Those of you that know the joys of having a child on an IEP,
know the joys of the 3-year re-eval. It’s loads of fun, which generally
includes the extra bonus of an IQ test. When I am in charge of the world, the
very first thing on my agenda is the abolishment of IQ tests, followed by the
SATs, which, if you didn’t already know, drive everything, and are nothing but
a huge RACKET. But, I digress.
The 3-year re-eval., a chance to do just that – re-evaluate.
I am already in a snit and our next one won’t start until January 2013. They
are major triggers for any PTSD that still hangs around.
What I’m working on doing is changing my fear and
trepidation about all that lies ahead: the endless testing, the pointless
meetings, the same end result, and trying to think of it as a good thing.
Re-evaluation is important for everyone. We should all take stock of our lives
(not our IQs, however), every three years. What’s working? What isn’t? What are
our goals? What goals have we met? Exceeded? Blown to kingdom come? What
matters to us now? Where are we going? Why? Why not?
As our oldest gets ready to go off to college in August, and
six months later I’ll turn 50, it’s more than time for a re-eval. I might even
go so far as to write up a formal Individual Life Plan (ILP), complete with
goals, and have everyone I know and love sign it, just to hold me to it:
Goal #1: Have more fun (beyond the fun of playing solitaire
on the iPad)
Goal #2: Blow more stuff off
Goal #3: No guilt
Goal #4: No looking back
Goal #5: Don’t fear the future
It’s a start.
Carrie is a parent and advocate of a
child with special needs and even more special gifts. She blogs at
http://carrielink.blogspot.com/ where this is pretty much her favorite
topic.
I don't envy you your IEP stuff BUT I love your goals! Go for it! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds good to me! I truly do not understand the purpose of an IQ test for anyone on the planet. I'd happily put you in charge just to see them abolished.
ReplyDeleteI love your goals. #1 made me laugh!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree about the IQ tests. I don't agree to let them do much testing on my child. It's not necessary - she would qualify hands down without much testing and so I decline many of them. You may want to consider doing the same. Most states require you to sign a document giving them the right to perform the "tests/evaluations." You can check with your team about it. Good luck!
I love this so much CARRIE!
ReplyDelete