Poor communication

That is about how I can explain the communication that goes on in Liam’s school. Tuesday Seamus had a full day at school with a late start. All the students, even Liam, had a late start. Seeing that Jill knew all this, one would think all the other teachers would be aware of what was going on that day. Liam’s normal routine is after class he puts his coat on and goes to Seamus’ classroom. They both then go out the school where they meet Jill. Jill didn’t see Liam so she went to see what was going on. She saw Liam’s teacher at the doors and went in. Here Jill looks down the hall and sees Liam walking with his coat unzipped hanging off him with his backpack over his shoulders. Jill asked what was going on and the teachers weren’t sure. Jill then reminded them that Seamus’ had a full day of school. They apparently did not know. How could teacher’s not be aware of what is going on? As Liam approached he had a blank stare and looked sad. She asked what was wrong and Liam sadly said “Mrs. Johnson said I had to leave”. He was clearly upset and Jill comforted him as they left the school. This just irritated Jill, and myself when I heard about it. Liam with his coat hanging off irritated her even more. The reason for that was the other day he came home from school with his coat on inside out. Where is the help and guidance for him? We know he didn’t do it himself, he can’t even do a zipper yet, let alone do it inside out.

Last week we had to turn in an emotional / behavioral questionnaire to the State of Ohio. It had to first be turned in to the school for Liam’s teacher to review with us. The explanation on why we were doing it was vague as can be. I sent an email to the school psychologist explaining to her we have answered those questions several times about Liam. The explanation we got was that it was to be used for Liam’s next IEP meeting. We are beyond that point with most of those questions on Liam. We have addressed most of those issues asked about when he was 2 years old. We are more concerned with helping Liam develop and to attend a normal kindergarten class, learn the alphabet, learn how to count, button a shirt, zip a zipper, and clasp a snap. In my email I also cited to the psychologist that we haven’t been too thrilled with Liam’s progression this year. There has been very little. The biggest reason we see for this is that none of Liam’s teacher’s have had any training for Autistic children. The response I got back from the psychologist was not what I expected. Rather than ask me for more detail on what I explained and stated, she just mentioned how clear it was there is an open line of communication between us and the school. Huh? Jill read the response and thought the same thing. We are heading into the final month of school. We will have to seriously look at an alternative to school next year. On the bright side, at least Liam will start school at Middleburg Early Intervention Center. We know he will get the therapy and attention he needs there.