This morning I have a very, very important meeting at the school in regards to Elliott. 

I’m making changes to his medication but the issues at school are not that simple and that change alone isn’t enough. 

I really like the school and the majority of the staff. 

That being said and with the knowledge that some of the staff frequently read the blog, I have to be honest and voice my concerns. 

It’s important to note that having concerns about a teachers approach to educating children on the Autism Spectrum isn’t a negative reflection on the school.  I would feel very comfortable saying that even the best school aren’t perfect. 

What does reflect on the school is how they handle the concerns of a parent when they’re brought up. 

I’m going into this with an open mind because I really do like the school. 

This has honestly been a long time coming because some of these things need address in an IEP setting.

Here’s an example of one the concerns I have. 

Elliott came home from school on Thursday frustrated because his teacher gave him homework over the long weekend.  Not only did she give him homework over the long weekend but it was homework that he missed 2 months ago when he was sick, right around Thanksgiving. 

First of all, I’m over the homework thing and I’m putting a stop to it. 

Secondly, why would you give a child already struggling, homework that he missed 2 months ago, especially when homework doesn’t count for anything?

Elliott’s a ticking panic attack on many days and stuff like this pushes him over the edge. 

There’s a break somewhere because if you’re going to educate kids with Autism, you have to have a basic understanding of what makes them tick. 

Here’s a news flash, you can’t treat all kids with Autism the same because they all have different needs, weaknesses and strengths. 

That’s Autism 101.

I get that we want our kids to be responsible.  I get that we want them to be challenged but at the same time, our expectations must be reasonable for the child in question. 

Maybe some kids on the spectrum do fine with homework but that certainly doesn’t mean they all do.  In fact, while I’ve spoken to some parents who are fine with homework because their child does okay with it, I’ve spoken to many, many more parents who hate homework because it puts too much stress on their child and creates major problems at home. 

My goal with tomorrow’s meeting is to identify what the problems are, what we can do to help him and abolish homework permanently.

I don’t care if I have to add it to his IEP but it stops. 

Whatever doesn’t get done at school, will get done the next day.  It will not be done at home. 

I’m not trying to give Elliott a free pass but he struggles to make it through the day at school.   When he comes home, he needs that time to regroup and prepare for the next day. 

That’s going to be the long and short of it. 

Dr. Pattie is attending because she’s going to ensure Elliott’s needs are met. 

I honestly don’t anticipate there being a problem.  The school has always been very receptive, especially with the approach I take. 

We’re a team and this team’s sole purpose is to help Elliott reach his full potential.  I’m not afraid to butt heads if necessary but I’ve never really had a situation here where that’s been needed. 

I’m a little on edge for a couple reasons but I’m really frustrated with this whole thing and I’ll say that my fuse might be a little shorter than normal. 

There’s

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