Re: Do you really think my son needs an aide in Kindergarten for only 3 hours?

[Guest guest]

n - I have a couple of questions. First, did her son have an aide in Preschool? If so, how involved was the aide in the day to day activities? How many other children will be in the classroom? Is this a typical K classroom or special needs? How experienced and flexible is the kindergarten teacher? Has she had other students on the spectrum in the past?

If her son has the skills he needs, I think the key to success in kindergarten without an aide would be the teacher and how much time she will be able to devote to her special needs student. If she can keep him engaged in the group activities and is able to redirect him when his attention wanders, if she does not take what he says personally but realizes he may say things (such as yelling no to a question) out of a language deficit or transition difficulty, if she is flexible to learn new discipline strategies that are effective (I have yet to find a child on the spectrum for whom time outs work) and is more likely to teach the child needed skills so that those discipline strategies become obsolete, then her son has a great teacher and the mother can look forward to a great Kindergarten year. Of course, every child is different and each child would need differing amounts of adult attention and each teacher/classroom is unique and can provide differing amounts of attention to the students. I would think that in most cases, an aide (even part-time) would be needed. I would listen carefully to the opinion of the preschool teacher because she has already spent at least one year, possibly 3, with the student and is in a good position to give her thoughts on how much help her son would need.

Chris

----- Original Message -----

From: DMHelmick1@...

DMHelmick1@...

Sent: Monday, July 19, 2004 10:04 PM

Subject: [ ] Do you really think my son needs an aide in Kindergarten for only 3 hours?

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