When the Options You Thought You Had Don't Pan Out and You're Forced to Pivot

Well, we originally planned for our daughter to attend online school this year...until I received a call from the online school that she had already been accepted into stating that, after reading over her IEP, they could not provide her with the Special Education support she needed online. I was floored by this comment, as I would NEVER place my daughter in a situation where I didn't think she could be successful. I'm a Special Education teacher myself, for goodness sake! The entire reason we wanted her to enroll in online school is because the school environment itself, along with the seemingly insurmountable social problems, is what has been setting her off for years. With my ability to teach from home, we realized this was our chance to have her attend classes from home.

PIVOT was the first word that came to mind after hanging up from that phone call. I have been through actual years of placing our daughter in a setting that I merely hoped would work "this time". I didn't want her stepping into a new situation where everyone was bristling about her needs before they even met her! How do I pivot?

Well, on to a scheduled video appointment with the autism center where our daughter had been assessed a few weeks prior. I'm so happy with the news we received! She has autism...and she CANNOT have Reactive Attachment Disorder if she has autism. I'm so hopeful for her future now! She is being referred for full-time therapy, for which, she will receive a medical pardon for the time she is enrolled there. it could be a while until there was a spot for her, though. I thanked the doctor and left the meeting feeling positive.

All of a sudden, I knew what I needed to do. HOMESCHOOL, which I have always wanted for my children, seemed to be the only answer. I could not send her back to the same classroom she was withering away in every day. She was being denied online school. I'm more than qualified. I've got this.

From my "classroom" to hers.

So, as we step into the unknowns of the new school year, I'm teaching my daughter in the comfort of my own home. For the last three weeks, she has been comfortable, in control of her own learning throughout the day, and excited at this new opportunity to learn in a way that highlights what she CAN do, not what she CAN'T do. I'm also very optimistic about this new year with new opportunities for the entire family. And, who knows? Maybe this will be what I decide to do with our son next year as well.

Here's to everyone guiding, teaching, and just generally parenting each of their children as best as they can. We've got this!

Cheering you on,