Re: New...Lost about, well...everything (Long)

[Guest guest]

-- I have no advice for you personally. I am sure there will be some coming your way as this group has many great resources. I, too, am glad to have found it. But, I can say that my heart goes out to you and to all the Mom's that are dealing with a special needs child. I cried as I read your email. Sometimes I just do that because there is so much work to do and things to fight for when it comes to our children.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your son to find the help that is needed.

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

From: <inspiringmind@...>

Sent: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 10:28 am

Subject: [ ] New...Lost about, well...everything (Long)

Hi, My name is . I am married to Mike and we have two boys. is

12 and is 10.

I guess I will go back to the beginning and then this will all make more

sense. When was in 1st grade (7) his teacher noticed that he would

be crawling all over the floor and not being able to concentrate on his

school work.

We took him to a neurologist and he was diagnosed Tourette's and ADHD.

From the age of 7 till he was 10 we had tried every ADHD medication out

there and it only made his "tics" worse and never really helped.

Then we took him to see a new therapist. She said that he was

Asperger's. It made a lot of sense as to his behavior's and the

movements he is making...it is like he can contort his arms in the

oddest ways. More like he is triple jointed.

I understand that his brain is wired differently. I understand that he

only wants to focus on certain things. (Computer is one of those

things.) He has been on an IEP since 3rd grade. This year he started in

a new school (We live in Ashtabula and they closed his old school.) When

we went in to renew his IEP a few weeks ago they seemed to understand

that he does not do well in social situations and sometimes he needs

sensory breaks. They have it written down that he has special testing

protocols. They have a special education room and he says that he

doesn't go there. They tried to give him a test and didn't send him out

of the room, till he just sat there and didn't do it. He doesn't respect

people's personal boundaries. He sits at a desk by himself in his

classroom, he says he doesn't know if it helps or not. He says He

doesn't know about a lot of things or why he does or doesn't do things.

The school is constantly writing in his planner that he is not doing

anything productive in school.

He is getting re evaluated next week with a new P-Doc and two days after

that we are re evaluating his IEP. The school nurse called yesterday and

asked if he was taking his medications (He takes Zoloft and Clonidine.

She says it seems like as parents we are doing everything we possibly

can. He goes to therapy. Of course he not seeing an Asperger/Autism

specialist. And since we live in Ashtabula, I would think that the

nearest place for that would either be Lake County or Cuyahoga County.

He gets Ohio Medicaid (The white card) It is just a matter of finding

someone to take him to. I know the Cleveland Clinic has an Autism

Center. Yes, we would be willing to drive him out there so he gets the

help he needs.

Yesterday after we heard that 3 days in a row now that he has been

unproductive in school we told him he couldn't play on his computer. You

would have thought we took away his connection to life. He cried and

cried for hours. He said he hates his life and he doesn't know WHY he

doesn't do his work at school. I hate seeing him like that, but as a Mom

who doesn't have Asperger's I don't know how to relate to him.

We used to live in Wyoming and they had a student advocate for when he

had IEP meetings, but everyone seems to want to change him and I don't

know how possible that is. He has to "conform" 80% of the time. Sigh.

Anyways, is there some type of student advocate in Ashtabula County?

I am so glad I found this group for my area. There has to be people who

understand and can guide us somehow.

Thanks for listening

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[Guest guest]

Hi,

To me this sounds like an " executive function " deficit which is very

common with ASD kids. In other words, your son lacks the ability to

get himself organized, plan and self start his work. I don't know if

any ASD kids could be considered self-starters as far as work goes.

My son has to have an aide to prod him to do all of his work at

school.

I would think that it would be appropriate to have in 's PLP

something along the lines of . . . " 's executive function

deficits cause him to be unable to start his assignments, complete

work, etc. etc. " He could also have auditory processing problems,

where he just didn't understood the verbal directions given, so

therefore he sits there not knowing what to do. It sounds like since

he sits there quietly (does he?) that the school is not addressing

these issues other than telling you about it, as if you could have a

good talking to him and make it go away lol. You need to look back

on his MFE and see exactly where the deficits lie. If you don't

agree with it, ask for an IEE. He should have some goals in his IEP

to help him with these issues, other than just saying he has to

conform. The question needs to be answered why it occurs, which goes

back to the disability, not just stubborness, etc.

