Why Do IEP Meetings Make Me so On Edge?

Today was Frankie's 3 year re-evaluation to see if he qualifies for services. Wow, did those 3 years fly, it seems like just yesterday he was 2 1/2 and we were having his first meeting. How far he has come!

All of his teachers and specialists were glowing about him; academically and his happy, laid back personality. He needs more work on asserting himself to play with other kids and approach them. He does learn primarily through his vision, and needs to learn to use it even more. So he still qualifies for O&M, vision services and OT. He does not need the school psychologist working with him anymore or the special education teacher. They were all amazed about the progress he has made, and I can see it too! It makes me happy and proud!

Part of me still just has a hard time with these meetings, though. It is emotionally draining and it gets me thinking about the future and issues he may have. I know I need to focus on the present and I will feel better, but I do feel nervous for a few days, even after these meetings. Do other sped. parents feel this way??

Great story, though, we were discussing the Carroll Kids summer program at the Carroll Center for the Blind in Newton, and the school has to find out more to see if he qualifies for services there. Frankie's TVI said if he does not qualify, she would go to the Westwood Lions meeting to see if we could get some assistance, as the camp is quite expensive. Tonight, I get a call from someone who is a member of the Westwood Lions Club! I was so shocked when he called! So I gave a donation and he gave me the information of the person to contact about meetings and assistance. I am still smiling how it all worked!

So, all in all, a good day!

Transition to Kindergarten!!

We had Frankie's annual EIP meeting last week, and the transition to kindergarten part, as well! First, I have to say I cannot believe he will be starting kindergarten in the fall!! How fast time goes and I feel sad that my "baby" will be in school all day, and riding the bus. : )

The meeting went quite well! He will continue with his TVI services and O&M. He will be using his cane more, to and from the bus, which makes me a little sad. He will also get a special ed. teacher in his classroom a few times a week to help him in the class, which I was happy about.

There will also be services in place to keep him safe. He will have someone helping on and off the bus, navigating the halls, lunch and recess.

So it feels good to have the services in place, but bittersweet that he needs them at all!

Fun with the CCTV

Today Frankie and I met with his TVI, from the Carroll Center, at the library to use the CCTV there. He had used one at the Perkins low vision clinic once and one other time at a friend's house, but just for a bit. The one at the library today was old, and black and white. I was surprised, but it did the job.

Frankie picked out a Curious George book (that we had not read yet!) and we put it under the magnifier and read the words and discussed the pictures. Frankie's TVI asked him what he thought about black writing on white or vice versa. He said white on black, which has so much less glare! I could see the white words on black better myself. She was asking him about the pictures and he enjoyed it and liked to move the book around. He also liked experimenting with the buttons. : ) At one point he was looking at a helicopter on the CCTV screen, when she took the book out and asked him where the helicopter was, he said he didn't see it.

I felt like it was great for him to get more exposure with various technologies. His TVI said we will continue to experiment and expose him to technologies until we find something that works best for him and will aid him in elementary school. So I feel like it was a good start and he is on his way! We also enjoyed exploring a new library!

This week's Evaluations

Frankie was quite busy this week!
On Wednesday we went to the integrated preschool again and he had 2 evaluations. First was physical therapy. He had trouble with throwing, catching, aiming, stairs. I talked to the teacher about his being much more cautious in unfamiliar environments, and my concerns with him on the playground. It seemed that she would recommend him for services with her.
He also had his educational evaluation, and did well on that; counted to 12, knew shapes, etc. I got to talk to the special education teacher in the classroom and she was very nice. So I felt more positive about the process after I left.
Thursday an orientation and mobility specialist from the Carroll Center came to the house while his EI teacher was here. So she observed him a bit and we got to talk. She will recommend services for him as well, especially on the playground. She will also come to see him in his EI class in a few weeks.

Vision Evaluation

Frankie had his vision evaluation by a TVI from the Carroll Center for the Blind, on Tuesday, during his EI class. She said she would recommend that he receive services from a TVI (herself) at preschool. So I am relieved about that! She seems really nice and Frankie liked her too.
We talked about braille as a backup to reading, and she said it might be a possibility, because his eyes will get fatigued. But we will wait and see when he is a bit older. She also said she would se something up with an O and M specialist!
Frankie also got his prisms off this week! Less than 3 weeks till surgery. : ( I feel more and more anxious.