After receiving a Sensory Processing Diagnosis for my son, I was on a mission to get Jaden all the services available through the school system. My social worker side kicked into high gear and I was ready!  That journey lead us to taking him out of the private school sector and seeing how things went for us in the public school district.

I have to say that after 3 months of testing we got the results and were very pleased. Bottom line is, Jaden is a pretty smart kid and overall he didn’t “qualify” for services based on their testing.

I wasn’t surprised to hear that. I knew that they couldn’t see some of his challenges through testing and that they would have to observe him in an actual social setting. I also knew that on many of levels Jaden has matured over this past year. However, with that being said, he was given and Individual Educational Plan (IEP) based on the Sensory Processing Diagnosis. YAY!

Often times parents don’t want to label their children or even consider the IEP. To those parents I say this…Jaden is the one that will have to sit in a classroom and feel like everything is falling apart around him. I agree that often times children are over labeled and we as parents need to pay attention and protect our children. However, as parents we are also responsible to know our kids and see the signs for what they are. If Jaden needs help I am going to get it for him {period}.

As a social worker I knew that the IEP is just a tool to assist Jaden with being successful in the classroom setting. I have never seen it as a negative thing. Because he qualified for the IEP he is now able to attend our local head start program. YAY!!! That was great news. Now my little man will have all the services he needs in one location. From occupational therapy to a smaller classroom setting. I think that will be a great help as he transitions to Kindergarten in the fall…OMG! Kindergarten{ that’s another journey}.

I found the public school district we live in to be very supportive and encouraging {so far}. With that being said, Jaden starts his new school tomorrow. He even gets to ride a school bus! He is very excited about that. I am not. But hubby reminds me that I have to let him be a big boy and do big boy things…to that I say, “Whatever!”

As for the mom side of me I worry about everything. How will he do on the bus? How will he handle his first day? Will he make friends? Will they really “get him”? Or will they pretend to “get him” like the private school did?

But then I remember, God gave us Jaden and he will provide for him in EVERY way! I believe and trust in that. So please say a little prayer for my little man, who often reminds me that he is a big boy.

Be Sociable, Share!

•