Friday, June 1, 2012

IEP writing -or- finding the strength in the weakness

So if you know me, you know that I work as a Speech-Language Pathologist.  I work with school-aged kids who have a variety of medical diagnoses and a variety of communication disorders.  Some can't say the "r" sounds.  Some can't answer questions.  For every Individualized Education Plan, I have to include a statement about the child's strengths as well as their weaknesses.

On Sunday (give me a minute, I will tie this in, I promise), I went to pick up Son No. 1 from his class after service.  As I approached the door, I heard his voice raised and rough, "THAT IS NOT MINE!"  I did not hear the teacher's reply.  Oh, Lord, I prayed, what has he done?  When I opened the door, I saw that Son No. 1 was calm and smiling; the teacher was smiling at him... I put on a tight smile, ready for a report: "Hello!  How's it going?"

His sweet teacher looked up at me.  "You know," she started, "I just love his passion!"

"His passion?!" I laughed.  "Yeah, that's a nice way of putting it."

She related the story to me that she had handed the wrong set of papers to Son No. 1 and he vehemently exclaimed, "THAT IS NOT MINE!"  I looked down at Son No. 1: "really," I started to scold, "all you have to do is say nicely, 'Those aren't my papers.'  You don't have to get loud about it."

I looked up with an apology on my lips, but his sweet teacher chuckled, "no, really, he is so passionate!  And so sweet!  I just love that boy!"

I laughed.  I said, "He has such a temper and we are constantly working with him about it... but yeah, I guess that's one way look to at it that way-- maybe start working his temper into more appropriate indignation?"  I smiled weakly, but I walked away pondering this exchange.  All week, I've been thinking about this exchange.  And feeling a bit convicted.

Why is it so easy for me to look at other people's kids and be able to see their strengths?  And why is it so hard for me not to do this with my own almost-school-aged boy?  I've always wanted to be so careful to raise him with a healthy dose of self-esteem and not beat him down...

So I've been praying for the Lord to help me see Son No. 1's weaknesses as potential strengths... as well as Son No. 2 as he grows out of infancy into toddler-hood.  Instead of snapping a direction toward Son No. 1, taking the time to shape the behavior into something that could be used to further the Kingdom one day.

What are some "negative" behaviors you see in your kids that could be used for good one day?  I need some help in what some of our "negatives" can be shaped in to!