Floral Kindness

As the academic year draws to an end, the IEP meetings are increasingly heated. I try to bolster myself the best I can, reminding myself I have tried to be the best practitioner I can every day.


After my second meeting involving lawyers on both sides on a Monday, a teacher pulled me aside in the hall. Usually this means I have more work coming or a child hiding in a bathroom, but this was not the case! She wanted to tell me I exuded such a calm energy, and was just so positive, she had watched me the entire meeting. She said I reminded her of a Gerber daisy. That kindness made my day.



Photo Credit: hyperboreanchaerie.wordpress.com

Vindication

As a new practitioner to school psychology (first year getting paid!), I of course have some trepidations about my skills as anyone working without a net should. A new decision from the Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education from the department of special education made it possible for school psychologists to find children with attention issues eligible for services without a doctor's diagnosis. This has led to a massive influx of attention assessments for me, resulting in a need to be extremely well versed in all the facets of attention and cognitive processes.

I had a student in first grade referred to me for an attention assessment. I sent home the appropriate protocols to the parents and teacher, and did a classroom observation. Looking at the student, it did not look purely attentional. I took my notes, mulled it over in my head and waited for the protocols to come in. I got both in just before vacation, and lo, they were inconclusive. I had just purchased the BRIEF, as I had been seeing an increasing number of students looking more executive functioning than attention impaired. Surprise! The student came up with issues in memory and executive functioning, not attention!

I would not have diagnosed that particular student as having an attention disability, because the evidence was so inconclusive. It was a wonderful feeling, scoring the BRIEF, to find yes, my instincts were on point.

Cultivating an attitude of gratitude

This month's NASP Communiqué, (Jan/Feb 2011, Vol. 39, #5), featured an article by Jeffrey J. Froh, & Giacomo Bono entitled Gratitude in Youth: A Review of Gratitude Interventions and Some Ideas for Applications. I encourage you to read the article, it is a good primer on how we can increase cour gratitude and that of children (and thus over all quality of life).

If you have any trouble accessing the article (which could happen, I'm not super internet savvy), let me know and I'll email a copy as well.

Teamwork

Today I was blessed to work with a great team. We have a new in-district inclusion program for kids with emotional and behavioral disabilities, starting just this September. It has had its ups and downs, which happens in all programs for students with these kinds of profiles. Today we had a meeting with our outside consultant, and he helped us understand that even though times get tough (especially in January!) we are doing the right thing for our kids. Today, being part of such a wonderful and attentive team made me say thank you.

I also was let into traffic despite a looong line of preschool parents dropping off their little ones. It let me get on with my day, on to school number two for consult number two, and then on to school three for the day.

I am also thankful for having a home and safe car with all the cold and snow we have had. And an adorable dog who is always happy to see me, snuggle and play.

Coming back

Hello again, blog friends.

I've been away for a while, because I have been sick. I've seen scores of doctors, had dozens of tests run and there isn't much to report. I have an appointment on Thursday to rule out another thing, but I'm clearly not overly optimistic. With how terrible I still feel, and how consistently busy my schedule keeps me I don't have much time to photograph. I do at times have a few moments to blog, and have found some joy in my work as a school psychologist north of Boston. For a while, at least until I feel better, I'll try to update at least with words. Positive outlooks and positive energy are important for the health as well.


Today was a day of tough meetings, after a tough day of counseling the day before and my first Spanish class last night (my day lasted from leaving the house at 6AM, returning at 10PM). The best part of my day was pulling out the WISC-IV kit, and testing a first grader. She was sweet, and kind, and excited to learn. We took a walk, and learned all about birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals from the 5th grade posters. She was so excited, engaged in my questions and still wanted to learn more. Moments like this remind me of why I love this work.

Stay safe and warm friends - its very cold here in MA and another winter storm is coming!