the advocate and I will attend Charlie's school district evaluation. This time, they must do a full evaluation and stop the 'screen and send home' thing they've had going for themselves up til now.
I have been preparing like a crazy woman. I have collected and delivered medical documents, reviewed his therapy evaluations and spent the last 24 hours reading the first 250 pages of a book on special ed laws.
His occupational therapist looked shocked today that they haven't accepted him yet. Anyone who routinely deals with him has the same response. In looking through the results of his speech and OT evals, I'm seeing that he is at the 19th percentile in receptive language skills and the 23rd percentile in expressive. And the day he had that test was one of the best days I've ever seen him have. On his visual-motor integration test, he was in the 9th percentile. Some of his skills were in the 15-16 month range.
We are at the ten-month mark from when we first began seeking help. It's only in the last three months that therapy has occurred regularly enough to be beneficial. We are on about ten different wait lists through one government entity that's supposed to provide help and about to have our fourth meeting with another government entity that is supposed to help.
I'm hoping having the advocate there will help; I'm hoping they'll see what I see. I'm secretly hoping that Charlie goes in tantruming and bites every single one of them while I sip coffee and take notes.
I'm so, so tired here, guys. I could use some comments of support and promise to update tomorrow, whatever the results.
13 comments:
following your journey and living it, too. seriously, get in touch if you'd like. we're close, geographically. praying that tomorrow is THE day for you and your son. hang in there. life on the spectrum ebbs and flows.
My heart beats faster just thinking about the eval tomorrow. I think the advocate will be an amazing help and as soon as the school people see her they will know their crap has got to end STAT. The jig is up.
I will be waiting anxiously by my computer, scanning the various areas we frequent together for an update.
I'll be thinking of you
Girl You Rock... You have done an amazing job at getting all of this organized and there is no way they are gonna turn him down... Charlie is so lucky to have you as a mom and i have seen so much progress in him already. Do you know that he sat still for class the entire time last night, paid attention and did the craft!!! I was so proud of him!!!! Can't wait to hear all the details!! Call me if you want..
Rene
Go Mama Bear, go! You have been so patient with these crazy people. I'm praying for you & for Charlie. He deserves to get the help he needs.
Let's hope that Charlie "loses" it for everyone today! I am a speech pathologist in a New York special needs preschool program and also do some early intervention. It is just as frustrating to us (the evaluators) when the higher ups see a kid, usually at their best, for just a little while and make their decision based on that, ignoring all of the professional testing results and observations and (most importantly) PARENT INPUT. Ug! I will be holding my breath for you guys today, while at the same time, going into battle for a little guy in our area. GOOD LUCK!
I hate to pray for bad behavior, but I am sending all my prayers that you and Charlie get the help you need.
I am thinking about you today! I hope you get all of the help you need... and soon!
Charlie is lucky to have you - you are lucky to have each other :)
Good luck!
Good luck Gretchen. I'll keep you and Charlie in my thoughts and prayers this morning.
You are such an amazing mom!!!
Good luck! It really sucks that you have to jump through all these hoops.
I'm with Rene - you rock! Keep us updated - you guys will be in my thoughts and prayers for a successful, helpful eval.
*HUGS* I hope today works out just the way it needs to.
Hang in there Gretchen; better days are ahead .
Love, Papa
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