Clara's most recent IEP meeting at her UVU school threw us for a loop. Without going into too much detail, her team asked us how we would feel about pulling Clara from her current school and class and putting her in a public "inclusion" preschool which has a mix of typical kids *and* kids on IEP's. We had to get clarification and discuss in length with them why on earth they thought this was a good idea, especially with only two months left of school, and especially taking her away from the intense teaching and resources that benefit her and her autism. We listened to their reasoning, I went and observed Clara in the Public school class, and didn't approve. I passed my concerns along to UVU, who passed them on to the
public class and in return they heard me out and made a few accommodations to help me feel better.
I resisted the entire way. I felt hesitation to take Clara from a school we knew and loved and from staff who worked hard for her and helped her get her to be who she is today. I fought hard for Clara to be at this school and I didn't like feeling as if it was being ripped away. We could have always said no. Easy peasy. But somehow I knew we needed to say yes, despite my hesitancy. Erwin knew it too. It was right to have her leave and experience this opportunity to prepare her for the future. So we did it. It was hard. I cried. But we did it.
The goodbyes were harder for me than for her, and the first week at her new school was hard on both of us. But she is happier now and doing well and I appreciate this time she is getting (and me too!) to experience new things in a new way and with new people with a totally new way of things being done. ( public school anyone? *eye roll*) Grateful for my resilient little rock star who is so brave and shows me what it means to take leaps of faith and not be afraid. What would I do without her? And what would I do without the Lord guiding us in on this path of Autism? I love her immensely. She's my hero.
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| Ms. Brylie and Clara matched one last time |
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| I am so grateful for how much Brylie invested in Clara Joy. She did more for her than I ever thought possible. |
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| Clara Joy running to find the aides to give them their goodbye flower bouquets. |
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| This is Ms. Sarah. I adore her. |
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| Ms. Mallorie! |
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| We are missing one other aide, the PE teacher and the awesome Speech Therapist from this picture. But what an amazing group of people who loved my girl and helped her every day learn. |
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| Clara's best friend and future hubs. ;) This is Ben. They love each other. |
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| Brylie got Clara a goodbye gift. It was a picture of the two of the framed with a note. It was so sweet and I appreciated it. Clara did too! |
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| One last hug goodbye. I totally cried. |
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| Clara clutching her picture the entire day. |
The inclusion preschool is actually at our local elementary school. She still attends in the afternoon, and it's so strange to be able to walk and go get her or not have to drive 15 minutes to drop or pick her up. She is overwhelmed still by being surrounded by so many children and all the loud sounds, but she is adjusting and is much happier these days. I am so proud of her for making this difficult change work, even when we could tell it was hard on her and confusing. She went from being the most advanced in her class to now the most severe. She also now has other girls in her class! That is so strange for the both of us, bc Clara has been the only girl for so long at school, but we are enjoying her figuring out those kind of friendships.
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| First day at new school |
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Off she goes!
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| Bringing home some fun artwork |
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