Need advice!

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

Ds2 gifted with learning disability, combined with anxiety. He actually will hold his breath at school when he's having a rough time with things, not on purpose, just out of stress. He's 8 and in 3rd grade. He is also extremely shy. He has a couple of really good friends and he gets invited to all the parties, so he's liked, just insecure. Well, this year, we finally got him on an IEP! And in the last month, he is doing so much better. The teacher says he's much more animated! Just last month he was so anxious his stomach was bothering him and he wasn't sleeping! So a big turn around here!

Buuuut, we just got the information that they are redistricting our district. Next year, he is supposed to go to another school in the district. And to make it worse, his few good friends will be staying in the same school. I haven't told him this yet. I've contacted his teacher, school psycologist, and the principal trying to see if we can do something with his IEP that will be able to keep him where he is. This really isn't about just wanting him to stay in the same school. My ds3 would be going to the other school, and I believe he'd be fine. He's a social butterfly with no anxiety and he really adjusts to changes well.

I'm just so worried about how this is really going to set him back. Do you have any advice about getting the school to take this serious?

[pixiekisses]

Oh, does he have a psychologist that knows him well? Like the schools? Or any other professional, like a doctor or IE person or theapist of some sort?
I think I'd get them to write letters and explaining the special cicumstances and that he needed to stay in school. Even say that your other kid can transition, it's not like you are being a difficult parent just for the heck of it, but your child with SN really needs to stay.
Is the principal on your side? The teacher? Get them to write letters too. And do it yourself. Send it all to whomever decides these things.
But, if the principal is on your side, btw, can't he decide?
Have a meeting with the people who decide, with all the professionals and people that know him and is relevant and on your side.

I know a lady who did this with her son, he also has learning and anxiety issues, as well as ADHD, and he got to stay in his old school when he should have moved on. They had meetings and wrote letters etc. It worked.

[QueenOfTheMeadow]

Great ideas, thank you! I'm not sure if the principal is on our side or not yet. I haven't heard from him and the school psycologist and teacher are waiting to hear what he has to say also. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'm hoping that means that perhaps they already have something in place for th especial ed kids? Not sure though.

I burst into tears thinking about how awful this would be for him. I actually thought about homeschooling him, but I just don't know how to work with his special needs.

[pixiekisses]

Yeah, I understand that part without any problems. s

Let us know what they say and how things go.
I do think it's totally unreasonable if they try to deny him to stay because of his SN.

[ericswifey27]

For children who have anxiety or difficulties with making friends, staying put if happy makes the most sense. I really can't stand how our school district also plays "musical chairs" with the kids in the special education programs, it is beyond frustrating
Definitely speak up and don't take no for an answer- you know what your son can and cannot handle. We moved on to a new school for Kindergarten for our son in September, since he had aged out of the preschool program there, and another obstacle was we were out of district. 3 months, 3 I.E.P.s and an interdistrict transfer later, he is back at his old school and the negative behaviors at school have virtually disappeared...thank goodness! He actually let out an audible sigh when we pulled up to his school and he realized he got to back

[DaughterOfKali]

If possible, get an Educational Advocate. It definitely sounds like your son would do better in the same school.