This blog is meant to chronicle Jack's journey through his school years, as a child taking a number of medications to help him manage his emotions. We've been visiting with a new pediatrician for the last 3 years now, and they really have nothing to do with his diagnosis. We are, however, still seeing the same child psychiatrist that we've been seeing since the start of middle school (if not 4th or 5th grade? Time flies!). Although we only need to visit every few months or so, I'm still quite happy with her. (I still rave to people that she was the one willing to do the GeneSight testing. Had someone thought to do this before then, we might have skipped some of the trauma Jack has experienced).
Jack has been on the same cocktail of meds since 6th or 7th grade- Risperidone and Prozac. (I hate typing that word, because it automatically shouts "crazy!". However, I know my son. He's not crazy). He's been on the lowest dose of Prozac since he started taking it, and then .5mg - 1mg of the Risperidone, depending on where we are in the calendar/school year. We've had him on 1mg during the school year, and then dropping him down to .5mg for summer vacation. He's been fine with that - no apparent issues. However, I do think I've noticed him being more sensitive over the last 6 months or so. This leads me to wonder if the regular dose is something we should think about changing. Our next visit with the Dr. is in a week or so, but I don't think the she wants to increase anything we don't absolutely need to. (Which I'm fine with). As it is, she's (so far) only wanted to change the Risperidone, and leave the Prozac alone).
This morning is the 2nd official day of school. On Wednesday, the Freshman had a day to themselves, to figure out busses, class schedules, lunch buddies, etc.. and then everyone went back yesterday. So far so good. I haven't heard anything negative from Jack, although he did share with me that a good friend of his from his original elementary school is in his Spanish class. Not a problem, except that neither of them said hi to each other. I asked him why not, and he said "Wouldn't that be awkward?" I pointed out that it might be more awkward not to say anything. They haven't seen each other in a couple of years. (This is one of very few boys whose actually come to any of Jack's birthday parties. Jack is also the only "old" friend from school whose gone to his). It seems to me that ignoring a friend isn't the way to start off the year, but what do I know? I'm just mom.
I did my usual sending of emails to all of Jack's teachers before the first day of school. I thought for sure that the Intervention Specialist would respond, but nope. She hasn't responded to me, and two other moms report that they haven't heard from her either. I get that everyone is busy, and technically we're on Day 2. But really. This is high school. Parents are anixous about how their IEP kids are going to handle the transition, for one thing. For another, this is the first time since 3rd Grade that my son will not be in an "autism" program at school. (They don't really have that at the high school level). While he'll still have the Intervention Specialist to go to (and she's actually got a "Study Hall" period with these kids), the support he received before will not be quite the same.
My immediate thought on this is the I.S. is weaning the parents off of her/them as much as the goal is to wean the kid off. Okay. Totally get that. But I had some legitimate questions that I thought she could answer about his schedule, etc.. I just find it a bit odd. I've already heard back from at least four of Jack's actual teachers. (Plus, I feel like they do this every year, bit by bit. But they don't just *not* respond? Even if you have a question about walking to an "out building", etc?)
I have (because why the hell not?) just emailed another Intervention Specialist. I was given two names at the end of the last school year, as people who would be working with Jack. I was then told at the IEP meeting that this other person was only there for super serious behaviors, and that we should avoid dealing with her at all costs. (Okay, that sounds like she is a demon or something. The reason I was given was that really troubled kids see her, and we wouldn't want Jack to revert back to those behaviors, or to mimic them). So while she's there, and available to Jack, I have not been given any of her information. So F-it, I found it myself and went ahead and emailed her. If nothing else, she will probably ask the other lady if she's gotten any emails from me. Balls will get rolling.
Other interesting idea.. for those of you with these "anonymous" blogs.. have you ever gone back after your child has graduated, and shared these with their former school, or the teachers? Just so they know what they did wrong? How their school, and how their own behaviors have negatively impacted your family? Because shouldn't they know? Should they be allowed to continue treating our children how they have been? Granted, , not all schools are generally bad. Not all teachers are bad. BUT it is a fact that our special needs children are not being treated the same way our neuro-typical children are. Savannah has not had the same experiences Jack has. Sure, they're two different people with different needs. But that's beside the point.
