Guest guest Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 Okay, before I get my knickers in a royal twist someone please tell me what they think. We got a 'draft' copy of Nick's new IEP (we meet on the 28th) and when I'm reviewing it I come across a section of " Life Skills " and goals that state: Nick will learn to sort laundry (whites/darks). Nick will learn to run a washing machine. Nick will learn to run a dryer. Nick will learn to fold towels and dishcloths. Nick will learn to plan a menu. Nick will learn to cook a simple meal using kitchen appliances. Am I over-reacting for thinking -- this is not Academics this is stuff I'm supposed to teach at home?? (BTW, Nick ran a load of white clothes this evening through the washer and the dryer -- we left and went out to dinner before the dryer was done so, no he didn't fold them, but I'm particular about my folding and would probably only let him fold the socks for now anyway.) Also, in the section where they discuss his current levels it reads (paraphrased) Nick knows most of his numbers but has difficulties with numbers in the 100s.? Then under goals it states (paraphrased) Nick will learn his numbers up to 100 including fractions of 1/2 and a 1/4 and their decimal points.? So, I write 1-100 and ask Nick to name them, he names them all.? Then I wrote 135, 155, 198 -- yep got all those too.? Now, money is still confusing to him.? We did play around with how many pennies = nickles, dimes, quarters.? How many quarters = dollars, etc. I'll be honest, I have no problem with " Life Skills " taught in a home ec type class, but have major problems with the thought they might have Nick washing the schools towels and dish cloths.? Thoughts? Thanks! Cari Mom to Nick, 15 just happens to have Down Syndrome (ADD, OCD tendencies, Hyperlexia, and Autistic tendencies) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 24, 2008 Report Share Posted October 24, 2008 HI Cari I agree with you, Sara's draft IEP came home today and I glanced over it and noticed that they want to address the same stuff that you stated below. I guess I'll have to clue them in that this is my job as a mom .... besides Sara already knows how to do laundry, load a dishwasher, vacuum, write a grocery list (her fav things lol) now I don't mind using cooking as the curriculum when teaching her measurement skills. Sara's IEP meeting is next Friday so will see Kathy mom to Sara 16 .......... who is the best domesticated child out of my four From: CMancari@... Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 8:47 PM DownSyndromeAcademics ; DOWN-SYN@... ; Subject: Life Skills Okay, before I get my knickers in a royal twist someone please tell me what they think. We got a 'draft' copy of Nick's new IEP (we meet on the 28th) and when I'm reviewing it I come across a section of " Life Skills " and goals that state: Nick will learn to sort laundry (whites/darks). Nick will learn to run a washing machine. Nick will learn to run a dryer. Nick will learn to fold towels and dishcloths. Nick will learn to plan a menu. Nick will learn to cook a simple meal using kitchen appliances. Am I over-reacting for thinking -- this is not Academics this is stuff I'm supposed to teach at home?? (BTW, Nick ran a load of white clothes this evening through the washer and the dryer -- we left and went out to dinner before the dryer was done so, no he didn't fold them, but I'm particular about my folding and would probably only let him fold the socks for now anyway.) Also, in the section where they discuss his current levels it reads (paraphrased) Nick knows most of his numbers but has difficulties with numbers in the 100s.? Then under goals it states (paraphrased) Nick will learn his numbers up to 100 including fractions of 1/2 and a 1/4 and their decimal points.? So, I write 1-100 and ask Nick to name them, he names them all.? Then I wrote 135, 155, 198 -- yep got all those too.? Now, money is still confusing to him.? We did play around with how many pennies = nickles, dimes, quarters.? How many quarters = dollars, etc. I'll be honest, I have no problem with " Life Skills " taught in a home ec type class, but have major problems with the thought they might have Nick washing the schools towels and dish cloths.? Thoughts? Thanks! Cari Mom to Nick, 15 just happens to have Down Syndrome (ADD, OCD tendencies, Hyperlexia, and Autistic tendencies) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 In a message dated 10/24/2008 9:49:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, CMancari@... writes: I'll be honest, I have no problem with " Life Skills " taught in a home ec type class, but have major problems with the thought they might have Nick washing the schools towels and dish cloths.? OOOH this makes my blood boil! Last year when we were having all the trouble at school they were trying to get Micah in a slef contained " Life skills program " . I tolde EVERYONE there would be no life skills program for Micah. I would do that at home. They were ready to give up on him at 8 years old. He is doing very well this year in a half day 12:1:1 class and half the day in general ed. He starts and ends