The Imperfect Community

[Princesso]

Don't know if you all remember that last year I was griping about Avery's IEP and telling you how they pretty much told us Avery had an iq of about 80 or so and they didn't know if he would ever attend regular classes and on and on.

We did a new IEP today because although his IEP was set for three years, he has accomplished every single one of his goals in a year. He currently knows as much or more than an incoming kindergartener. He knows his colors, letters by sight, and counts to 20 in english and to 10 in spanish (thanks to dora the explorer!), he knows all of his shapes, even more obscure ones like hexagons and cubes. He can write his name if he has a copy to look at.

The only concerns remain his speech/language and some physical concerns. He is talking at a 2 yr, 7 month level which is huge compared to being almost non verbal when we first started the program. He is going to get tubes and get his adenoids out in a few weeks which will help his hearing and also allow us to identify if he does have any nerve damage in his ears. Right now, without tubes, he has a 30% hearing loss in both ears. The ENT and audiologist believe that with tubes, he may well have perfect hearing. Once he can hear better, his speech should improve as well.

They said he still has upper body weakness and lack of stamina, no doubt the stamina issue is related to his asthma. They were a little concerned that he can't do a pincher grasp with a pencil until I told them that I have a genetic disease (essential tremors) and am unable to grasp things in a pincher grasp either. In an adapted grip, he does fine. He is going to get occupational therapy to help in those issues, which I'm sure will be a great help to him.

To make a long story short, Avery will be able to enter a regular class at age five and should to fine with some speech support and possibly adaptive PE. I am so relieved and it was great to hear some good news about him for once. I feel like going to his old school and shoving his new IEP in their faces and telling them that maybe they are the ones with the low IQs and that they should be cautious about telling people such bad news about their kids unless they know what they are talking about!

[honeybee]

Whooo! Good going Avery!

That must be such a huge relief. You all need to have a family celebration!

[Sewingsiren]

It sounds like your son is doing really well for his age. He's not quite 4 right ?
How in world to they presume to check or predict someones IQ at the age of 3 or younger? I mean wasn't it Einstein or some other genius that didn't speak until he was 3 years old?

[DietCokeHead]

Yea for Avery! That's great!! I think the younger they are when IQ tested, the less reliable the results are. I am not sure exactly but that is what I have heard? Anyway, it sounds like he is making great progress.