Specialized Educational Services

I've been thinking about this for some time, Blog.  I'm not sure how it will play out but I want to try to make it happen.

The IEP meeting. Individualized Education Program.  That's what they call it in PA.  I think CT has something called the BIP which sounds much cooler.  As it goes, I have sat in a billion of them. I have sat in one for my daughter; I have sat in one for my son. I have sat in one as a teacher. I have sat in one as a parent. I have called in as a parent; I have called in as a teacher.  I am telling you.  I have IEPeed my way through the Golden Gates. I have been not only a parent and a teacher, but also a PREGNANT mother.  That's the best.   Oh, your kid needs some specialized services? and here you are...all procreating again.   Well isn't that nice.  Didn't you get the message the first time? Your uterus produces sublevel humans, so please stop fornicating.  We have other things to do.

The IEP meeting is multi-faceted. On the one hand everyone is there to talk about your child's unique needs which is terrific.  Really, when you take into consideration the time and money these administrators spent to be with you and hold this conference, it feels like the world is doing right by you. On the other hand, there is a table full of  well-educated people who are saying, your kid is definitely not normal.  Well, how is that for awkward?

So you agree or disagree on all sorts of forms with all sort of signatures, and let me tell you, as a licensed teacher with a husband who specializes in IEP meetings -- as in he flew through the birth canal holding up an IEP sign where he was subsequently held by a nurse whose name was IEP while she rocked him back and forth in an IEP chair. I still feel like I walk out of that room not sure I advocated for the BEST services for my child. There are a million out there that they don't tell you about, so you have to research and do the whole stalemate thing which is just unfortunate.  I am not trying to buy a used car. I am trying to educate my child.   It's tough  and confusing,  I know Blog, it's the weekend, and I should focus on happier things.

It looks like maybe you lost a few ell bees, Blog?  Love you!