the day with gen ed classmates. Goes back to gen ed after he has lunch with the gen ed classmates. This has worked extremely well this year. Absolutely no behavioral problems. Teacher told me she didn't understand what happened lst year because they have no problems., The problem was that they wanted to get him into the self contained life skills and I wasn't having it. They also no this is as far as I compromise. There will be an even distribution between half a day in gen ed and half a day in the 12:1:1 class. Middle schol is going to be a new start all over as there again no child has been included. Already spoke with the SPED director for secondary education and told her to start thinking creativley and that she had 3 years before he got there but he WOULD be included in gen ed classrooms in some capacity. Perhaps science and social studies as they are more hands on classrooms. We will see. She was open to this and said the principals are already starting to figure out ways to include more children with disabilities. We will see. But life skills...NEVER it is a cop out on the schools part. Loree **************Play online games for FREE at Games.com! All of your favorites, no registration required and great graphics – check it out! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1211202682x1200689022/aol?redir= http://www.games.com?ncid=emlcntusgame00000001) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2008 Report Share Posted October 25, 2008 Cari, These are skills that are taught at home. For the life of me, I can't understand why some teachers are so focused on housework at school. is attending the new high school - the main autism room has a dining area, washer/dryer, kitchen, bathroom, etc. I'm wondering if 's classroom was suppose to be near by and changed when I made the request not to have the afternoon soon come through his window (it's a ASD thing for him). Anyway, I did tell his teacher that I am working with him on laundry and other home chores. I'm sure there are students whose parents want teachers to go over this stuff because they don't have the time or their child needs lots of repetition to learn or they just don't care. Meals are an area where he needs work. He needs to learn about the food pyramid and he has great difficulty cutting items. Measuring food items can be incorporated in math goals. -- cindysue@... Life Skills > Okay, before I get my knickers in a royal twist someone please tell me > what they think. > > We got a 'draft' copy of Nick's new IEP (we meet on the 28th) and when I'm > reviewing it I come across a section of " Life Skills " and goals that > state: > > Nick will learn to sort laundry (whites/darks). > > Nick will learn to run a washing machine. > > Nick will learn to run a dryer. > > Nick will learn to fold towels and dishcloths. > > Nick will learn to plan a menu. > > Nick will learn to cook a simple meal using kitchen appliances. > > Am I over-reacting for thinking -- this is not Academics this is stuff I'm > supposed to teach at home?? (BTW, Nick ran a load of white clothes this > evening through the washer and the dryer -- we left and went out to dinner > before the dryer was done so, no he didn't fold them, but I'm particular > about my folding and would probably only let him fold the socks for now > anyway.) > > Also, in the section where they discuss his current levels it reads > (paraphrased) Nick knows most of his numbers but has difficulties with > numbers in the 100s.? Then under goals it states (paraphrased) Nick will > learn his numbers up to 100 including fractions of 1/2 and a 1/4 and their > decimal points.? So, I write 1-100 and ask Nick to name them, he names > them all.? Then I wrote 135, 155, 198 -- yep got all those too.? Now, > money is still confusing to him.? We did play around with how many pennies > = nickles, dimes, quarters.? How many quarters = dollars, etc. > > I'll be honest, I have no problem with " Life Skills " taught in a home ec > type class, but have major problems with the thought they might have Nick > washing the schools towels and dish cloths.? > > Thoughts? > > Thanks! > > Cari > Mom to Nick, 15 just happens to have Down Syndrome (ADD, OCD tendencies, > Hyperlexia, and Autistic tendencies) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 I had 7 IEP's last year to get Karrie out of our district's life skills program. In it, she was being taught how to become more independent with her personal hygiene and how to pick up trash and shred it. She was independent with her hygiene. And it only took once for her to know how to pick up trash and shred it After a very vigorous fight, she has been moved up to a mixed batch of classes...some classes for kids with learning disabilities, some regular ed. She made honor roll. I laid out the plans I have set in motion for Karrie...had a local professor do a self-directed IEP (which the district refused to attend, but did place elements from it in her IEP under pressure from the rep of the state board of ed who was there). I am like you in that what she really needs to know life skills-wise, I can handle at home. She doesn't need to learn how to fold