I would say having him evaluated and observed would be a good start.

As far as being in Ashtabula County, there is a SERCC that covers

Ashtabula County. Maybe you can call them and ask if they have a

parent trainer or consultant you can talk to.

http://www.sst5.k12.oh.us/

Do you have an Ashtabula county MRDD support administrator? MRDD has

behavioral specialists that can come out and observe in schools, at

least they do here in Cuyahoga.

I hope this helps, even a little bit.

Good luck with everything.

>

> Hi, My name is . I am married to Mike and we have two boys.

is

> 12 and is 10.

>

> I guess I will go back to the beginning and then this will all make

more

> sense. When was in 1st grade (7) his teacher noticed that he

would

> be crawling all over the floor and not being able to concentrate on

his

> school work.

>

> We took him to a neurologist and he was diagnosed Tourette's and

ADHD.

> From the age of 7 till he was 10 we had tried every ADHD

medication out

> there and it only made his " tics " worse and never really helped.

>

> Then we took him to see a new therapist. She said that he was

> Asperger's. It made a lot of sense as to his behavior's and the

> movements he is making...it is like he can contort his arms in the

> oddest ways. More like he is triple jointed.

>

> I understand that his brain is wired differently. I understand

that he

> only wants to focus on certain things. (Computer is one of those

> things.) He has been on an IEP since 3rd grade. This year he

started in

> a new school (We live in Ashtabula and they closed his old school.)

When

> we went in to renew his IEP a few weeks ago they seemed to

understand

> that he does not do well in social situations and sometimes he

needs

> sensory breaks. They have it written down that he has special

testing

> protocols. They have a special education room and he says that he

> doesn't go there. They tried to give him a test and didn't send him

out

> of the room, till he just sat there and didn't do it. He doesn't

respect

> people's personal boundaries. He sits at a desk by himself in his

> classroom, he says he doesn't know if it helps or not. He says He

> doesn't know about a lot of things or why he does or doesn't do

things.

>

> The school is constantly writing in his planner that he is not

doing

> anything productive in school.

>

> He is getting re evaluated next week with a new P-Doc and two days

after

> that we are re evaluating his IEP. The school nurse called

yesterday and

> asked if he was taking his medications (He takes Zoloft and

Clonidine.

> She says it seems like as parents we are doing everything we

possibly

> can. He goes to therapy. Of course he not seeing an Asperger/Autism

> specialist. And since we live in Ashtabula, I would think that the

> nearest place for that would either be Lake County or Cuyahoga

County.

> He gets Ohio Medicaid (The white card) It is just a matter of

finding

> someone to take him to. I know the Cleveland Clinic has an Autism

> Center. Yes, we would be willing to drive him out there so he gets

the

> help he needs.

>

> Yesterday after we heard that 3 days in a row now that he has been

> unproductive in school we told him he couldn't play on his

computer. You

> would have thought we took away his connection to life. He cried

and

> cried for hours. He said he hates his life and he doesn't know WHY

he

> doesn't do his work at school. I hate seeing him like that, but as

a Mom

> who doesn't have Asperger's I don't know how to relate to him.

>

> We used to live in Wyoming and they had a student advocate for when

he

> had IEP meetings, but everyone seems to want to change him and I

don't

> know how possible that is. He has to " conform " 80% of the time.

Sigh.

> Anyways, is there some type of student advocate in Ashtabula County?

>

> I am so glad I found this group for my area. There has to be

people who

> understand and can guide us somehow.

>

> Thanks for listening

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

If your son is making comments like that you need to not wait. You need to get him intervention.

