Now that I have left you all with plenty to read with all my obsessing and babbling, (Do you see what happens when Aspies start to hyper-focus?) it is time to print copies of all my madness for everyone else in the meeting, (they are all getting copies whether they want them or not), hop in the shower, go pick up my mother to watch the baby, and be off to the wrestling match.
My last thought before I wrap up here this morning is to grab the little man’s report card, which came home yesterday, and show the “Teacher Comment” section to you. With the meeting scheduled for today, and his struggles well known, it still says:
“*Fails to bring materials* *Needs organizational skills*… knows what to do in writing, but he has to be willing to put the time and effort he needs into his papers.”
What you don’t see in the picture (I’m terrible at taking pictures) is the bottom hand-written teacher’s comments.
“…is a sweet student. However, he has a hard time making an independent decision and taking responsibility for it. It might be helpful for (the little man) if he were held accountable for some specific responsibilities at home.”
I can’t give up—but good grief, they just do not get it!
Time to go now, but if I’ve forgotten anything that you think of just let me know…I am certain I will be fidgeting with my phone looking for messages at some point during today’s meeting.
Oh, BTW— I will be participating/interviewed tonight in a “TweetChat”. First time—I’ll gather the information this afternoon and post it. Maybe I will “see” some of you there.
God bless you. I can so relate. I took a school counselor buddy to one meeting and SHE, a long time specialist in education, was spitting nails by the end of the meeting.
Her only comment after was that my son would never be able to get anything he needed from them.
I am a home school advocate! It is a great way to go for some people.
Good God you are so right that they are not getting it. I didn’t think to mention this before and it’s too late for this meeting but I have generously handed out information sheets to anyone that deals with my son on Aspergers. If they are going to be ignorant it’s going to be all on them and not because I haven’t tried to educate them. I’m sure you have done this but even now I continue to do so, I’m not about to back down or give up. Every new teacher or staff member he works with gets a copy as well as a business card I have printed up simply explaining Aspergers to strangers who may be curious. If you like I could send this information to you at some point. Before my son was put on his IEP I kept hearing myself say how funny it was that I had to educate the educators and I still find this to be the case. No one may ever know him as well as I do and I will be his voice and advocate as long as he needs me to be. I mentally picture myself suiting up for battle in knights armor before going into these meeting. Good luck Mama, bear your claws for that young man of yours!
Deep breaths, I was very close to going over the table and strangling me a very nasty principle
Been there, if you aren’t satisfied take it to the superintendent. I am dead serious about this. It’s true what they say about the squeaky wheel.