towels at school. That's my job to teach her. She is now getting science, social studies, math, English, PE and choir. She's thrilled to be learning (ok, she did make a comment that was overheard by the LD teacher who told everyone at our last meeting last week... " I go back to Ms. H's class (life skills)...I don't want to work, I want to color " ). Stick to your guns. You know him best!!! Sue mom to Kate 21 and Karrie 14 w/ds and mild autism On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 5:55 PM, ABraveNuWorld@... wrote: > I think I need some perspective from our group. > Sammy is 16. He is in High School and they put him this year in a > " Life Skills " class. A few months ago I met his teacher and the > annual " Back to School " night. Or in my words, " Listen to a few > boring speeches' night. Our school system tends to spend 2 hours in > the auditorium listening to the superintendent's speech on how great > out school is (lowest paid teachers in New Jersey) and 15 minutes we > get to spend with the actual teacher. > This year my husband and I ducked out of the first part and went > straight to the more important part. We basically kidnapped Sammy's > teacher and really wanted to get to know what was going on. Firstly, > she does not believe in homework. I bypass that philosophy by making > him do homework that I make instead. But doesn't anyone else find > that strange? > She spent so much time telling us about her life skills plans. But > there are no academics? She was more interested in asking us if Sammy > would like to learn how to make Mashed Potatoes instead of why his > reading skills are loosing ground. She has made up a banking game > with pretend money and they shop or pretend to take a bus. She went > on and on about her pretend world and when I asked about his social > skills and his academic studies, she spent all of about a sentence > telling us he is doing " ok. " No detail, just " Ok. " I walked out of > there feeling like something was missing, something was really wrong > but I could not express it. There are 5 kids in her class and she > has two full time aides. How hard could it be to give any child in > that class better attention? > I guess I tried to have faith because his last two teachers were so > fantastic I swear that they walked on water. They gave him their > attention, their time, their love and it showed. > Yesterday Sammy came home with a blank work application to Burger > King and the light bulb went off! this teacher is setting up my son > for a mediocre life. Minimal skills which I do a heck of a lot > better at home with and no knowledge, no joy, no variety. Her lack > of imagination make me feel as if Sammy is not getting his > education's worth. > Today Jim and I decided to call an IEP. We want him out of that > class and into more of a real high school setting. We both > understand he has limitations. God knows we have to face reality. > But I want to tell her to stop looking at his limitations and deal > with his potential. I don't think this is a good teacher, I don't > think she see's the big picture. > Ok, from this long-winded story...I need advice. IEP is December 8. > Just shoot from the hip and tell me what comes to mind? Thanks > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 My first reaction is to wonder what his placement looked like in previous years and how the school came to arbitrarily move him into a life skills class. (Well, officially anyway-we all know why.) Do his goals include academics or life skills or both? Related site (but the standardized testing requirements may not match your state's): http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/special_education/mattie_tFAQ.htm Judi From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of ABraveNuWorld@... Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 6:55 PM Subject: Life Skills I think I need some perspective from our group. Sammy is 16. He is in High School and they put him this year in a " Life Skills " class. A few months ago I met his teacher and the annual " Back to School " night. Or in my words, " Listen to a few boring speeches' night. Our school system tends to spend 2 hours in the auditorium listening to the superintendent's speech on how great out school is (lowest paid teachers in New Jersey) and 15 minutes we get to spend with the actual teacher. This year my husband and I ducked out of the first part and went straight to the more important part. We basically kidnapped Sammy's teacher and really wanted to get to know what was going on. Firstly, she does not believe in homework. I bypass that philosophy by making him do homework that I make instead. But doesn't anyone else find that strange? She spent so much time telling us about her life skills plans. But there are no academics? She was more interested in asking us if Sammy would like to learn how to make Mashed Potatoes instead of why his reading skills are loosing ground. She has made up a banking game with pretend money and they shop or pretend to take a bus. She went on and on about her pretend world and when I asked about his social skills and his academic studies, she