Another Hurdle Jumped

Today I had Anah's "pre CSE" meeting with the school. This was to review what they would be recommending in the CSE meeting that we have on the 10th. After Anah's eval., I had told them what I would like for Anah, Speech therapy and a Special Ed. teacher, but hold off on Occupational therapy and Physical therapy until after the six month eval. period. At the time, I got the impression that they wanted to hold off on everything, I believe I was wrong at that time or they changed their minds since then, either way it's worked out perfect!

Anah will not have an official IEP yet since we are really just in the evaluation stages since she was environmentally deprived her entire life, has a language barrier and also DS. I was thrilled to hear this. I felt it would be too challenging and unfair to Anah to get very specific with this as she is blossoming so much each and every day and needs to be home a while before we are able to see her true potential. In six months we will do a more formal IEP, which will still be a bit premature, but needs to be done to be in compliance with state regulations, I'm totally fine with that.

They are offering her ST and SE starting after her meeting on the 10th. This is a new area for them d/t her age, such marked deprivation and her lack of any language skills. They would be willing to give her therapy at home, but would like to have her come in to school a couple times a week so she can interact with other children and also develop communication skills with others on a more child like level as well as adult level.

Before Anah came home I wanted everything at home, but now that I know her and see her needs more clearly, I truly feel she would benefit from the interaction with other children in a learning environment. They will put her in with the preschool aged children, she's still below that level at this time, but it is closer to her abilities, she's more comfortable with younger children and there are fewer children. I will stay in the room as a parent volunteer, so she will still see me and it will meet the requirements of the classroom in the child/adult ratio. I wouldn't have left her any way, she's just starting to relax a little bit when I leave her with Bob or when she's with the children in church and I'm in the nursery, both familiar comfortable environments. We will start with 1/2 hour each time and increase as the need arises.

We will re-evaluate Anah's needs every six months and adjust accordingly. I'm so VERY pleased with this outcome. We have a very small rural school district, so was unsure what would be offered to us. I have to admit they truly seem to have listened to everything I've told them about Anah, read all the forms I filled out for them, and taken her best interests to heart. That ISN'T a slam against public schools, it's just an observation that often times it is easier for school districts to put everyone into the same pot and expect the same outcomes for all, not taking into account the very specific needs of each individual child. With Anah, that has not been the case, Praise God!

I will be driving Anah to and from school, I didn't even ask about transportation since I'll be there anyway, I don't want her to ride the bus and I only live 10 mins. away. It will also be a time when Anah and I can have some one on one time, maybe do some errands, do lunch whatever. We will be doing this on Tues. and Thurs., my choice, since those are Jonathan's therapy days and he has to be home for them. Bob will stay home with Jonathan and Joey and I'll take Anah. This will leave Fridays for Homeschool Co-op and Mondays and Wednesdays for doctors appts. and other things!

I am so thankful for God's provision for my children's developmental and educational needs. I feel so blessed that I can homeschool my children, yet still get help in areas that will benefit them. Bob and I feel this is a perfect fit for us and our children and are so excited to see God bless it. We will continue to change things as we see different needs arise and are thankful that the school district in which we live is open to each child's special needs. We have known that God put us in this place, for our home, our church, our family, our friends and now we can see it for the needs of our children. It is so wonderful to see God's hand at work in our lives, and oh what sweet peace and comfort it brings!

Blessings to all...