Another Fresh Start

Donavon started 1^st Grade with an awesome teacher.  (Since I don’t have permission to use her name, I will refer to her as Mrs. F.)  His medications were well balanced and we were beginning to see some normalcy to his behavior. 

This is where we started to see issues with his learning ability.  Since Donavon had repeated Kindergarten, the material he was learning was familiar to him so learning deficiencies were undetected.  It also didn’t help that his assigned teacher was gone for most of the year on maternity leave so substitute after substitute was brought in.  Each one had to learn the students and, of course, changed the classroom to their teaching style.

Now things were steady and he settled down into a predictable routine.  We began to see inconsistencies with comprehension and math.  He was doing great with concrete ideas but anything that required abstract thought was difficult for him to understand.  For example, he could understand the concept of 12 + 5 = 17.  However if you ask him, “What happens if you have to put fruit in lunch bags and have 5 pears and 12 peaches.”  How many lunches can you serve?”  He gets confused with what you are trying to get him to compute. 

He struggled a little bit but second grade was the height of the struggle.  Indiana has a standardized test called the ‘ISTEP’ test.  This is the product of the ‘No Child Left Behind’ initiative.  Every teacher is now trying not only to teach the principles of reading, writing, math, science, and so on, they are also now trying to teach the students how to take an ‘ISTEP’ test.  Donavon would try his hardest and would come home, proud that he took his time and did his very best only to have his hard work rewarded with a ‘D’ or an ‘F’.  Most of the ‘ISTEP’ practice tests were reading comprehension and writing.  It broke his heart to study for up to 3 hours a night with homework and still bring home mediocre to low test scores.  All of us were frustrated. 

One of the few saving graces was having Mrs. F for first and second grade.  The consistency really helped with his behavior and securities!  During one of many conferences with Mrs. F, I asked her “What else can I do?  I feel like there is so much more that could be done.  I don’t know the system or even what questions to ask to find the answers I’m looking for.”  She went to the head of the Special Needs program and spoke to her about Donavon’s situation.  The information I received is one of the main pieces of information I pass on to any parent that is in the same boat I was.  I don’t remember, word-for-word what she said but the gist was this…
“You are Donavon’s strongest advocate.  The classroom teacher can only do so much and when she does, it takes a long time to verify suspicions and then run the course of getting the child the help he/she needs.  However, if the parent requests that the child be tested to see if he/she needs assistance or extra services, the school is required by law to do so.”  At that point, I took a deep breath and did something I have never done before.  I wrote a letter insisting Donavon be tested.  At that point I really didn’t know what “tested” meant but I knew it would tell us more about his needs.

Once the letter was written and sent, the ball was rolling and I felt like I was finally getting somewhere instead of just sitting there in the mud hoping it would stop raining.  A conference was scheduled with Mrs. F, the special needs teacher, the vice principal, and me.  I decided that I was going to go in completely loaded with more than enough reason to get him tested so this is what I brought.  First I compiled a complete medication list to show that he was on behavioral medication.  Second, I acquired an official diagnosis from his pediatrician as proof of ADHD and any other medical problems that Donavon had.  It was printed on our Pediatrician’s letterhead and had his contact information as well. 

With all of that information, as well as Mrs. F’s observations and the special needs teacher’s observations (she had worked with him on reading and math with a hand full of kids who needed a little extra help), the vice principal filled out the paperwork to have him tested.  This was April of last year.  The vice principal did tell us that since it was the end of the year, he may not be tested until summer or the beginning of the school year.  We prayed that it would be summer so that he could get assistance ASAP!

Remembering that I am not a professional, just a mom learning and experiencing as I go, the advice I would give anyone in that situation is as follows:

1)    Never be afraid to ask all the questions you have.  When you run out of questions, ask someone to give you more questions to ask.  What you don’t know can and will hurt you or your child!

2)   If you don’t know the system, find an educated guide.  A teacher is always a great place to start.  Especially one who has experience!  Remember, they are there to help your child, and you, succeed!

3)   Study, Research, and learn as much as you can about your school’s procedures, the district’s policies, and the state’s laws!

4)   Take a deep breath and take it all one step at a time.  It is a steep mountain to climb but Mt. Everest is never scaled in 1 day!

5)   Pray, Pray, Pray and when you’re done, pray some more.  Guidance, wisdom, strength, patience, and anything else you need, pray and ask God to be with you and your child.  Life is tough.  Without God, it’s even harder.  I have clung to him through all of our trials and He hasn’t let us down yet. 

Donavon’s story is only getting started and God has done so much!  He is a living testament to Jeremiah 29:11 which says “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (The Message)

TO BE CONTINUED…