Educational Dilemmas Abound

Well, we had an ARD at school to day to learn if our youngest DS was eligible for special education. He was not. That is o.k. with me as I know he's a bright child who just has processing delays, etc. I was happy to learn that he IS eligible for occupational therapy through the school system. I've know that he needed this since January, but we had to jump through all the hoops to get this approved through the school district.

But the biggest bit of news was that his teacher feels that it's in DS's best interest to be retained. Now, I have known that in my heart of hearts since December. He wasn't reading on level and had (has) lots of problems staying organized and focused. So much trouble, that we've discussed ADD / ADHD with our pediatrician. But I digress... Hearing the words "needs to be retained" come from someone else's mouth about my DS was just very disheartening. One of the therapists who evaluated my child said that when she returned him to the classroom, all of the other students were on a particular page in a certain textbook. My child got out the appropriate book, but could NOT find the correct page. That just broke my heart. How hard has this year been on him? How lost has he been all year? Hasn't anyone seen it?

So the upshot of the ARD was that he gets 30 minutes of O.T. each week. Well...we already pay for private O.T. once / week. and he gets more time than that at the private O.T.'s office. So, would he really get the help he needs repeating 1st grade in a large classroom setting, with only 30 minutes of O.T. per week, or would he get more help in a one-on-one environment with me (homeschooling), where we have time to take sensory breaks WHENEVER they are needed is possible?

Oh I don't know what life will bring in the next few months. I'm afraid of leaving him where he is since he will only get an additional 30 minutes of O.T. per week (with sensory breaks for the whole class vs. just for him so he doesn't feel singled out). As usual, I want the answer now, but I have to wait and let the Lord lead.