IEP meeting

We had Koby's annual IEP meeting this morning. It went great. It was the first IEP meeting at his new school.
Let me start by saying that last year, he went to a different school. It wasn't my favorite. I didn't like his teacher that much. She was very negative. Not only that but at the same time, the school had a LEAP grant, which provides what is supposed to be a very good educational opportunity for the SN kids, by integrating more typical peers into the SN classroom. GREAT.....in theory! What ended up happening is that the teacher ended up putting all of her focus and attention into the kids that didn't need it as much(typical kids), and kids like Koby(SN kids) were totally put on the back burner. He learned nothing, HATED school, and I hated taking him there. The whole structure of the school was just cold, and unfriendly, from the office staff to the teacher and even the principals. It wasn't HORRIBLE or anything, or clearly I wouldn't have even taken Koby, it was just...well...negative.
Anyway, I digress.
This year has been great! His teacher is FABULOUS! I mean I LOVE her! She is personable. She talks to me and communicates constantly, and genuinely cares how Koby is, and should he miss a day she calls and checks on him and makes sure he is alright. She is great! The whole school is great!
The IEP meeting was something that I walked away from last year feeling...unhappy at best, and decided to just see how it went. Well, this year couldn't be different! The teacher actually knew what she was talking about and how to write goals, the speech and physical therapists knew what they were talking about, and really cared and asked lots of questions! The assistant principal, was great. The psychologist, was amazing as well, and instead of trying to make me feel like Koby was a diagnosis, she spoke to me about my CHILD...not his DX. They all had super input. They all added great goals. I agreed with them all. The only thing I wanted to add was to extend his school day from half days, to whole days. And while I was MORE than ready for the resistance. THey all....ALL..agreed. The principal was the first one to say,"well if we don't extend his school day I don't see how there will be any time for academics with the other services he needs(she means PT,OT,ST and their lunch specials and recess)." The psychologist agreed that for Koby his LRE IS at school in a structured environment, as that is where he thrives. Koby one on one, is VERY cooperative and well behaved, and will and can do ANYTHING. When he gets around other kids he sorta loses the path, and in order for him to achieve his goals, which are all written based on "peer based learning and developing" he needs as much time as possible in a learning environment. Sooo, THEY ALL AGREED!!! WE still have to have one more meeting with the head of the Preschool development department for the county schools, but with Me, the PT, the ST, the Teacher, the Asst. Principal,the psychologist, and the OT all agreeing this is the best for Koby, I doubt she will have room to disagree. And I will fight it anyway, and I will win, Because I have the data to support him not reaching 3 of his 6 goals, which makes him eligible for extended days!Over all, I am soooo happy with this school, meeting, and team! I wish everyone had such a supportive team, who want to get Koby to the level for complete inclusion next year. and will do what deemed necessary to make sure Koby is successful!
I think as parents of kids with SN, we are sorta programed early on to be prepared to fight for our kids. From the get go, we often have to defend our kids very existence to Family, doctors, therapists, insurance companies, Birth to three programs, etc. so when we don't have to fight...or have others want the same things we do for our kids, it is great. It makes our jobs easier as parents. The IEP team today told me, that Koby acts like a typical kid,and that they sometimes have to remind themselves he has DS...My Job here is DONE! Don't get me wrong...I am very thankful for the fact Koby has DS, and I don't try to Hide it or brush it away. But since the DAY we found out he Did have down syndrome (that took 6 weeks but....totally other post!) we have treated him, and had the expectations as if he were totally typical. The greatest thing is that others see what we see in Koby, the he is a SOn, a grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and little boy...who happens to have Down syndrome. He isn't Down syndrome...he doesn't fit into a stereotypical mold, where a specified set of rules and regulations set forth by a team of "professionals" fit him...and I haven't met a person with Down syndrome who does fit that. Koby is making his own path in this world...he is his own person. I love him for that! And the world is a better place, for having him in it!