Today I had a meeting with Audrey’s case worker regarding her transitioning into the school district at age 3. Infant development programs are no longer funded through the regional center once a child hits their 3rd birthday. So we will go from having all therapies in home to getting (hopefully) all therapies within the school district. Having a background in education you think I would know about this process… nope. Not. A. Clue. It’s complicated, frustrating and if you don’t stay on top of it all, nobody else will. Although I am ready and willing to advocate like crazy for Audrey’s needs, I was reminded today about what a process this will be. My future is filled with IEP meetings, case managers and resource specialists. And once again I will take on that teaching roll but this time it won’t be teaching students, it will be teaching the professionals about Audrey’s specific needs.
The mobility progress we have seen over the past month with Audrey has been great but I am often snapped back into reality of this different life we lead. Worrying about the program she will be placed in, getting referrals for potential wheelchairs and other adaptive equipment and finding outside resources that will fund special programs are just a few of the things I will need to do this coming year. Nobody can prepare you for this… especially when so much of it is unknown. I hope every single day that we find a program that reaches all of her needs but pushes her to do more. One day at a time is often what people say but how can you take it day by day when I have to plan for her future?
Still figuring it all out. I am thankful to have a supportive team that helps to guide me in the right direction for Audrey and am so very grateful for my friends and family in the education system. We will start our transition process this fall… hoping to blog more about it in hopes of helping other families navigate their way through this difficult special needs school district journey.
Kicking CASK 