Advertisements
Probably shouldn't say this before a long weekend with my daughter but she appears to be doing okay after her second week in first grade. She has attachment issues. We went to therapy over a year. She acted up terrible when she would switch even a room at daycare. So now a whole new school and I was really worried the first two days but this is the end of the second week and things seem realatively okay. Not that she wasn't terrible last night whinning, wouldn't eat etc. but I'm writting this to tell people there is hope. Though don't misunderstand this, I don't think it was really the therapy that improved it that much. The therapist told me it would be getting her to feel safe and secure. So knock on wood and hopefully I won't feel the need to write after the long weekend and say we are back over the edge.
Like
Share
I hope it continues to go well for you but dont be surprised if it changes. Our first year in kindergarten the teacher thought he was amazing, kind, brilliant - fantastic. Until October. By November they asked us to leave over Thanksgiving break and never come back. Home schooled the year and then we did first grade in public school. Again fantastic all of the first month and from October on it was a struggle. We almost didn't make it through January (after winter break). Stepped up therapy and efforts to get a TSS, hinted at the American with disabilities Act, lawsuit, right to schooling, etc and eked out first grade. We ended up having to change schools again for second grade and his first week the teacher is glowing rave reviews. Unfortunately I know what comes next. I have tried to prepare the teacher and school. I was very honest and upfront. Right now I look like a crazy, lunatic, over-negative mother who probably needs to take a "chill pill". I'm waiting to see what they think next month. . . Then I'm hoping the cooperation and realization will kick in and we can work together.
Advertisements
I hope it continues to go well for you. My daughter would do well for the first month or so while she was 'honeymooning' with her teacher. She joined us at 4 and did this with each teacher until 2nd grade when we finally got a teacher who 'got it'. Loved that lady! Life is soooo much easier with a teacher who understands RAD.
DD should graduate from attachment therapy this year. Whoop whoop!
Wishing you a calm last day of the holiday weeekend!
gisellechloe, I feel your pain! Is it bad of me that I actually enjoyed going back to say "I told you so" to the school staff when she showed her true colors late in her first year? lol We fought tooth and nail for her to get an IEP due to 'social issues'. Attachment disorder DX does not qualify for an IEP, but with enough individual behaviors, kids can qualify. The key words are "it affects her ability to learn" for any IEP to be considered. Find your local child advocacy center. They are great at giving free assistance when it comes to issues like this. Don't back down! With an IEP you will have more legal standing when issues arise. If your son doesn't already have one request a meeting IN WRITING with a date on the letter. They have 30? (i forget the exact #) days to meet with you upon reciept of the letter. If the school is like mine, you will be denied in the first meeting. I was also denied with the second meeting. It took me bringing in the therapist and children's advocacy center, and threatening to go to the school board to get them to take me seriously.
Pretty good weekend, so I guess knock on wood worked. Though probably counted it was cheating because my neice who is 12 stayed Sun. night and today. I do so wish I had the leave at work, energy, was ten years younger and courage to do another foster child. Things seem so much better when there is another child here. Of course she wouldn't get the attention then. However, she is just so much happier when she is not the only one and I know there are so many other kids out there . . .