Errata

Scene: Our house, this morning.  Isaac peers over at Mommy and brightly announces:

Isaac: Good morning, Mommy!
Mommy (yawning): Good morning, Isaac.
Isaac: I want Mommy to be happy!
Mommy: Sweetie, I am happy, just very sleepy.  Can I have a hug?
Isaac: No.  No hug.
Mommy: Okay, no hug.  (Isaac hugs Mommy).
Isaac: I want some milk.

Almost a conversation, no?

***
We saw our next-to-last school today, this one an independent school for kids with identified learning differences.  And here you see the stats in action: the first few grades are exclusively boys, because, as you probably know, girls tend to fly under the radar for the first few years.  And while it always breaks my heart a little to think of how boys' behavior can be so pathologized, it breaks a little more to think of the poor, invisible girls who are so good at coping that they don't get help until they're already in third grade, and struggling, and no longer able to cover.

I liked the school.  It was reassuring to see the kids generally focused and attending in class, and to note the nonjudgmental, supportive attention to their sensory and learning needs: Pilates balls to sit on, chewies, gum and/or fidgets, visual schedules.  It was all just part of the scenery, part of the plan, part of the community gestalt.  I felt like we were among our tribe: the tribe that can't sit still.  The tribe that thinks in numbers and pictures. The tribe that can tell you with confidence that the cherry tree is from the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus, which is closely related to almonds and roses, but loses their backpack on the bus because the sun shone on a girl's hair just so, and it made them think about how, if you squint your eyes shut in a particular way, you can see colored lights pulse on the inside of your eyelids.

***
We are applying, as it happens, to a public school inclusion program for Isaac.  We see our final school tomorrow, and turn in our application Friday.  It seems so momentous, but after the application is in, and the decision is made, the real work begins.

I watch Kristen and GP, Vicki and Evan, Niksmom and Nik, Drama Mama and Miss M, Kyra and Fluffy, and so many of my other friends as they opt in and out of schools, stretch the limits of what is offered and counter-offered, fight for their children's rights and needs and uniqueness and respect.  It is hard, hard work.

***
I'm adding two new blogs to my blogroll that I wanted to introduce you to: Hyperlexicon by Christa, and A life Less Ordinary by Emily.  Christa's is about raising a child with hyperlexia, and Emily's is about living with her (extra)ordinary family. Two wonderful new voices, two new families to meet.

Comments

[Casdok]

Sounds like a conversation to me!
Always great to read new blogs, thank you for the intros!

[Special Needs Mama]

That school sounds wonderful. Please do keep us posted on your progress. The steps to kindergarten are so very challenging...

[Jordan]

Yes, I'd give that conversation status!

I'm so glad you're looking at lots of options for Isaac. As you know from other parents, it's an ongoing adventure to be sure that every child's needs are met along the way. One of the best things you can do is to know what's out there!

I've happily just discovered that Emily has this blog this week and now I'll look forward to checking out Christa's, too!

[Emily]

Eeeeek! I'm so excited that you posted my blog on here! You are my blogheroine; I was so thrilled when you started to blog about Isaac, and I thought you were so brave to be doing it. I had all these things going through my mind every day about my sons, but felt trepidation about blogging them. Now I find it's my best daily outlet and catharsis, but what surprises and pleases me more is all of the people I've "met" and re-"met" by doing it. I love it, and all of you keep me so well informed. Thanks for what you do.

[kyra]

yes yes! that surely IS a conversation!!!!

congrats to you for finding this school. it sounds wonderful--supportive, respectful, tuned in. wow. what a find. keep us posted!

and thanks for the links to new sites.

[drama mama]

Dude. That's way more conversation than I have with my husband.

Thanks for the new blog tips!

Also going to check out the same school - let's compare notes!

[Niksmom]

Definitely conversation! And in the morning no less?

The school you described sounds like one I'd like to have around here! Sigh, maybe one day we'll move back to the Bay Area...but I doubt it. :-(

Thanks for the intro to the "new" blogs. I'll be checking them out, for sure.

[Rachel Norton]

I can't believe I had to read that you toured that private school on your blog!!!! And I want to know immediately what was on your kindergarten list!

I expect an email ASAP.

:-)
r