Progress!

Yesterday I finally made some progress!  I got a call back from one of the many people I had left a message on Tuesday and it was actually the right person.  Relief!

What I found out was that yes, we do have to go through the whole evaluation process again.  I was pretty sure that was the case but a part of me was really hoping that maybe, just maybe there would be a way around it.  So the wheels are turning and this time it's not me running in a hamster wheel! :-)...not yet anyway.

I requested that Dylan be evaluated for qualify for services in 3 different areas: autism (duh!), OHI (other health impairment) and EBD (emotional behavioral disability).  I would prefer that he qualify under autism or OHI since he's pretty young to have the "label" of EBD already but because he's been dx'ed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder, the EBD is a reasonable thing to look into.

I am so thankful that I was able to connect with an advocate from WI Facets.  The advocate that I spoke with on the phone was extremely helpful and has left the door open for future communication as we begin this process again.

I have already started making my lists for the intake meeting that I hope will be helpful me to have written down as i get overwhelmed and emotional at these meetings and I hope that it will be helpful for the team evaluating Dylan to see exactly what we are concerned about, what some of Dylan's triggers are along with what has been helpful (or not helpful) when he's upset.  I'm also starting to make lists of what adaptations we are startng to use.

I am determined to go into this round of evaluations very prepared to advocate for Dylan like I never have before.