As I have previously posted, ARD meetings are not something Tina and I enjoy. However, the one we participated in Wednesday may change our mind on the subject.
We met with most of Amanda's education team. Some of the these therapists have been working with her for more than five years. Now while we have had road blocks in the past from the diagnostician, this time there was overwhelming support for Amanda on all fronts. More importantly, everyone was saying the same thing and reinforcing the consensus of Amanda's needs as well as achievements.
But the highlight of the ARD was when the dance instructor, who has never participated in our ARD before, told us the following. "I know you have heard this before but you have never heard it from me, I love Amanda. The kids in my class love Amanda. She tries very hard and all the students look out for her." My heart went to about 200 beats a minute and I came as close to crying in a room full of women as I ever have before. It just made me feel so warm inside.
Amanda will be moved to a less academically challenging class in the fall. It will have more of an emphasis on life skills, which is an area she can actually improve in and contribute to society as a whole. Not every child is destined for greatness, but that doesn't mean they can't be amazing in their own right. I'm proud of my girl.
Showing posts with label ARD Meeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ARD Meeting. Show all posts
Friday, April 3, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Someone wants to know what I think
I am to be interviewed after work today by a an education major. She is required to interview the parent of a special needs parent for one of her classes. Tina has done this interview for several students the past few years and asked if I would do it this time to provide a fresh perspective.
My job as a father and husband in the area of Amanda's education is to be both the unstoppable force and immovable object. A difference of opinion with school administration is an area where Tina is an awesome corner man. She tells me what she wants done and I do it. After years of dealing with distributors and contractors I find administrators and teachers to be a PG version remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Tina shouldn't have to bare the weight of conflicts though. In my vows I promised to protect her, and really the greatest threat to her health and happiness is an unyielding administrator. So, that is what I gladly do.
I have dubbed an ARD meeting, "A Reason to Die." The room has Tina and I in it along with about eight adminstrators, teachers, and therapists. The meeting starts with the principal reading the rules that the meeting will be civil and not personal. Then it is turned over the to head of special education at the school who starts with, "Let's talk about your mentally retarded daughter." Yep, just love that woman.
Anyway, I digress. Back to the interview. Tina hasn't told me what the questions will be. She said she wants to see me handle it like she had to the first time. I feel fortunate that the young woman who is conducting the interview is actually one of Amanda's two frequent sitters. So I know she will not try to rile me up or break me down. She is a dear friend of both Amanda and Tina, and I think she thinks I'm ok too.
So for my three readers I know of, thats about it from TXK.
My job as a father and husband in the area of Amanda's education is to be both the unstoppable force and immovable object. A difference of opinion with school administration is an area where Tina is an awesome corner man. She tells me what she wants done and I do it. After years of dealing with distributors and contractors I find administrators and teachers to be a PG version remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Tina shouldn't have to bare the weight of conflicts though. In my vows I promised to protect her, and really the greatest threat to her health and happiness is an unyielding administrator. So, that is what I gladly do.
I have dubbed an ARD meeting, "A Reason to Die." The room has Tina and I in it along with about eight adminstrators, teachers, and therapists. The meeting starts with the principal reading the rules that the meeting will be civil and not personal. Then it is turned over the to head of special education at the school who starts with, "Let's talk about your mentally retarded daughter." Yep, just love that woman.
Anyway, I digress. Back to the interview. Tina hasn't told me what the questions will be. She said she wants to see me handle it like she had to the first time. I feel fortunate that the young woman who is conducting the interview is actually one of Amanda's two frequent sitters. So I know she will not try to rile me up or break me down. She is a dear friend of both Amanda and Tina, and I think she thinks I'm ok too.
So for my three readers I know of, thats about it from TXK.
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