Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

I had my first of many IEP meetings today. Nathan turns three years old next Monday and qualifies for special education preschool. He starts school the following day so I met with some lovely ladies to discuss his Individual Education Plan (IEP). I’ve dreaded the whole IEP thing for a while now. No mother or father who has a child with an IEP ever speaks very positively about goals or meetings or quite frankly, special education and the school system in general.

My meeting today, however, was very positive—bittersweet, but positive. The teachers and administrator are very excited to have him in preschool even if it is just until the end of the school year. They were so complementary about Nate’s strengths and very encouraging about his potential. It was hard to hear the quantitative results his speech, physical, and cognitive evaluations but the words severely, significantly, or, considerably below were far out numbered by the words delightful, ability, determination and desire. It was a good meeting that I hope will be the start to a positive and rewarding relationship with the public school system.



By the way, did you know the movie line?

Casablanca.