Who knew????

Who knew lunch could cause so many problems. As most of you know we have been slowly transitioning Cameron back into school so that next year he can register. (at his request) It has been going well so far because he has done a little at a time. The principle at his school has been so supportive and understanding of his needs and has tried to accomodate him. He was going to 2 classes and had started participating in lunch. Next we were going to try and put him in with recess and then book buddies. Since there is a 2 class maximum for particiption from homeschooled students, we were putting him in as many fluff things as possible just to build the exposure to a school atmosphere and the social situations that he would face. Well, the principle checked with the district to see how much we could add and they told her that Cameron is not allowed to participate in anything but the two classes and it didn't matter what we were trying to do for next year. Upon further inquiries of my own, I was told that his education is not their interest right now because he is not registered and that school is not a social experience. If he wants to try school out, then he needs to register for all of it. I am so upset that attending lunch has become such and issue. He is no longer eligible to go to lunch or to continue slowly being reintroduced. It's either all or 2 classes. Cameron cried for two hours asking why the school didn't care that he couldn't do it all at once and doesn't see the point in trying to go back. He feels discouraged that going straight to a full day would be too much and he will just end out in trouble again. This is why we homeschooled to begin with. The district has more interest in policy than giving the kids what they need to be able to get an education!!! When will they realize that for an autistic kid, not only is everything social, but that they can't adjust just to fit the policy. It took Cameron two weeks to get up the courage to even go to lunch and he was so proud of himself for being successful. His last experience was not so. He was ready to add another part to his school day feeling like he was actually going to be able to do it this time. SOOOO FRUSTRATING!!!!!! Education is not longer about the kids but about spending the least amount of money and getting high scores on the tests. Teachers can no longer teach children, they have to train them to be excellent test takers. Our education system is sorely lacking for those who don't fit the norm. The ones who decide what my child needs are, are the ones who see him only long enough to have an IEP meeting where they make sure they don't spend any more money on services than they can get away with. Who cares what he is legally eligible for, as long as the parents don't know what he can get, then the school doesn't have to spend the money for it. Atleast that has been my experience so far as well as that of so many other parents. What are my options? Homeschool, Public school where I can spend my days jumping hoopes, or private school where the waiting list is years and then costs an arm and a leg. Who knew lunch could be such a big deal?