Yesterday was the end of the first quarter at Maria's school. I get many questions about how she does at school. She is in a full inclusion school. She has an IEP only for her physical mobility with some adult assistance to ensure she is safely moving around the building. Maria only got around a month of ESL/ELL services last year before I pulled her from the program. Honestly, what the teacher was doing, wasn't going to help her at all. She continues to not have these services. Considering she has never taken standardized tests till last year, she has made some good progress. She grew in reading and math over the summer and continues to grow. She is in a supplemental reading group called Reading Blitz and doing well. She actually tested at the high end of it. This year has been different for me too....part of my work assignment is Maria's school. This has positives and negatives....it is great that I know what is happening with her, but it also know when something isn't happening when it should. The later actually happened the other week....it is hard when the law isn't being followed for your kid. The situation was resolved quickly, although I'm sure it won't be the last time something like this happens. Taking a step back....kids with disabilities present differently. So many times kids with physical disabilities have multiple impairments...Maria does not. Because she is as smart as she is, sometimes special teachers (such as PE) don't realize that she is being excluded. It is part of our reality and something I'm staying on top of. As for grades at the end of the first quarter Maria has 5 As and 3 Bs...all the Bs are due to bombing tests that included vocabulary terms and definitions. She is doing great! Although her little perfectionist self cries over every B and has even said "Bs are not good enough for me."
Yesterday we also went to see the Spina Bifida specialist. This was our yearly visit....Maria has gained 2 inches in a year and her weight is stable. We had a great visit and did a lot of talking about where Maria is and her SB. The doctor was thrilled with how Maria is doing and said we don't have to visit for 2 years. This was great news! At that point Maria will be almost 15, and we will be thinking about transitioning toward adulthood and more independence....WOW, I'm not ready for that, but I know it will come sooner than I am ready for. She continues to amaze me and her doctors....I can't wait to see what the next two years bring for her.
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Unfortunately, many parents of special needs parents are forced to become their advocate. Maria is lucky to have someone who knows what she needs and what is legally required and has her best interest at heart.
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