A Meeting At Home

We had the Bishop come over last night. I had been wanting to talk with him for a while now and he was visiting a member in the next town over from us so he said he would call in to speak with us. I mostly wanted to speak with him about Brodie but we spoke about a lot of things. I think I really needed to hear what he had to say.

I don't know if I have mentioned all of the things Brodie has been up to of late. Taking off for hours at a time (but he has cut back on that a lot) which is why we got his phone activated. On most days we are walking on eggshells hoping and praying that he does not explode at us. His aggression and violence is becoming more frequent. Only the other day he got angry at Mark for speaking to him and threatening to take a knife to him. And as if on cue while the Bishop was here he got angry and swore and took off on us. Before Brodie took off outside (this was at 10 O'clock at night) he said we were lucky that the Bishop was here or it would've been much worse. In a small way I was glad that he 'exploded' a little in front of the Bishop so that he could see what Brodie could be like as he doesn't get to see that side of him at Church.

The Bishop doesn't know a lot about Aspergers Syndrome so I have let him borrow a book that I bought a while back so that he can find out more about it. I hadn't finished reading it all myself but I thought that the Bishop would be able to get something out of it that may help us that I hadn't thought of or something.

Bishop did say he wasn't sure what he could do for us as yet as he is no expert in this sort of thing. Mark and I both said that we understood that but at least he will be able to point us in the right direction. Especially in one where we have like minded people with the same ideals that will help us spiritually as well as in support for both Mark & I and the boys.

Bishop also asked about Angus. Wanting to know how he is feeling and coping. So we told him about how well Angus is doing at school ad the plans that we have made for him for next year when he starts High School. He too thought it was a good idea to have the boys going to separate schools. He was kind of surprised that Angus will be going into High School next year. I tell you what so am I (surprised that is) - he is growing up to fast!
It makes me feel that we are doing the right things for him especially with the decision about school and the fact that he is playing a sport that he loves. He is so keen to play again next year and this years season isn't even over yet.

So by the time the Bishop left we had a few ideas on what we could do to help ALL of us. Like making sure we read scriptures daily (it is so easy to fall into the habit of not doing it regularly), doing FHE each week - Bishop suggested that we do the seminary manual at least that way I wont have to nag Brodie to do it, we will all benefit from it and it will help Angus in the long run in preparation for when he has to start in a little over 2 years time. Hopefully soon we will be able to talk with LDS Social Services again and see what help they will be. I know that it will help its just a matter of when we get to see them.

I must admit I felt a whole lot better sharing everything with the Bishop. He is such a wonderful man to talk with and he listens to everything we have to say. He is just the best!

Being Ugly!

Being Ugly is a term that my dear soul sister, Diva, told me about. It's what they say in Oklahoma about how kids have a melt down and lose their cool at people (especially family I think) and Brodie does "Being Ugly" quite well!
He did so the other night and physically hurt Angus and then decided to run away from home. I am so sick and tired of chasing after him that I didn't do it. I don't see why I should have to chase him every time he decides to run away from home. At least this time he didn't pack a bag so I knew that he would come home eventually. He came home when he got hungry because he took off before dinner time. When he came in we were about to sit down for dinner. He had the opportunity to join us but got angry at Mark and stormed off to his room. So Mark made him a sandwich and a drink so he could take his meds & I took them down to his bedroom. Of course Brodie was NOT happy about that and disappeared outside once again after eating. I truly do not know what to do with that child. He is shocking!!

He's been suspended again from school. We got a phone call on Friday just before I left for the primary school with the Assistant Principal saying how they would like me to collect him. Thankfully Mark was the one who answered the phone and said, "Sorry but I don't have the car right now it's at the Primary School with his Mum." To be honest I was leaving in a few minutes but that wasn't the point. There is meant to be a meeting at the school sometime this week in regards to his coming back or his expulsion, whichever they decide. I have no idea what will happen. In fact I am meant to be going to the school on Tuesday afternoon for a meeting in regards to trying to get him an integration aide. I need to find out if they still want me there for that or not. I don't see the point of going there for this meeting if they no longer wish to have him at the High School. I can see that soap box and its calling my name!!!!

I spoke to the Bishop this afternoon along with Brodie. I love our Bishop so much and he told Brodie straight out that is is his choice as to whether he does the right thing at school or not. He knows that Brodie can do the right thing as he has seen him do this at Church. He told Brodie that he needs to ask Heavenly Father for guidance in this. I truly hope that Brodie does this and doesn't try to rely on just himself.

I did ask the Bishop about a companion for Brodie. He thought that the idea was wonderful and I am sure that he is praying about it to see who would be the best person for the job. He also loved the idea about having a meeting to discuss Aspergers Syndrome and what it all means. I told him is was one of the sisters from LDS Social Services who mentioned it. The Bishop wants the Youth Leaders and the Primary Teachers involved, plus anyone else who wants to come as I said it would be important for others to come along. I want them (well all of the Ward) to know that Brodie is not jut a 'naughty' kid and that he does have things we need to be aware of. Also there are many other children in the ward that have behavioural issues that the leaders need to be aware of and have strategies in place to help them cope better.

Another High School Meeting

Well it's Friday and Brodie & I had to attend a meeting at 8:30 this morning at the High School before he could go into his classes. It was a meeting regarding his behaviour and why he got suspended on Tuesday. No different to any other meeting we have attended I guess. That was until the Principal dropped the bomb shell .... If Brodie's behaviour warrants another suspension he will need to attend a meeting along with myself, Assistant Principal, Principal and the School Guidance Officer (Counsellor) [and hopefully Mark too as I would want him there for any meeting like this] to discuss whether Brodie is to be EXPELLED or not.

