School is about to start again, and because I’m not taking clients or doing sped individual advocacy work right now, I didn’t realize that LAUSD begins on August 16th for my kid. As in BEFORE Labor Day. Oops! So we are in a flurry of getting him ready. He’s lost a lot of weight from exercise and growing, so that means a whole new wardrobe. Again. 
This is also my very last year in law school before I get my J.D. and take the bar exam in July of 2017. So. Much. Stuff.
I’m pleased to say that I am a brand-spanking-new commissioner on the California Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE). I was just appointed in June, by Senator Kevin de Leon’s office. For those who don’t know, the ACSE is an advisory body that provides recommendations and advice to the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, and the California Legislature regarding new or continuing areas of research, program development, and evaluation in California special education.
However, this, in conjunction with other things happening with Aidan (he’s transitioning to adulthood and we are getting his future home—next door—ready!!!), have made it necessary to change some things. Aidan, his dad, stepdad, and I are developing what looks to be a contentious transition plan—we all know that things are contentious when we expect the plan to actually be individualized, despite what the laws say! So the regional center (and all the new disability agencies he has for adulthood) and I are going to have some major work here soon. Work as in complaints, lawsuits, appeals, and so on. You parents know the drill.
I’ve decided to stay true to my roots and keep my outside focus on the projects that are my babies, and also to ones that support people of color and parents. All else is unnecessary. My school, People’s College of Law, is founded on the principle of training people’s lawyers, and that’s where I want to spend my limited time this school and bar prep/panic year.
Fun stuff. But for now, let me get back to bar prep. These essays aren’t gonna write themselves. 😉
You can visit the ACSE website for more information about the Commission and details on recent and upcoming meetings.
Divorcing Autism 