Jared did very well with his school testing. In fact, I was elated with his 84% score. Unfortunately, I cannot say the parent teacher conference sounded hopeful. His teacher is very concerned about him succeeding in Kindergarten at this school. It's a very difficult school and she said, "You may not be able to push a square peg into a round hole. This school isn't for everyone." Just with that statement, I had heard enough. My heart had already sunk.
She is concerned about computer classes, P.E., and other highly organized parts of the Kindergarten schedule. She embraces his spirit and doesn't want him to get so overwhelmed that he becomes sad or angry. While I appreciate her love for my child, I don't think she understands the alternative. Public school is not an option. Our public school doesn't know anything about APD and told me, frankly, that there aren't funds to help. In fact, since the school districts are facing budget cuts, you'll even see a cut in special education programs. Jared would be swept in with the general population and, as research shows, the likelihood of him surviving primary school without anger issues, aggression, depression, addictions, or social isolation, doesn't look good. "Auditory Processing Disorder can lead to frustrations or feelings of incompetence which sometimes results in social isolation and depression. Other times it presents as aggression, disruption of others and cynicism about learning. "
Jared's teacher continued to tell us to use Kindergarten to watch him and then make the decision to possibly try another school. The school he attends is starting an APD Intervention Program next year! She knows this, along with the fact that I'm working with him at home for the next 5 months to help him get ahead, and she still didn't sound hopeful. Even though she didn't say it, all I heard was, "Kat, it looks like your petrifying fear may happen. You will be homeschooling your disabled child because he cannot function in a school." {crush} {shatter}
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. Psalm 5:2 (NIV)
WHat a mix of emotions.
ReplyDelete84% sounds great considering his APD. But, hearing the ole "square peg in a round hole" is a blow to the gut.
A lot can happen in 5 months and the fact that the school is starting the APD program is simply a blessing. The suggestion to watch him through kinder sounds good (of course I'm on the outside looking in). They'll have the APD program, you will have more tools in your belt (and that awesome learning room...wink, wink). And, in the end, if you have to home school, cross that bridge when you come to it.