Okay it's out there they cannot take it back or back down from such a statement like that. If Brodie stuffs up he is OUT! I can't see them keeping him there after such saying that. I don't know if they said it to make him see how bad his behaviour is or to just frighten him into behaving but they've said it now.

I have no idea what they wanted to achieve with it but I can tell you one thing. I have been extremely upset over it. This is the last thing any mother wants to hear that if their child screws up again they are expelled!! I'm a teacher for goodness sake. Yes I know I am not working as one yet as a teacher it horrifies me that they would even contemplate expelling a child. I know that if it is warranted then they have to but Brodie??!! I know he isn't a good kid all the time, who is? I know he stuff up BIG sometimes. But GOSH to say that! I am shocked, upset, angry, tearful ... you name it I have probably felt it today.

I have yet to speak with Brodie about how he feels with hearing news like that. Let's hope that he pulls his socks up and repents/behaves for the rest of the term at least. I'll have to have a jolly good talk with him tonight about it.

I spoke to a couple of teachers from the Primary School this morning about what happened. They know Brodie really well. I don't know if they were shocked, surprised or not but they were ever so sympathetic. I think I needed that. Anyway one of them suggested I phone the local High School (and I thought perhaps the one in the next town too) to see what sort of strategies they have in place for a child with Aspergers like Brodie and what type of support network they have available. After all he is a special needs kid (who sadly falls outside the current system for assistance).
I don't think that I will be able to phone them today, especially with the way I am feeling and the fact that I need to go back to the Primary School soon to do the newsletter. I want to be able to talk without getting overly emotional on the phone.

Right now I am not sure whether to also phone the LDS Social Services again and have a talk with them and also to try and make sure that I get to see the Bishop on the weekend. Looks like I have a few jobs to do when I get home this afternoon.

This Past Week ..

Golly what a week this one has been. Where do I start .. at the end of last week I guess.

Friday~ Brodie was home as he was suspended from school Not bad for the first week back of Term 3. This time it was for being exited three times in a matter of two days. He had been throwing snowballs (not a big deal in itself - well not to me at least) but the teacher did ask him to not throw any and he refused to listen. That was one exit. He chose not to follow instructions and was rather loud and disturbing others. That was the second exit. The third one .. well I'm not too sure what happened there. I think he walked out of class without permission or something like that. So needless to say he was home from school and would not be going back until Tuesday.

Saturday~ Woohoo! IT was D DAY!! Well Harry Potter Day at least. The seventh and final book of the series was released and we went to the Warehouse to get our pre-ordered copy! We all went actually. It wasn't as smooth sailing as I would've liked either. The store computers were down. It seems that head office hadn't gotten their act together and switched them on. You'd think they would have had a back up system for when things like this happen.
We also went to foodbank, our usual Saturday excursion, we don't all normally go for that one. Sometimes it's Mark & our neighbour or its me and one of the boys.

Sunday~ I didn't feel up to going to Church so I stayed home. We didn't do all that much apart from watch movies, play games or read Harry Potter.

Monday~ Brodie was still home from school. We had to go to Frankston for our LDS Social Services appointment. That went reasonably well. Well I think it did. It certainly seemed more helpful than just visiting with GCAMHS. We got a phone number so that we can contact and Elder & Sister who have an adult son with Aspergers. They might be able to help us out with ideas and come and chat to the people in our ward who are associated with Brodie.

Tuesday~ Not a lot happened today apart from picking the boys up from school and going grocery shopping.

Wednesday~ Brodie had an appointment at GCAMHS after school. I'm not too sure what went on in there as I was waiting outside in the waiting area for him. I at least got to read an interesting article or two in a magazine. They need to get some new ones soon though as I have read nearly all of the ones they have there lol. Oh I got another phone call from the High School once I go home though. It seems that our big fella has taken to covering his head again and didn't have that great a day at school. I would've been nice to know this before we went to GCAMHS. Oh well. I also gave our old phone away on freecycle today & I got some genealogy magazines from freecycle too. Plus I just had to buy some new quilting magazines. They have some really neat projects in them.

Thursday~ I was very busy trying to sort out my Scratch That Darn Itch blog. I was labelling all of the posts and changing the page format around. Golly I did not realise that I was such a whinger on it in the earlier posts. Thank goodness I am not like that now. What a complaining bore!! My Visiting Teachers also came over tonight. I had completely forgotten that they were coming until they knocked on the door. Lucky us, Mark cooked a lovely vegetarian rice dish which I told him he could cook again as it was so yummy!!

The Weather, Another Suspension & LDS Social Services

Boy has it been cold these past few days with warnings of black ice on the roads. There was even snow at Brodie's High School and he got busted for throwing snowballs. He got an exit for that one. I was worried that we might have ice on the roads but luckily I haven't come across any but I have been driving slower just in case.

I got a phone call from the HS again this morning. They phoned yesterday when I was out grocery shopping. It seems our boy has been suspended AGAIN! He has had three exits already this term and the term is only 4 days old!! He'll stay at school for the rest of the day but I assume not in his classes. He is off until next Tuesday and he will need to complete 5 hours worth of work for each day that he isn't at school. Good luck in trying to get him to do that. Last time I may as well have pulled my own teeth out.

In some ways with his suspension being on Monday it's turned out okay, as I have an appointment with LDS Social services that afternoon. The person we are seeing is a member but he is also a former Bishop and a psychologist. All things which will hopefully help us. I didn't want to take Brodie to start with but since he is home any way it wont hurt for him to be there. That way LDS SS will be able to see what we 'put' up with. I think it will be of great benefit to talk to someone from Church as I believe that they will be able to help us much better than an 'outside' psychologist.