timer lady
Queen of Hearts
kt's IEP mtg was this past Thursday. I had everyone I could think of in attendance as there was talk of transition ~ though no one mentioned what type of transtion. So kt's mental health care manager, her CADI manager, her in home therapist & myself were in attendance along with the school/day treatment staff. Made for a large gathering.
kt's academics gains have been impressive. She's gone from almost 5th grade level to grade level (8th grade) in almost all of her classes. kt still struggles with with her hand writing though that is a matter of slowing down.
She hasn't had a real meltdown at school since the first 3 months of the school year. The fact that kt hasn't had any real crisis team calls was brought up by school staff as an indicator of the transition they were suggesting was brought into the agenda as well.
The transition school staff is suggesting is from day treatment to a mainstream high school with supports. You should have seen the explosion from mental health CM, therapist & CADI manager! I had hardly had time to react & the discussion was on! CADI manager, especially, brought up the fact that kt is on track to be revictimized ~ kt hasn't the ability to make safe choices. The fact that at almost 14 years of age kt still needs PCAs is very telling. She demanded to know what safeguards were going to be put into place for kt. AND that kt had been in a very contained setting since 3rd grade was setting her up to fail.
This had been one of the longest IEPs I had ever attended. kt was in attendance for part of the mtg. It had been suggested that kt drop from a level 4 setting to a level 3; kt asked what that meant. It was explained to kt it would be a learning center like she attended in elementary school. kt's response - "That's social suicide. Mom, don't let them do that to me! I'll never go to prom, I'll be the dumb kid!"
This is a rat's nest. School district feels & they are most likely correct that kt doesn't need the level 4 day treatment setting. However, SD cannot continue to bring up the fact that kt has more services than all the kids in day treatment combined or it will come back to bite them in the butt.
I asked for a continuation of the IEP mtg which will be this coming Thursday. Again, the original cast of characters will be in attendance which seemed to annoy the director of the day treatment center. However, kt's team is adamant that after all these years that kt does not lose ground ~ too much has been invested in this child. (They weren't talking money ~ this team truly likes & is invested in kt's future.)
I expect that we will discuss transitioning the transition. I expect that there will be a half day at day treatment & then a half day at the learning center of the high school with a taxi ride in between. CADI manager is demanding a day treatment staff member ride with kt for her protection.
Lots to think about. kt is excited about going to the local high school (curb to curb busing) so she can walk to school. More ever, she is looking forward to after school activities. Various teams she might join; clubs & music activities. It's all she can talk about.
If you read this far I appreciate it. I've had much to consider over this transition. It's the nature of the beast to grow beyond the need for constant protection; to individuate. I only hope kt can do this safely.
kt's academics gains have been impressive. She's gone from almost 5th grade level to grade level (8th grade) in almost all of her classes. kt still struggles with with her hand writing though that is a matter of slowing down.
She hasn't had a real meltdown at school since the first 3 months of the school year. The fact that kt hasn't had any real crisis team calls was brought up by school staff as an indicator of the transition they were suggesting was brought into the agenda as well.
The transition school staff is suggesting is from day treatment to a mainstream high school with supports. You should have seen the explosion from mental health CM, therapist & CADI manager! I had hardly had time to react & the discussion was on! CADI manager, especially, brought up the fact that kt is on track to be revictimized ~ kt hasn't the ability to make safe choices. The fact that at almost 14 years of age kt still needs PCAs is very telling. She demanded to know what safeguards were going to be put into place for kt. AND that kt had been in a very contained setting since 3rd grade was setting her up to fail.
This had been one of the longest IEPs I had ever attended. kt was in attendance for part of the mtg. It had been suggested that kt drop from a level 4 setting to a level 3; kt asked what that meant. It was explained to kt it would be a learning center like she attended in elementary school. kt's response - "That's social suicide. Mom, don't let them do that to me! I'll never go to prom, I'll be the dumb kid!"
This is a rat's nest. School district feels & they are most likely correct that kt doesn't need the level 4 day treatment setting. However, SD cannot continue to bring up the fact that kt has more services than all the kids in day treatment combined or it will come back to bite them in the butt.
I asked for a continuation of the IEP mtg which will be this coming Thursday. Again, the original cast of characters will be in attendance which seemed to annoy the director of the day treatment center. However, kt's team is adamant that after all these years that kt does not lose ground ~ too much has been invested in this child. (They weren't talking money ~ this team truly likes & is invested in kt's future.)
I expect that we will discuss transitioning the transition. I expect that there will be a half day at day treatment & then a half day at the learning center of the high school with a taxi ride in between. CADI manager is demanding a day treatment staff member ride with kt for her protection.
Lots to think about. kt is excited about going to the local high school (curb to curb busing) so she can walk to school. More ever, she is looking forward to after school activities. Various teams she might join; clubs & music activities. It's all she can talk about.
If you read this far I appreciate it. I've had much to consider over this transition. It's the nature of the beast to grow beyond the need for constant protection; to individuate. I only hope kt can do this safely.