This folder represents almost 7 years of IEPs for Sam. (Individual Education Plans – for those of you not savvy in the education lingo. IEPs are drawn up for kids who have disabilities - whether physical, learning, developmental or otherwise - that might interfere with their learning in the standard classroom and/or standard mode of instruction.)
I had to drag the folder out of the filing cabinet this past week and dust it off in order to do a little advocating for Sam. I needed to confirm something for one of his teachers.
As I pulled out the thick folder, it hit me…in less than 2 months Sam will turn 18. My job as his advocate will be done. It will be up to him to determine if he feels a need for accommodations, and when, if ever, to share with educators/employers that he has Asperger’s.
Don’t get me wrong, we have known this day is coming. Specialists and educators have been clear with us and with him that this soon will be his burden alone.
It’s just weird to think about that.
You see, for more years than we have known he has Asperger’s, we have been advocating for him, beginning when he was three. Searching for the puzzle pieces that might help us understand Sam and help him navigate everything around him. The thick file pictured above has a predecessor. Doctors; evaluations; diagnosis; therapies. A box full of files are now in a box in the attic.
We haven’t referenced that file box in the attic or his IEP at all during his high school years. And even at the required annual updates, we often discussed dropping most of his accommodations. After all, Sam has emerged as a brilliant, independent, young man.
On March 28 of this year we may cease to be his advocates. We’ll let go of that. But we will always be his parents and his biggest fans.
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