If you've done this- printed out your journal and mailed it off to the school- anonymously or otherwise, I would LOVE for you to respond to this. PLEASE. I'm dying to know.
Jack has been on the same cocktail of meds since 6th or 7th grade- Risperidone and Prozac. (I hate typing that word, because it automatically shouts "crazy!". However, I know my son. He's not crazy). He's been on the lowest dose of Prozac since he started taking it, and then .5mg - 1mg of the Risperidone, depending on where we are in the calendar/school year. We've had him on 1mg during the school year, and then dropping him down to .5mg for summer vacation. He's been fine with that - no apparent issues. However, I do think I've noticed him being more sensitive over the last 6 months or so. This leads me to wonder if the regular dose is something we should think about changing. Our next visit with the Dr. is in a week or so, but I don't think the she wants to increase anything we don't absolutely need to. (Which I'm fine with). As it is, she's (so far) only wanted to change the Risperidone, and leave the Prozac alone).
This morning is the 2nd official day of school. On Wednesday, the Freshman had a day to themselves, to figure out busses, class schedules, lunch buddies, etc.. and then everyone went back yesterday. So far so good. I haven't heard anything negative from Jack, although he did share with me that a good friend of his from his original elementary school is in his Spanish class. Not a problem, except that neither of them said hi to each other. I asked him why not, and he said "Wouldn't that be awkward?" I pointed out that it might be more awkward not to say anything. They haven't seen each other in a couple of years. (This is one of very few boys whose actually come to any of Jack's birthday parties. Jack is also the only "old" friend from school whose gone to his). It seems to me that ignoring a friend isn't the way to start off the year, but what do I know? I'm just mom.
I did my usual sending of emails to all of Jack's teachers before the first day of school. I thought for sure that the Intervention Specialist would respond, but nope. She hasn't responded to me, and two other moms report that they haven't heard from her either. I get that everyone is busy, and technically we're on Day 2. But really. This is high school. Parents are anixous about how their IEP kids are going to handle the transition, for one thing. For another, this is the first time since 3rd Grade that my son will not be in an "autism" program at school. (They don't really have that at the high school level). While he'll still have the Intervention Specialist to go to (and she's actually got a "Study Hall" period with these kids), the support he received before will not be quite the same.
My immediate thought on this is the I.S. is weaning the parents off of her/them as much as the goal is to wean the kid off. Okay. Totally get that. But I had some legitimate questions that I thought she could answer about his schedule, etc.. I just find it a bit odd. I've already heard back from at least four of Jack's actual teachers. (Plus, I feel like they do this every year, bit by bit. But they don't just *not* respond? Even if you have a question about walking to an "out building", etc?)
I have (because why the hell not?) just emailed another Intervention Specialist. I was given two names at the end of the last school year, as people who would be working with Jack. I was then told at the IEP meeting that this other person was only there for super serious behaviors, and that we should avoid dealing with her at all costs. (Okay, that sounds like she is a demon or something. The reason I was given was that really troubled kids see her, and we wouldn't want Jack to revert back to those behaviors, or to mimic them). So while she's there, and available to Jack, I have not been given any of her information. So F-it, I found it myself and went ahead and emailed her. If nothing else, she will probably ask the other lady if she's gotten any emails from me. Balls will get rolling.
Other interesting idea.. for those of you with these "anonymous" blogs.. have you ever gone back after your child has graduated, and shared these with their former school, or the teachers? Just so they know what they did wrong? How their school, and how their own behaviors have negatively impacted your family? Because shouldn't they know? Should they be allowed to continue treating our children how they have been? Granted, , not all schools are generally bad. Not all teachers are bad. BUT it is a fact that our special needs children are not being treated the same way our neuro-typical children are. Savannah has not had the same experiences Jack has. Sure, they're two different people with different needs. But that's beside the point.
If you've done this- printed out your journal and mailed it off to the school- anonymously or otherwise, I would LOVE for you to respond to this. PLEASE. I'm dying to know.
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