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5/30/2008

He may not go back

Number three son has been attending a very special high school - the Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy. It's a state school, so tuition is free. All we've had to pay is room and board; it's a residential school. He has been living there, at school, and coming home on weekends. The school is about 25 miles away from our house, close, but far enough away that he is beyond our reach. It's a three year program - Sophomore thru Senior. He's just finished his Junior year.

Our Asbergers boy managed to fail two classes this semester. The school handbook states that that means he will not be invited back for his next year - in this case, his Senior year. Now, he didn't fail these classes (English & World Studies) because he's not smart enough - no, quite the contrary, his 'smarts' are off the chart. He failed because he has Asbergers and the System wasn't able to do anything more than stand back and watch him flail and fail. It was a failure in communication and of process - on our part, on the school's part and on his part.

There is an appeal process. If we were to fight hard enough, we might be able to get him back into the school. The question is, do we realy want to? And, more importantly, does he want to? Right now, he says "No". But the wounds are still fresh. His pride is hurt and he's a bit confused and off balance.

So right now things are a bit up in the air. He's home for the summer - I picked him and his goods up last Wednesday and brought him home. The old 'end of semester move out of the dorm' routine. He may be home for good. We'll see. I mean, he CAN go back to our local high school for his Senior year. It's not like the whole education process is lost. Just IMSA, maybe. Maybe.

And you thought all I ever think about is SEX.

11 comments:

K.C. said...

Just know that there is someone thinking about you and your son... KC

Elizabeth said...

I hope you guys find a solution that best suits your son, and one that he can feel good about. Good luck! :)

Momisodes said...

I'm so sorry to hear Lou. I hope the summer provides you all time to find the best solution for your son's senior year.

Alice said...

I don't know much about Asbergers but that would really stink to miss out on your senior year with the group of friends that you had been with through high school. Hope youz guyz are able to work that out. Sex. (Just in case you weren't paying attention.)

Unknown said...

I really, REALLY hope it works out that he can go back... IF that's what he wants to do. Senior year in a different school could be tough!

Old Knudsen said...

Ah Asbergers, the latest dumpster for symptoms, it seems it wasn't that long ago it was ADHD and Bi-Polar. I thought about sex while I read this post, boy am I sick.

www.ayewonder.com said...

Interesting dilemma, Lou. Give him a bit of time, then get it off the shelf as soon as possible! No one likes a 2 ton elephant in the room. Best of luck.

Anonymous said...

Not a bad idea to start the appeal process in case he changes his mind. At least, he will have options then. My blog is back, but acting wonky in IE. I'm getting weary of poring through code.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

I'm sorry to hear this, Lou. I hope you can figure something out soon... something that's good for all of you.

Rebecca

Crimzen Creative said...

I am so sorry to hear this and hope he will be back for his Senior year. I have a step-nephew with autism and they suspect mild asbergers and he is very intelligent, sometimes socially awkward and cannot handle change well and likes to withdraw. Without the strong support of his current teachers and school, he would be lost.

MommyTime said...

Phew -- what a hard situation. I'm so sorry he is struggling with this. I know it will take some heart- and soul-searching to decide what to do. Hopefully you have a little time in which to do that before you would need to start the appeal, if he chooses to want that. Best wishes for a resolution that feels satisfying.