Recognizing tender mercies has been more of a challenge than I anticipated. Some things I really don't know if they are the hand of God or just a nice little convenience - like hitting green lights on Center Street in Provo (which did not happen to me today). I have decided to count an experience I had today as a possible tender mercy, although the end of the story is not yet written. That is probably true with most things, though. Life is a continuation of yesterday's story. Which brings me to today's experience.
I have decided it is time to subject my 11 year old daughter to cognitive testing. I have struggled with this for a long time. She is not a typical candidate for a learning disability. Her standardized test scores are consistently in the 90%ile but her academic performance doesn't match up. I have my suspicions of what the problem may be but I really need testing to back it up and a team of professionals to help her have success.
I work with an amazing resource teacher who is having similar struggles with her daughter. The first tender mercy is that she was a wonderful resource for me and a nice peer support. She also guided me through the process of a parent referral.
Next I pulled the referral form off the internet and called the elementary school to ask when the school psychologist is at the school. Turns out that today was his day to be there. I talked with him about my concerns and testing. He was reticent, to say the least. Actually, he aggressively tried to deter me. It's so late in the year and it could take weeks to get all of the ducks in a row, etc.
This is where I crossed the line.
I am a parent when it comes to my children - not a professional. For instance, when I went to my oldest daughter's SEOP in January, her counselor gave me the talk he gives to all parents. He explained how to read the graduation requirement form, what students need to graduate, he discussed class options, different paths and other things that a good school counselor says. At the end of the meeting, he asked me what I do. I felt really bad telling him I am a high school counselor. It was an awkward moment when he felt stupid for preaching to the choir. The truth is, though, there is much to be learned from others when you listen and the speaker doesn't have assumptions that you automatically understand what they are talking about.
On the other hand, sometimes that card just has to be played.
I worked into the conversation with this school psychologist that I am a high school counselor and I have a special education in mild/moderate certification. I also used the buzz words like auditory processing, IDEA, 504, ADA, and appropriate accommodations in the least restrictive environment. By the time we finished our conversation, he had relented that he may be able to administer the Woodcock Johnson to her and maybe he would be able to hook her up with a district communication specialist before school ended.
Sometimes kismet happens. I'd have to go with this being a tender mercy.
I have decided it is time to subject my 11 year old daughter to cognitive testing. I have struggled with this for a long time. She is not a typical candidate for a learning disability. Her standardized test scores are consistently in the 90%ile but her academic performance doesn't match up. I have my suspicions of what the problem may be but I really need testing to back it up and a team of professionals to help her have success.
I work with an amazing resource teacher who is having similar struggles with her daughter. The first tender mercy is that she was a wonderful resource for me and a nice peer support. She also guided me through the process of a parent referral.
Next I pulled the referral form off the internet and called the elementary school to ask when the school psychologist is at the school. Turns out that today was his day to be there. I talked with him about my concerns and testing. He was reticent, to say the least. Actually, he aggressively tried to deter me. It's so late in the year and it could take weeks to get all of the ducks in a row, etc.
This is where I crossed the line.
I am a parent when it comes to my children - not a professional. For instance, when I went to my oldest daughter's SEOP in January, her counselor gave me the talk he gives to all parents. He explained how to read the graduation requirement form, what students need to graduate, he discussed class options, different paths and other things that a good school counselor says. At the end of the meeting, he asked me what I do. I felt really bad telling him I am a high school counselor. It was an awkward moment when he felt stupid for preaching to the choir. The truth is, though, there is much to be learned from others when you listen and the speaker doesn't have assumptions that you automatically understand what they are talking about.
On the other hand, sometimes that card just has to be played.
I worked into the conversation with this school psychologist that I am a high school counselor and I have a special education in mild/moderate certification. I also used the buzz words like auditory processing, IDEA, 504, ADA, and appropriate accommodations in the least restrictive environment. By the time we finished our conversation, he had relented that he may be able to administer the Woodcock Johnson to her and maybe he would be able to hook her up with a district communication specialist before school ended.
Sometimes kismet happens. I'd have to go with this being a tender mercy.
I understand all too well the language you use in today's post. I've been through the special ed routine with 2 kids.
ReplyDeleteI hope that the you can get the best help for Dau #2.It is NOT too late in the year to do the testing...it will only help with NEXT year!
I would have liked to see the face of Dau #1's counselor when you told him what you do... oh sometimes it's sweet surprising the "professionals."