Am I really the expert here?

Am I really the expert here regarding my son? I keep reading these posts and blogs and IEP helpful resources that say you are your child's advocate and you are the best expert about your child. God, I hope not. That in itself is a scary thought because if I'm the expert he is really screwed. Yeah, I can point out all of his crazy behaviors, his weaknesses, and his short-comings but I have no idea what to do about them or how to fix them or if we need to fix them or why he does and doesn't do certain things. So please stop looking at me for answers. I really don't have any.

Joshua gets dropped off at school during the before school program ran by the community center. We started doing this to give him a chance to ease into school instead of being dropped off and immediately sent to class to begin morning work. This way he gets to go in and play games and if he's going to meltdown at least it's not in front of all his class mates.

For the most part, Joshua behaves pretty well at school. He listens and follows directions. Right now, I felt that our biggest problem was the stupid potty accidents (see I can't go a single post without mentioning it).

Until the phone call last week.....the lady who is in charge of the before care program calls. They have been really great with Joshua. However, it turns out Joshua has been having a few issues. Here is how the conversation went.

Lady: Joshua has been withdrawing from the group play and going over to sit by himself and not particating.

Me: He has autism.

Lady: he's been trying to run out the door into the hallway.

Me: He has autism.

Lady: When it's time to line up to go to class he runs around the cafeteria like it's a game and doesn't listen.

Me: He has autism.


Look, I'm not using autism as an excuse here. I get it these are new behaviors that you are seeing during your time with him. I know he has not done these things in the past and other than melting down during drop off he's always been pretty good about participating and listening. But these are the behaviors we see at home. My guess is he is starting to feel really comfortable and acting out. I have no answers for you. I haven't figured out how to deal with these issues at home so I don't know what to tell you. sorry.

Joshua's annual IEP meeting is next week. I know I'm supposed to get prepared. I have his current progress reports and his current goals. I have no idea what to expect for first grade or what services I should be fighting for. I have a feeling most of our IEP meeting will be about his potty accidents. And they will be looking to me for answers and all I will be able to say is...

He has Autism.

So to end, I am pleading can someone else please take over the role as expert because I clearly suck at it.

I would like to thank the academy....

My friend Jen who has an AWESOME blog gave me my first blog award. :) I would like to thank the academy of bloggers for this prestigious award. :) Of course, I would like to thank my son for the inspiration for my.....wait....what? Oh, it's a blog award but there's no trophy or money? Oh...nevermind. On to the rules....

1. Thank the person who awarded you and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell 7 Random facts about yourself.
3. Pass the award on to 15 new found bloggers.
4. Contact each blogger you want to pass the award on to and let them know you’ve done so,

Thanks Jen you rock. :) I do feel very special now. You do inspire me to keep a blog and although I try to be witty, your blog is so much funnier.

1. I met my DH online back in 1996. We are still married, not going strong but going ;).

2. I am in love with Matthew Macougnahay (sp?) I'm too lazy to look up the correct spelling. I should learn it if we are going to get married one day.

3. I have lost 50# since June 2010.

4. I love to scrapbook and I'm pretty good at it if I do say so myself.

5. I love to travel and start planning my trips in January. We are going to Myrtle beach, Maine, Indiana (twice) and the western Caribbean. (again the spelling)

6. I'm addicted to the internet (duh!)

7. Most people like me? right?

15 bloggers? really? really? Hmmmm......

I guess it doesn't count to throw it back at Jen ;).

Lola, she makes the best jewelry and deserves an award. http://autismlovehope.blogspot.com/

I'm a rebel. I break the rules. I only got one. :)

Okay that's it for now. I'll be back later to brag about my son's first tooth that fell out. Yay. :)