Ok so I am not a professional here. Most people reading my blogs are not either. So tell me WHY do I have to constantly explain what RAD is to the pros? I know it is not a secretive disease and it is not like I don't precede my meetings with documents, letters, articles and info before we chat about my son. So, I can pic up a psych manual and you can't?
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I know I am ranting. I am pretty mad. I felt like I had a good handle on the meeting that I was supposed to have with my son's school. I prepared early. I sent detailed information to make sure everyone at the table was "on the same page". No dice. They looked at me like I possessed a third eye ball. Shame on me for not taking Diane's suggestion and draw them a picture book to make it easier for them to "get it". (can you actually feel the sarcasm dripping from my words?-I am fuming). Diane, one day we will meet and you are more than welcome to give me an I told you so :)
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So the meeting was a wash. I still have not gotten the services that my son needs in the school system. It is simple people. Just test him. Here I have already taken the liberty to do it for you on my penny. You can cheat using mine. I understand you have to perform your own tests because clearly the one that I have is not good enough for your school. I am sorry I employed a doc with I don't know PhD's in like 15 areas. I know her test is not the standard of yours.
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Ok in all seriousness I am mad but I am working through it. I get flustered when I feel like I have to give the same people every year a new recap on what my son's issues are. These are not normal people. They are school county psychologists. I believe I could out-test them and take their license. Every year, same dance, mostly the same people. The only person in the room that I had their undivided attention was the new teacher. God please keep her safe. She was a great lady but she is going to have a tough year. She is up for the challenge but I can tell she is scared. Not good teacher. Don't show fear, please! She remembered my son from last year (despite the fact we are at a new school). She didn't say it in a "I am excited he is in my class" sorta way.
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He has already started to act out in class though not too bad. He will though. Give it time. He still "likes" everyone. He has only seen the principal 4 times this year...so far. I hate sounding like the crazy one trying to make sure they understand but hey I have to keep everyone safe don't I? I do it at home. I take it VERY serious. I can't help them at school. I hope they take what I said yesterday serious. I worry constantly that he will harm another child at school. I can't stop him. Sometimes I wonder if I am being irresponsible by not home schooling him. Honestly I don't see how you other moms do it. Even though I work full time, school is my ONLY respite.
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I wish RAD had the same awareness as autism. I have been asked several times. "Oh is RAD like a form of autism?" Uh, no sweetheart it is not. I guess autism got it's awareness by people like us though, right? Moms trying to find ways to help their kids? Maybe we can do the same for RAD. At the very least make sure school officials and therapists know what RAD really is. Not the textbook versions, the real kids. Sounds like a pipe dream but just maybe...
