I realize that I have really slacked with blogging, but we have been so incredibly busy lately. Jeremy is working CRAZY hours (6 days a week, 12-14 hour days) so Kennedy and I have been spending lots of time together in the evening. I also started a new job with hours that are a little longer than my last job so our evenings fill up with homework, bath time, dinner, and story time. Basically, not much free time for Mommy! :)
About two weeks ago, I received a call from school regarding Kennedy's technology assessment. During our meeting September 8th, I had been told that the assessment should happen within 30 days. When I received the call from school, I was told that the assessment hadn't been done and, in fact, Spalding University was being requested to do the assessment. An ARC meeting was scheduled and I was so livid. How had a month-and-a-half gone by and NOTHING had been done?? How had the first semester nearly moved right along while my child struggled every single day with writing, homework, etc? And NOW they wanted Spalding University to do the assessment. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to the meeting--especially when I was told that the meeting was necessary for me to give permission for the technology assessment. Did I not do that the first week of September??
The meeting went surprisingly well and despite the fact that Spalding is going to be doing a technology assessment for Kennedy, an iPad was ordered that day for Kennedy! One of the team members said that "if any child needed assisted technology, Kennedy certainly does." FINALLY!!! I'm not sure how long it will take to come in, but I am so excited because Kennedy's teacher will be able to send homework to the iPad and she can complete it and submit it back to him--all without struggling through writing! For those who aren't as familiar with Kennedy's trouble, she struggles with anything involving fine motor skills. For homework, we have to go through it once for her to give me the answers, then I will write her answers with a highlighter, then she traces over the highlighted words. (Let's just say it takes at least three times as long as it should with your "average" kid) She gets tired very easily when she's writing, her letters get larger and less legible the more she writes, and even when she gives it her all, it's still looks like a toddler beginning to use a pencil. So an iPad will hopefully engage her and motivate her, without all the frustration. Now, she can be frustrated with the work that gets more challenging rather than having the added struggle with writing. Of course, we'll continue to work on writing the old-fashion way, but with her fine motor trouble, who knows if writing ever be a strong skill of hers?
On another note, Kennedy was approved for the Michelle P Waiver. Thank you, Jesus!!! We are waiting for things to get started, but I'm beginning to line up a couple people who will be able to work with her and I can't wait. They are people that Kennedy loves and they love her so I know they will do everything they can to help her progress and succeed. I'll try to keep everyone in the loop as things get started for her, but I am so excited about things to come. God is so good!!
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