When is Christmas BREAK?

Last week Teagan started school...a special program for special needs children. We were excited to get him into such a program. Under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) “eligible” children with disabilities, ages 3-21, are entitled to receive appropriate education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation.

Did you know more than 6.5 million infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities are eligible for this education?

Parents often, now a days, place children 3-5 years old in preschool. The goal is to get them ready for kindergarten and public school 1st grade- 12th. Although, I know some moms are just looking for a few hours off- AMEN- I feel ya there too!  At preschool level, children should have experiences that provide a foundation that guides children academically, socially, and emotionally. In school, Teagan is exposed to social and emotional development, language and communication, emergent literacy such as reading and writing, and math- all age appropriate. He also is exposed to speech therapy and occupational therapy.

Did you know that children who attend pre-school are more likely to graduate from high school and continue onto college?

Of course, the above all sounds great. A wonderful euphoria of education! And as an educator myself...this warms my heart! However, after Day 1Teagan did not see it this way and his heart was not warm, but his head was from the fit he was throwing. We talked to Teagan for weeks about school. How much fun it would be...preparing him for his new adventure. Usually my stories about his school...ended with him saying "Blue's Clues" and singing "Circle Time". For those not familiar with Blue's Clues...it's a blue dog who has a human friend (Steve or Joe, depending on the date of the episode). Blue goes to school often with his friends and spends his days exploring his world looking for Clues. The clues are designated as blue paw prints. Ironically, one day while in Spring Hill at Sonic, older brother Tristan (3 yrs old at the time) spotted a Blue Paw Print...and shouted "I found a Clue, a clue!" To which, Teagan starts signing the Blue's Clue theme song!

So the first week of school came--- and thank God it was a short one!

Day1, Week 1: Wake up Teagan at 6:30am. He is happy and excited to get dressed and go "bye bye". He walked into school holding my hand and held off on his melt down until he realized I was not staying in his classroom, but he was! Needless to say, his teacher reported he had a good day and he was happy when he got out of school that day.

Day 2, Week 1: Wake up Teagan at 6:30am. Not so great. Teagan was cranky and fighting me to get dressed and load up in the car! He took his shoes off three times...and once threw it at my head...he did not miss either! His teacher again reported he had a good day and again he was happy when he got out of school that day.

Day 3, Week 1: Wake up Teagan at 6:40am. Still not happy. TGIF means nothing to Teagan so he was as angry as a bear to get up at the crack! His teacher again reported he had a good day and again he was happy when he got out of school that day.

Did you know that children on the autism spectrum need routine and structure?

Really?! Can someone tell Teagan that he is autistic and needs routine!!

THE END OF WEEK 1.  Successful...somewhat! I'll take what I can get!

So the 2nd week of school is here--- and thank God we get a long weekend ahead!

Week 2 is here and again we are off to a rough morning start! Teagan is going to bed earlier but still waking up a bear, and not a cuddly one either! And now to top it off his defiance is starting earlier and earlier- in the morning that is!

Day 1, Week 2: Today he did not wait until we got to the doors of the school to melt down....no today he started shouting "NO NO" when I turned into the school parking lot. He then proceeded to melt down in the parking lot...momentary laying down right in the middle of a parking space...not safe and not exactly how I like my Monday mornings! His teacher again reported he had a good day and again he was happy when he got out of school that day.

It is days like today that I want to look into those big Hazel eyes and say "Teagan this is good for you...you need school. Your dada and I have a long term goal that one day you will be in mainstream education and not special ed...work with us, PLEASE!" To what he would respond "SOUP?". Because eating soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner is his new obsession.  **A blog on Teagan's obsessions to follow soon.**



First Day of School 2011 (Preschool and Middle School)



Did you know that preschool is the first step towards education, prosperity and becoming better human beings?