Friday, May 18, 2012

Three-Year Re-Eval


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.







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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. 


4 comments:

  1. I don't envy you your IEP stuff BUT I love your goals! Go for it! :)

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  2. Sounds 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.

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  3. I love your goals. #1 made me laugh!

    And 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!

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  4. I love this so much CARRIE!

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