june 11, 2012

Charlie really struggled in first grade and we are trying to figure out what we can do to make school a better experience for him.  The biggest problem was that he was just plain bored.  He is working a few grades ahead in his head, but he has a hard time demonstrating what he knows because of his motor planning and fine motor skill deficits.  When things get hard for Charlie he has the tendency to give up easily.  He gets silly and tries to deflect his struggles or he tells jokes.  He learns things very quickly and almost always knows the answers but completing worksheet after worksheet just isn't his cup of tea.  His teacher knew of his struggles and she expressed concern to me, but when I asked for help I was told that he was too smart to qualify for any services.  Even though it was affecting his school work, even though his teacher was considering dropping him a reading level because he couldn't keep up with all the busy work (the absolute worst thing she could do), even though the school psychologist said "it just broke her heart" to see how Charlie struggled to use scissors in the classroom, the school wasn't willing to help because "he's too smart".   

We have been looking at other options and making some tough decisions.  We looked at private schools that are twice as much as our mortgage (!), we looked at Christian schools and charter and magnet schools.  And we just didn't feel good about any of it.  So, for now we have started private occupational therapy and are hopeful that some of this stuff will start to click for him.  So far, he really likes it.  :)   

After all the hard work at therapy today, a cupcake date was definitely in order.

We are hoping and praying that this will all work out how it's supposed to.  Boy, this parenting thing just isn't going to get any easier, is it?