Having a son with a laundry list of syndromes, disorders, and/or issues can be exhausting. On a good day. Today wasn't a good day.
He attends a fabulous school, with a great team of teachers, and supportive friends. They are tolerant, adaptive, and sympathetic to his and our needs. And, they have a classroom full of individuals who deserve the same conscientious consideration they give our son.
It's also a private school that goes above and beyond what is required of them for their special needs population. Most mainstream private schools would have turned us away years ago. Our public school provides only a triennial assessment and service plan (the cop-out version of an IEP, given to students whose parents enroll them in private school of their own accord and affording no services whatsoever).
Being at a private school has many benefits. Classes have great student:teacher ratios; enrichment is not dependent on the state budget; academics are individually tailored; learning is student-directed and groupings are multi-age. All of theses things have greatly benefited Drew. He needs an environment that is academically challenging yet provides space for social delays. He needs this place that promotes peace and understanding as a core value. He needs the continuity of educational philosophy, friends, and teachers.
Unfortunately, he also needs less social stimulation, lower stress and space to develop coping skills for his anxiety, tics and pragmatic language. Right now, hopefully just for a while, he needs a break...time to reorganize, develop and try again. We will do our best to give him that.
In the meantime, Bartender!
He attends a fabulous school, with a great team of teachers, and supportive friends. They are tolerant, adaptive, and sympathetic to his and our needs. And, they have a classroom full of individuals who deserve the same conscientious consideration they give our son.
It's also a private school that goes above and beyond what is required of them for their special needs population. Most mainstream private schools would have turned us away years ago. Our public school provides only a triennial assessment and service plan (the cop-out version of an IEP, given to students whose parents enroll them in private school of their own accord and affording no services whatsoever).
Being at a private school has many benefits. Classes have great student:teacher ratios; enrichment is not dependent on the state budget; academics are individually tailored; learning is student-directed and groupings are multi-age. All of theses things have greatly benefited Drew. He needs an environment that is academically challenging yet provides space for social delays. He needs this place that promotes peace and understanding as a core value. He needs the continuity of educational philosophy, friends, and teachers.
Unfortunately, he also needs less social stimulation, lower stress and space to develop coping skills for his anxiety, tics and pragmatic language. Right now, hopefully just for a while, he needs a break...time to reorganize, develop and try again. We will do our best to give him that.
In the meantime, Bartender!
Comments
Maybe I'll start again. Maybe...
In the mean time, I'll go back to lurking here.