Had Sawyer's Parent-Teacher meeting today. Why is it, none of my kids fit the mold? I mean really.
There is no good fit for my child in the Special Education world in our county. I figured that because of last years disaster of an IEP transition meeting. Today, I have confirmation.
There are 3 options:
1. Totally self-contained. Meaning, he'd only have interaction with other special needs kids. There would never be inclusion with typically developing kids. This is usually reserved for kids who will not be traveling an academic program but will be learning basic life skills. This is
NOT Sawyer. Sawyer needs interactions will all types of peoples. He is capable of learning academics.
2. Totally included. Meaning, he'd be in a class with typically developing kids and might be pulled out for speech, OT, PT type stuff as needed. Again, this is NOT Sawyer but with the caveat YET! At this point, Sawyer needs to mature. He needs help redirecting and keeping on task. Can he get there? Sure. Is he there NOW? No.
3. Then they have the middle of the road class. Academics and social interactions in a slower paced setting. This is where he is. This apparently is still not a good fit. He was doing well at the beginning of the year with only 5 kids and 2 teachers. Now the class has grown to 10 kids and still 2 teachers. So he struggles. He needs a smaller classroom setting but still emphasizing academics. Not going to happen in the public school setting in this day of budget cuts.
Even the teacher said, There is no good fit for Sawyer. He does not fit the mold. I told her none of my kids fit the mold. That is why we home school them. I also mentioned that we were considering home schooling Sawyer. I fully believe we WILL home school Sawyer at some point in the future. When? Not sure. At this point, he does get some good out of the public school setting. For the first time today, I heard the teacher say she would consider retaining Sawyer in this setting for a 2nd year of kindergarten. That is what we have been asking them to consider. So we waffle. Pull him out before years end? Wait and see if they allow a 2nd year of K? Wait and see how he does in a 2nd year of K?
It was so easy for Judson. We KNEW we could provide all the best for him at home. With Sawyer, it's not as clear. I don't think it's a matter of will we home school as much as it is matter of when we will home school. Luckily, I spoke with our pediatrician the other day at Sawyer's well visit. (By the way, he was NOT well. Double ear infection.) The pediatrician was quite supportive of home schooling.
Life is always full of decisions, isn't it? We are the lucky ones in that we have options that many folks do not. Rest assured, we will make the best decision for each of our children. After all, that is our job.
**Edited** You are right Lori. I am quite happy my kids are unique. What I wonder sometimes is how many kids fall through the cracks because they do not fit the mold either? The mold is trying to be a one-size-fits-all. I question if the mold is even a One-size-fits-most? Thankfully, we have the option of home schooling. Not everyone has that option.
