meeting at school - Need opinions!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi All...

This is Vicki in Cali... I had a meeting with my sons teacher, vice

principal, school psychologist and special ed teacher today.... I am

pushing for an IEP, but have agreed to let them try to help him for 4

weeks and if their " new " things don't work... they will do the

testing. They have been honest and reliable so far, so I am willing

to go with it.

It is interesting though... I want your opinion! They want to do

sensitivity training for my sons classmates. I think it is a

wonderful idea, but wonder what all of you think!

talks to himself, becomes unable to concentrate and does other

things that have made his OCD and ADHD very noticeable in class. He

is made fun of regularly by the kids. He gets called wacko and psycho

and they run away from him if he stands in line next to them...

so... I think since it is already worst case scenario, would

sensitivity training help or hurt? I think it would help. I think

many kids in this world just don't understand a lot of things and if

someone is not like them, than that means something must be wrong with

that child.... This could be the potential to open a different train

of thought.

Our meeting today was interesting as his teacher is really learning

how to read Anth. He is also learning when my son is BSing him and

not... it is so my son to try to use the OCD to his advantage

He was spoken to last week for telling " your mama " jokes to other kids

and when the vice principal approached him... he said... it's my

OCD... I know, I'm trying! he has a fabulous sense of humor... and

has learned to work it! smart rear!

I am so excited, the school has purchased a huge allotment of games to

create an alternative recess room... for kids who don't connect and

end up alone in the playground... they will have the option, starting

in January of going to the alternative room... they can play chess,

checkers, etc.... I am excited because I know there are so many kids

who fit into the " outsider " category.... it is a reprieve for them and

I am just thrilled... it gives them an opportunity to connect with

other kids like them....

The other thing that was interesting is that the psychologist kept

saying that " your son doesn't need special ed " because he is not below

grade standard... I said... he is below his capability and just

because it is okay with you guys as long as he is passing doesn't mean

it is okay for a child to under achieve according to their ability. I

said my son scored in the advanced category of all the state

testing... he is going to be testing for the GATE program and he is

getting some C's! that isn't okay. It would be different if he was

an average student... but he isn't and it is the state testing that

has shown his capability... so you can't say.... well, because he is

passing, we don't have to help him.... you have to help him because he

under achieving for himself.... you don't get to let him slide under

the radar... I won't let that happen.... So... 4 weeks... they have 4

weeks to see if they can help him in the classroom. If that doesn't

work, they've agreed to do the testing to see if there is another way

to help him... I think it was a successful meeting....

Thanks for your support!!! and I look forward to your input...

Vicki

Elk Grove, CA

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki,

Just wanted to say YOU GO GIRL! I'm glad you had a good meeting and

have clarified the issues and that they have come up with some

solutions.

Not sure about sensitivity training per se, but education about OCD,

and mental illness in general if handled well, you would think could

only be a good thing. Just thinking kids are kids, so it's all in

how it is handled.

Alternate recess room sounds like a good option to offer. Hopefully

your son will make some positive connections.

Personally I would still ask for an IEP spelling out any

accomodations you feel are needed with regard to the OCD/ADHD, ie

extra time for tests, assignments etc. It is a legal document and

the only sure way of trying to ensure your childs needs are met. It

will follow him through his school career and can be modified,

important since principles and teachers change.

Glad you are feeling more positive about your son's school.

Barb

>

> Hi All...

>

> This is Vicki in Cali... I had a meeting with my sons teacher, vice

> principal, school psychologist and special ed teacher today.... I

am

> pushing for an IEP, but have agreed to let them try to help him for

4

> weeks and if their " new " things don't work... they will do the

> testing. They have been honest and reliable so far, so I am

willing

> to go with it.

>

> It is interesting though... I want your opinion! They want to do

> sensitivity training for my sons classmates. I think it is a

> wonderful idea, but wonder what all of you think!

>

> talks to himself, becomes unable to concentrate and does

other

> things that have made his OCD and ADHD very noticeable in class.

He