Transition

I  went up to the high school today here in town to meet with Elijah, two of his teachers and a DARS (Department of Rehabilitative Services) representative. I had asked for the DARS rep to come to Elijah's ARD but she had something come up last minute and could not attend. One of the teachers we met with is the transition teacher at the high school and the other teacher is his case manager. Elijah will be graduating in just over three years and his unique needs require us to start planning now.

Overall, it was a good meeting. Elijah was not too interested in participating. He had been pulled out of his computer class and he really wanted to get back. He did state that he wants to possibly work on disassembling computers for their parts or maybe working with animals. After he left, we all sat around and discussed what Elijah is capable of. His teachers and I agree that he is smart enough to go to college, but his writing skills are not where they need to be for college. At this point (now remember we still have three more years) we aren't sure about a technical school either. We did agree that when he is doing something he likes that he does a good job. He also needs a schedule and likes to stick to it. He doesn't handle change well.

The nice thing is the DARS representative works exclusively with deaf and hard of hearing students. She can work with the school for Elijah to find a job his senior year and provide a job coach to assist him at work. When he becomes frustrated or flustered he may melt down or cry. The plan is for him to take a transition type of class his junior year. He would learn about resumes, job interviews, and do some volunteer work through the class (working in the school or working at the local animal shelter) and then his senior year he would have a job. He would be able to leave school early and go to the job. The school would even provide transportation to work and then I would pick him up.

I wanted he representative from DARS to meet him now so she would have an idea of what he might need. She can then be on the look out for possible jobs for him after graduation. She will attend his ARD (IEP meeting) next January and help in making his plan for his junior year. I am hoping that Elijah will mature in the next three years and that his social/personal skills improve. I am glad we met today and I feel like we are at least heading in the right direction. The DARS representative stated that he  had employable skills. Now we just have to continue down this road and see where it takes us!

In a Little Less than Two Weeks

In just a little less than two weeks, Jacob will graduate from high school. Oh, where has the time gone. Time has passed way too quickly for me. In just about three months he will be moving to Waco to start school at Texas State Technical College to pursue an Associates Degree in Computer Maintenance.

 

We plan on visiting the school in July so he can attend a financial aid seminar that he has to attend in order to get his financial aid. He also needs to talk to a success coach to get his classes planned for the Fall and find out how registration works. We also  plan on taking a look at what his apartment will look like, so he knows what he needs. It will be a four bedroom apartment on campus. He will have his own room that he can lock and there will a common area and kitchen for all four of the residents to share. We are going to see what all is in the area near the school and he is also going to look for a job. It will be a busy day!

 

I still can't believe he is graduating and that things will change a lot in the next few months. I hope I can handle it all! here are some pictures I wanted to share.

 

2005

 

 

 

Jacob and Elijah at Disney World 2007

 

 

Jacob 2007

ROTC 2010

 



Jacob 2011

2012

 



2013

2014

 



Rite of Passage

"A rite of passage is a ritual event that marks a person's transition from one status to another" as quoted from Wikipedia. Jacob has been experiencing many of these and has many more to come. My brother took him to buy his first real suit two weeks ago. Jacob will pick it up next week. Today I met him at Al's Formal Wear to reserve a tuxedo for prom. Prom will be a HUGE rite of passage for Jacob. I am excited that he is going! Graduation will be another rite of passage and then starting college.

 

I can't wait to see Jacob in his tuxedo. He choose a Zootux, which is similar to a zoot suit. It should go well with the 1920's theme for the prom. I can't wait to post pictures. This is a picture of similar to what he will be wearing, but he will also have a vest. The vest and the tie will be navy blue.

 

 

Jacob Has Been Accepted into College

Jacob applied to Texas State Technical College back in November. He received his acceptance letter a few weeks ago. I have been so busy, that I forgot to blog about this! He is very excited about going to school there. He wants to get his associate's degree in computer maintenance. The school is in Waco, TX, which is about 90 minutes from Wylie, maybe 2 hours on a bad day!

We discussed his living arrangements, and decided on an apartment complex that is on campus. It is not managed by the school, but the complex will assign him three roommates. It is four bedrooms and he will share a bathroom with one of these roommates. They share a common living area, but he will be able to lock up his room. He will have to buy a meal plan for the first two semesters, but I think he will use it! He has learned to do some cooking, but I am sure he won't want to cook every day. We sent in all of the paperwork and a deposit.

I sent his TAKS scores to the school, so they could look over them. I am thinking he scored well enough that he won't have to take any of the exams to test his language and math skills. He completed his FASFA and I completed mine for grad school. Things are moving along. He has to get his final high school transcript sent to the school and he needs a meningitis shot!

I am excited that he has a plan and he is so very happy. I can't believe he is all grown up!

Well No Wonder....

Elijah has had a pretty good start to school this year. He has had some issues when there are substitute teachers at school, but nothing too bad. The principal mentioned in an email that Elijah's schedule changes each day and that may be part of the issues. This was due to all of the services he receives. She said she would work on his schedule and send it out to me and his teachers.

Well, NO WONDER he has is all over the place, because EACH day his schedule is different. He has sever periods, but he also has Speech and services by a deaf ed teacher as well as social skills. Each day he has his core classes--English/Reading, Math, Social Studies and Science. He also has PE, Art and that Social Skills time. Well during all of this he has Speech one day at one of those elective times, then for three more days he has deaf ed. time during an elective and then social skills is thrown in there. He has a different schedule each day and that is not good for him.

The principal typed up a schedule for each day and I printed it at home. I put it in a clear protective sleeve so he can pull it out and keep it from getting all torn up. If it does get torn up, then we print another one. He really has done well, even with all of this craziness with his schedule, so hopefully things will just improve from here!