Michael's preschool assessment is today. The one I fought against and then was finally like, you know what, whatever. I have no idea what is going on with this kid and if this might fix it, help, do anything, then fine. But I'm not ALL IN, if you know what I mean. I still think if we could just give this kid more than THREE WEEKS to settle in as the ONLY NEW KID IN A CLASS OF TWENTY WHO HAVE BEEN TOGETHER SINCE THEY WERE TWO, maybe we would see some changes.
And hey, guess what, he has another one tomorrow for some private therapy. Maybe a social skills group? Did you even know these things existed for four olds? Because I for one, did not.
My kid, who everyone agrees, and the school and I don't agree on much these days, is so, so bright, and is struggling so, so much. And maybe, just maybe, this stupid thing will make a difference. It can't hurt.
But that is what I am afraid of. What if it does hurt? What if it saddles him with a label, or worse, the wrong label that sends us down the wrong path. Because I want to help Michael, but I want to make sure we are helping him in the right way, not the easiest way.
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The best thing you can do for him is just be his advocate. You know him better than anyone. I think a lot of times, with boys especially, schools are quick to try to “fix” issues that time usually resolves by itself. Ihope these “tests” give you some clear answers.
I agree with what Sarah said.
When I was about six I was doing really well at most subjects in school except for math. I also had a slight speech impediment. I was struggling and failing some subjects, far and away behind all of my classmates. I remember the embarassment of being called upon and having no frickin’ clue what the teacher was talking about.
Then I remember these tests, all kinds of questions and pictures and things and stuff. I remember that it was interesting and I was curious why I was getting all these tests.
After the tests were over I remember that I met the coolest lady in the world who helped me with my math every single day. She worked one on one with me and sometimes one other girl. It was so nice to have someone who understood why some things were so hard for me. It was a RELIEF to have someone get it.
I had a learning disability and a speech problem which I eventually grew out of (with some help).
I can only imagine how hard and humiliating it would have been to have never gotten help.
You are doing the right thing, trust me, it helped me tremendously. He will appreciate getting support from people who will know how to handle his issues.
I am so glad we are smart enough to see these problems earlier and earlier.
You are doing the right thing and labels don’t apply for preschool. Everyone has an area of catching up to do in certain ways.
You are doing what is best for your child and that is all that matters.
Knowing will be better than not knowing.
No matter the ‘diagnosis’ he will always be your boy. Your sweet Michael!
Hang in there, Mama.
Labeling is the hardest thing for a parent to face. I know, I’ve been there. In Logan’s case, the label came as an effort to get help for him, which still didn’t happen (thx to the state for that).
No matter what happens, Michael will always be your Michael. Logan, even with his CP label, is my Logan. So he’s weaker on his left side than his right. He’s still that sweet boy who told me this morning I was the bestest mommy he never had.
(((HUGS)))
The nice thing is this is still preschool. If he is labeled you can get a second opinion. If he is incorrectly labeled you can stop it from following him.
As someone who grew up labeled both gifted and dyslexic, I can tell you from personal experience what will matter most to Micheal is that no matter what it is, he knows you and Doug are his biggest advocates.