IEPs, reports, assessments, oh my!

Wow, my job is in full swing right now. I have 7 IEP meetings coming up in the next 3 weeks. IEP = Individualized Education Plan. That is the academic plan that my kiddos have that receive OT services. Every year the special education team meet with the parent(s) to determine the treatment plan and the progress made. We get to have these anytime there is a change to this plan, and get to do assessments for triennial meetings. I say "get" facetiously because it is a lot of work. I have to present to the team what I am doing and why and where I am going with my little friends. However, I have consistently put it off to finalize my reports for the meeting. It's like I'm back in school and procrastinating on doing my homework. I put it off, let it hang over my head and do something else (dare I admit this?). This is the administrative part of this job that isn't just playing with kids.

I have been loving my career thus far. I love being in control of my environment and truly enjoy the time that I spend with my kiddos. I like feeling like an expert on something. I spend the after school time talking with teachers about the kids on my caseload so they can help them in the classroom. I spend a lot of time following up with teachers for kids that have been referred to me as well. I'm starting to get the information that I need to communicate down in a way that makes sense in everyday language.

This is all going to change very soon as the school year comes to a close. I have to look for some summer work. I might work in skilled nursing, or a hospital setting per diem (on an as needed basis).

Stay tuned.

Authority

It is strange for me to be in a position of authority. Among the children that I treat and the ones around the schools I feel authoritative. I have to be. They need me to have clear boundaries so they know what they are supposed to be doing. Often it feels I have to test my own boundaries of what I'm willing to put up with. One I have to be clear on is safety, no problem there. For example, I'm experimenting with giving them two options "You can either take your socks off (so that they don't slip) or I'll take you back to class you have 5 seconds to decide 1, 2,.."
At one of my schools I have kids that come in and out of my class to use the bathroom. They like to play around in there so I have to tell them to go play outside. I have to get out my teacher voice every once and a while and it sounds strange to my ears.

Among the other professionals, specialists and teachers I have to be authoritative. I have to stand up for what is best for the kids that I'm working with. In my newbie state I have let them led me a little. After talking to my colleague yesterday, I determined that I was being too lenient, and have to push back at principles and teachers. This is going to be a challenge. It'll be ok though, I have had good training to be able to notice what is or is not going to work for children to be able to have two feet to stand on.