IEP

We had our annual IEP last week, and it was really the easiest one ever. I usually leave an IEP feeling like there must be something I am forgetting. This time we all seemed to be on the same page. I even scored a 19" touch screen computer for Cotton's classroom:) Our biggest hurdle right now is bridging the gap between what Cotton knows, and what Cotton can communicate. That of course puts a strong emphasis on increasing communication, and finding alternatives to writing (thus the 19" touch screen). Don't worry writing itself is still on the "list" but we need alternatives to achieving his academic goals. While we have made unbelievable progress with Cotton's talker, Cotton uses it to tell us what he wants to talk about, and not necessarily anything "conversational," although that is happening with greater frequency.

So about the computer. Apparently, the lab just got a new touch screen. When they showed Cotton computer, he picked it up right away. They were doing a reading program that everyone thought was above his head, lo and behold Cotton set to work completing the task easily, and with a crowd of about 15 faculty and staff behind him in amazement. They were all so giddy about it, it was not a hard sell to request one for the class.

I am truly blessed to have such a great team behind him right now. I know my last post was a bit somber, sometimes it gets so hard to explain why some kids just take off, and others continue to struggle. But there is progress, I really like this school because they are very much focused on working with the disorder, respecting his limitations, but not letting him use them as an excuse. Personal accountability is of the highest priority with this group, and I know that this will bring him farther than any academic skill.

When I start feeling defeated I always go back to the same mantra " you can get a job with a 4th grade education, but not if you are sniffing all the girls hair." I think I have mentioned this on my blog before. A lovely lady that speaks in our area, has a 20 year old son with autism. Her story is a success story although it is not a recovery story. This was something she said at one of her speeches that has just really resonated with me, and has comforted me in so many ways.