The I.E.P. Has Arrived!!!

Jo Jo's first I.E.P. arrived today!!! A copy for us and a copy to sign and return. I was able to read it over today and so far I am very pleased. I still need to read it over with the hubby, but I'm pretty sure he will be happy with it too. Everything that we talked about with the school is in it. Everything is covered.

I plan to turn everything in on Monday! I still have to complete his enrollment paperwork and make copies for proof of residency and pick up a medical form from his doctor, but we are so excited for February 10th!!! First day of school for Jo Jo is coming up so fast!!!

Until the first day of school we are trying to cram in as much ABA Therapy as we can. Which Jo Jo is tolerating very well so I am happy he is able to handle the extra load of work. Which means school should not be to stressful for him because if he can handle 6 hours of ABA a day then he can 2 1/2 hours of preschool.

I also got some amazing news today! I know someone who work's at South Shore Therapies and they work with a lot of children with Autism. They wanted to run our insurance and see if we are able to get therapy through there office so Jo Jo can get something extra besides school. Well we are lucky because the insurance is going to cover Jo Jo!!! We have to go through a step by step process first before we can start. First we have to have a phone intake interview which I am doing tomorrow! Then we have to schedule a Evaluation at there office, and after that we will have to get a referral from our pediatrician. Then once we have the referral we can start therapy. They offer several kinds of therapy such as Speech, Occupational Therapy, Sensory, and more. This will probably be a once a week type of thing but it's only 10 minutes from my house and we will have a copay every week. This news has made me so happy because I have been so bummed about all of our home services ending and not being able to continue ABA so this was news we really needed!

Jo Jo will be 3 in two Week's!

Can't believe my little man will be 3 in two week's from today! So many thing's will be changing, no more play group, no more ABA at home, no more speech, and no more visit's from our Developmental Specialist. But he will be starting school which I already know he is going to love it! We have started our enrollment paperwork and we are still waiting for the official IEP to sign.

The past two week's have been very long, Jo Jo dislocated his elbow, then we all got the stomach bug that took day's to get rid of. Jo Jo has been very cranky with ABA and becoming very picky. I am hoping it is just him still recouping from being sick. But he really has become extremely stubborn and starting to become very set in his ways and if it is not his way he has a tantrum or just cry's. I sure hope it is just a stage or something.

I am looking forward to all the changes! Kinda tired of our crazy schedule and always being home in the house because most of our services are at home. Having a regular schedule will make thing's so much easier for everyone. I really hope that when Jo Jo start's school it will make my morning's at home with Caylee getting her ready much more easy going. She hate's getting ready for school but once she is there she is happy. So hopefully her seeing Jo Jo getting ready every morning she will be more motivated.

Your Child’s First and Best Advocate: You

Your Child’s First and Best Advocate: You

There are a million and one things rolling through my head about Jo Jo starting school in February. First things first it scares the heck out of me!!! I have so many questions, so many thoughts, and fear. I have heard so many horror stories about school's and advocating for your child. I have seen it first hand, and I read so many stories of other experiences about IEP (Individualized Education Program) meetings and school.

I keep getting told that I am the best advocate for my child. Am I really? I know that I am supposed to know what is best for my child but I am not a professional either. I don't know everything. Who does anyway!?!

There are so many stories out there that are just horrifying. School's not providing services that they should, parents being told that there child is not on the spectrum, and children bouncing from school to school. How can a school tell you your kid is not on the spectrum? Especially after being diagnosed by a doctor. Talk about toying with a parents emotions. Sure we all want to hear that our kids are normal and are not autistic, but I seriously do believe a school has no place making that determination or that decision.

How does a school get away with the things that they do?! I hope I am able to fight these battles and do the right thing for my Jo Jo.