My daughter is 15 and had perfect grades until I moved her to a public middle school. Her grades went from honor roll to B's and C's last year.
She started high school last fall, did well the first quarter but then her grades dropped significantly.
She has been diagnosed with Bi-Polar Fear of Harm.
My son has been re-evaluated. And his diagnosis has come back as suspect.
He was diagnosed with Tourettes in the 3rd grade. He definitely has Tourettes but they have added Autistic Spectrum Disorder and MAYBE BP. I say go ahead and pile it on at this point. What the heck bring it. I love multiple labels and people who won't want them in the classroom even though they are both good well behaved (most of the time) kids. I personally suffer from extreme sarcasm and am in touch with my inner smart-arse.. :0) Somone pass the anxiety meter.

So, I am still in the denial shock phase. Lots of irony here.
I taught special ED for 18 years. I am well versed in the IEP process and the importance on making sure the teachers buy off on what they need to do for the child to be successful.
I am in a LOW support state when it comes to services in the schools.

Our home life is interesting as my spouse, who is significantly older than me, also present with OCD. This is the perfect storm in many ways. Kind of like Katrina... only daily.

I grew up with a mother who was profoundly bi-polar. My sister who looks just like my mother, also is profoundly bi-polar. 3 of my brothers are alcoholics, another brother has Tourettes, and one other has fetal alcohol syndrome: He is a nuclear engineer. Long story.
6 of the 10 maternal grandsons have varying degrees of Tourettes.
And now 3, maybe a 4th of the 14 grandchildren have Childhood Bi-Polar disorder. How is that for hereditary indicators and metrics?

Anyway I appreciate the fact that there is a forum like this. After growing up with the worst case scenario I wish there had been some resources out there for us when were kids.

I hope to learn what the best practices are for parenting. I have seen far worse than what my kids have grow up to be amazing indepent successful adults who contribute possitively to the world.
Thanks for the courage it takes all of you to post.

Angelfire

It must feel strange to be sitting on the "other" side of the IEP table these days. Just about every teacher (and even a principal) I've known who has a child with an IEP, has been shocked or dumbfounded when they find themselves in the parent role.

Daunna Minnich
Moderator, JBRF Education Forum