flutterby
Fly away!
Addressed to both PCA and me.
My response:My last progress report on difficult child was at interim, when she completed the assignments at that time which put her in good shape, but I have not received any completed work from her since. Attendance has been sporadic and when she is here she doesn't work on the assignments when I try to encourage her she says she can not draw and is only in my class because they said she had to take it in order to be able to take photography. I tried to tell her she has to pass Intro in order to be take Photography, but I'm not sure she realizes that. She could do all of my assignments and do well with some effort. I have tried to let her know that she can learn to draw, most of the students in the class are at the same level, and that I'm here to teach her. I also told the students around her to encourage her, nothing has worked so far. I did not see her at all last week, she is missing 3 out of 5 assignments and currently has an F. I see her potential and it's a shame she doesn't have the confidence in herself. I would be willing to give her individual help if we could arrange a time and if she were willing.
Please give me any feedback,
Thank you,
Art teacher
Feedback?L,
Right now with her anxiety/panic, difficult child has pretty much shut down. We are working with a psychologist (a year now) and a psychiatrist, but I'm really at a loss as to what to do at this point. I'm not alone in this as even the psychologist said she feels like she is grasping at straws - something I've done for 15 years. She is overly dependent on me and looks to me to "fix" everything for her - things that I cannot possibly fix.
What I am currently doing, under the advice of her psychologist, is pulling back and forcing independence. This includes letting natural consequences play out. It's hard to do because she already feels like she's "stupid", when she is anything but, however she has always been rescued - by me, by teachers, by therapists - because of her mental illness.
I do appreciate your concern and your willingness to help. I will present this option to difficult child. I do think, though, that it is time for difficult child to start facing natural consequences. The real world isn't so accomodating and at some point she needs to learn that she has to face her issues head on in order to overcome them - or at least be able to cope with them. She has the ability and the support. She does need some more accomodations in reuglar classes, but that is a separate issue.
Maybe PCA has other ideas, but after 15 years this is where I am. I have to be in order for her to find her independence.
One other important note: According to difficult child's psychologist, difficult child has the emotional maturity of a 9-11 year old.
Thank you for your concern.
Mom