Letter From Findaway Learning Center
February 17, 2010
Manic Monday
So, in light of some unexpected events and unfortunate budget cuts (Thanks a lot Governor Christie!!!) G will be going back to district. Why? Why me? Why him? I don't understand their rationale. Unlike most mothers of children on the spectrum, I'm a freaking realist. I know he cannot function, especially on a social level, in a regular public school! He will not be able to go to the prom. He will not be able to participate in sports. He will not have friends. He cannot socially interact with the regular ed public. Kids are cruel. We all know that. I mean, Christ, I was a "normal" socially functioning teenager and struggled on a daily basis with other kids. He's going to go right back to being aggressive and anti-social and essentially an outcast. At least at his school now he feels that it is okay to talk to his fellow classmates. He feels comfortable asking questions when he's unsure of things, academically and socially. For the first time in his life I feel like he's truly happy. He is excited to go to school. He loves to play sports and feel a part of something.
As most of you know from this post and this one, Grant was hardly successful at district in the past. Despite the fact that he struggled at district, he also had a difficult time transitioning to his new school. Now, he’s been there a full year and is fully adjusted and quite frankly he’s a success story. His cognitive processing is through the roof and the accommodations they have made for him have at the private school have been innovating and amazing! They really "get" him and the story was quite the opposite when he was district.
Readers: I need your help! I need some advice! Has anyone gone through this? Is there ANYTHING I can do to prevent this? I am not only flustered, but I feel myself becoming quite the manic mommy today.
As most of you know from this post and this one, Grant was hardly successful at district in the past. Despite the fact that he struggled at district, he also had a difficult time transitioning to his new school. Now, he’s been there a full year and is fully adjusted and quite frankly he’s a success story. His cognitive processing is through the roof and the accommodations they have made for him have at the private school have been innovating and amazing! They really "get" him and the story was quite the opposite when he was district.
Readers: I need your help! I need some advice! Has anyone gone through this? Is there ANYTHING I can do to prevent this? I am not only flustered, but I feel myself becoming quite the manic mommy today.
Comment From a Reader
February 26, 2010
Wordless Wednesday
In spite of my crazy ranting on (lately) an almost a daily basis, I've decided to devote one day to a day of no words. I decided the only way that I would truly stick to it would be to come up with a weekly post that would force me to post a picture or a cartoon to make me smile or laugh. And, of course I want to share it with you guys, my readers, my support group, my tribe. Since this is the first week of Wordless Wednesday I've decided to post a picture and a cartoon! Enjoy.
Benefits of a having a child who is autistic #86: He organizes my closet and every other one in the house on a weekly basis, and he enjoys EVERY second.
Poster hanging in G's new classroom at district. Note the bottom of the poster in the middle. Are they kidding?! What a joke. FML
Comment from a reader
1st Letter from Home District
Fight the Power Friday
March 1, 2010
Turns out we can appeal the decision! So, I filed the appeal, and I am patiently waiting my appeal decision hearing. The only thing that troubles me is that G has to stay in district until a decision is made. It’s been hell. He’s been aggressive towards his teacher, not to mention the fact that he is stuck in a contained classroom ALL DAY! I mean who the hell wouldn’t go crazy looking at the same four walls for 97% of their day. He only gets to leave for lunch which is a frightening experience in itself. He won’t share anything with me, but a friend of ours has a daughter who attends the same school and happens to be in his lunch period. She says it’s awful! People tease him constantly during lunch.
My heart breaks for him and honestly I don’t know how much longer I can take his aggressive behaviors at home. He’s leaving the house without telling anyone and wondering around the neighborhood talking to himself. He’s totally shutting down and frankly, so am I.
Work is up my ass about the time I have to take off for several doctor’s appointments and meetings. All of these appointments and such are scheduled during the day! Of course they can’t make accommodations for the working parent. God forbid a parent works. I know this appeal decision hearing is going to be scheduled smack dab in the middle of the day. It might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back with my boss. He might lose it and decide to lose me.
Please give me the strength to get through this. Please give me the strength to not resent G for all of this. Why can’t he be “normal” like everyone else? Why can’t I have a “normal” teenager who gets caught smoking pot or stealing from my liquor cabinet? What did I do to deserve this torturous lifestyle?
Okay, I’m done venting now. I’ll update you with their decision ASAP. Cross your fingers for NO MORE DISTRICT!!!
Last Letter from Home District
Thankful Thursday
April 28, 2010
On this Thankful Thursday, I would like to thank many people for the events that occurred yesterday. I want to thank my fabulous readers for supporting me through this horrible debacle with G, especially Shannon who pointed me in the direction to fight the system! I would also like to thank myself, (Yes, I said myself!) for not breaking down and not giving up on my son. I would also like to thank all of the support staff at G’s old school for giving me the ammunition to fight the system. Most of all I would like to thank my son G for throwing a chair at his teacher last week. I honestly think this was the last straw for district!
I honestly do not wish harm on anyone, but I am so relieved that G threw that chair. Before he did that, I truly believe that he would’ve stayed in district due to the substantial budget cuts put into place by Governor Christie. But, thankfully they have decided to let him return to his true “home away from home” where all of his friends are and where he can be himself without being scrutinized by the so-called "normal" teenage population. It was a long two month battle of many trials and tribulations, but it was all worth it! I’d do it again and again to finally have my son back where he belongs.
I would love to hear your feedback on my fight. Do you think I did the right thing?
I honestly do not wish harm on anyone, but I am so relieved that G threw that chair. Before he did that, I truly believe that he would’ve stayed in district due to the substantial budget cuts put into place by Governor Christie. But, thankfully they have decided to let him return to his true “home away from home” where all of his friends are and where he can be himself without being scrutinized by the so-called "normal" teenage population. It was a long two month battle of many trials and tribulations, but it was all worth it! I’d do it again and again to finally have my son back where he belongs.
I would love to hear your feedback on my fight. Do you think I did the right thing?
