Off we go into the wild blue yonder..... Oops, wrong song, but the right thought. However, I do feel that I'm entering a brave new world. We've been looking at some residential schools for Abe (17.5 yo, PDD, ADHD, NVLD...) and I'd really like it if I could pick aspects on one and combine it with aspects of the second school to make a perfect fit for all of us. And then there are schools 3 and 4, yet to be seen.
So far, we've gone to see 2 schools, D and P. Both of which are north-west of where we live and 45 minutes (P) or 1.2 hours (D) away. So they are NOT close. We are also going to see another 2, and these are in the opposite direction, 1 to 1.5 hours away (C or M). Maybe one of these schools will be perfect as is, then again, probably not.
In any event, I feel MUCH more comfortable with this idea of sending Abe away, as does he. After actually seeing the schools, I realize that there had been dark thoughts of British boarding schools and penitentary settings running rampant in the back of my brain. These are nothing like that.
Either of the first 2 schools are acceptable, but, oh, if I could combine them in the magic mixing machine.... Maybe I'll get Willie Wonka involved in the school selection.
I'm so glad these schools don't seem so scary to Abe, now. While no one school is liable to be perfect, I hope you'll find one that will be a caring home away from home. Keep us posted!
Posted by: Laura Benedict | April 14, 2008 at 12:36 PM
My son (now 16) attended a residential school for the blind during the week when he was in 3rd and then 5th grades. We were nervous, but he took to it like a duck to water. Visiting the school and meeting teachers made a big difference.
Posted by: Daisy | April 14, 2008 at 05:35 PM