The school gave me a 16-page evaluation report that seems to be the roadmap of Brad. It took me such a long time to read it and comprehend it all.

Tomorrow, we have a reevaluation for Brad, to determine his eligibility for an emotional disability and decide the most appropriate type and levels of support for school. 

For those who know Brad, you know the sweet, sincere, conversationalist version of him.

Brad is a boy who thrives on movement and discovery.

The evaluation results gave us a clear look at why Brad sometimes struggles. While he is incredibly capable—he was 92% on-task in subjects like Social Studies—he also shows a sense of frustration when the work gets heavy. 

We will officially move his support to include the Emotional Disability (ED) category. In the world of special education, this isn't limit—It means:

* We are prioritizing his confidence as much as his grades.

* We are treating his "acting out" as a request for help, not a reason for a referral.

* We are building a toolbox of coping skills so he can stay in the zone he loves.

The highlight of the evaluation was seeing it in black and white: 

*Brad can lead: Whether he’s in the weight-lifting room or in a classroom where he feels seen, he isn't just meeting expectations—he’s exceeding them. He correctly answers the questions that stump the rest of the class. He always stops to help a friend.

We aren't just trying to fix what’s broken; we want to reinforce what is already strong. By working closely with his teachers, we are creating a Success Sequence. We’re breaking down the big tasks into the small wins. We’re giving him a way to say, "I need a break," before the frustration takes over.

As a mother, my job is to be the "Rock" and the advocate. This will give us more hope for Brad’s future. We are moving from a cycle of conflict to a cycle of connection. 

I want to be able to watch him grow into the man he’s meant to be—strong in the weight room and curious in the lab. I just need to learn to be a bit more patient and less frustrated. Good luck, huh? Because I feel like I'm losing my mind some days. So many referrals, so many emails, so many calls. Some days I'm not sure how much more I can handle.