The IEP

So...obviously...I was stressed out for nothing.

We all gathered in the conference room. They each went around the room and talked about where Mason is at currently based on our reports, their visits the last two weeks, and the medical reports they have received from Mason's docs and current therapists. Each of them mentioned their 3-4 goals they have for Mason for this year. I was okay with all of their goals and hopeful that Mason can reach every single one of them. There was one particular goal that they mentioned that brought a tear to my eye.

Speech Therapist: I would like to see Mason pronounce the consonants L, N & M. (Looking at me) Wouldn't it be great if he could say Mom?

Me: Yes! (That's all I could say without crying.)

We discussed his meds, his feeding, his G-tube, etc. etc. All typical stuff. The only part we're nervous about is the transition...so here's the plan:

Monday, February 7th - Mason's first day. It was originally going to be Jan 31st, but that week the class is preparing and putting on a "nursery rhyme show", so it will not be a typical week for Mason to start. We figured it was better to wait a week. Michelle and I will both take him to school and spend the entire day there. They wanted us there the first day to train all the staff on his feeding and his G-tube regimen. This is a good transition plan for Mommy too! :) If all is going well after lunch, I think Michelle and I may duck out for the last 2 hours of the day (sorry, Michelle, I just had this idea), so that Mason understands we won't always be there.

Wednesday, February 9th - Mason will take his first ride on the bus. (AHH!) Chris will take the afternoon off of work to be on-call for lunch time and then will pick Mason up. That way, he is only doing the bus once that week.

The Monday/Wednesday after that...it's the full routine.

Mason will be getting speech/OT/PT each day. The therapists all suggested we continue with clinic-based therapy during the rest of the week. Now that Birth to 3 is done, we need to get a regular OT and PT. Therapies plus, where Mason goes for speech right now, offers OT as well so I'm crossing my fingers that they have an opening right after speech appointments. As far as PT, I got a recommendation, so I need to follow-up and make an appointment. Wow - I thought our schedules would get less crazy with school - NOT SO! It is important to get these therapies lined up because come summer, Mason will not receive school-based therapy.

Jill, our Birth to 3 Coordinator, was there at the IEP meeting to help answer any other questions we had. She also surprised Mason with a b-day present...a Mickey Mouse doll!!! Thank you so much to all the therapists we've worked with through Birth to 3 - You have all been so important in helping Mason get to this point!!! :)

So in the next two weeks, I need to find Mason a decent sized backpack to fit all his daily school items: His food, milk, extra t-shirt and pants, nuk, meds, syringes, emergency G-tube supplies, etc. We also need to find a pair of gloves that stay on his hands...this is actually quite the challenge - little stinker keeps his hands balled up so no gloves will stay on!

So I've got quite the to-do list to get Mason enrolled and ready for school, and only 2 weeks to get it accomplished! What a big boy he's become!