Another question from a reader. Kat Diego asks: How was the switch to middle school? My daughter is very responsible and pretty much is in charge of her care while in school. But in midddle school, she won't have one teacher, she'll have 6 or 8. How'd your daughter deal with the transition? Do you have a 504 plan? Thanks for your help!

Olivia started middle school in the fifth grade and the kids were kept pretty segregated from one another at that age (which I loved). Fifth grade was fine for her, even with switching teachers. She was well looked after and I felt comfortable with her there.
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Olivia hasn't had too many problems with her teachers over the years. Most have been very accepting of her diabetes and the care she needs to take with it while she's in class. I have a packet of stuff I give to all of her teachers at the beginning of each year and thus far, that seems to be sufficient.

This year, though, she got switched a couple of weeks into the school year. She got a new English teacher and I just assumed that the old one would pass along the diabetes info. Wrong.
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There is nothing comedic or trivial about handicaps, disabilities, and/or special medical or developmental needs. "Reduction to absurdity" is a technique of debate in which a premise is taken to, or past, its logical extreme. While this can be used to belittle an opposing viewpoint (Google "Godwin's Law"), it can also encourage thoughtful discussion.

I will also aim to use the definitions of student accessibility to public education expressed here.

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