Consistently inconsistent.

We've been using that phrase to describe Sean and what works with him since at least Kindergarten if not before. One day you'll think you've had a breakthrough in understanding or behavior. Two days later it's as if it never happened. I find a tool that works one day--like the star-man music, and two days later when I try to use it with him, I get, "Aw, mom!" as if to say, "Mom, that is so five-minutes ago! You're so silly to think that'll work with me again!"

And it happens all. the. time. Hence, the "consistently" in the "inconsistence." Since probably his second case conference, it's been apparent to his teachers and support personnel that they have to have a very full toolbox and to not be afraid to pull out something new when something old doesn't work, but always be willing to go back to that old tool at any point.

Today we visited his brand new school. It is the newest elementary school in our district and this will be its first school year. Fortunately, we get to have our old principal and many of our old teachers. We briefly met with Sean's classroom teacher. We'll have to see how that goes. One concern I have is the sheer SPACE in her room. She has most of the student desks pushed into two large tables and two smaller tables. I worry that Sean will see all that space as room to run. It will be interesting.

We spent a lot of time in the room of his "support specialist" who in former years would probably have been called the resource room teacher, special ed teacher, etc. Apparently, this is the latest terminology, but I like it. It precisely describes her role. When Sean needs additional support for behavior management, sensory breaks, etc. she will be the one to coordinate it and make sure he gets what he needs to succeed. The first thing she did was to let him choose among incentives. He got rid of the stress balls and added theraputty. I think he left the rest the same: legos, read a book, games, and hourglass. He spent a lot of time in her room playing with the hourglasses. I'm not sure what the appeal is, but he enjoyed them. We talked and talked about Sean for quite a while.

I made sure to mention to her his favorite subjects: space, Star Wars, and lately Super Mario Bros. I emphasized that he's really been into Super Mario Bros. so that's a big interest. Of course to prove how consistently inconsistent he can be, what does he want to do when we get home? Make stop-motion Lego Star Wars videos. Right now we're working on a base on Mustafar.