Hard to believe that summer break is now among us. We've been waiting for this time, since last fall when school started back up. This past school year was a bit exhausting! Ethan, was in the 5th grade and FINALLY we were able to get him situated for the years to come. It's funny how God works, because I was so disappointed for the past couple of years with trying to get him the help he needed, but now looking back I realize that what I was fighting for wasn't in the best interest for him. You see, he can do the work but he needs the time to do it. The way his brain works, he's just not able to work as fast as these kids are being pushed now-a-days and I knew he was struggling. Pretty much everyday after school, he'd need 2 ibuprofens to calm a headache and downtime from his "long" day at school. I was at a loss, but thankfully his 5th grade teacher wanted to try to take a stand again and got in touch with me to see if I was willing to try again....that I was! I knew what the outcome would be, but I had to try for his sake. Enough was enough! This past spring, we finally got our chance to sit down and discuss the results that had been gathered from that fall-winter & to see what the school psychologist had seen. And, wouldn't you know, the results that came back were "average" results and that meant Ethan didn't fall into the standard slot of getting individual assistance. It just didn't make sense, but I knew in that room sat the person that could help and the person who had the power to make this circle finally come to a close. I started to instantly shake, because I knew I didn't have a leg to stand on, but how in the world could these "average" results be the truth with what his teachers and I saw on a daily basis. Where in the world did these come from? I just didn't understand, but all I knew to do at that given moment was pray and ask for the right words to fill my mouth because I needed help and I needed it right then! As a mother's desperate plea, I just looked straight at the Special Ed director and simply asked, "what do you need from me to help my son, because something is not right. I know what the numbers say, but an hour observation is just not a good depiction of my son. How can you help me, help my son." After I said those words, I felt this instant calming. I can't explain it, but I knew at that moment it was going to be ok. It was now out of my hands and with those words spoken, the cards were back on the table and we were able to come to a conclusion that 504 could be the best route for him. You see, after that meeting, I scheduled an appointment for Ethan and it was discovered that he suffers from anxiety....major anxiety at that. He was literally off the charts in all categories! He had to go through 3 sets of different testing, but he has no depression or ADD issues, just the anxiety factor and that was what we needed to get him the help he needs at school. Now, fast-forward to the beginning of summer (3 months later) and because of those environment changes at school, Ethan finished his 5th grade year with Bs & 2 Cs, didn't need to take anymore ibuprofens, finished his big state tests w/o any issues and was able to have all the time he needed to accomplish those, but most of all he finished a happier kid. A relaxed kid! Now that we know what is going on, we talk about his anxiety. Open and honestly with every single question he has. We're not afraid of it or embarrassed by it. It is what it is and being open and honest about it, he can now thrive. He talks about it to his close friends, our families are aware, and he's just glad to have a name to go along w/ what he's been feeling these past few years. I love this kid! His strength and courage to handle some of the things he's had to face these past few years, is just amazing. He's a great kid and I'm so glad he's mine! You know, life is hard and we all face different things, but I'm finding when we are able to be transparent about things & be open about the issues we face, man is that freeing! Anyway, he started 5th grade with a worried mother, one not knowing how to help; however, he finished 5th grade with an exhausted mother, yes, but who did everything in her power to get him the help he needed and the results were so worth the time & effort it took to get the help that he rightfully deserves.....bring on middle school!
Colin had a wonderful year in 2nd grade! This kid has amazed me every, single day...I swear! It's funny, because when we sat at his IEP meeting that gave us the goals for his 2nd grade year I panicked a bit. I panicked, because the goals are getting harder and I just wasn't sure! Well, let me tell you that boy accomplished those goals and then some. His personal growth, on the social side, has truly been the best ever to watch. He did every assembly, interacted w/ his teachers, principal, and classmates all year long. So much so, that we now have new goals for that to be a priority now, too! I'm not sure why, yes the academics are very important, but the social aspect of his growth is what we are so happy about. For all the negatives that we were told, this kid has been showing us just who is in charge...lol! He had a great 2nd grade year, but now it's time to move on up and be a 3rd grader now. New year, new goals and more growth to accomplish! Way to go Colin....bring on 3rd grade, but first we have a summer to enjoy!
