By Mary Pritchard, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Shrewsbury High School sophomore James Canzano, 16, reached a significant milestone this year when he graduated out of his special education program. James, who dropped his Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in October, was asked to speak during a School Committee meeting in January.
“My teacher suggested that I speak about my IEP experience from first grade through the first quarter of sophomore year,” James said. “My learning disability has been a hurdle for me. I had a hard time reading and writing and it affected my speech. I worked hard and I’m glad to be out of it but if I ever had to go back it wouldn’t bother me. I don’t even really think about it ?It’s just something I’ve had to do.”
James and his mother, Erin, agree that he has responded well to the self-advocacy skills he has been taught and has the confidence to ask teachers for what he needs. Sports and exercise have greatly helped him. He began running in the first grade with his father, Dana, and participates in cross country, indoor and outdoor track, and, as his mother said, anything with running.
James has a language-based learning disability and was in early intervention before he was 2 years old.
“James had speech therapy at a walk-in program at Parker Road Preschool,” Erin explained. “He received speech services in kindergarten and began in the special ed. program with an IEP in first grade.”
James had typically been two years behind but is now reading at grade level. Erin credits her son for working hard and not giving up.
“Dana and I are very proud of James’ success,” she said. “His hard work, perseverance and dedication are critical reasons why he has reached his goal of graduating out of special education. It also was a team effort. He had supportive teachers who broke tasks down for him, taught him effective reading and writing strategies, and encouraged him at every turn. He also had a tutor who had been working with him since second grade. Between the school system, his tutor, his family and his work ethic, it is, in hindsight, no surprise that he has exceeded expectations.”
Erin noted that IEPs are more common than people might think and offered encouragement to other families.
“Keep persevering,” she said. “We had many weeks and months of slow improvement, regression and plateaus. Working with his special ed. team, supporting him at home, and providing him with other opportunities where he could feel successful, such as running, is what worked for us. But it is a marathon and we had our share of Heartbreak Hills. Knowing that other special ed. students found success in school helped motivate us, and we stayed as positive and consistent as possible with his homework and studying. The Shrewsbury SpedPAC, a parent advocacy group that helps parents navigate through the process and the emotions, was a good resource when he was first diagnosed.”
James described achieving this goal as likely one of the most difficult things he will face in life, and offered advice to others.
“I have overcome a hurdle by graduating out of special ed., but I know I still will have some problems with speech and writing,” he said. “Life will still sometimes be a bumpy road but not as bumpy as before. Once you overcome these challenges that are blocking your way you will feel the best you will ever feel. Keep your head up and look to your friends or teachers for help and advice. Never stop what you are doing because it will lead you to great success.”
