School Update
October 13th, 2009 | 
Author: Well yesterday I picked up Dakota from school and I noticed that something was off. He seemed more active and hyper. Like he just couldn’t sit still. I then decided to ask him if he got both his meds at school yesterday. Dakota said no that he only got one. Well I was upset when I heard about this. So I tried to call the teacher and I left a pretty nasty message. After that I called the school nurse. She said she didn’t realize that Dakota was at school. It was noon when she realized he was there. So she waited until his 2 PM dose. If your wondering he was sick again on Friday. Still she should check the attendance. I told her next time that happens to please call me because he can’t miss a dose. We can adjust the times he gets his meds. I was so frustrated with how he was without those meds I really didn’t think we would get his homework done. I modified his spelling work and had him spell them out loud to me. He did great. He did his math worksheet like he was suppose. The only thing we didn’t do was read a book.
Today I had a meeting with the special ed teacher, the teacher, school counselor, and the counselor that comes into our home. The meeting didn’t go as bad as I thought it would. I honestly thought I was going to hear the I am concerned about how much school he has missed or something else. The special ed teacher said that Dakota is making lots of gains. He is sounding out words now. He tries really hard to sound out words to spell them. I am rather proud of him as he didn’t do that last year. I can see the gains too. We talked about homework. Everyone was ok if I had to modify things. If he didn’t complete a whole assignments it was ok as if he did some they knew he reatained what he had learned. They were in understanding that if Dakota did shut down after school. That there was a high chance that homework would not get done. When he shuts down that means he had enough.
Your probably asking what does he do when he shuts down. Well when Dakota shuts down he wants to be alone and he goes to his room or on the couch and he goes to sleep. I can tell the difference from when he shuts down and when he plain just doesn’t want to do it. I explained to the people in the meeting that Dakota shuts down because he has lots of demands placed on him through out the day. I also said it was from the social stress. I asked what Dakota did at recess and he bug hunts. I asked if he played with other kids. They said no and it broke my heart. Back when I lived in Green Bay Dakota had a really good friend. They were inseparable. They had an awesome bond. He just doesn’t have that here.
We also talked about him being sick. We asked how many days it was before problems start. They said 10. I said well we might be close. The counselor said I think they are looking at unexcused absences and I know we don’t have any of those. I said if he continues that I would get another note from Doctor explaining that Autistic kids who deal with stress tend to get sicker then normal children and they would have to excuse. It went something along those lines. They were fine with it. I will also be sure to get Doctors excuses every time I go. I really have nothing to worry about as the counselor and case manager we have know that I would not keep Dakota home for the fun of it as I want him in school. I talk to them on a regular basis. We also said if this continues we would talk about the medical portion of the IEP or something like that. I know it had to do with the IEP.
They were told about the suggestions I had if the shut downs continued or he kept getting sick. If need be we would shorten his day. Little by little. But that is only last resort. We all agree we want to take care of Dakota’s needs.
I am still leary about the medicine at school. I am really not sure what I am going to do about it yet. I wouldn’t have been so mad if she just called and said I forgot. It’s better then missing a pill. He can’t miss that.
That’s what happened in a nut shell!
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Tags: 18 Responses to “School Update”
This is all very interesting my friend. What I don’t get is why the school doesn’t know all of this already. I would think, even in the special ed department that they would know how important it is to give pills out and whether or not the child is in school. I would also think they would allow some leeway regarding attendance.But that’s just me thinking. I feel bad that you feel sad that Dakota doesn’t have a close friend but I think he will eventually. It might take some time but I’m sure he. And if he doesn’t, he’s got his family and his bugs and all his boy things he does to drive you nuts LOL. I’m glad you posted this. I learned a lot and wish you all the best as you know
.-= Thom´s last blog ..Thank You for the Awards =-.
admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Good Morning Thom. The school nurse is the only one that can hand out the meds. It wouldn’t have been so bad if she just called and said I forgot. As it happens. I forget sometimes and give it to him an hour late. It’s just important he doesn’t miss it. The nurse should know better then that. Right now they are not pressuring me about his attendance. They pretty much know that I will get a note from the doctor. It’s already in his file. I might need a fresh one but they will incorporate that into his IEP if need be. They didn’t bring it up I did. I will get Doctor’s excuses too so I am really not to worried in that department. I work closely with the counselor that comes in my house and she talks to the lady that handles Dakota’s case a lot so I am really safe there. I am really happy that things went well as in the past things haven’t always went well. They are really trying and that makes me happy. I really truly hope he does make a friend. He has a friend next door. They fight like crazy! LOL
Good Morning. The battle continues. I am sorry about the pills. I forget to take mine once in awhile. The school nurse should be a little more responsible.But it sounds like the school is trying to work with you. Dakota may make a friend at school. It is early and they are all still getting to know each other.Have a good day.
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admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Your right it is early in the year yet. It may come. I sure hope it does as I would like to see him play with others. I am just really happy that they want to accommodate his needs.
Wow! That was a very heavy day. After reading your post though, to me it sounded very positive. All of those involved with Dakota’s care and education are on the same page and it sounded very encouraging and supportive. Now the school nurse really needs to be on the ball, no doubt about that!
.-= Buggys´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
It really did turn out to be very encouraging. In the past it wasn’t like this at all. It was horrible. I am really happy how things are going. I was very happy to hear the gains he did make. That really makes a difference. I was really upset before and I was expecting the worst. I do have to say the teacher has really great communication so that is a plus too. For example last night his homework didn’t get done as my husband forgot about it. Guess things fall apart when mom isn’t home. The neat thing was he did want to try to do it before he got to school in the truck. The teacher was really happy to hear that. So she let him work on it for seat work this morning.
WOW! I am sadden that Dakota’s school is bending or changing a bit considering him and HIS needs. That is VERY sad. The nurse needs to get on top of it. In Gannon’s class there are 3 outta 6 kids which need meds throughout the 3 hrs at school. She has a timer set to go off and a sheet kinda like a chart on who gets what when. No exceptions. We have sent meds and the Epi-pen to school with Gannon but all of his are emerg situations only. BUT I know several of Gannon’s friends are on meds around the clock.
I went to Gannon school yesturday and observed. I was VERY impressed how well this is going considered they are at a high school!
I wish you luck and am praying for your family.
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admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I am really happy to hear how things are going well for Gannon. That is wonderful The teachers that work with Dakota were very positive at the meeting. So things are going well. Just have to get the nurse to be more on the ball.
I wish you the best of luck. Praying for you all!
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Thanks Karen! Hope you have a great day.
It helps when their is a support system on the same track as you. I hope the shutdowns become fewer and further in between.
.-= Maria@Conversations with Moms´s last blog ..My Space vs. Hubbies =-.
admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I hope so to Maria! All I can do is keep track of them and wait and see what happens.
Thanks for sharing all of this Stacie. It’s just heartwarming to go through this with you I will admit. You are educating us as well and that I’m grateful
.-= Thom´s last blog ..What Autumn Smell Are You?, Award and Talking Dog =-.
admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Your welcome Thom! It also helps me vent
Stacie, I had really hope to hear how great things were going. It’s hard on you and Dakota. I don’t know how you will deal with the meds. Maybe talk to the school administrator? Let me know how is goes. I pray things will get better. Especially before he gets to where he really dislikes going to school.
.-= COUNTRY MOM´s last blog ..One Glass Of Milk… =-.
admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Actually tonight he said he loves going to school. I was happy to hear that. He didn’t cooperate tonight with his homework. I wish he would have.
Stacie, Meant to ask you, How is your oldest son doing in school? Do they go to the same school?
.-= COUNTRY MOM´s last blog ..One Glass Of Milk… =-.
admin Reply:
October 14th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Brad is doing great in school. Mostly A’s and B’s he had one D on his progress report but that is now up to a C-. No the kids don’t go to the same school anymore. Brad is at the high school. That’s where middle school and high school are is up at the high school.