You may remember I posted awhile ago that one of Megan’s two LSA (Learning Support Assistants) had to hand in her notice as her husband was being posted to Cyprus. A shame we thought and it will disrupt Megan but we’ll get through it because she’ll still be with her other LSA.
Can you tell where I’m going with this yet? No? Well yesterday, Megan’s second LSA handed in her notice. Its not her fault anymore than it is the other LSA’s but it is a bit of a blow. Suddenly, from having a difficult yet ultimately successful school year with Megan we now face a July with neither of her two familiar LSA’s who she adores and formed close ties with. In fact, the school don’t even know if they can get anyone in place at all for July so we may have to keep her at home which is far from ideal. This whole year has been about getting her familiar with her environment and the people in it and it worked well. So well in fact that she is now taking an active role in class and _wanting_ to join in with the other kids. This *will* set her back.
We also have the prospect of Megan starting in a new year in September with not only a new class and new teacher to contend with but also two brand new LSA’s to build a relationship with. These are not inconsequential things for Megan to get past. She has plenty of self confidence but takes awhile to adjust to new people and routines. We”ll essentially be starting again from scratch.
All this couldn’t have come at a worse time of course. Naomi (my wife) is due to give birth imminently which is another big change Megan will have to try and adjust to. It also has an impact on her communication programme. Her two current LSA’s are a vital cog in the machinery of her Speech Therapy and PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) programme and so that will suffer too. Naomi nd I of course will have to pick up the slack in this respect. We’ve been holding back a little up till now as we didn’t want to ‘get ahead’ of the school but with this news we can’t really afford to not step up our involvement.
This whole situation is nobody’s fault and we totally understand the reasons both Megan’s LSA’s are moving on – one’s own family has to come first – but we can’t help feeling very frustrated and anxious about the impact this will have on Megan’s schooling.
Left Brain Right Brain 
BAd news there Kev, hope its not as bad as you think and good luck to you and Naomi for the upcomming event 😉
Cheers bud. I hope its not so bad too. I actually spoke to the AOT (Autism Outreach Team) today and have arranged for me to receive some ‘teacher’ PECS training. That’ll help. Hopefully.
Is there any chance that Megan can get to know and get used to her teacher for next year now?
Ugh. I say this from the bottom of my heart, this is one of the moments where I wish I had the abilities to help you guys out. Good luck with it all, hope it won’t be as bad as it seems.
Really sorry to hear about that Kev (the LEA clearing off)…the disruption to Megan, and your family will be an extra challenge you didn’t need. I hope a solution is found swiftly and that Megan can keep on track.
Thanks for the messages of support all :o)
Helen: its definitely a possibility, we just have to play it carefully. Interviews for the 2 new LSA’s start after the 16th so we don’t want to overload Megan with too many new people all in one go. Its very tricky getting the balance right really.
From reading through your back articles Kevin I know that the one thing that will never change in this little girl’s life is a great deal of love. I’m always incredibly moved by the honesty you put into every one of these articles and really hope things work out.
Thanks Martin, I’m sure things will work out – it’ll just take a little patience and planning ;o)