I don't know what school district you are in, but some of the school districts are using Applewood Centers (county) as interventions for our children. Call the school and ask if they are using them, and if not suggest they do something to help your son immediately, especially in light of the teacher's comment that she thinks she pushed him too far. Even the counselor, special education teacher, school psychologist or someone should intervene, pull him out of class and help with discussion or social skill training. It also sounds like the teacher needs education or assistance. I would write a letter to the school district requesting one on one for your child immediately until the MFE is completed (90 days) as a precaution and request their response in writing.

You can call Applewood Center yourself (listed in phone book).

But intervention on a personal basis and help for the teacher will momentarily help. Perhaps the district cannot accomodate him, or perhaps mainstream is not the least restrictive environment for him. My special education coordinator for the district was most helpful to me, because unlike the special education teacher, the coordinator carried "weight" over the teachers and the principal, and she knew how to word things to the superintendent.

Keep in touch

Carol McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you browse - Download Now!

[Guest guest]

Hi , my name is Pam. I have a 14 yr old girl who wasn't diagnosed with autism (High functioning) until 3rd grade. We new something wasn't quite right at around age 2 - 2 1/2, but wasn't sure what it was. The school district intervined and put her in an early intervention preschool that was located at our local elementary school, but was run by the county.

As she transitioned into K and beyond, she at first did well (in K), but then she started to decline and have difficulties. Our district hired a new Special Ed Director and that's when our problems began. We were forced off of the IEP and even when we said that her therapist had diagnosed her with Asperger's, they denied her all services. We pulled her out during the middle of 3rd grade and sent her to Billiart (a private religious school for kids with specials needs - it's located in Lyndhurst). The transformation was amazing. Upon advice from a lawyer, we had her tested at Clev Clinic's Autism center. Within the first 5 minutes they had changed her from Asperger's to Autism. They couldn't understand how the school could miss it since it was so obvious to them.

With our new info in hand we went back to the school and demanded that she be put on the Autism Scholarship Program.

Billiart only goes to 8th grade and so our daughter is completing her last year there. We wish they would go to 12th but they are right when they say that we have to teach them to function in the regular world while they still have they safety net of living with their parents.

Last year we needed to obtain a new MFE and consequently decided that since it has been 4 yrs since she was evaluated at Clev Clinic Autism center, we decided to go back and have a new evaluation done. They did a great job and it helped us to see in which areas she has grown and which areas she still had weaknesses.

I recommend at least letting Clev Clinic test your son. If nothing else, you will have some leverage to use with the school to get them to change the way they are handling him and make changes to the IEP

From: <inspiringmind@...>Subject: [ ] New...Lost about, well...everything (Long) Date: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 10:28 AM

Hi, My name is . I am married to Mike and we have two boys. is 12 and is 10.I guess I will go back to the beginning and then this will all make more sense. When was in 1st grade (7) his teacher noticed that he would be crawling all over the floor and not being able to concentrate on his school work.We took him to a neurologist and he was diagnosed Tourette's and ADHD. From the age of 7 till he was 10 we had tried every ADHD medication out there and it only made his "tics" worse and never really helped.Then we took him to see a new therapist. She said that he was Asperger's. It made a lot of sense as to his behavior's and the movements he is making...it is like he can contort his arms in the oddest ways. More like he is triple jointed.I understand that his brain is wired differently. I understand that he only wants to focus on certain things. (Computer is one

of those things.) He has been on an IEP since 3rd grade. This year he started in a new school (We live in Ashtabula and they closed his old school.) When we went in to renew his IEP a few weeks ago they seemed to understand that he does not do well in social situations and sometimes he needs sensory breaks. They have it written down that he has special testing protocols. They have a special education room and he says that he doesn't go there. They tried to give him a test and didn't send him out of the room, till he just sat there and didn't do it. He doesn't respect people's personal boundaries. He sits at a desk by himself in his classroom, he says he doesn't know if it helps or not. He says He doesn't know about a lot of things or why he does or doesn't do things.The school is constantly writing in his planner that he is not doing anything productive in school.He is getting re evaluated

