My Meeting Today
January 7th, 2010 | 
Author: Well I had a 7 AM meeting at school with the Vice Principal, Teacher, Special Ed Teacher, Counselor, and Our Person that comes into our home. We talked about Dakota. We talked about how rough mornings have been and what I am doing about getting him to school on time. There are mornings that are such battles and I really honestly believe that things will smooth out. The purpose was so that they new exactly what I go through. See the person that comes into my home has seen the behaviors that I see. So I have someone on my side.
We talked about how he is doing homework. He is actually doing really good at doing his homework. Although he hasn’t been bringing his reading home like he is suppose so I have to make sure that he has that before we leave. I didn’t realize she was sending it home.
We also talked about Dakota fevers that are caused by stress. We talked about the possibility of shortening his day. I am thinking if we do go this route it would have to be in the afternoon. Although I am not sure that shortening his day would make a difference. Once he gets to school he is fine. He works well, is polite to others. In fact I heard he was in deep conversation with another boy. Which is fantastic for Dakota.
I mentioned that he does NOT like the music teacher and he talks about that a lot. I said in Dakota’s eyes she is mean and yells a lot. Dakota doesn’t like yelling. I guess you could say he doesn’t like yelling unless it’s his terms. LOL They also had a fire drill the other day only it wasn’t planned. He talks a lot about how it bothers him and how cold it was outside. We weren’t very happy that the kids were outside.
I thought that the meeting went well. We bounced ideas off each other. But mostly I think I got my point across as I broke down crying when they asked me how the morning went. Last night was very rough and so was this morning. I have a few more ideas to try to make mornings run a little more smoothly. All of these ideas will take time and even some adjustments.
I still have very mixed feelings though if he will attend public school next year or if I will do Charter School. Mostly right now I really want to keep him at school because he really is making wonderful gains. It all depends on how the year continues with the stress and whatever else may come up with. I think the Charter school may relieve the stress however I am not 100% sure he would cooperate. I am attending a meeting on Feb 4 to learn more about the Charter School. I think right now though with the school doing everything they can and being cooperative and listening to his gains that school is the best place and we just have to work through the stress.
It really was nice that they acknowledge how hard and frustrating things must be for me in the mornings with Dakota. That made me feel better about things.
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Tags: 7 Responses to “My Meeting Today”
I’m so glad you felt encouraged by the meeting. One thing I noticed is that you keep mentioning the ideas of what *you* should do to make sure his homework comes home, etc.
If you’re open to a little advice, here’s what I would suggest. Sit down and type up notes on what occurred at the meeting, with as much as you can remember of what was actually said and especially anything they agreed to do.
Then I would email them your notes and ask them to please let you know if anything was left out or incorrect. Also list the specific things they agreed to do (if there were any) and ask them to add them to the IEP under the SDI section and to send the revised IEP to you within the next week to review.
I would also ask in your email that they get back to you with their specific plans for handling the issues in music as well as any other areas you discussed but that they didn’t actually agree to do anything about.
I hope this doesn’t sound mean or cynical. I think it is great that the team is willing to talk and that you felt better about what they were saying, but in the end it doesn’t truly exist unless it’s in writing.
Their willingness to write down and then implement the solutions will give you an idea about next year.
BTW, my son hates music too. There is too much going on and too many transitions in one class period. The OT gave him some headphones to wear during class and that has helped immensely.
I don’t know the details of your morning issues, but I would rely on a picture schedule and as few words (written or verbal) as possible. Make all the choices the night before and after the part in his schedule where you show him going to school, have one more part where you show him coming home.
(Hoping this book of a comment posts. Feel free to email me if you want, too.)
admin Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Hi Trish! No I don’t think is mean or cynical at all. I never thought of going back to them to tell them to edit the IEP. Really they have been making a lot of changes and I have been agreeing to them. As far as homework though we do what we can. If he shuts down and doesn’t get it done that’s ok. I try to get as much as I can done in one night. They even modify the homework if they have too. They have been really good about it. I am going to have to sit down and write everything down. The only thing that made me feel better was that they acknowledge that we had rough mornings. It’s not like I am oversleeping and just don’t want to take him. I hope that makes sense. Those are all good ideas. I thought about a picture schedule and you know what it probably wouldn’t hurt to make one up for him. At least he could visualize it. HAHA few words… Ummm I can’t do that. Although I am trying. I am so use to just telling. I think part of the problem I had with him tonight was to many words. I don’t know what they are going to do about music. I got an email saying that the teacher talked to Dakota about music ands he was going to talk to the music teacher. Nothing today was really adjusted. My point today was to make them aware of what was going on and I wanted them all on the same page. Thanks for sharing your thoughts I really appreciate it gives me more ideas.
I’m so glad that the meeting went well. It’s so nice to know that they really must care and be wanting to help you with all of this. You are doing a great job my friend
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admin Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 7:48 am
I am doing the best I can given the circumstances we go through each morning and night. Yesterday after school was horrible. It did get better though. I too am happy the meeting went well.
Stacie, I am glad your meeting went well! Hopefully you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. You know Gannon hates his music teacher too! Thought that was very intersting…I am also sorry you guys have had such rough mornings
I hear that alot at my local autism support group. We haven’t yet discovered what its like to go to school in the mornings…so we will see next year or so. I am trying to keep him in the PM’s as much as possible. I wish you the best of luck at your meeting with the Charter school! Praying you get some answers or a “feeling” that Dakota will be ok. HUgs!
.-= Sherri´s last blog ..Goodies =-.
admin Reply:
January 9th, 2010 at 7:46 am
There is a light at the end of the tunnel it’s just going to take some time and time for Dakota to adjust to the changes we have made. I guess the teacher talked to Dakota about music and they are going to have a meeting with the music teacher. Right now I really want to keep Dakota in school. I want to provide some structure over summer too. I don’t exactly know how yet. We first have to see how the rest of the school year goes. He is on a new med to help with stress and anxiety. I am not sure it will quite help but we shall see.
admin Reply:
January 9th, 2010 at 7:47 am
Oh yeah I wanted to say at least I am not alone on the struggles in the morning for school. That made me feel better.