Weir : Thoughts on A Day as a Senior at High School

[Guest guest]

Dear -

In 's IEP process from infancy through eighth grade his Special Education

Case Coordinator was part of the county's DHH program. His elementary and

middle school years were spent on the campus which houses the DHH program for

our county. Emphasis was on safeguarding and documenting protocol for his

health needs, re-stating the education setting most appropriate for his

education (sign language translator), identifying his use of low incidence funds

for his FM transmission system, transportation, speech assessments and goals,

tri-annual testing and percentage of day mainstreamed. Constant praise for his

high achievement academically. In hindsight I would say that because of the DHH

umbrella, focus was primarily on language-language-language and measurement of

success was % mainstreamed, performing at grade level and speech goals.

Acknowledgement was made for his medical and other compounding conditions - but

as success was measured by his performance, he was considered successful- and no

concern could be raised.

chose not to attend the high school which services the DHH in our county

(which is it's own sad and blessing story). As a result, his Special Education

Case Coordinator is now the incredible lady who is in charge of the special

education day class at our wonderful technology and performance arts magnet high

school - where she services children and young adults into vocation,

life-skills, group living, semi-independent living etc into their 22nd year of

life. The school counselors are always thrilled at 's academic achievement

- and truly does relish that praise. They easily confuse being well liked

by teachers and teachers reporting well liked in the classroom as having

friends. Until high school no one really understood when I would plainly state

" he eats lunch alone. " Obviously I was missing the point.

's new case coordinator is not able really to offer much day-to-day help -

however, she offers most important affirmation and validation of 's

perceptions and feelings and my concerns. She openly admits that it is they do

not have any resources to provide. His college bound agenda and high

functioning in that arena do not provide him with time or a peer group for

directed socialization. She also affirms how difficult his moment is, affirms

the goals he yearns for, and encourages him in his path.

One thing that has started happening as a result of Elliot's interactions with

's classmates is Elliot provides 's classmates with validation,

appreciation and insights. As Elliot shares his day at home, the stories

provide with validation, affirmation and encouragement. Elliot's

observations and communications are providing ground for to make

connections - and as a result he now mentions some names of other students and

has a desire to observe them in his day. Previously the only other students he

knew of were the ones the teachers would reprimand by name. He also has joined

" Circle of Friends " as one of the students providing the Circle for the students

who receive the Circle. (another very interesting moment. is not deaf

enough to be deaf, not hearing enough to be hearing. Too intact to feel open to

receiving a circle of friends, challenged enough to confuse people when he

appears at the meetings.....)

One one side I feel a little frantic inside to get as much as possible out of

this year together at school - and at the same time I am on pins and needles of

excitement for .......

The experience itself is all blessing and joy (though not without pain) - and if

it can be of benefit to someone else earlier in the path - then it also becomes

a merciful gift, and for that I would be dearly grateful.

with love,

yuka

Re: Thoughts on A Day as a Senior at High School

Yuka,

How great to get another insight into 's experience. I find it hard

already not getting enough " info " from Kennedy and I think it's similar; she

works SO hard to concentrate (she is doing AMAZING with the full grade three

regular curriculum - straight A+'s on all her tests so far) that she doesn't

pick up on other things in her day and can't relate those back to me. I'm

so proud for what she's accomplishing yet simultaneously sad at the

realization of how hard she has to work and how much " other stuff " she

misses.

http://www.chargesyndrome.info

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