DownSyn Forum

[kittycat3376]

David's transition meeting is rapidly approaching (Tuesday, Feb. 3rd). This is the one major setback to our recent move, as I really don't know what to expect from the district here. I lived in the Bremerton area most of my life, went to school there myself, and even worked as a substitute Head Start teacher and was on several Head Start parent committees, plus Cassie had an IEP for cognitive delay in that district from preK through Kindergarten, so I knew exactly what to expect from that district, from every possible angle.

Now, I'm in a new district and I know next to nothing. We've only been here for 4 months, and Cassie is doing great; they did manage to pull her out of her slump and we didn't have to do a more involved IEP because of her math problems, so I know that the general ed. here is great! or at least her teacher is ! But, since we didn't have to deal with that, all I've had to do with her is a very minimal speech IEP (she does get an hour a week of speech, even though her speech delay is miniscule, so I guess that's a good sign) and I didn't get a really good measure of the full special ed. services here from that. On the flip side of how great Cassie is doing, their gifted/honors programs here are horrible, the high school sucks, even beyond the honors program, I am soooo NOT impressed with ANYTHING, or anybody as far as staff goes, at that school, and Keith is slipping further into the cracks every day.

Maybe it's just because I moved from a district I knew inside and out, so I've really been spoiled. Maybe Keith's experiences at the high school is setting off warning flares in my head. Maybe it's just that once David transitions in May I can't be with him for all of his therapies and classes, and I've rarely even been in a separate building from him (and I really MEAN rarely; we're talking, on average, a few hours every 2 or 3 months) since the day he was born. It's most likely a combo of all of the above, as well as a couple others I haven't thought of yet, but I am SERIOUSLY panicking.

Anyway, any advice, experience, ANYTHING you can say at this point that might calm me down a little is welcome. Especially now that I went and sprained my ankle and have to stay off my feet so I can't really keep my mind off this by physically keeping busy (which WAS the plan until yesterday ). 4 days-I just need to get through 4 days with enough of my sanity left intact to rebuild from.

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http://www.carepages.com/carepages/DavidLucas

[mary c]

Well you are assuming that we are sane--and you know what they say about when you assume something.

Anyhow, I have the same issues with our school district--I have a teenager with an IEP that I have to practically sit on his back every minute to get him to do work because the school doesn't and then I have the upcoming transition from preschool to kindergarten coming along. Just focus on what you think David needs now--don't worry about how they will provide services for him when he is in high school. I have found there has been a huge improvement with the way services are provided from the time my high schooler was in elementary school, so hopefully you will find the preschool and elementary experience will be great even if the high school currently sucks. I do see that the high school is trying to improve but change is slow.

Good luck on your transition.

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Mary
Mom to Libby 6/92, Alex 9/93, Anna (DS)12/12/03

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[Proud Parent]

My situation is similar to yours. I relocated to another county because I did not like the PEC Program in my county. Dylon is transitioning to Kindergarten this year and I am not as familiar with the schools. What I did was went around to each primary/elementary and requested to speak with a teacher and sit in during class sessions. I have just completed making rounds. I feel somewhat better about his options but as with any child and in being a parent one cant help but to wonder. Take care of your ankle the next couple of days and get out there and into the schools to see what is offered.

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Mom to Dy'Lon DS 10/24/03. Mommies Pride and Joy!!!!!!!

[burnsun]

when I woke up from the C section..... I was crying..... Eric and the nurse thought it was from pain...... but no!!!! I was crying about Emerson needing an IEP and having EI and having to transition and have to do the transition process again (I had counted up how many meeting I had and how many were left to have and the like and was really very happy we were on the down side till his birth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate them and I have never made it through without a stiff margarita and thoughts of death for most of those involved!@

Good luck (four down and three to go)

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Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS & type 1 diabetes, ASD
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism & Partial Complex, Seizures terology of Fallot
& Retinal detachment w partial blindness at this time
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03) ADD
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS , ASD, pulmonary hypertension, ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy & Stero Typical Movement Disorder & AV Canal
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)ADHD
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie
Sarah Emmaline "Emma" Grace (2/15/2011) 35week little one with a variety of issues inc: cp & fragile x & Seizures & severe birth trauma & G-J tube, Severe reflux, and recurent pnumonia and tracheosomy and vent chugging princess since 8/24/2012!




wife to the best & greatest guy Eric



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