I just got off the phone with Michael's teacher, who turns out to now be his case manager rather than the Area Education Agency which was news to me, but not disturbing news. A summer program has been designed specifically for Michael and one other child, since their need is unnusual. I guess this is the only year he will qualify so I definately will not complain. He will have 5 weeks spread out over the summer where he will go 2 days a week for an hour or so. And then I am going to get him re-evulated by the CAMPS, which honestly I do not know what it stands for. He will see the occupational and speech therapist again if they approve him to start work again. Only this time I am going to lay down my foot, he sees one set and only one set of therapists. Last time he would see one set for a few weeks then boom go back to working with another. For occupational therapy this was not such a problem, but I would prefer the speech therapist to remain the same. I am hoping they will work more on sign language since that has really helped him thus far, even with his limited knowledge.
I am happy they finally figured that out.
Hi Shootingstar, We checked
Hi Shootingstar, We checked out the school my son
would have gone to and decided not to send him.
They dont fence schools in Tx and Marcel is a runner
which causes alot of anxiety. Thank God he gets
therapy here at home, speach three times a week
and occupational once a week. Now Im looking for
a ABA person who'll take medicaid. We're
fortunate to have such wonderful therapists, they're
like family =)
Cindy, I don't know your
Cindy, I don't know your whole situation, but I'm pretty sure that the school has to provide FAPE (free and appropriate education), at least for the regular school year and often the extended school year. If an unfenced school is not an appropriate setting, then they must provide an appropriate alternative, even if that means a private school (surely there are special needs settings that are fenced) or that they pay for a private 1:1 therapist/teacher to come to your home. Have you checked out the Wrightslaw website?
I am so happy for you that you have found competent, caring therapists. They are priceless! --Nicole
Hi Nicole, No I havent
Hi Nicole, No I havent checked out that site but I
will, thank you. Truth is we would rather have him
home lol but I will be sure and research. Thats whats
really cool about Tx, there are no set rules for home
schooling. I love Texas! I dont know how everybody
does it, I mean send their kids to school. I would
worry all the time. This morning I heard about three
school buses that were in a accident this morning
in our area, they were caravanning someplace and
got into a accident. Anyway thank you for caring =)
I've always thought home
I've always thought home schooling was a great idea. Before I found out Wyatt had autism, I had started hanging out with a bunch of home school moms. And even after I knew that Wyatt had delays, I tried working with him to supplement his therapy hours. But I found it seriously frustrating work. Also I personally want/need lots and lots of downtime for myself. So I LOVE that Wyatt goes off to school.
But, you're right, I do wonder what the heck they are doing all day with him. Even though I know what the goals are, the school purposely makes the goals really low. Then Wyatt meets those goals right away and he starts working on the next levels up from those goals--so I have no idea where he actually is. The school is so cagey about what they are actually working on. We are only allowed to observe 30 minutes at a time and we have to be escorted by the principal or school psychologist. The principal is a prince, though, a really nice man.
I lived in Texas for two years as a kid. One of the things that I still admire about Texas is that unofficial motto, "Don't Mess With Texas!" I'm glad you aren't getting any flack from Texas about home schooling. People in other states are not so lucky!