WHAT A GREAT IEP!

 

Today was Ben's IEP meeting.  

Today I had the privilege of sitting for an hour and listen to his special ed teacher, regular classroom teacher, speech therapists, occupational therapist, adapted phys ed teacher and special ed director all talk about how GREAT Ben is doing in school.  Here are some of the comments I heard:

1. He is funny.

2. He is smart.

3. He is hard-working.

4. He is very focused and determined.

5. He is organized.

6. He is a very good independent worker.

7. He is a good negotiator: he knows how to communicate what he wants, but he is also responsible about keeping up his end of the bargain.

8. He is moving ahead in reading.

9. He is moving ahead in counting, adding and subtracting.

10. His handwriting is improving even though he does not have a proper pencil grip.

11.  He is good at typing using the "hunt&peck" technique.

12. His speech is improving.

13. His core strength is improving.

This boy is rocking it!  

How nice to hear how much his teachers and paras enjoy teaching him!  

In regards to my concerns about Ben's social issues, the school team doesn't really see inappropriate social skills from Ben.  It seems to be something he struggles with at home (probably a defiance thing) and out in public (probably too many variables and unknowns for Ben).  

The school setting is one Ben feels very comfortable in, has a lot of structure and routine which Ben loves, and Ben experiences lots of success at school which helps him to feel comfortable and confident in a good way.  

So the school agreed to help us with Ben's social issues by "setting up" situations for him at school where he has to interact with people or students he doesn't know and then help him work through appropriate ways to act in those situations.  I appreciate school's willingness to help us with this.

I don't think I give this little fella enough credit sometimes.

When I think about all his life has been before he came to us and all he has had to adjust to since he came to us,  it's incredible to see how great he is doing.  What a miracle!

I was watching a special needs mom I follow on YouTube, and she stated that she hates IEP meetings because it's an hour of hearing how unsuccessful your child is.  I have actually never felt that way in any of the many IEP meetings I have attended over the years for both boys.  I am always excited to hear about their successes and encouraged to know the school is willing and able to do what needs to be done to help them in the areas they need work.  

But today was even beyond that because today I heard Ben is one incredible little kid that school enjoys having in their classroom each and every day!

Great Job Ben!