Progress

   Sometimes it's one step forward and two steps back. Other times it's two steps forward and one step back. Most times we really don't know whether we're coming or going. There's always a bright spot in something negative and a little rain cloud somewhere in the positive. Seems a little cliche, but it's not an exaggeration.
   This past week we've made some progress at the "help desk." Noah's completed his assessments with his new RSP teacher as well as the evaluations with the school psychologist. We met yesterday with Noah's Education Specialist and discussed the fact that Noah isn't able to focus for the length of time needed to complete all the lessons for sixth graders each day. No problem...we can pick and choose what he is able to handle. I love this school program...did I mention that? Our first IEP since 2008 is next Wednesday morning. I'd say that's all positive progress.
   Then there's the little rain cloud. Completion of the evaluations and scheduling the IEP also means we'll soon be finding out if any new LD's have manifested, what his current IQ level is, and what disabilities or disorders the school feels he has. I usually end up crying when I read the reports. Today I was given the BASC-2 Parent Rating Scales to complete for Noah.  And there was a new one with it that I had never seen before. It's the ASDS which stands for Asperger Syndrome Diagnostic Scale. I was happy to see that so much is being done to figure out what Noah needs, yet I really wanted to cry as I answered yes to so many of the AS behaviors.