Are We There Yet?

Most students count down the end of the school year, but this year I'm right with them. I cannot wait for this year to come to an end. Seventh grade for Michael has been one long journey. It doesn't help that every year after spring break, he loses interest in school. This year, I'm not sure if it's hormones or something else going on, but it's been worse than ever.

Michael "forgets" he has tests and quizzes and when he does remember, his effort is poor. The same goes for homework. For the first time ever, he likely won't have a GPA above a 3.0. Last quarter, he had a 3.5 -- his best. I don't care much about grades; I just want him to give it his best effort and that's not happening now. I have to constantly go online and see if the teachers posted homework assignment due dates and information about upcoming tests and quizzes. I then need to sit with him and study. Ask him to study something on his own and he'll look at a couple of worksheets for about three minutes and call it done.
Since Michael told me that fellow students were throwing stuff at him during art class and that another student called him "dumb," it's like we've been on a roller coaster. He tells me he hates school and doesn't want to go back, but when I bring up alternatives, such as an online school, Michael changes course and says it's not that bad. 
Last week, I finally got Michael in to see a new psychiatrist who specializes in kids on the spectrum. I told him our story while my soon-to-be 14-year-old held a teddy bear and played with a bunch of fidget toys -- I can't believe some people have the gall at times to believe there's "nothing wrong with him" because he looks normal. Michael didn't really talk much except when the doctor asked him what he was worried about. "Sleep. I have a hard time sleeping," he said. He didn't want to talk about being anxious, being bullied, self-harming or any of the other things I had brought up to the doctor. The doctor decided he wants Michael to be re-evaluated this summer to see if along with the autism and anxiety if he has any other mental health issues.
In the meantime, I try to remind myself to breathe and keep repeating that school will be over soon. School will be over soon.