Sabby I’m so glad things are heading in the right direction! Good for the Medical team!!!! I discovered the same issue about the aid with my own son.
My son’s IEP clearly stated his aid was to be with him from the moment he arrived at school until the moment he came home. The school asked me if it was ok if they (school) utilized the aid to grade papers and such when he was in Art, swimming or Speech therapy; explaining that he was already having one on one time with the teacher. I was very naïve and agreed. At the year end IEP I found out (well actually it was his medical team) that the extent of HIS personal “aid’s” assistance was bring him in to hang his coat at the beginning of the day and the reverse at the end of the day! According to the school I had approved this change. They were very aware that this was shady. They were using the federal money that was allocated for my son’s aid to pay a TA. I was SO angry! I would not doubt they are doing the same in your grandson’s case. I’d bet money on paper somewhere the school is getting money to pay an employee from the Federal government on behalf of your grandson.
The next year (in a new school) he got the assistance he was supposed to get and it was 1000% easier for all involved. A whole year had been wasted! The added stress and aggravation for our family, my son, and the school cannot be measured. The moral of the story is no good deed goes unpunished. After that point I would pop into the school at random times to ensure this did not happen again (another school tried a similar thing a couple years later).
Our lives got much easier when we moved to Wisconsin. The state of Wisconsin actually assigns a liaison (a former LD teacher) whose only job is to make sure that the IEP was being followed and adjusted according to my son’s needs in real time. Her interactions could be hourly and at a minimum daily. She made sure that he was challenged but never overloaded, knew of any social or educational problems immediately and was already taking steps to correct the problem. It was wonderful. All I had to do was check my email or answer the phone. My son had a “mom” in school looking after him.
Good Luck to you all! I’m so happy your grandson found something he enjoys doing that will also help him communicate and work through his issues!
__________________
I've been married for 24 years and have four wonderful children.
|