Re: Do you really think my son needs an aide in Kindergarten for o...

[Guest guest]

Hi n,

Wow, this situation sounds so similar to your situation with your son about needing an aide. You already know my opinion. Yes, this child needs an aide. Especially, if this is Garfield Heights School. Remember, this child went to special school so the child teacher ratio was smaller I assume, and meant for special needs children. Regular main streamed public school you are dealing with 22-28 students per class, and 1 teacher. There is a lot less one on one attention. Does this child need reminders to stay on task? Will they interrupt with frustrations, or tantrums during class without someone be there to help them because they don't understand? How is their language? Are they understandable, or does a lot of time need spent with them to learn what they are saying. (in all fairness to the teacher, that teacher cannot nor will spend the time to learn the child's language; they don't have the time. ) My son went to special preschool and then went to main stream public, and there is a big difference? A special school is equipped to handle special needs kids; they are trained for that. Also, it really isn't anyone's call but yours the parent to decide to tell the school that there should be an aide. My son got lost in the shuffle because of inadequate training and lack of one on one help. If this child was sent to the office for example with the attendance sheet, would this child know to come back. On recess does this child know to stay in designated areas unsupervised, and come back inside on their own? Would they wonder out of the parking lot accidentally because of an airplane in the sky that they were watching, and not paying attention to where they were walking? Also, if the child does get upset by possibly banging their head or tantruming who will take them out of the class for a break. The teacher will be unable to leave all the other kids to do this. Is that fair to the autistic child? Also, will this school system know how to possibly side track or calm this child down. A one on one aide that gets to know the child will learn quickly about the child and hopefully help them. The teacher WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO ALL THESE THINGS, and keep her class going. These are all things we have to consider when mainstreaming our kids. My sons school lost him, and he had an aide and he is high functioning. What would the chances be without one? You always have the option of weaning this person out as the child becomes more independent; if they are able to become more independent. You also have the option of changing the I.E.P as goals are reached, or independence has been reached in certain areas. I hope this helped. Donna Divis

A Mother asks: Do you really think my son needs an aide in Kindergarten for only 3 hours? She states that her son has been in a special needs Pre-School for the past 3 years and did very well. The teacher at the pre-school believes that the child will do well in Kindergarten but didn't think to discuss using an aide in Kindergarten. The Kindergaten class will only be a 3 hour day. The child is potty trainned and seems to understand basic verbal language. He comes when his name is called. He seems to learn routines quickly. Such as an agenda that classes usually follow daily. He knows most of the requirements for Kindergarten such as ABCs and counting to 20 Verbally etc. He can write his name and spell some words verbally. What are your opinions? ~ n ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ - Parent to Parent for Autism Website: http://hometown.aol.com/parentschat/homepage.html~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

[Guest guest]

n,

I also forgot to ask.....has the child had an M.F.E. (Multi Factored evaluation)? That determines the childs over all abilities so the school knows where to place the child, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. It is supposed to be done a minimum of every 3 years. This was done for my son when he was placed in special preschool. Donna Divis

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all your opinions. The Mother decided to go with an aide for this fall. I didn't want to only give my opinion to her. It's best to get many opinions even if they are all the same or differing opinions. It's best to know the majority or opositions of any issue. You all make up a good group and I hope many parents will find the help they need here. ) --All for one, and One for All....isn't that the truth?

Thanks Again,

~ n