First day in High School did not go as planned...er, well, we got her there dressed and ready to go...but when she got there...her class schedule was all mucked up, no one was there to guide her to the special needs team and she was overwhelmed and anxiety took its hold. She made it through the day--and actually did not tell us about the bad day until a few hours after coming home.
Trying to get this girl to school on time and in her classes is already a task onto itself...add in a new school, new routine and NO ONE there to guide her...well, lets just say we as parents were not happy.
The School Year has become one of those times in the year I actually DREAD. Mainly because my kids are very intelligent, witty, and extremely quirky and need special accommodations. Welcome to being a Special Ed parent! Its IEP (Individualized Education Programs) and Team Meetings and calls from the Vice Principal saying "We actually do not know where Willow is at the moment" (an actual conversation had in 6th grade--she had found a place to go quietly read a book...away from everyone)
The amount of anxiety and hand holding and, alternatively, parental pushing ("advocate for yourself" "contact the disability office at the college") can be overwhelming...and that is just on the parental side!
So...this morning...on the second morning of Freshman High School...I woke her up and picked out her clothes (to help with anxiety about what to wear), took her early to get one of her favorites, Dunkin Donuts (frozen chocolate, plain bagel with cream cheese) and we talked about how things will get better and how she needs to advocate for herself. And how (even though it is a PAIN in the BUTT) we will be picking her up from school instead of the bus (partially because it eases her anxiety--partially because we got an email discussing how the bus situation is having problems because of staffing issues).
I dropped her off and said YOU GOT THIS!
And, a hour and a half later, I called the school to ensure that THIS day the Special Ed department had her on their radar (which they did).
Oh, I am on it, dammit. -- special needs parent
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