Guest guest Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 I've wondered if my son (10, 5th grade, homebound currently) could have an aide to assist with reding writing, as in having him do oral work but it gets transcribed. I can't ses him at school just doing nothing at his desk (and silent tears streaming as I happened to observe unnoticed 3 times) for everythng that involves writing. And apparently reading textbooks seems to be a diminishing ability as well. Last year he was primarily an A student, good conduct, his teacher thought him creative, advanced, kind to others, so on. This year barely functional, but I don't want to be his nearly full-time school aide at home...his tutor does not get alot done with him, slow going, so bulk is left to me. He does not have an IEP b/c in our district they are for learning impaired or not normal intelligence. He has a 504 which apparently can provide whatever accomodations wil help. Has anyone gotten an aide, how does it work, is it embarrasing fo the child? nancy grace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Hi , This sounds so rough but there is help out there (and here)! I work as a sped teacher and can tell you that it sounds like you need to ask for an emergency team meeting to reassess the 504. The district has 30 days to have the meeting. When a child isn't able to access the curriculum (which it seems like for your son) an IEP needs to be developed that will help support the child. As I'm certain you know, the big difference between an IEP and a 504 is that a 504 allows accommodations but doesn't have actual goals that teachers have to meet. You son needs an IEP with goals specific to his areas of difficulty (writing) and with the IEP, support can be officially given and progress measured. Very often my parents of 5th grade students will become concerned about their kids being embarrassed by having a " helper teacher " in class. And the truth is that sometimes kids are embarrassed, but in my school, the aides are often there for several kids in one class but are also trained to be as unobtrusive as possible. Most kids are jealous of the kids who have aides because those kids do so well! When a kid needs tools to succeed and feel better about school (the tears are just not acceptable, right?), an aide can be a valuable help, either in class or with a pullout. When your son is having trouble with any writing (so true of many OCDers), the term we use in school is called " dysgraphia, " and it's a real learning disability that we take seriously. We accommodate it with a scribe, use of a tape recorder or alternate ways for a kid to show their knowledge. We do it all the time! If your classroom teacher wants to play the " he's just being stubborn " card, then you can get your son's therapist or psychiatrist or even pediatrician to write a letter about his diagnosis and dysgraphia in particular. If the district remains resistant, contact an advocate. The school is responsible for listening to your concerns and helping your boy succeed. Be a squeaky wheel; those are the parents we really do listen to and respect for advocating for their child! And in the meantime, I'd talk to the teacher(s) immediately and show them information about dysgraphia/OCD and ask for ways you can work together to help your son. Make it clear to them that you're working on it this at home as well. Feel free to contact me off group if you want to talk! Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2008 Report Share Posted January 14, 2008 Hi , This sounds so rough but there is help out there (and here)! I work as a sped teacher and can tell you that it sounds like you need to ask for an emergency team meeting to reassess the 504. The district has 30 days to have the meeting. When a child isn't able to access the curriculum (which it seems like for your son) an IEP needs to be developed that will help support the child. As I'm certain you know, the big difference between an IEP and a 504 is that a 504 allows accommodations but doesn't have actual goals that teachers have to meet. You son needs an IEP with goals specific to his areas of difficulty (writing) and with the IEP, support can be officially given and progress measured. Very often my parents of 5th grade students will become concerned about their kids being embarrassed by having a " helper teacher " in class. And the truth is that sometimes kids are embarrassed, but in my school, the aides are often there for several kids in one class but are also trained to be as unobtrusive as possible. Most kids are jealous of the kids who have aides because those kids do so well! When a kid needs tools to succeed and feel better about school (the tears are just not acceptable, right?), an aide can be a valuable help, either in class or with a pullout. When your son is having trouble with any writing (so true of many OCDers), the term we use in school is called " dysgraphia, " and it's a real learning disability that we take seriously. We accommodate it with a scribe, use of a tape recorder or alternate ways for a kid to show their knowledge. We do it all the time! If your classroom teacher wants to play the " he's just being stubborn " card, then you can get your son's therapist or psychiatrist or even pediatrician to write a letter about his diagnosis and dysgraphia in particular. If the district remains resistant, contact an advocate. The school is responsible for listening to your concerns and helping your boy succeed. Be a squeaky wheel; those are the parents we really do listen to and respect for advocating for their child! And in the meantime, I'd talk to the teacher(s) immediately and show them information about dysgraphia/OCD and ask for ways you can work together to help your son. Make it clear to them that you're working on it this at home as well. Feel free to contact me off group if you want to talk! Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2008 Report Share Posted January 16, 2008 My son age 11(5th grade ) is also on a 504 and has an aide. The aide is available in the classroom to help other kids when my son does not need them but is " his " if he does. He really waxes and wanes day to day- some days an A student, other days crying under the desk, completely dysfunctional. His aide can leave class with him,.take him for a walk, play basket ball with him, whatever helps him try to pull himself back together. He has no " academic " challanges- all OCD challanges. I just asked and had his therapist and psychiatrist write a letter and I got it.No fight at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2008 Report Share Posted January 17, 2008 Thanks, gathering all thse references to aides to help me... nancy grace > > My son age 11(5th grade ) is also on a 504 and has an aide. The aide is available in the classroom to help other kids when my son does not need them but is " his " if he does. He really waxes and wanes day to day- some days an A student, other days crying under the desk, completely dysfunctional. His aide can leave class with him,.take him for a walk, play basket ball with him, whatever helps him try to pull himself back together. He has no " academic " challanges- all OCD challanges. I just asked and had his therapist and psychiatrist write a letter and I got it.No fight at all > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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