Comments on: School Worries and a Wish

By: Bonnie Sayers

Bonnie Sayers — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:47:16 +0000

Matt turns 12 on June 30th and his triennial/matriculation IEP is next week. I will not be signing it and going to due process for informal dispute resolution to get him into a middle school that is brand new this year. Next week I also find out if we got the grant for summer camp. I have my list of reasons why he needs to go to that school with better hours and a traditional calendar year instead of the one that starts a week after school gets out and then has a month off mid year with nothing for him to do and the risk of dehydration and heat stroke from being in school during summer and having PE.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 17:39:31 +0000

My Asperger son is mainstreamed and we had the good, the bad and the ugly with middle school (6th-8th grade). The good? Seven different teachers and short classes (as opposed to our fifth grade “Waterloo” with one horrible teacher all day long). The bad? Seven different teachers which meant lots of follow-up : ) The ugly? Preteens and teens. These years are not for the faint-hearted. This is where the bullying can get out of hand. Looking back, I should have gone in screaming and not stopped until the bullying had been addressed. I know better now (and so does the school). Now we are in high school and despite my fears, my son is doing well. Is it perfect? Nope. Probably never will be considering the ever changing nature of developmental delays. We are now forging ahead into new territory – the Transition Plan. In the New Year, I will be researching our options, websites, blogs, etc. for recommendations and experiences so I can figure out this next step. And to brag a teeny bit – he got an A- in World History! An A!!!! Best.Christmas.Gift.Ever.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 06:58:34 +0000

I think they may start the transition during summer school/ESY—-Charlie will be with some of the same kids so that will help. Also, I think they may keep some of the same aides with his class, to add some consistency—optimism is my preference! A very merry Christmas…..

By: Cliff

Cliff — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 05:08:43 +0000

Well, Merry Christmas ans I hope your wish does come true! (Indeed, it is Christmas where you are, I believe, by five minutes).

I can’t say that middle school, on the whole, was a successful venture for me (while 7th grade, while wacky, was good, 8th grade brought a very serious round of depression and anxiety (mostly depression). However, I won’t say that will apply to Charlie (as I suspect my own potential reasons will be different than his, though mine weren’t exactly normal, either). In fact, optimism is the way to go, I think (though perhaps it is the day that leads me to that).

Cliff

By: KimJ

KimJ — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:30:45 +0000

That NJ story is the very reason why we question everything. 45-day automatic suspension for turning over a chair, and he was in a hostile environment that probably provoked him into that action.
I think it’s disgusting when schools work to get rid of students. Drives me paranoid.

By: Robin H. Morris

Robin H. Morris — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 22:30:43 +0000

Kristina,
Here’s the downside. Middle school is by nature, the ugly destiny for adolescents. Whether autistic or artistic, kids tend to compartmentalize and exclude.
The upside is that more staff is trained and the world at large is more aware of people with differences.
I know I know bloggers will yell that staffers stink and it is not so rosy out there. Nevertheless, given that my kid is now 20, he was quite the guinea pig in middle school. It was not successful. Times have changed, and hopefully for the better.

By: Linda

Linda — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:04:57 +0000

You and your husband are so in-tune with Charlie which will ease the transition to middle school as you’ll be able to help the teachers know what works best with Charlie. Charlie will generalize his love for his elementary school and love the new school even more.

I agree with Marla and also have the feeling that the transition will go smoothly. You will not have it any other way. Charlie has fierce and loving advocates in his parents.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:18:52 +0000

The NJ case with the Asperger student has some overlaps with things that happened to us with Charlie: Why does it have to get to such a point, why does it have to get so bad, before the district tries to change things?

By: Marla

Marla — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:17:55 +0000

Never easy answers when it comes to school. We do our best to advocate and make many wishes along the way. You are preparing Charlie and working hard for this transition. I have a feeling it will go smoothly. Hugs.

By: Autismville

Autismville — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:56:05 +0000

Wishing right along with you.