Isn’t it funny how life just steps in? I mean I can make the best of plans for something and it sounds good at the time I am making the plans and typically I want to do the thing that is planned. The something changes it all.

Life steps in.

For so many various reasons.

So when I realized that conference night for my son, Michael, had past and I realized just how much life stepped in. Because I had had the clear INTENTION of scheduling a conference but I never scheduled it.

I got sidetracked.

Life stepped in.

So now, I am going to communicate with the teacher and try to make an appointment to go over some things at another time. Basically, my plan B

In the world we live in, life steps in alot.

So if you are like me and you may have missed your child’s conference night, don’t get upset at yourself. There is alot going on for us all and especially when you have special needs in your life.

So my advice to you is to breath, email or call the school to contract your child’s teacher or teachers. Go to your plan B

Then do some preparations for when you do meet.

Here are my 5 tips:

1. It is time once again, to take a good and honest look at how your child is doing in school this year. Ask yourself these questions. 

-How is your child doing with his/her peers?, Are they stressed? Maybe scared of something?

-Do they struggle with social situations more than before? Or are things going pretty well?

-Are they able to do the work required even if it is modified? Or do they need more help and modifications?

-Does your child hate going to school? Cry when they have to go?  This is something important to bring up.

2. It is also time again to re-read your child’s IEP ( Individualized Education Plan)because:

– It is so important to see how your child is progressing towards the goals listed even if it is at the beginning of the yearand if not, then it is important to ask “why not?”

-It is important to share any positive you may see at home towards their goals and share it with those at the school

-It helps to be well versed on the IEP, simply to be the best advocate for your child.

3. It is time to bring up any concerns that you may have including things you want to “watch“.

-Sometimes things get put into a “watch and see” file especially if there is the hope that maybe through therapy or special attention at school, it will abate.  Examples would be such as fear of entering the lunchroom if it is noisy or maybe speaking up in morning circle time.  Really anything should be addressed now.

Now is a good time to tell them to the school and agree on a date to revisit them and see how things are going.

4. It is time to share with the school any new concerns as well as things you are working on outside of your child’s school time.

-Bridging the two worlds, school and home, only helps the child.  Getting everyone to understand everyone else’s work and efforts only helps the child.  So if you have papers/work/testing from other sources, please share it with those at the school.  It helps with any planning or expectations so very much.

5. This conference time will be important as it sets the tone for the next phase of the year.

-Getting a good and full understanding of your child from those working with her as well as a good review of where things stand on the IEP will help you. Because you want goals and skills to be worked on well and as a collective group.

Even though Elizabeth, my daughter with special needs (global dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder)(SPD) is now 26 years old and past conference time   I wanted to share some thoughts to offer a bit of help.  After all, we are all in this thing called life together, and we want the best for our special children.

I wish everyone a peaceful week.

Michele Gianetti author of:

Elizabeth Believes In Herself: The Special Journey Continue

Does life with a child who has special needs ever really hit a stride?

Does what we do one week hold true to being the right thing the next?

Or do we continue to adapt and change?

Adjust and readjust?

UMMM?

A big NO to the first 2 things

And a resounding YES to the last 2

And so goes it with us, we are readjusting and trying something new. My theory is that life all around our beautiful children changes. Causing us to adjust in many matters that have nothing to do with our children. But as we navigate life, which creates change for them. We now need to help them adjust to changes that regular old life has.

Make sense? I hope so.

So now we help them adjust to, say a sibling leaving for college or a parent’s new job. Which takes work and have many emotions with it. For us and then for them.

Now add these things to the work they (and we) are doing to keep them ok and funcational in their lives and it can be ALOT OF WORK!

And A LOT OF EMOTIONS and this can lead to times when a certain 2 people should not be trying to talk. at a certain time.

I will use Elizabeth and me (ha-ha, like you might have already known this)

Emotions can run high for Elizabeth as this is part of her tender heart (thank you Dyspraxia) and she will show anxiety (thank you SPD-Sensory Processing Disorder)

Then add in the emotions I feel (I am representing all parents/caregivers here!)

And we can have some intense moments…. PERIOD

So, we had one of those yesterday…a bit of a tangle.

That resulted in both she and I walking away, coming back a few minutes later and talking/resolving the issue.

It hit me then, that she and I need to be able to call a “take 5”, take a break and return to talk. Like we did today but officially. Not a groundbreaking idea, but for me, it was as it was now related to Elizabeth.

The idea really resonated with her, and I told her we HAVE to talk it through after the break to make it a good plan.

So now, welcome to our new adjustment.

It is official…We will be taking 5 I will keep you posted……

I wish everyone a peaceful week.

Michele Gianetti author of Elizabeth Believes in Herself