Saturday, October 10, 2009

I don't even know if it's bad news or good news anymore...

Its official.

We got booted out of Catholic School. And it wasn't even for bad Jesus jokes.

It was done very nicely, of course. They weren't rude. But it was clear they were very happy to see us go.

They suggested some sort of ADD drugs, or that I could pay for a full time aid in AJ's classroom (at $10 an hour), but without one of those things, they were unable to handle him. So much for the expensive private school.

We went to our new pediatrician. She is actually very helpful and understanding. She agreed that we should pull him out of the Catholic school until we get some testing done to find out exactly what his problems are and how to properly address them, not just throw drugs at him until he follows direction. We agreed that his self esteem is suffering (he asked the Dr. for new DNA, because his is making him bad) and she added that he is too far ahead of public school kindergarten to put him there right now.
His behaviors would probably get worse if he's bored with the curriculum.

The bad part is that we can't get in for a pre-testing meeting until December 7th. That's a really long time to be out of school. I'm at a bit of a loss... I have homework and things that we study at home, but he doesn't get a any interaction with other kids.

I'm so torn. I'm happy to have him out of a school that didn't want him, I'm happy that we are getting tested at the Children's Hospital, but I'm so sad that this has to be so hard. It's kindergarten...it just shouldn't be this way. I just want people to see the bright, funny, smart, wonderful boy that I see everyday (Bad DNA, or not!).

Anyone have any ideas? I've gotten so much great advice here, but I haven't been at this extreme before. I do have a meeting set with the school board here, but I'm a little reluctant to put him into a new school now, when we might have to change again after the testing...help!
Sent via BlackBerry from Cheri

TwitThis

at 10:21 PM

7 love letters:

  1. Well, I agree with the idea that kids are over medicated these days. Especially that young. If you can manage having him home until December, that's what I'd do. I don't think having him out of school for a little bit will harm him socially. Putting him iinto school, getting testing done, and having to switch him again seems more harmful than him being at home for 2 months...hope it all works out!
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  2. Send him here! We'll take care of him, feed him, read with him, do homework and you can visit!

    All kidding aside we didn't get into a private school because of the same reason. And we're better off for it. The public schools have way more people and tools to handle writing, math, speech, you name it. Max is loving 3rd grade.

    Now for you, hmmm, do you live in a college town? Can you hire one or two students who are studying for their master's in either special ed or learning disabilities? It would be good for their references and good for you to know that they would treat him well.

    Does he get physio-therapy? Ask there if they know of any sitters or daycares.

    I know it's hard and it seems that it will never get easier, but I promise it gets smoother. Finding the right people to surround yourself with in order to support you and your family is a huge part of that.

    Kisses from Sauvie Island!
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  3. Hi there! No worries on getting booted out. The most important thing is to get the best help for him and also place him in a place that will be most loving and will be a good fit.

    I am sure you will find it soon enough.
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  4. Can you do a charter school? That way he is in the public school system but from home and at his own pace?

    Must be nice to run a school where you can only teach the kids that you want to teach. Ugh! On the other hand, sounds like you have a great ped.
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  5. Wow. I just caught up with your blog. How are you taking care of him, if he's out and you two are both working so much? You really can send him to me, and pick him up on your way back to Oregon.
    I'm not 100% against medication. My son hasn't had any, but at one point I told him it was available and what it might do and told him he could have it if he wanted it. He said no, and we didn't. AJ is a little young to be making that choice, but I'd consider it if he is that unhappy with himself.
    Alternatively, I'd look for other schooling options and have long talks with the teachers to see if they are willing to hang in there with a child that may be a challenge. You certainly don't want him to get rejected again.
    In Seattle, sometimes there's a year wait for testing, so December doesn't sound too bad to me.
    Big hugs.
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  6. I've been thinking some more. I'd call the place where he's scheduled to be tested and see if they have any community resource information. Maybe there's a support group out there and you could tap the other parents' experience.
    The local community mental health office might also have that sort of information.
    For playdates, I'd be connecting with the homeschooling community if he's home.
    More hugs.
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  7. Seems like you've gotten some good advice here. I don't really have anything to add. I'm sorry.

    I do want to give you a big ol (((HUG))) though.

    I hope things look up for you and the little one soon.
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