next week with a new P-Doc and two days after that we are re evaluating his IEP. The school nurse called yesterday and asked if he was taking his medications (He takes Zoloft and Clonidine. She says it seems like as parents we are doing everything we possibly can. He goes to therapy. Of course he not seeing an Asperger/Autism specialist. And since we live in Ashtabula, I would think that the nearest place for that would either be Lake County or Cuyahoga County. He gets Ohio Medicaid (The white card) It is just a matter of finding someone to take him to. I know the Cleveland Clinic has an Autism Center. Yes, we would be willing to drive him out there so he gets the help he needs.Yesterday after we heard that 3 days in a row now that he has been unproductive in school we told him he couldn't play on his computer. You would have thought we took away his connection to life. He cried and cried for

hours. He said he hates his life and he doesn't know WHY he doesn't do his work at school. I hate seeing him like that, but as a Mom who doesn't have Asperger's I don't know how to relate to him.We used to live in Wyoming and they had a student advocate for when he had IEP meetings, but everyone seems to want to change him and I don't know how possible that is. He has to "conform" 80% of the time. Sigh. Anyways, is there some type of student advocate in Ashtabula County?I am so glad I found this group for my area. There has to be people who understand and can guide us somehow.Thanks for listening

[Guest guest]

, sorry my email wasn't finished b4 is was sent, my computer went goofy.

As I was saying, try to get them to use the info gathered at the Clinic Eval to help you make changes to your son's IEP to better accommodate him.

Good Luck

Pam

From: <inspiringmind@ roadrunner. com>Subject: [ ] New...Lost about, well...everything (Long) @group s.comDate: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 10:28 AM

Hi, My name is . I am married to Mike and we have two boys. is 12 and is 10.I guess I will go back to the beginning and then this will all make more sense. When was in 1st grade (7) his teacher noticed that he would be crawling all over the floor and not being able to concentrate on his school work.We took him to a neurologist and he was diagnosed Tourette's and ADHD. From the age of 7 till he was 10 we had tried every ADHD medication out there and it only made his "tics" worse and never really helped.Then we took him to see a new therapist. She said that he was Asperger's. It made a lot of sense as to his behavior's and the movements he is making...it is like he can contort his arms in the oddest ways. More like he is triple jointed.I understand that his brain is wired differently. I understand that he only wants to focus on certain things. (Computer is one

of those things.) He has been on an IEP since 3rd grade. This year he started in a new school (We live in Ashtabula and they closed his old school.) When we went in to renew his IEP a few weeks ago they seemed to understand that he does not do well in social situations and sometimes he needs sensory breaks. They have it written down that he has special testing protocols. They have a special education room and he says that he doesn't go there. They tried to give him a test and didn't send him out of the room, till he just sat there and didn't do it. He doesn't respect people's personal boundaries. He sits at a desk by himself in his classroom, he says he doesn't know if it helps or not. He says He doesn't know about a lot of things or why he does or doesn't do things.The school is constantly writing in his planner that he is not doing anything productive in school.He is getting re evaluated

next week with a new P-Doc and two days after that we are re evaluating his IEP. The school nurse called yesterday and asked if he was taking his medications (He takes Zoloft and Clonidine. She says it seems like as parents we are doing everything we possibly can. He goes to therapy. Of course he not seeing an Asperger/Autism specialist. And since we live in Ashtabula, I would think that the nearest place for that would either be Lake County or Cuyahoga County. He gets Ohio Medicaid (The white card) It is just a matter of finding someone to take him to. I know the Cleveland Clinic has an Autism Center. Yes, we would be willing to drive him out there so he gets the help he needs.Yesterday after we heard that 3 days in a row now that he has been unproductive in school we told him he couldn't play on his computer. You would have thought we took away his connection to life. He cried and cried for

hours. He said he hates his life and he doesn't know WHY he doesn't do his work at school. I hate seeing him like that, but as a Mom who doesn't have Asperger's I don't know how to relate to him.We used to live in Wyoming and they had a student advocate for when he had IEP meetings, but everyone seems to want to change him and I don't know how possible that is. He has to "conform" 80% of the time. Sigh. Anyways, is there some type of student advocate in Ashtabula County?I am so glad I found this group for my area. There has to be people who understand and can guide us somehow.Thanks for listening