IQ

I had a few friends mention that they liked reading my blog about my peanut, so I figured that I would pick it back up again.  Who knows how often I will write in it.  I've made lots of goals in the past and I am tired of not reaching them, so I guess here's one little look into our lives. 

A few weeks ago, I got a copy of Leah's IQ results in the mail. 

I was devastated. 

My baby is way smarter than the results suggest.

Part of the test requires two surveys, one from a parent and one from a teacher. 

Our surveys results were very different. 

In the report, the psychologist who administered the test mentioned the discrepancies in the surveys, and she said that the differences were due to "reporter error." 

I called her.

I wanted to make sure that I had an accurate view of Leah's abilities and I was curious as to who she felt was the one who made the errors. 

She told me that she believed I was the one who had a better understanding of Leah's abilities and that my survey was the more accurate one. 

She did not think that Leah could function as well as she did, in the classroom that she was in, if she was at the level that the teacher survey suggested. 

...In the middle of the testing I happened to be volunteering at recess and when I asked the psychologist how things were going, she said that she didn't believe the results would be an accurate assessment of Leah's understanding. She commented that the test had to be administered in a specific way and that she couldn't take liberties with the questioning. 

I told her that I would put Leah's IQ score in the 70's if I had to guess.  

She agreed. 

That's not-too-shabby, if I do say so myself. ;) 

Yay Leah!!! :)...

We then talked about more personal stuff. 

(This psychologist is one amazing lady. I am so grateful for the compassion, love, and knowledge she has brought into our lives. I honestly consider her a friend) 

At the end of our conversation she said:

"I truly believe that Leah was brought into my life when I needed her the most. She is a blessing to me and I am very grateful for the opportunities I have had to work with her." 

My baby's IQ score may not be as high as I would like it to be. I wish she would have been able to "perform to the test" just this once. 

But really...

Did you just read what the psychologist said? 

That's kinda amazing. 

For real. 

My baby is considered as a blessing in someone's life.  

This someone was a stranger a year ago. 

My sweetie touched her life in a deep way. 

That's kinda amazing.

What's even more amazing is that I have had many people share similar  sentiments. 

Is an IQ score really that important?

Changing the Future

Today was Leah's last day at preschool.

She has been going to a typical preschool this school year, with many of her services (speech therapist, teacher, music therapist) pushed-into her class.

The preschool is at our local vocational school.  There were about 12 high school senior girls who participated in this program. 

It is modeled after a 12:1:1 program, however there are always at least 3 student teachers in the room at any given time.

Sometimes the student teachers would be a little over-bearing with Leah.  

Sometimes they would try to do too much for her.

Sometimes she needed it. 

Sometimes she didn't.

Each of them worked with Leah.

Most of them learned to push Leah further then they thought they could.

They all learned to accept Leah without her diagnosis at the forefront of their mind. 

All of them loved her.

I sent her to this program specifically because I wanted her in an environment where her typically developing peers were, and most of the children in this program are from our local school district.

My thought process in this decision was, if I want her to be mainstreamed, I should start her in a mainstream classroom from the beginning.

Leah was the first child who has Down syndrome to ever be in this program.


We have had to make several adjustments in her services in order to give her the best possible experience and to make it the least restrictive environment for her.

But...

This program is incredible!

They were always willing to accommodate for Leah.

Their philosophy is "Learn Through Play."

It is a perfect philosophy for us. :)

So...

At the end of the day today, the student teachers shared their goals next; where they were going to school; what they were majoring in; who they were hoping to become after high school.

Of the twelve student teachers, FIVE of them are planning on pursuing careers in special education!

I thought that was pretty cool and I told the lead teacher what a great thing it was that those girls were planning those careers.

The lead teacher said:

"Mrs. Sones, there was no student who was planning on majoring in special education at the beginning of the year.  They all wanted to be teachers, but not ONE was planning on special ed.  It is because of their experiences with Leah that they are choosing these paths.  Working with your daughter has inspired them to become more then they thought they could.  We have been very lucky to have her with us."

Bring on the tears.

Bring on the pride.

Bring on the joy.

Bring on the hope.

Leah has impacted so many lives in her short three years on this earth.  And, today we were given five examples of it.

And, not only has she impacted those five student's lives, but think of all of the children who those student's will teach! 

Incredible.

I know things change and these girls are young.

They very well could decide a career in special education is not the path for them.

But today, MY kid inspired them.  

What more could I ask for?

(These are the future special education teachers:))

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(This is Mrs. Burdick, the lead teacher. :))

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