New school year, new issues

As many parents of children on spectrum know dealing with the school system is a pain.  It is a particular pain when the school in unwilling to work with you, your child, or within the bounds of your child's IEP or 504 plan.

After struggling for two years to get a 504 plan in place, and then working with the school on multiple occasions to create the most appropriate and in depth plan possible.  The idea of course being create the most  detailed plan outlining the appropriate services to fit David's needs and aid not only with his current needs but help him continue to acquire skills so that he can become more adaptive in the school setting, specifically in transitions.

Well new school year + new teacher + new principal = unhappy mommy and a very disregulated David.  Now to be fair I really like the new principal.  He seems to be willing to work with me, he addresses my concerns directly, and has solid plans to improve the school.  Also, the transition from summer to school year is a transition that regularly causes friction and emotional disregulation for David. Fortunately for David he has had amazing teachers who have taken the time to work with his specific needs and have always worked with us as parents in making sure his emotional and academic needs are met.

This year is unfortunately not the same.  David's teacher this year is much more stand off'ish, has limited contact with us, and does not follow his 504 plan well.  In fact the teacher's way of handling his emotional difficulties when picked on, bullied, or when having difficulties with transitions is to send him into the hall.  Sadly, I was not made aware of this until David came to me crying fearful he would be expelled. When addressed with the concerns, the teacher advised me this is how disruptions were handled in the classroom.  Completely unsatisfied, I contacted the principal who has since talked with the teacher and the ridiculous behavior management technique of sending a child with transition issues into the hall when he is not acting in a way one finds acceptable has stopped.  Unfortunately, we still have little to no contact with the teacher and I have a great deal of concern about David's ability  to be successful in this classroom.  I am hopeful once we have his new 504 meeting we will be able to come to a collective understanding of David's needs and how to best meet them.

Here's hoping things will get better...

 David and Joaquin on the first day of school 

David 4th grade, Joaquin Kindergarten

David first day of 4th grade