Martie- thanks so much for your response. He had the IEP last year and I just didn't see that it helped much. It seemed like it presented different problems in that I was there trying to get it followed (usually due to a problem the teacher was having because it wasn't being followed) and that embarassed him. It made him "different" in his eyes. This could have been due to my approaches or the fact that his 5th grade teacher said things to him in front of other kids about his anxiety, etc. and/or a combination of both.
I hear you saying though, no matter, he needs protection. I will make sure that happens in this school if he stays and if he doesn't, then when he goes back (because I just think he would go back...I think once he's strengthened some of these skills, he'll feel better about it) I'll make sure one is in place.
Sheila- Thanks for the encouragement. I wish I felt the same or maybe, I look forward to feeling the same way you describe. :smile:
SRL- Thanks for your thoughts. You are right that they don't seem to get involved with-o an IEP. I hoped that speaking with each of them beforehand, meeting with the specials director, etc. would help but as I can see, it didn't. And his anxiety just skyrockets when he is treated any differently so for instance, he gets bullied in the locker room at gym time, I could try and get him out of PE, but he won't do it. I can try and make sure that a male PE teacher is in the locker room, but the adminstration won't always do it. I didn't do a good enough job at helping with his anxiety when he was younger like you did with your son and now it's much, much harder.
Thanks to you all. I really appreciate your help and thoughts.
