The Great SPED Coaster

If this drama were a real roller coaster, I'd have been puking weeks ago. I am so ready to get off this ride. Unfortunately, we are in it until it stops and I think I see the corkscrew coming up.

I hate hanging upside down, but I knew it was coming.: The district has formally disagreed with our administrative request against the principal. The school and district have "thoroughly" investigated and have found no wrongdoing. They have acted accordingly, just as they would for any student who exhibited the same behavior. Puke.

While it is frustrating, as long as they refuse to see my son as "Autistic," and prefer to instead brand him as "Bad," I really expect nothing more from them. I don't expect them to redirect his actions into more appropriate behaviors, nor anticipate praise when he makes a "good choice" on his own accord. Especially since, once again, he has had P.E. with his former classmates (who they HAD to get him away from) because, as his teacher said, it was my son's job to handle whatever happened in P.E., not the teachers' job. Awesome! I'm glad they are teaching my son some responsibility at school! One less thing the teachers have to handle. I know they are overworked, so I am glad they are cutting out the frivolous stuff, like making sure ALL the kids are safe. Puke.

Now the fun going down the hill part. I called the local Autism Society which was able to find me names of advocates. I have two now helping me, one of which is very indignant on our behalf. That's about as far as we have gone so far, but I feel very validated at least. Apparently we are not the only family in the area with similar problems, including buying cars from the same used-car dealer (see previous post). She is also helping us pursue further action which may take years, but I am invested now. I pull my safety harness until it clicks a little tighter.

Ooh! Now a really big drop! Going to release my death-grip on the harness for this one. Got to take my boy to see his new middle school last night. We haven't seen him so giddy--yes, giddy, really--since Christmas. He was so happy! And as much as I hate the idea of having a child old enough for middle school, I was giddy, too! I spoke with the guidance counselor at the school, and she was extremely helpful. She mentioned bringing in an autism specialist to figure out what my boy needs and to even work with his teachers to make sure he is successful in this new school. I teared up. It was embarrassing, but I cry over everything. I didn't district-bash, or principal-bash, but she really seemed to understand. Here's hoping....

So, now the coaster has stalled...all we can do is wait. I am not expecting our request for mediation to be accepted, which means we get to stay on the ride longer. Yay. However, I have more help now and more coming, so I don't know that I am prepared to finish this, but I will finish it, and not the way the school/district is pushing for. We are apparently not the only family on this roller coaster and some have been on it for years. If they can do it, I can. Bring. It. On!