Last night the girls and I started making Valentine's for their classes and this morning I started training back at Edible Arrangements before going to Sylvan for five hours. Tomorrow I am in a play at church and there's some kind of thing going on that night that seems to be important to people . . . maybe a soccer game called the World Series where they play for the Stanley Cup?
So I'm back to two jobs next week. Dowlan is doing some temp work as well, so we'll be passing of the children like a baton in a relay race. It will be good practice for when my test scoring job starts again next month.
Dowlan's unemployment compensation ended a few weeks ago, and it will be interesting to see what the next few months bring. I think I am prepared for this, but still on edge.
The school psychologist visit did not go well. I really don't want to get into it because I haven't mentally processed it all yet, but the gist of her determinations was: autism isn't necessarily a disability, we won't know if he needs in a developmental preschool until he has failed in other environments with modifications, I should expect his Sunday school and gymnastics teachers to make appropriate modifications for a special needs child despite their lack of training or responsibility to do so and that I need to enroll him in a mainstream preschool and see how it goes. She suggested I simply don't tell them he has autism and see how he does.
Infuriated yet?
I know he is on the mild and high functioning end of the spectrum, but that does not disqualify him from receiving support at this juncture according to the federal government. What it should mean is that he gets the help he needs now to meet the potential he has, as 3-5 is a key window for gaining social and verbal skills in children on the autism spectrum.
I've been given some names to contact and ideas, but I'm open to others.
7 comments:
Every time I read your blog, I wish I had better ideas or information to help. Has anyone given you the name of an autism family advocate? I know there is a woman who represents families in AISD to make sure their child gets services. The staff dreads seeing her at ARD meetings. (And then there's the issue of her fee.)
The best thing for my daughter (age 5, PDD-NOS and on the mild end of things) has been preschool, any preschool. Any place where she can be around other kids and learn to be social. Two days a week she attends a normal preschool and the other three she goes to her "special school".
It's hard juggling two schedules but it has been soooo good for her to be away from me and around other kids 5 days a week.
While the developmental preschool works on some of her social issues (like using the bathroom)it really is below her level academically (she has known her letters and colors since she was 2 1/2) so she gets her academic learning from the "normal" preschool.
I don't know if that is an option for you but it's at least another idea...
I don't really have any good advice about how or where to get help. I wish I did. You sound like such a great Mom, Charlie is lucky to have you, I know it's not easy when you have to fight so hard to get what you know your child needs and deserves.
I do have a suggestion for a blog to read. Gina over at namastebyday.blogspot.com is a speech language pathologist in an elementary school and has the biggest heart and has had great success with her kids. Perhaps she could make some recommendations for you?
Good luck and thank you for sharing what has to be a heart wrenching journey that has only begun.
Are you a friend of Joy's on FB? You know she works as a health care specialist in DC and may have some suggestions for contacts for you. She helped Christel. Write her a note, or just ask her to read the blog and make suggestions. She may have someone from the TX office call you.
Oh ya! Someplaces autism is a qualification but others it is not. Very frustrating! Public school will help with speech but not OT unless your child can not "function" in the classroom ie. Can not walk, sit in chair, etc. The special Ed teachers do some OT but don't really have the formal training. It just does not make complete common sense.
We were lucky to have a church preschool close that was only $130-ish per month. It was a class of about a dozen kids. It did help us see how he functioned in a classroom setting. You might be surprised by how he functions in that environment. Then again he could behave as you predict & you can explain that to the crazy people at the school district.
You are so right about that window of time. Keep being his advocate. Momma knows best! Honestly I don't know how you do it all. Your amazing!
I'm sure you've already looked at this website, but I thought I'd share it in case you haven't.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/concerned.html
Also, I have a friend that went through what it seems you're going through about a year ago with her daughter. I'd be happy to pass your info along to her if you'd like. Maybe she can offer some tips for what she's done.
Gretchen, I am Susan's mom and I'm checking with our diagnosticians here, but I am sure the school should be involved with Charley now. I will get back with you as soon as I get more information.
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