Getting someone to listen

     We moved. In a normal family this can be uncomfortable and disorienting. In a family with a special needs child there are no words to describe the experience.

     Gabriel has been doing okay with the new house. The older kids have been taking him to the park and four rides in the wagon and he seems to be adjusting relatively well but today is our kids first day of school. Everything changes today. It was my hope to have Gabriel enrolled in a program through the school as well. That was the plan where we lived before the move but this school district is a whole different ball of wax.

     I spoke to the early intervention administrator yesterday after waiting for two days. During our conversation I was informed that she will try to make time to meet Gabriel next week. Now, I understand that their lives are busy. I don't expect people to drop everything for my son. The issue I have is that during this same conversation she informed me that there is no special classroom for preschool special education. There is a program called headstart but there are no openings so she would like Gabriel to attend a "night time" "once a week" "preschool". I cannot explain to you how many issues there are with this.

     Gabriel needs more help than that. Once a week is a drop in the bucket. Once a week isn't going to help him find ways to communicate. Once a week is going to interrupt his schedule and that's about it. Then there is the issue of night time schooling. Everyone who has ever met an autistic child knows routine is everything. The night time routine, in our house, is really important because Gabriel has issues sleeping and winding down as it is. Then there's the issue of my husband's work schedule. He works overnights folks. Trying to squeeze in one more thing before he has to go to work seems impossible right now. This may seem small to most of you but I'm heartbroken.

     So now begins the struggle to try and make these people see. They need to see my child. They need to see what I see and understand that I will be their worst enemy if they don't. This is my battle cry. I will be an advocate for my son and I will make anyone standing in my way absolutely miserable.