Today we had Julianna’s annual IEP meeting. (That is an annual meeting with the school district to decide goals and placement for the next school year.)
Educationally, she’s on par with neurotypical peers her age.
Her writing, math, and overall classroom skills are stellar.
For Julianna right now, her deficits are social in nature.
So as you know, my attention to detail to this kind of deficit far surpasses a school district that deals with many varying degrees of special education students. To speak frankly, I don’t think the school district’s not really equipped to handle my BADASS–MOM–BOSSERY.
A few days ago I had the pre-meeting with the team at school. And I know that you know by now I am a “spirited” mama bear. And so that conversation was “heated” to say the least.
Going into the IEP meeting, we were all probably on edge.
Basically, I was expecting the usual…
a fight…
a struggle to try and convince them to get her the services she needed…
I stated my case well, and we worked through ideas, at the same time, we will have even more collaboration between home and school teams.
All in all, I can say I was satisfied.
And THEN the Director of Special Education asked Juliannan’s Special Education Teacher this…
“Seeing Julianna is doing so well academically, what does the team think about her leaving ICT (Integrated Classroom Teaching) and putting her in a General Education Classroom for 4th Grade?”
A day I didn’t see coming…
As soon as I heard that, my heart stopped. And I covered most of my face with my hands, trying to hold back the tears.
I mean..this was in my plans for her.
I wanted this for Julianna at some point…I just didn’t see us arriving here already… today.
At one point in time, I didn’t even think this was a possibility for us.
I can still remember the moment she was diagnosed. All the nights of tears, the moment I looked in the mirror and said “GET THE FUCK UP MICHELLE, SHE NEEDS YOU” flash before my eyes at that moment.
I burst into tears.
She’s ready and this moment we’ve been working towards just arrived.
My daughter, Julianna was diagnosed with the Autism Spectrum last December 2014…
- Who was Non-Verbal…
- Who we taught Sign Language
- Who I potty trained without language
- Who made sounds-Who said 1 word utterances-Who began to speak
- Who made sounds
- Who said 1-word utterances
- Who began to speak
In September, this child will enter the 4th Grade in a general education classroom with no in-class support.
My daughter is not a unicorn.
This is possible for ANY CHILD… ANY ASD CHILD.
I want to help you help your child to get there.
For the blessings I received today, it is my mission to help as many babies as I can have the outcome that we had today.
Let us do that for you.
All you have to do is say YES to this possibility for you, too.
Book a call HERE to speak to a member of my team. This call is the first step in working with me to craft this future for your child.
xoxo
Michelle
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