Hi all,
DH and I are betwixt and between. Hoping to get some advice from folks who have been there. Context: DS is in public school first grade. K was a nightmare. So over the summer we did assessment. He is PG and stealth dyslexic.
First grade teacher is much better, but DS still has struggles with boredom, sensory issues, and apparent dyslexic-related struggles including extreme frustration with writing. Drat you Common Core! On a brighter note, he has a true best friend, and generally says that he likes school. The Best Friend particularly has been life-changing for him.
We have identified a school close by that purports to specifically serve the PG/stealth dyslexic kid. They definitely have dyslexia-optimized education in hand, but I don't really know about PG.
They have offered us the opportunity for DS to shadow, as part of admission process. DS is adamantly refusing even to shadow. We have tried many different approaches, all of which end in (real) tears, rage and fear. Even when we assure him he'll only be visiting, he completely collapses in anxiety and grief.
The shadow is supposed to be Monday, so I've got to cancel today, if I'm going to. We feel a little silly letting DS drive this decision. But practically speaking, if this is his feeling, he's going to "fail" the shadow anyway. This is one intense kid and he wears his feelings on his sleeve.
It's ridiculous, but I keep wishing he'd have a few bad days at school so I could open his mind to this idea. But of course, it's been happy days (or at least our version of that) over the last month.
Anybody been there/done that? Should we just push him in the door and see what develops? Or do we wait until he is more on board with a change? Any input would be most welcome.
Thanks,
Sue
