Tuesday, 24 May 2011
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It's IEP Season
I have come to understand there are 2 different cultures of moms in the month of May... the moms counting down til summer break just so they can count down til school starts AND the moms who are in the midst of IEP-season. No judgement.... just keenly aware of the differences right now.
I used to be in the first culture (minus the countdown for school starting – I always dreaded seeing that big yellow bus pulling up to take my children away.) But once apon a time, May was the time of year to make summer plans and get all excited about the unlimited fun possibilities masked as summer vacation... I miss the simplicity of that lifestyle.
But that is in the past... now, I dread May(not really I love May, but I do dread IEP season). The awkward red tape that is surrounding our special children's education is very irritating to me... let’s face it the IEP really is a bullshit document. You never get what you think your child needs and the services never seem to be quite enough. And the teachers always say they are helpless while the people in suits sitting behind desks in a cozy building making 6 digits are really calling the shots.
I often wonder if they took pay-cuts, could our children get the services they deserve? This isn't a matter of whether or not a child will go to prom (and I guess sometimes it is), but their education really is about their future.... their life and potential. I suppose, as an administrator, it is easy to clock in, do your job and clock out. But for us parents it is a 24/7 lifetime commitment.
A commitment to a child... not a number, a name or a budget... but the living, breathing human being who has unlimited possibilities if given the proper support and tools. It shouldn't have to be this hard to secure our children a free appropriate education (or therapy, but that is another blog entry).
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What are some of your experiences dealing with IEP season?
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- From: alternamom
- About Me: I have side-stepped my professional career to put my energy where it needs to be... with my family. I am the mother of two fantastic, expressive, healthy daughters. Daily they inspire me to be a connected, mindful mother and for that, I am a better person. I am supported in this journey by the most incredible man. He has given me the freedom to be the mother our children deserve. As I spent the past few years orchestrating my daughter’s treatment plan for reversing autism, I collected beneficial data along the way. Interestingly, I have found that many of the changes in our lifestyle have not only benefited her, but the entire family as well. Visit my site: http://www.alterna-mom.blogspot.com/
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Comments (2)
I love your line "A commitment to a child"! My son will be turning 17 in July, and I have sat through many IEP's. The fight to get what "should be" simple ESY services. I remember when my son Jon was much younger and the school district thought they could "get away" with not checking that little box for ESY services. Unfortunately for them, I have taught Early Childhood Education and those with special needs before I had my own son. The school district checked 9 out of 12 months, and my response was "excuse me, Jon does not turn off his Autism in May, then resume it again in August!" He is Autistic 24/7, 365 days a year! My passion is being a parent advocate and helping those parents whose child has just been diagnosed with Autism. Like you said, it is a commitment! I have been a single mom for over 11 years, and my other 3 children have also made that commitment to their brother. We see the trickle down effect from the Federal Gov't all the way to the school districts with budget cut after budget cut. The summer day camp that Jon started attending in July of 2001 was 8 weeks long and 5 days a week. Now, this summer, it is down to 5 weeks, and only Tuesday thru Friday, with shorter hours. The kids who need it the most always seem to get the most cuts! It is a shame that I as Jon's parent had over 5 pages of corrections for Jon's IEP! Yes, I am glad this IEP season is "officially over". But there is always more work to be done, everyday! Thank you for your post, as it should be a reminder to all parents to commit to your child, never give up!