Ok, I'm sure you daily readers (thanks Kat!) remember me mentioning Zach's learning disability in past posts. He has Auditorial Processing Disorder (APD) and he is also ADHD. These two together have proved to be one more mean concoction. There are many traits to APD, but the main thing to remember is that people who suffer from this disorder learn in a totally different manner than the average person. Zach's hearing is great...but what he actually hears is the problem. He appears to be 'normal', to his peers, in most situations....but, in the classroom...this is where things get tricky.
Zach was not diagnosed with this disorder until the end of his 3rd grade school year. I don't think at that time, I truly understood the impact this would have on his future. The school set up an IEP (Individualized Education Program), for him, based on his academic test results and needs. This IEP is renewed and adjusted, accordingly, at the end of each school season, for the following year. Basically, it follows the standards of learning for the average student, but allows for easier lesson plans, extra time for completing work, preferential seating(like at front of class), one on one tutoring, etc. Also included in the IEP can be suggestions from teachers and myself on how to make Zach's school experience, a successful one.
Another trait...and believe me, there's a lot involved with this disorder...is disorganization. Therefore, we cannot trust in Zach, alone, to come home with important information, like interim reports, notices, etc. In the past, I would recieve a phone call from a specific teacher if there was a problem and his grade was in jeopardy. You can guess my surprise and disappointment, when I received a letter in the mail yesterday from his English teacher, stating he would not pass English II for the year. I'm also angry, I guess...angry that someone dropped the ball! No one called me. I had no idea, therefore, I couldn't step in and do all I could to prevent this failure. The letter stated that low tests scores, noncompletion of work/make-up work, and poor effort were the reason for the grade. As a parent of an LD child, I realize that there is a DUD in every bunch, but I'm so sick of some teachers assuming that poor effort is 'pure laziness'. I also realize how frustrating their jobs must be(I wouldn't want the job), but I can assure them, it's just as frustrating and heartbreaking, for us parents, who watch our kids on a daily basis 'act out', to try and cover up for their lack of knowledge and insecurities. We also suffer right along with them, when they do 'get it' , only to not remember 'it' the next week. That reminds me...there's another phrase that makes my hair stand up on the back of my neck..."Your child is not working to his full potential"...ok, is it just me or is it getting extremely HOT in here?? To me...the parent of a child with learning disabilities...thats,...thats just like saying, "hey, ya know , your kid's just not performing like he ought to"...Well...helloooooooo! I DON'T GUESS HE IS!!
I think the best thing for me to do right now is to go outside and breathe in some really fresh(polleny) air. I felt I needed to vent but really had no intention of 'stopping up' the Blogger network with so much negativity. (I'll work that one out with my Lord) And Kat...I promise to do better in the next post. Til next time, blessings!
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