Preparing for a new school year

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Hi all!
I'm trying to prepare myself for the new school year, which begins here(melb Australia) next wednesday. J got his offical aspergers with a visual memory disorder dx just before the end of school last year.
Not enough time last year for the dx to sink in and any changes accomedations to take place.
We have had very little interaction these holidays with kids J's age, he has spent just about all of the holidays doing what he likes ie, pc games, playstation games etc. I have spent the month really getting to know and understand my kid a little better.
Yesterday we went to the local library and J ran into a little boy who I think was in his class last year. Immediatly J was standing too close talking to loud, J was being J. I could see that this kid didn't like it. It was a big reminder of whats to come in a few days.
I'm not sure how I am feeling or how I should be feeling. Part of me is excited (maybe now the school will recognise J is special and make accomedations for him) the other part of me is scared, scared that either nothing will be done or J will be written off as autistic and his areas of strength will be over looked. either way I know I'm going to have a battle and this is what I am trying to prepare for.
Im also wondering if J's class as a whole should be given a talk about aspergers, maybe then they will be a little more understanding. I know J isn't ashamed of his dx and has even openly mentioned to some of the kids in his last year class that he may have been autistc. ( this was said when some kids were calling him names and excluding him for his behaviour last year, J tried to expalin why he does certain things).
Any advice or wisdom would be welcome, I know this is the same kid I packed off to school last year, however this time hopefully I can lose the paranoid mother label and J can get the help and support he needs and deserves.

for your own sanity, perhaps it would be a good idea to call the school and talk to his new teacher. see what she knows about your son, what she knows about aspergers, what plans she has........much better to know what you're facing than to sit and wonder. good luck!

Hi aurea,

the school year is approaching fast isn't it!

Now that your son has a diagnosis, has your school organised a SSG meeting with you and all the relevant teachers? (Apologies if they have already). If not, are they going to start the SSG's this term? It would be a perfect opportunity for you to discuss all the issues you have.

I remember reading in your other posts that your school's Assistant Principal is a bit of an old trout (or was it the class teacher?). What really really helped me last year was getting an advocate from an organisation called 'The Association of Children with a Disability'. The woman who helped me was just brilliant. She even attended one of the SSG's with me and her input was amazing.

Fingers crossed for Wednesday,

Temma

Hello Aurea,

This is exactly the situation I was in last year with my then 6 year old son .... new diagnosis and not sure of what to expect (he had a fantastic classroom teacher). Then my then 8 year old son got diagnosed too (his teacher was a particular idiot!)

I had to push and push to get things done at first. The IEP meetings were excellent. I had done lots of research and written down what I thought the boys needed. I also did not sign their IEP's until their psychologist had reviewed them.

When I thought their were any problems, I would e-mail the classroom teacher and special ed teacher and then sending a cc to the Vice-Principal and that worked.

I also went to the boys' classroom doors regularly to chat with their classroom teachers. I also had a chat at least once per week with the Special Ed teacher.

This year they have new classroom teachers and a new Special Ed teacher. So ... 3 new people to train

But I feel experienced and confident this year.

There is an IEP thread on this forum. Read that for some more ideas.

Good luck!
Helen

Hi guys! Thanks again, Ster,Smelena and Temma.
I'm really happy with the teacher J will be having this year. She was his grade prep teacher and was always approachable. She also witnessed one of his worst ever meltdowns after school last year, so she kinda knows what can happen when/if J gets to stressed.
Its the vice principle that is a worry, she seams to hold all the power and she hasn't been accomadating at all with not only J but other kids I know that have special needs.
A meeting for mid Feb has been organized with the vice principle, J's new teacher and two members of J's evaluating team, I wont be at this meeting. I think J's team want to allow the school to talk openly about the situation without me there. They also want to push his school to apply for as much funding as they can. They want one on one aide for him. They want the school to invite the autism resource worker in to do her own class room evaluation. I have talked to the resource worker myself last year, she seams really nice. However she isnt allowed to go to the school unless she is invited by the school.
I have an appointment with J's team a few days after their meeting with the school. they have assured me they will fill me in on what happens. I'd love to be a fly on the wall.
A new school year, change in kids, change in teacher, a whole new building, a new school bag even ( J has had the same school bag for 3 years, I'm a little concerned he may forget this new bag is his)
We are even starting the year off on a bad foot, the first Monday bach and J has two hospital appointments, so can only attend school for half the day. I know the principle is gunna frown on that one.
Thanks again peoples. Good luck with your kids.