spent all of about a sentence telling us he is doing " ok. " No detail, just " Ok. " I walked out of there feeling like something was missing, something was really wrong but I could not express it. There are 5 kids in her class and she has two full time aides. How hard could it be to give any child in that class better attention? I guess I tried to have faith because his last two teachers were so fantastic I swear that they walked on water. They gave him their attention, their time, their love and it showed. Yesterday Sammy came home with a blank work application to Burger King and the light bulb went off! this teacher is setting up my son for a mediocre life. Minimal skills which I do a heck of a lot better at home with and no knowledge, no joy, no variety. Her lack of imagination make me feel as if Sammy is not getting his education's worth. Today Jim and I decided to call an IEP. We want him out of that class and into more of a real high school setting. We both understand he has limitations. God knows we have to face reality. But I want to tell her to stop looking at his limitations and deal with his potential. I don't think this is a good teacher, I don't think she see's the big picture. Ok, from this long-winded story...I need advice. IEP is December 8. Just shoot from the hip and tell me what comes to mind? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 12, 2010 Report Share Posted November 12, 2010 Hi Placement is decided on after goals and objectives are made. Make sure there are only academic goals, argue on this. Sara has never had a life skills curriculum, academics only. Sara can run the vacuum, fold laundry, dust, sweep and mop, she cleans her own room and makes a bed better than all here. All of these skills were taught at home. Sara is in a Culinary Arts class (awesome restaurant like kitchen) with her typical peers and some of her math goals are worked on using this class as a placement. Sara graduates next May and then she will go into a Jobs Program ... they will teach her how to fill out applications, checkbook skills (can my others kids attend this) etc .... it's looking like now her Vocab will be in daycare which the school has one so she won't need to leave the campus for this. Just say no thank you on the life skills, that we are on an academic path Kathy mom to Sara 18 From: ABraveNuWorld@... Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2010 5:55 PM Subject: Life Skills I think I need some perspective from our group. Sammy is 16. He is in High School and they put him this year in a " Life Skills " class. A few months ago I met his teacher and the annual " Back to School " night. Or in my words, " Listen to a few boring speeches' night. Our school system tends to spend 2 hours in the auditorium listening to the superintendent's speech on how great out school is (lowest paid teachers in New Jersey) and 15 minutes we get to spend with the actual teacher. This year my husband and I ducked out of the first part and went straight to the more important part. We basically kidnapped Sammy's teacher and really wanted to get to know what was going on. Firstly, she does not believe in homework. I bypass that philosophy by making him do homework that I make instead. But doesn't anyone else find that strange? She spent so much time telling us about her life skills plans. But there are no academics? She was more interested in asking us if Sammy would like to learn how to make Mashed Potatoes instead of why his reading skills are loosing ground. She has made up a banking game with pretend money and they shop or pretend to take a bus. She went on and on about her pretend world and when I asked about his social skills and his academic studies, she spent all of about a sentence telling us he is doing " ok. " No detail, just " Ok. " I walked out of there feeling like something was missing, something was really wrong but I could not express it. There are 5 kids in her class and she has two full time aides. How hard could it be to give any child in that class better attention? I guess I tried to have faith because his last two teachers were so fantastic I swear that they walked on water. They gave him their attention, their time, their love and it showed. Yesterday Sammy came home with a blank work application to Burger King and the light bulb went off! this teacher is setting up my son for a mediocre life. Minimal skills which I do a heck of a lot better at home with and no knowledge, no joy, no variety. Her lack of imagination make me feel as if Sammy is not getting his education's worth. Today Jim and I decided to call an IEP. We want him out of that class and into more of a real high school setting. We both understand he has limitations. God knows we have to face reality. But I want to tell her to stop looking at his limitations and deal with his potential. I don't think this is a good teacher, I don't think she see's the big picture. Ok, from this long-winded story...I need advice. IEP is December 8. Just shoot from the hip and tell me what comes to mind? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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