I have had the draft of this blog entry on my mind for nearly two months. I have so much to say, but I didn't know how to say it. I still don't because we're still so much "in the thick of it all".
After years of wondering, waiting, and advocating for Jack to get extra help with his schooling and absolutely no end in sight, we finally took the plunge outside of our school board. Jack finally got his psychological educational assessment, and has been diagnosed with two learning disabilities - one in writing and one in mathematics.
When we got the results it was a flurry of emotion, relief, sadness, and excitement. We finally have a better idea of how Jack's brain works, how to help him, when to push him, and when to let him take a break.
Armed with this report in our hands. I entered the school year hopeful that Jack would have an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) that reflected his specific needs shortly into the school year. We're still waiting and advocating and waiting. I am sharing all of this with Jack's permission.
I feel like we saw the finish line of getting Jack what he needs and it turns out that it was just a mirage. We've been "in line" for supports and an IEP for years now. While his online homeroom teacher this year has been fantastic with him, I don't know when we'll get an IEP in our hands, when we'll get our IPRC meeting (Identification, Placement and Review Committee) to help him get what he needs, and when or how we will be able to get his disabilities recognized during his schooling as a part of his Human Rights.
I am hopeful that this will all be resolved and in place by the end of this school year, but with the pandemic I just don't know if that's going to happen. Some days it makes me want to scream, cry, and other days I can't help but laugh at how broken this "one size fits most" educational system is.
Jack is doing well with some adhoc interventions this year so far, with my being freelance I have become his scribe, help him keep his focus, IT tech support for both kids, and continue my role as his advocate.
Although it's been good for the most part we've had some setbacks. Sometimes I'm on a tight deadline and can't help, sometimes I lose my patience with technology, or with him, and then I feel awful.
This week has been rough because of a disruption in routine. Previously both kids skipped one afternoon a week of distance learning to participate in an outdoor nature "school" at High Park. It has been great. It's entirely outdoors, and lets them interact with other kids during the pandemic. Unfortunately with rising numbers of COVID-19 in Toronto it's been paused until further notice. Jack has been a wreck. We're limiting screen time off hours, I'm giving him more breaks, we're all still learning.
I am frustrated. I am upset that because Jack doesn't have behavioural issues and is quiet often going into his own head when he is overwhelmed it has meant that him getting help through the school board has been given minimal priority. He doesn't disrupt a classroom and he is lost in a sea of other kids. He has maintained marks just below grade level - something he has worked so hard on with the help of us and a tutor to achieve, something most people can't afford.
I am also thankful. Because of our family and our jobs we have been in a position to be able to supplement learning with a regular tutor for one on one instruction for both kids for two and a half years now. It has helped improved Jack's confidence and given me a break, allowing me more non-academic time with both kids. We were also able to afford Jack's assessment, something that we'd likely remain on the waiting list for until he was in middle school if we relied on the school board alone. My job allows me to give him the support myself that he needs during remote learning, because there are no resources available otherwise.
I am well aware of how unfair this system is and how easy we have it compared to many other parents. I just wish things weren't so slow, that it wasn't so hard to get him what he needs.
Right now I'm working on getting him the tools he needs and helping him to begin to advocate for himself because where I sign off he'll have to take over as he grows up. Thank you to everyone who is helping us along this long and interesting path. Cheers to more answers in 2021!
No comments:
Post a Comment