The Latest Adventures in Autismland

It has been an awfully long time since my last posting and there are many reason for that—too numerous for one posting.  Here is a summary of what has gone down.

• TL was assessed by the school district and we had an IEP.  We were given the assessment report ahead of time, which clearly stated he was eligible under autism and speech.  The same report was handed out at the meeting.  They only offered him pragmatic speech (25 minutes/2 times a week).  We agreed with the caveat that if it didn’t work out we would call another meeting.  We signed and got a copy of the IEP.  Conveniently, we found that the final IEP did NOT have the autism eligibility.  We addressed this in writing (it forces the district to put a response in writing).  They denied this ever happened.  Then, in an about face, they changed his eligibility.  He is now at a preschool for mild-to-moderate autism 5 days a week for 3 hours a day.  It is helping him so much!  He also was found eligible for continued services by the regional center.  This means we get respite and a behaviorist that comes to our house to consult.
• TJ was assessed by the school district and found ineligible for services once again. This time, we did not sign the IEP in agreement and we tape recorded the meeting.  I am pursuing the fact that his scores indicate a learning disability in math. (Hey, eligibility is eligibility and truth be told he has always struggled in math).  They have never scheduled a follow up meeting, so we are currently addressing that.
•  I have been diagnosed with depression.  This is a real private issue and I debated a lot about including it here.  The fact is there are many parents of special needs children that suffer from depression. The article, “Some Moms of Autistic Kids Prone to Depression,” really rang true for me.  I am getting treatment and feel better every day.  I am learning to lean on God more and have joined an awesome Bible Study group.  The fact that I can write this blog post is HUGE.

Look for a new post in the next few days about my latest journeys with the boys!