Here were go again

Moms View Message Board: Parenting Children with Special Needs: Here were go again

We had an IEP meeting this morning. Robin's still getting into trouble. He's making a conscious choice to get into trouble so he'll get sent home and suspended. So we discussed options (Robin was at the meeting) and then they came right out and asked Robin what he wanted. He said he wants to go to the regular high school. They told me it was my choice and what did I want to do. I said in my opinion this alternative school was still the best learning environment for him and his learning style, but if he didn't want to be there it wasn't going to work anyway and if he wanted to go to the regular high school there's a higher chance that that would work better. So we're setting up a meeting with the regular high school for the Tuesday after fall break (they're off starting Monday for two weeks). He will be in a self-contained classroom until he proves he can handle mainstream. They said there are 4 boys in the class now with two teachers and two paras. Someone will be with him 100% of the time until he earns more responsibility. In a lot of ways this seems like he's going backwards (more restrictive environment instead of less--they love throwing out that "least restrictive environment" term, don't they?!?). I email the counselor (we've become pretty good friends) and she said she'd have done the same thing. *sigh* I guess we'll have to wait and see how it goes.

The good thing is since the alternative school had a block scheduling system Robin's actually ahead in all the academic classes by a quarter. He'll be seeing the same stuff for 2nd quarter at the new school that he did the second half of the 1st quarter. He'll still get his credits, though. That will probably help during the adjustment period. We'll see.

By Tarable on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 - 04:23 pm:

{{{Cat}}}
I hope this works out for you and Robin. I know how much stress this can be.

By Cat on Thursday, October 2, 2008 - 07:41 am:

Thanx, Tara. One other good thing about this is he'll be bussed, which will take a load off me (driving him every day, waking kids up early from nap, fitting everyone in the car, etc) AND we know the person that's going to be his bus driver (her 2yo is one of my kiddos for now--tomorrow's her last day with me but it's all good). Robin likes her so that'll help a lot.

*sigh* Where's my Easy button???

By Tarable on Thursday, October 2, 2008 - 10:44 am:

I don't know where that button is but if you find one will you share?

By Cat on Thursday, October 2, 2008 - 01:17 pm:

Of course I will! lol One of the Randy's teachers has one on her desk. I wonder if it works?!?

By Annie2 on Sunday, October 5, 2008 - 04:58 am:

Cat, I know you are away picking up your mom. I don't usually go to this thread but I did tonight. Thinking about you and Robin.
You will succeed in this issue with Robin. He knows you are an advocate for him.
Of course I have no advice for you, never been there with my kids, but you are so strong for your boys.
Thinking about you
Annie