Saturday, January 12, 2013

On a Personal Note...

I don't usually post about me personally outside of my classroom, but I really wanted to share this. It is school-related, and the situation has influenced me as a teacher. I will give you some background so that maybe you can get a better understanding about why I wanted to share.

My seven-year-old son, Jeffery is ADHD. He was diagnosed at the age of 4, and to this day I am still working to find the right combination of medications that will work for him. He is on a strange mixture right now that was prescribed by other psychiatrists that we no longer see. His current psychiatrist is trying to find a way to taper back and find the few medications that will work. For right now, what he is taking is working for the most part. 

He is a very intelligent child, who is very sweet and caring when the meds are working. He learned letters and sounds at the age of 2 with no prompting from me. He picks up everything he hears around him, even if you think he isn't listening. 

When he was 4 and in VPK, he would refuse to do Circle Time activities, preferring to roll around on the floor trying to be the center of attention. The teachers did nothing to try to get him to cooperate, which was a big mistake as he would never be ready to cooperate in Kindergarten the following year. At his VPK graduation ceremony, he proceeded to run back and forth across the stage trying to yell into the microphone throughout the ceremony. To say that I was embarrassed is an understatement!

In Kindergarten, he started going to the school where I work. At the time, I was a Kindergarten teacher, and he was right across the hall. I knew he was in good hands with his Kindergarten teacher. However, he proceeded to talk out, run around the room, get in the faces of the other children, refuse to do as he was told, scribbled on his work, and the list of disruptive behaviors goes on and on. One incident that still stands out to me is the day he drew a large EVE (from the movie, "WALL-E," which he still loves) using crayon, covering the entire table. His teacher had the patience of a saint! If she didn't, she was very good at hiding it from me.

After talking to our school's behavior specialist extensively, I decided to let them start testing him for the EBD (Emotional Behavior Disorders) class. This terrified me! He would be in a small class with a teacher and 2 assistants, and all of the other children were in grades 2-5. I was so afraid the other children would hurt him. I was assured it wouldn't be allowed, and except for 1 child who pushed him a few times, he was fine. When I chaperoned one of their field trips, I saw how the entire class seemed just like him, except they were older. Most of them even looked out for him. That was when I was able to accept his placement.

He started that class in the last quarter of Kindergarten, and is still in there now. At times I've felt like he was missing out on the songs and other fun things we usually do in the primary grades. I understood why his teacher couldn't do that in his class, but I wished he could be with the other kids in his "regular" class. 

He started being mainstreamed last year for Math and Social Studies. He seemed to do well for this short period of time, but I knew he still had to improve. This year, we started mainstreaming him for Math and Science. This meant he was in a regular class for half of the day. He seemed to be doing well after he realized what was expected of him, and the other children seemed to like him. However, he still had his "quirks" in there and in the EBD class, like not wanting to write at all. He is the "king of shortcuts." If he can find a way to get done faster (correct or not), he will do it. 

After the first quarter, we decided to mainstream him for Social Studies as well. Since his Math/Science teacher is departmentalized, that meant he would have another teacher with the same children from his Math/Science class. I hoped he could handle it. He continued to do well.

Now that we are back from Christmas Break, there seems to be a slight maturity about him (at school, sometimes at home) that wasn't there before. He has been doing very well in his classes, and trying harder. He earned all A's and 1 B (because of the writing) on his report card, and his behavior is good most of the time. 

Yesterday, his EBD teacher told me they are planning to fully mainstream him within the next week or so. I'm so proud of him I could burst! I've told him how happy that makes me, and how he should be so proud of himself. He knows this is big, but I'm not sure he fully comprehends the hard work it took from everyone (him, me, my parents, and his oh-so-patient teachers) to get to this point. I remember feeling so hopeless, like we'd never get to this point. Now, the feelings of pride and gratitude are overwhelming! I am extremely grateful to his teachers since Kindergarten (if you are reading this, you know who you are), my parents (who helped me tremendously through it all), and Jeffery, who all helped us get to this point. 

I know everything won't be perfect now. I'm sure there will be challenges galore in the future. However, it's wonderful to reflect on the current progress!


18 comments:

  1. Lori,
    I commend you working so hard to help your son get what he needs. You should be very proud of yourself! Your parents deserve a huge ammount of praise, as well! Jeffery is a wonderful boy, who is destined for great things! He has grown so much, and as we all know he will still face challenges that even we as adults do, however, he through your perserverence and love has the tools to help him through the challenges. Thank for sharing your story! I am grateful to know him and you!

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    1. Thanks, Tiffany (at least I think this was your post)! We couldn't have done it without you!

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  2. Lori, although I didn't know all this I know how hard you have worked with and for him. I commend you even if you did it out of love. Thank you for sharing.

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  3. Lori, Thank you for sharing. As a parent and as a teacher, we always want what is best for our kids. However, this often takes courage, patience and love. Hopefully by sharing your story, someone will have an easier time with their personal children and/or students.
    Congratulations to you and Jeffery:)
    Tammy
    The Resourceful Apple

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    1. Thanks you, Tammy! I was hoping posting this would be of help to someone.

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  4. Hi Lori, this is the first time I've stumbled upon your blog, and the story of your son is just what I need! I have a boy that sounds a bit like that in my Pre-K class, and I often wonder if what I'm doing is right. Everything you wrote about your son reassures me that I have an important role in this boy's life and I shouldn't give up. I am sure in a couple of year, he too will be able to participate more regularly in the classroom. Thanks!
    PS we have the added obstacle of being an English language immersion classroom, though he does seem to enjoy learning English.
    Caroline
    http://carolinescoolcats.blogspot.cz/

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    1. Thank you for commenting, Caroline! I was hoping my post would be helpful to people. Just knowing that I might have helped 1 other person makes me happy. Good luck in working with the boy in your class! It is definitely worth it!

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  5. The following is a comment from Jeffery's Kindergarten teacher. For some reason, it wouldn't post.

    Lori, I am so proud of Jeffery and you. As I read this with tears in my eyes, I know how much work you have both had to do. He has come such a long way. With your support, he has accomplished the goal that was set for him. I became a part of this journey a few years ago and am so glad I have been able to see the whole process. Lori, you stood by him, and I know those times were rough, but you didn't give up. With your love and support, Jeffery has made such progress and I know he has so many more surprises in store for you which will come with many blessings. Love, Tammy

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  6. What a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing. You and Jeffrey (as well as all the others) are to be commended. You always had a realistic goal and dream for your child & just look at what he's accomplished. If all of you didn't have that belief in him, the outcome would be very different. Congratulations Jeffrey!

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  7. Thanks for sharing your story. It brought tears to my eyes. I will pray for your family. Hope things continue to improve.

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    1. Thank you, I appreciate it! I'm glad to know my story touched you.

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  8. I am so glad that I found your blog! I loved reading the story about your son-you must be so proud of him! As a co-teacher it warms my heart to hear stories such as these:)I am looking forward to following you!

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    1. Thank you for your kind words! I used to co-teach in K too! :)

      Lori

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  9. I just found your blog through Farley's Currently Linky. As a current sped teacher, previously specifically EBD, it is great to hear such a great story. I'm glad (despite the hard work and struggles) things seem to be going well for both of you!

    We are ALL Special!

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  10. Hi Karlie! Thanks for your kind words! I was just visiting your blog a few minutes ago! :)

    Lori

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