By Now

I have the fun of signing the public up for SERC's outreach programs.  It is amazing how many people wait until the last minute to try to schedule classes for their children!  We opened the Spring classes 3 weeks ago.  All but about 4 courses are full with waiting lists at this time.  I received a call yesterday asking to sign an 8 year old child up for a home school class.  I had two open classes, one of which was yesterday.  As the mother was signing her child up she said, "The form asks if there are any special needs, my daughter does have some."  She proceeded to give me a list which I typed into an e-mail and sent to the teacher.

At about 2:30 I received an e-mail from the teacher.  She said that the mother had brought her child in for the class and then left.  She asked if I signed this child up for another class if I would make it clear to the mother that she needed to stay in the class with her child as the special needs had made it very difficult to teach the class.

The conversation took me back to several conversations that I have had with different leaders (girl scout leaders, Sunday School teachers, camp counselors, and doctors).  Knowing that she had some issues I would never leave her without giving the adult in charge my cell number.  After being called back to several locations I finally brought a book or knitting with me and sat outside the classroom where her meetings were being held.

I know that as parents with "special needs" children that we are trying to get our children integrated with others.  Sometimes, although all the other parents get to drop their children off and go out for a quite bite to eat or a coffee we won't be able to. 

By now I have figured out a few things:
1)  Small groups are best (20 children in one place can be too much)
2)  Always have a cell phone with you and leave the number with the adult in charge
3)  Try to set your child up for success by repeating and repeating and repeating directions
4)  The best laid plans will always have flaws
5)  No matter how ridged your child is, you need to be flexible