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Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Game







We have been busy preparing for the fall and all the changes that will occur. Elizabeth will be starting Senior Kindergarten (the school Superintendent has agreed with our decision to hold her back YIPPEE) and we would like to give my Mom a break from caring for Elizabeth so are trying to find a daycare for her to attend while I am at work. Elizabeth's big meeting with the school that she will be attending in the fall will be next month. This is one of the most important meetings; it will ensure Elizabeth gets the support she needs for entry into kindergarten and for her future schooling. To ensure she gets the most support that is available we must paint a picture of a child who relies on people and equipment to be independent and who is very unsafe (which is pretty true), we must make her appear very disabled. Elizabeth is in fact quite independent when changes are made to her environment to accommodate her. We will ask for the most services and support in hopes to get even picked up by PT and OT in the school (services here have taken a very big reduction).
In trying to find her daycare I am doing quite the opposite; centers that provide integration here are very limited which is very unfortunate. When explaining Elizabeth to the daycare I am calling I am not using all the labels she has been given which we will highlight at her school meeting. I tell the center she is a bit wobbly and may need a bit of support with some activities because if I do mention her labels I know I will get the 'I am sorry we cannot accommodate her' spiel. Once they meet her I hope they will she how determined she is and how she finds a way to keep up. I want them to meet her before they place judgment on her abilities by her labels. By omission and exaggeration I feel like I am being dishonest but I know this is how the game is played.
The Dr. Seuss game in the picture above is one of our favorites, it challenges Elizabeth with many gross motor tasks and before she completes the task she has to say 'I can do that' which of course she can but just with a bit of help.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You convey so much in your posts. Go easy on yourself. I do not see you as dishonest even if I clearly see the shades of gray in every word.

Barbara

Sherry C said...

Good luck with school and daycare it's a big deal isn't it but I'm sure you will find there are some amazing teachers and aids to help. Ashley has been so lucky she has the best. PT and OT at school is just consultation but it is invaluable. Ashley still gets PT from CCAC and private and OT from Early Intervention for now. I believe next year she gets OT elsewhere as she ages out of Early Intervention. I hope Elizabeth is just as lucky with teacher and aids. That game sounds like a winner I may have to look for it.

Lisa said...

Thanks so much for your recent comment on my blog...I'm adding you to my blogroll. :)

It does seem like a game sometimes, doesn't it? I think it's difficult to find the balance between being positive and being realistic - and then knowing when to express those feelings in order to get the best for your child.

Megan & Perrik said...

Good work Angie. I know how hard you and Ivan tried to ensure that Elizabeth would get into SK!