We had Robin's IEP meeting this morning at the middle school for him returning for 8th grade next year. They had the results of all his testing and everything. Robin wanted to go with me and they were great with that. (he didn't want to stay home alone) All of his academic testing put him at average or above. His lowest scores were in areas where he was timed doing something. They said his processing is pretty slow. I don't have the test scores in front of me--they have to input everything and make copies and then they'll mail me everything. He did score very his in puzzle solving (like 131). They want him mainstreamed as much as possible. They will schedule his classes so there will usually be a para in the room for some of the other special needs kids that could be there for him if he needs. There will be special accomidations made for the slow processing and he will get extra time for timed tests. They also said instead of giving him a sheet with like 20 math problems on it, they can give him just 5-10 and know that he'll get it (one reason I didn't go with Saxon math this year! lol). All in all I'm pretty happy with the way the meeting went. They seem to be much more willing to work with me than the elementary schools were. He will get his preference of electives (PE and computers) and the last period of the day can either be a study hall, sports (football for this fall, weight training) or another academic elective and we all agreed more active is better so he'll probably have PE AND the sports class. At least half his teachers will be men so he'll have lots of oppertunities to work out his problems with male authority figures. One of his teachers actuall lives across the street from us now. We haven't met him yet. We'll have to do that soon. Hopefully things will go as smoothly once school starts. They go back the first week of August (whatever that Thursday is--3rd?). I am happy with the way things are going so far, though. Just wanted to update everyone.

By Lauram on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 06:25 pm:

That's great! Glad things went well! My son has the same issue with being timed. Honestly, I don't think (with my son at least) it's truly a processing issue- that it's more a *problem* with being timed. If he didn't know it, I think he would be fine. That's my understanding of it. I think they are told they are being timed. I think with certain personalities that's tough....if you KWIM!

By Cat on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 11:56 am:

I thought that too, Laura, about the being timed being the real problem. There are some control issues there.

I called this morning to find out where his bus stop will be and thankfully it's just one street over. Here they can make the kids walk up to a mile to go to bus stops (lots of houses and the busses don't want to stop every 1/10 of a mile). The middle schoolers and high schoolers ride the same bus. I actually see the bus every morning but thought it was only high schoolers. It comes at 7am and middle school doesn't start until I think 7:45am. I guess they drop the high schoolers off first. Hopefully Robin will just socialize with his friends or sleep on the bus. You know the old saying, "Idol time is the devil's playground"? Robin getting bored can be a bad thing. lol

By Lauram on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 06:19 pm:

Do I ever!

By Tink on Thursday, May 18, 2006 - 10:31 pm:

Wow, that sounds like an excellent IEP, Cat! I remember you talking about the repition of a math page, etc. being a problem last year when you were contemplating homeschooling him. It's nice to hear that the school is so willing to make exceptions, if necessary. Good luck with the time on the bus.

Seth also has issues with being timed. I don't think it's a control thing or a processing problem but a nerves issue. He chokes under the pressure of beating the clock.

By Kaye on Friday, May 19, 2006 - 10:20 am:

LOL that bored thing is a real issue.

Sounds like they are really working with you...woo hoo! A nice change!

By Cat on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 03:00 pm:

Now we'll see if the school will follow through and put their money where their mouth's are.

Funny thing about being timed--I always saw that as a challenge! lol I guess I thrive under pressure. Robin's not much like me, though.