What an IEP does (and doesn't).

Today we had JT's transition to Kindergarten IEP. It was long, I spent a lot of time preparing for it... and it's done. In my opinion, it is a very good IEP - his team knows him VERY well, and it really reflects that.

Yet I still have to stay on my toes.

I think many times, people unfamiliar with IEP's or special education assume that a good IEP means JT will automatically be set in school. He'll do great, the end. But that's not true at all.

A good IEP does not guarantee success. It provides him with the supports to do his best.

A good IEP does guarantee that pass or fail, JT will do it himself. He will, however, not fail because I didn't prepare for the IEP. He will not fail because of a teacher who is a poor fit. He will not fail because of anything but lack of ability on his part.

The same as any other kid, I just want him to do their best. Sink or swim, I will be proud. But I want it to be him - not anyone else.

So before he sets foot in a classroom, I know he will have that chance.

A good IEP requires work. If you're lucky like I was, it doesn't take much fight - but we're willing to do that, too. You have to prepare regardless.

I believe my son WILL succeed. I believe he's going to do great things. And his IEP will make sure he has the best chance to do it.

ESY and ABA

JT qualified for ESY (extended school year). In my last post, I was not thrilled about this... I thought this meant 'summer school' - as in all summer. It's not.

ESY is 2 weeks in June and 2 weeks in July. So, not bad at all... The hours stay the same - 4 days a week, 3 hours per day.

In addition, they gave us ABA (behavioral therapy, which works incredibly well for JT) - 3 hours per week 1:1, starting next week and continuing through the summer. This is AWESOME NEWS.

Not only that, but usually kids qualify for ESY based on regression. JT did not. Apparently kids can also qualify based on 'rapid progress'. In the past 3.5 weeks, JT has exploded in skills, and they are astounded. As a mom of a special needs child, I cannot even begin to tell you how great it feels to hear them use the words 'not typical' in a POSITIVE light... As in 'JT's progress is not typical, not something we would have possibly have expected. He is blowing us away.'

Miss Maggie pulled out some charts, and explained that JT is retaining skills, mastering them at an amazing rate, and basically just proving to everyone that he CAN do it, he just has to WANT to (which is what mommy told them.. lol).

We are SO excited... Not only that he got ESY, but that he got it for such an awesome reason. Also, that he got ABA (and 1:1 with an aide, which he'll be getting 90 minutes Wednesday mornings alone with the therapist, then 90 minutes incorporated into the classroom).

I walked in there thinking it was going to be a slap in the face, and it ended up being awesome and a very, very good meeting.

So, yay for JTmy! He is the one making the progress and working hard!!! Good job, little man!

Oh man!

Surgery was rescheduled. My insurance company refused payment, so they can't do it.

It's now June 18th.

The neurosurgery scheduler told me "the doctor said you would *probably* be okay until June". Niiiiiice. Great. Very unconvincing.

JT's IEP went terrific. I was really impressed with the teacher (again) and all the therapists. With all the horror stories about IEP's, I feel like we are really lucky. They are trying everything to make sure JT has all the supports he could possibly qualify for.

So, please pray that Bob will behave, and that I will, in fact, be fine in waiting until June. Because I don't have another choice.

Audrey is ADDING! And JT is still just trucking along with his language and counting, the alphabet and colors.

Hope everyone else is doing well...

Love to all!

Yikes!

Time is going by too fast!

This week we have JT's IEP meeting, so he'll probably start school next Monday. I am SO nervous about that!

Then, my pre-op appointment is 3/9 at Vanderbilt, and surgery is on for Friday 3/13. I'm surgery #2, so I get there at 9am and surgery starts at 11am. It's a 5 hour surgery, so I'm a little nervous... Okay, a LOT nervous. But 'Bob' is making me feel SO sick, it is time for him to go!!!

I have been warned that I won't have much function post-op in my right arm. The incision may just be a 'Z' in my armpit - or it may go all the way up to my neck. It depends on if they can get it out using the smaller one. I also got the warning about the possibilities of negative outcomes... There is a vein and an artery on each side of the nerve, so if something happened (which it hasn't before, nor do we expect it to) I could lose my arm. Just about jumped out of my skin when he said that! They know about my morphine allergy, so hopefully no surprises for my nurses this time!!!

JT is counting to 13 (haha - just realized the relation to the paragraph above!), and Audrey has taught herself how to add... JT is still talking like crazy - my current favorite is (of course) Momma and 'Aw, man!' (just like Swiper!).

The Hubs's store did really well for the month of February - just hope that continues!

That's all for now, my hand REALLY hurts now when I type for too long.

Love to all -
Kate