Hitting the Marks in a big way

 Welcome back to the Blog about how 

Non-neurotypicals can navigate education, life and 

Covid-19!

My son hates to be photographed by me.  I am a little bit of an annoyance, always trying to capture moments and memories. That is just the mother in me.  Looking back on my own childhood, I have almost no photos to remember it.  I guess I just want their lives to be better in that small way.

UPDATE

The Warwick Schools have voted to reopen on a 4-day per week schedule for anyone who feels comfortable returning to 4 days in person.  There is still no transportation so parents need to commute the children to school and back home until that is back to normal, which is likely to be in the fall.  But for now, as of yesterday, we have been asked to decide if we want to continue Hybrid (2 days in person and 3 at a Distance), or go back 4 days in person.  

Due to Alex's need of an IEP, and the advice of his IEP specialists, I know it would be best for him to be in school and have that direct support four days per week.  I can't help but feel a slight melancholy about it...but it's progress and it is positive.  It's time that we start to go back to the places that we once would go without fear.

So now we re-evaluate again and more changes come...my daughter has been learning to drive and taking Acting School via Zoom.  He courses will conclude at the end of May, and Alex's schooling at the end of June...so I can see the end of the road from here.  Why I say that is that Alex will finish a challenging school year and break for summer, followed by what I predict is a return to full time school in the fall.  Meanwhile, my daughter will continue to work, complete Acting coursework and start her next journey from there...but she will also get her license and buy a car.  She has saved the money to do so and we had already created a plan of action for her to buy a car at the end of May when the courses concluded.  

So basically, what we have been working for and what we have planned, is all coming together.

GRADES

Alex's grades have made me happy, and here is why.  I am happy because Alex's grades finally reflect who he actually IS as a student...how he actually CAN do and WHAT he will actually do for himself.  The issue with educating non-neurotypicals is that they are intelligent just like the students who learn conventionally and excel conventionally.  So figuring out their special configuration takes some time...but once it is found, and once they start to be consistent and apply new strategies to improve themselves (as we all must), then you can see what they can really honestly do.

Alex for example:  His grade in Math has steadily increased.  His IEP teacher has observed that he is VERY strong in math with regards to understanding the concepts.  Where he falls short is in applying himself to complete assignments.  So his grade holds steady at a "C" average...although his test scores are in the 90's.  Meanwhile, in English and Social Studies where a lot of reading, comprehension of reading and organizing written responses happens...he is on the D/C average line all the time, and sometimes dips lower because his actual grades on work are low...reflecting either a lack of understanding or a lack of effort AT UNDERSTANDING....but completion of assignments regardless.

Not to be a bore with the details...but that's it in a nutshell.  

The Montessori Method allows students the freedom to explore things THEY personally find interest in.  However, it's not practical in my opinion to just allow for full range exploration mainly in the direction of one interest.  Even for the non-neuro's.  I think there needs to be balance. 

HOW I STRUCTURE OUR LIVES

As Mom, Mom-ager, Taxi and Wife, I often feel like the hats may have different names but they all do the same thing.  

With my husband, I provide a foundation where he can come home to get recharged, supported, fed and have companionship in order to go out into the world and create the things he bring to the world.

With my daughter, I am a sounding board for her thoughts and ideas to help foster her creative energies while simultaneously providing a foundation for her to feel safe and calm while she learns to navigate in the big outside world.

With my son, I am a guide, a friend and a support.  I drive him everywhere and meet most of his needs as he gains independence in thought and action.

It sounds busy...and yet, I can see myself handling so much more.

~Namaste

Lilac