Science Experiment: 4th Grade

While doing housecleaning and photo organization, I came across James's science project this year from Fourth Grade. He was so excited to do this experiment and write-up poster with me, probably because it was simple and not drawn out.

He made illustrations and gave me the words and some observations to use. He helped cut and paste the computer print outs from the PowerPoint presentation file I used to create the paragraphs of text.

We had a pretty fun time and he was chuffed!

Rise and Field Trip

Guess who got me up at 5am?

It's Field Trip Day. James, his 4th grade class and I are headed to the Lawrence Hall of Science, a little over 60 miles away from us. So we do need to be up early, but not *this* early.

We did have some talking time on the sofa, over his breakfast of blueberry waffles and milk. I tried to do a social story for where we are going, but I haven't been inside the LHS for years. Decades, even. We lived about 10 minutes away and when I was his age it was one of the cool new local places to go check out.

My strongest memories were from the early to mid 70s. I told him about some of the experiments I remembered: the oscilloscope, the ball drop on a spilling plate, a zoetrope. I remember going downstairs to the cafeteria, passing the UC Berkeley radio station and several classrooms. I wonder if any of these will be there still and what we will see today.

Meanwhile, I am coffeeing up, and James has offered to help me take photos.

Traditions - His Voice

James had an assignment for a class project: choose a family tradition and write about it.

I discussed traditions and ran a few examples by him. He chose one and we talked about it. I did some Q&A on him and did some ghost writing but here it is, in his words:

 

James typed a bit but then stopped in frustration. We are working on typing on the computer with him. He gets frustrated because he's used to tapping and swiping on his iPad. I finished typing what we'd written. I chose the font based on an article I'd seen on the Read Regular website (a fascinating look at how font choice and spacing can help those with reading difficulties) and printed out the finished product. Then I asked James to get the printout and read it.

I thought he'd just skim it, but he read the entire thing aloud. At the end, he looked up, excited. Because he recognized his words. On paper. Just like a book!

And it did become part of a book - his class sent home a bound book of traditions, and James' was right there, along with everyone else's.

So proud!

This IEP Is Beginning to Feel a Lot Like ...

On Friday after school, the Services Coordinator gave to me: a big manilla envelope - 12 pages of a pre-IEP.

                                                      image borrowed from specialneeds.com

On Saturday I opened an envelope addressed to me; it contained results from James' CAPA test (the first to me I believe I have seen).

On Monday, while at work, two phone calls rang through to me:
 - The Behaviourist with clarification questions so she could bring recommendations to the table.
 - James' OT Therapist, full of encouragement for the tasks of which James was able.
    Who also notified me of his notes and the student OT respresentative, who'd take his place at
    the IEP and keep the meeting stable.

At pickup time on Monday, James' aide did share with me: funds were needed for a party; he was short on milk money; and he loved his music class and listened to Vivaldi.

Paperwork, money, presents, stress, get togethers, anticipation, trying to hold on to messages of hope ... this meeting is reminding me a lot of the holidays.

Diabolical Digestion (Not for the Queasy)

So we've been struggling still with James' digestive issues. After an epic visit at the medical office, involving a horrible howling meltdown and culminating with me pinning his head and four nurses restraining him to get a blood draw (two tries, because no blood appeared on the first stick) ... James came up negative for diabetes and positive for Celiac Disease.

I cried. I won't lie. Yes, I know it's always good to know what the issue is and we are lucky that there are now so many gluten free options ... It's another blow; another 20# weight to drag around and another endless series of trial and error while hoping for improvement.

Next step was a follow up with a pediatric GI specialist. Who is based in SF. Of course. Took a couple of weeks, but I scheduled a phone appointment. Which was interesting, because he saw the results and said the positive result was for a test with a 20% false positive rate and the more reliable test showed elevated levels, but not what he considered to be positive.

So, two options: (A) Bring James in to SF for an endoscopic biopsy for a definitive answer. (B) Retest in six months with another blood test. I totally went with B.

Option A entails me losing a day of work, James a day of school, and me transporting a car sick guy (who will be crying, because he won't understand why he had to fast this morning)  and putting him under anesthesia (after waiting around, checking in, etc.), and then driving back up in commute traffic.

Also, James' dad had brought home some probiotic powder, which I put into his yogurt squeeze-ups. They seemed to have a good effect. I also bought prune juice and started spiking his other yogurt squeeze-ups. The prunes helped things start to empty out. The vomiting stopped.

Until today. There's been some very messy, extended sessions in the bathroom both at home and at school. He has had a lot of gas. Yesterday, I had to pick him up early from school, as he kept using the bathroom and then whining about not feeling good. Lots of laundry. Lots of cleaning. At the end of today he kind of purged his system from both ends, thankfully in the bathroom here at home. The only reason I can write about it now is because James' dad cleaned it up.

Good lord, I hope tomorrow is better.

Paging Mrs. Peacock ...

I have a 4th grader and a 6th grader. James is in 4th grade. Not. Possible!

Oh wait, I think it's coming back to me now ....

As per our district's cluster system, James has moved across town this year to a new campus, new team, new staff (new director of special ed, new superintendent ... ) ... and some friends. Not play date or sleepover friends, but friends who call his name and make sure to say "Hi!" when they see him. He got a hug from a sweet former classmate this morning. It helps a lot.

We've had a ton of pushback at home and testing behaviours at school already. Noisy, messy, and completely nerve-wracking for us all. We've had CONSQUENCES. I think the horror of a bath and shampoo in response to the bathroom drama had the desired result and things have quieted down.

When there has been no upchucking for 2 weeks, I will celebrate, probably by going out in the  back yard and dancing under the stars to the waning symphony of summer crickets. I think I still have some Sangria in the fridge from last year ...

I should not be surprised that services and communications in the district are in such disarray, but I am. What is different is the feeling I get when trying to work with this new crew. And that, strangely enough, is "welcome!"

So yeah, good and bad, but we're all in this together. And it's looking possible to make things better, if only for those who come after. Meanwhile, I'll be lounging in the Library with Prof. Plum, my Book, and a Candle Stick (for filling out all that blessed paperwork) ...