluations compared to what the school therapists saw. At least twice at the case conference in May his physical therapist admitted that what she wrote in the report was not actually correct. She said there was not a significant gait difference when he walked but was when ran. That's the total opposite of what is really going on, when Jude runs he looks symmetrical. He does hold his hand in a flexed position but his legs look perfect. But when he walks you there is a significant limp. That is just one of the errors in her report. I understand that they have a lot of kids they see and a short time to assess them but if it's not correct then why write that in your evaluation.
One of my biggest concerns about this year were things like opening packages and markers and glue sticks but was assured that he would be assisted if he needed it. I was told that people would watch out for him just like they would for every other kindergartener. I've found out this is not necessarily true especially in the lunchroom. His teacher seems wonderful, he doesn't say a bad thing about the classroom. But when we talk about the lunchroom he says he is sad and embarrassed. Sad because one of the two times he took hot lunch he barely made it to his table with his tray before it fell, luckily it was on the table that he dropped it and nothing spilled so he didn't feel bad. But now he is sad because he wants to carry his tray but the lunch lady said she has to do it for him. Why can't she assist him in carrying it, be there in case it slips instead of doing it for him. How will he ever get strong enough to do that on his own or will she be following him every day until high school? As of right now they won't guarantee someone will do that because he doesn't qualify for services. He also feels embarrassed because he has spilled his fruit cup twice when trying to open it. Friday he came home with a stain on the front of his shirt from his peaches and today he told us he couldn't eat his fruit cup because the lunch lady opened it a little bit and told him to do the rest and he couldn't do it in time. I've already changed the way I pack his lunch, anything that I can repackage (like lunchables) I do so in a ziploc bag and any packages I tear a start in the bag but what else am I supposed to do? So tomorrow morning I have a meeting with his principle to talk about these things and how we can make sure Jude is taken care of. If I have to be there every day for lunch I will definitely do that. But he wants to be independent, who wants your mom coming to open your lunch bags in front of all his friends, certainly not Mr Independent Jude! Hopefully tomorrow will bring good news.
We have a lot of hills in our little road but I am confident that we are at least traveling on the right road. My hope is that I can address these things with Jude so that hopefully someone with the same issues doesn't have as many bumps in their road. If I can do that I'd consider it a success.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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