Mayhap it will be okay

We spoke to Gus about the new school and today took him to see it. He seems excited to be going there and I think he understands what's going on. He was talking to his counselor on Wednesday about it, and when we got to the school this morning, he went right in, sat down and played with a Leap Pad. He joined the group for an art class while I talked to the teacher.

It seems that he may still be one of the higher functioning kids in the class - the other boys didn't seem extremely verbal, but from one day, I can't really tell that sort of thing. The teacher says they are.I just have to believe that he'll be fine.

I've been noticing some things that are worrisome, like his posture. He was slouching in the art class and he's generally been very focused on video games and television and not wanting to go to school. So I'm hoping that the change will reignite his interest in school.

I spoke to the social worker, the Principal at the old school and called the district. The Principal's office called back and said that he may be able to make the switch as early as Tuesday if they can get the transportation worked out. I'd be very pleased if that could happen. Very pleased indeed! I don't want him to linger at the old school - it would only serve to confuse him.

So, hopefully all will be well. I'll keep ya posted.

So soon??

I just got a very scary call from Gus's principal. There's space at one of the programs in a district school and he is a prime candidate for the program. In other words, they want to change his school, like right away.

I should be thrilled about this, right? It's a step closer to mainstreaming. Surely this is a good thing.

So why am I short of breath?

He's just getting used to his new teacher, now they want me to make him transition to a new school, new teacher, new aides, new bus, new bus route...I'm panicking for him! What if he regresses? What if he starts to run again? What if he doesn't like the kids? What if the regular ed kids are mean to him? What if what if what if???

And I have to decide right away before he gets too comfortable where he is.

I think this would be a good day for medication. First 9/11 anniversary, then trip to the vet, then this. What else today?

Edit:
I was able to get over to the new school today to meet the social worker and the teacher. I know this will be a good move for Gus. He'll have opportunities for mainstreaming little by little that he would miss at his current school. Other than that the programs are almost identical. And he is currently the highest functioning kid in his class, with a first year teacher. In the new school, he'd be more among peers on the same level, socially, as he is and with a teacher who has loads (ten years) of experience in this program. The only down side is the transition, but I think he's got the tools now to be able to cope with that.

So I'll take him back to the new school on Friday to see how he likes it and how he fits in. That will be interesting as I'm having major dental surgery tomorrow. I'll probably scare the poor kids silly. Wish me luck at any rate.

More wondering about meds

I had a chat with my cousin yesterday about her son. He started a new school this week also, so I just wanted to check up on how he fared. He did pretty well, but she told me something that I was previously unaware of. On his first day of school, he didn't eat. I thought maybe it had been the new environment, but she told me that it was because of his meds. Apparently, the medication has the side effect of being an appetite suppressant as well. That could be a problem. So she kept him off of the meds his second day and he ate just fine, but was also off the wall. So she's settled on a half dosage during school time.

I find this to be a scary thought. Gus eats like a maniac, but you'd never know it. He's skin and bones. I couldn't imagine what would happen if he lost his appetite. So this gives me even one more reason to not want him on medication.

It's not an immediate concern; he does just fine at school without anything, and sending his lunch with him to school has so far worked out well enough.

It's as if that word, "medication" is just looming off in the darkness, a predator biding its time before it decides to strike. I know it's there, but there are only so many escape routes, and it scares me. The best possible outcome would be for me to wake up and realize that it was just a frightening dream. Not a bad one, just a dream featuring a parade of threatening imagery. I wouldn't trade my Gus for anything, but sometimes the other stuff, I could really do without.