Mordecai's First IEP

Mordecai 9 years old

Tilly saved my bacon yesterday. I was happily sitting here at the computer blogging when she said, "Oh, you have a meeting at Mordecai's school today, right?". Umm…yeah. I completely blanked out on it. Despite the fact that it is clearly written on my calendar and I had discussed it with Chuck. At any rate, I had nearly an hour before his appointment, so it was no biggie. I was just glad I had Tilly here…

Being a goofball…

For those of you who aren't up your school lingo and IEP is an Individualized Education Plan. In Mordecai's case this first IEP was to determine eligibility for Special Ed. He qualifies, of course, as we knew he would since he has an official diagnosis that falls on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum.

Without boring you will all the details let me just say he lags behind is reading, writing and math. He does well socially, has friends and for the most part works for his teacher. He still loves school. He has the occasional day when he is reluctant to go (usually if he knows we are going somewhere and he is missing out). The six other students in his class are severely disabled (either mentally or physically). This makes Mordecai the "star" student in his class. A good position for him. I know it's been hard to have his younger siblings effortlessly pass him academically. He helps in his class and is one of the only students who signs to the non-verbal child.

He has 38 sight words and reads at a late kindergarten level…this is of course news to me since despite years of effort he refused to display this skill to me. I knew he had a handful of words, but most of those 38 he went into school knowing (according to his teacher). His teacher has him phonetically writing one words sentences…something he would never have done for me. One interesting note is the speech therapist said he can accurately repeat long, complicated sentences, but can't use the same words in his own sentences. His poor vocabulary is something I've noted. What this means is he can often sound like he knows what he talking about…and often seems more capable than he really is- very common for people with FASD. In a social setting it's nice because he comes off as being very "normal". Other kids don't realize he has any issues.

And on a final note, everyone I have worked with at the school has been helpful, friendly, and makes me feel completely part of the team. I am thankful that I followed my gut and enrolled him. So far it's all been good.

9 thoughts on “Mordecai’s First IEP”

I am so pleased that the school is working for you. I also have a 10-year old reading about the 1st grade level, if that well. He as Aspergers Syndrome and OCD. It must feel comforting to you to know that it is not the fault of your teaching. I get worried about that sometimes with my son.

Reply ↓

That’s great news!

Reply ↓

We have 5 kids… our foster son who we are in the process of adopting (almost 14) FINALLY had an IEP completed last year (with much pushing from myself and DSS). He is one of the kids that had fallen through the cracks because he had good behavior and could pretend he was paying attention in class. He had been moved around so much, so no school figured out he needed help. He is now in the E.C. program and has made vast improvements because of all the support he has received this past year. I could not have done it by myself!
We also enrolled my 8 year old son this year in order to get an IEP for him. He likely has some form of dyslexia and reads/writes at a 1st grade level. My 4 year old daughter has an IEP for speech therapy!
I thank God there are “free” resources to help meet these special needs!

Reply ↓

I’m really pleased that schooling Mordecai is working out so well. My heart melts when you mention that he signs to the non-verbal child – what a sweetie he is and how fantastic that he has the skills to sign to the child. I hope he continues to ‘let his light shine’ at school.
Cheers – Joolz
‘Let your light shine’ is the motto at our daughter’s college.

Reply ↓

I’m glad you’ve found encouragement and people who can be a team of support for yourself and Mordecai. We’ve been recently realizing how our move has drastically effected our support and how much harder it is for my mom. We never had much to begin with but moving left her with basically nothing outside of our family. Though she’s been homeschooling us kids now for 20 some years she’s considering if and when having someone else being teacher would benefit the kids. It’s hard to make those calls. (especially when you can see how right it was/is for your older kids) I’m glad you all were able to make the right decision though and have good support.

Reply ↓

does he have glasses? what does the opthamologist say when you go?

Reply ↓

We have 1 adopted child that had a traumatic brain injury at 15 months. I really didn’t want to put her in ‘the system’ because I thought as a homeschooling mom, I would be failing. Wow, am I glad I did! She has had OT, pt, & st at school and it has helped tremendously. Nobody ever expected her to walk, and she does. We didn’t expect her to learn her letters and she know about 14. All because the teachers have found what works for her. I know I couldn’t spend that amount of time with 6 others at home, even with 2 that I don’t really need to do much with because they are older. My husband reminded me that being a good mom is finding out what works best for each child. This is what you have done. Good job!

Reply ↓

I love it that you “follow your gut” and advocate for your children. Not all children, or even most, will thrive in a ps setting, but you know your own and did the right thing for HIM. I know, too, that you will watch, evaluate and not hesitate to change things up if needed. We need more moms like you in the world!

Reply ↓