Proof it works

My son came home from the children’s facility for the weekend, and he looked great! It’s been almost a month and a half, and I have to admit, it’s going alright. Actually, it’s going better than alright although it’s still impossibly difficult emotionally for me.

My last post was a letter to the school district’s Director of Special Services, and he answered Sunday evening while I was taking my son back to the facility. The Director said he thought we should talk, and we did the following day for the full half an hour he allowed for the meeting. Two changes have been immediately enacted. First, the students are going outside everyday, and I was told today by my son’s teacher that all students are not going out but my son is. I think I have to be satisfied with that.

Second, an emergency/disaster preparedness plan is being reviewed, documented, and made available to all the parents of the students in my son’s class. I found out today from the teacher that they did have one more aide last year, so this safety review is a relief for me.

I have learned much and feel better about my son in school. I am planning on going to observe for a full day so I can see all is happening as they say it is to my satisfaction. But it’s hard to argue with my son looking good, acting good and growing well.

The downside is that my son is very scheduled, and the facility wakes the children between 4:30 and 5:00 am everyday to prepare for school. They arrive at school at 7:00am and the school staff feeds them breakfast and lunch. When I had my son at home over the weekend, I found him used to being fed at midnight every night and waking very early. How much of a problem is this? Only the future will tell, but I can live with that. They put the kids to bed around 6:00 to 7:00 pm due to rising so early, and my son seems to be doing fine with this. It may even suit him.

So, I now have proof that the facility is doing a good job and the school is willing to meet his needs for the most part. But I will say, it was extremely difficult dropping him off on Sunday evening. It was even harder to say goodbye and walk out the door. What’s sadder than that? I’ll eventually, probably, get used to dropping him off. I'm just going to try not to think about that. My favorite nurse was on staff both when I picked him up and when I dropped him off, and she told me the kids do better when they see their parents a lot. She also said none of them go home anymore, and she was very glad I was taking him home for the weekend. She encouraged me to keep doing it... and no I don't think it was to lessen the workload. She's a very matter of fact not all that friendly nurse who just says it how it is. So bring him home I will because it's good for both of us.