What to do

[Guest guest]

What do you do if you feel your child is autistic but the school

phycologist doesn't based on what a teacher who has only known your

child for 5 weeks has said to counter what you have said?

I am so frustrated! Should I go outside of the school system to get a

dx?

Lee Ann

[Guest guest]

Re: what to do

I do not know what to do I don't post often ,but boy do I need your opinion.

Today? I went to my sons J.P. functional? kindergarten?class to drop off his

hearing aids that I forgot to put in his book bag. I have been trying to get a

chance to observe his reading instruction,because I was unclear of how they were

teaching reading and no work or correspondence? has come home . I am a former

reading teacher and was planning to work with him at home . What I saw today

made me close to tears .I saw the 4 children go to the kidney shaped table with

the teacher and work on making the first letter of their name with small pieces

of wood. one student was at his desk working on writing sentences.with mild

teacher assistance supervision and my son J.P. was at his table with his one on

one? sitting directly behind him and his communication book as well as his

device slightly off to the side. on the table were a touch and feel book about

farm animals and picture symbols of farm animals.? the 1 on signed different

anaminals from the book to and tried to get him to sign the animals.

My areas of concern are :

why was his not getting letter instruction as the other children since the sign

for his name is a J to the stomach which he can do I see it possible to teach

him the letter?J

why is the one on one behind him how can he have dace to face communication ?

when does he get instruction from a certified teacher (teachers are the best

qualified to give instruction)?

I am feeling that if this child is ever going to read in some form which is my

goal then I need to teach him to do so my self. i?at home after school on top of

every thing else. This is not to mention that?? the device? is not being used

regularly as needed I have been trying to get them to up date the device as per

our IEP. I am thinking of of? doing the device work myself then giving it to

them to down load on the device just so my son will have it .

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[Guest guest]

I didn't see anyone else respond to this question so I thought I would.

Mostly because I deeply empathize with the position you are in.

Unfortunately, and depending on how the IEP was written - staff may be able

to justify the " teaching opportunity " you witnessed. For example, if the

IEP does not specifically have a handwriting goal in the IEP, the teacher

and teaching staff can justify your son practicing farm animal signs instead

of learning to write the first letter of his name as the other students

were.

My understanding is that goals are written during the IEP's process but

teachers get to determine the strategy that goal is accomplished. If there

isn't a goal to address that skill at all - it is up to the teacher to

determine whether it has value to the child.

It makes perfect sense to you and I that your son would be doing what the

other children in his group were doing but .sometimes teaching staff have

other ideas and have no concept of how disappointing it is to us as parents.

We think, " wow, my kid can do this why can't they do what everyone else is

doing? "

One of the most freeing things another parent and professional advocate

shared with me when my son was in kindergarten was the concept that the

school doesn't have all the answers. Sometimes we truly have to look other

places. So, my son and I went to mood Bell program and got trained in

phonics. I then continued to teach him and to teach his little brother.

Sometimes the school does well, sometimes not but the reading and math

skills my children have came from what we taught them at home. During a

good year, these skills are enhanced and supported at school.

Did I take the easy way out by not making the school do a better job?

Maybe. But for me it has been less stressful than if I tried to force the

issue at school. It is only now that they are in 4th and 5th grade that

they have teachers with experience and training to handle their quirky ways.

Just my thoughts. Many Blessings,

Lori , mom to Isaac and Tony

_____

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of mdawson728@...

Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 10:24 AM

To:

Subject: Fwd: what to do

Re: what to do

I do not know what to do I don't post often ,but boy do I need your opinion.

Today? I went to my sons J.P. functional? kindergarten?class to drop off his

hearing aids that I forgot to put in his book bag. I have been trying to get

a chance to observe his reading instruction,because I was unclear of how

they were teaching reading and no work or correspondence? has come home . I

am a former reading teacher and was planning to work with him at home . What

I saw today made me close to tears .I saw the 4 children go to the kidney

shaped table with the teacher and work on making the first letter of their

name with small pieces of wood. one student was at his desk working on

writing sentences.with mild teacher assistance supervision and my son J.P.

was at his table with his one on one? sitting directly behind him and his

communication book as well as his device slightly off to the side. on the

table were a touch and feel book about farm animals and picture symbols of

farm animals.? the 1 on signed different anaminals from the book to and

tried to get him to sign the animals.

My areas of concern are :

why was his not getting letter instruction as the other children since the

sign for his name is a J to the stomach which he can do I see it possible to

teach him the letter?J

why is the one on one behind him how can he have dace to face communication

?

when does he get instruction from a certified teacher (teachers are the best

qualified to give instruction)?

I am feeling that if this child is ever going to read in some form which is

my goal then I need to teach him to do so my self. i?at home after school on

top of every thing else. This is not to mention that?? the device? is not

being used regularly as needed I have been trying to get them to up date the

device as per our IEP. I am thinking of of? doing the device work myself

then giving it to them to down load on the device just so my son will have

it .

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browse - Download Now!

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browse - Download Now!

[Guest guest]

I think I missed this post. I would meet with the teacher and discussed what you

witnessed in the classroom. I would request the kindergarten curriculum and

align the IEP goals accordingly to include learning numbers, alphabet, writing

and prereading strategies. I would request that the augmentive device is clearly

defined in the IEP and used as intended, the aide is properly trained with the

necessary skills to work with a student that is hearing impaired. The teacher

and the aide are well versed in sign. Insure that the teacher is the implementer

and not the aide on the IEP. An aide does not implement instruction. Lastly that

your child is fully included academically and socially.

Charlyne

Subject: RE: Fwd: what to do

To:

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2008, 9:56 PM

I didn't see anyone else respond to this question so I thought I

would.

Mostly because I deeply empathize with the position you are in.

Unfortunately, and depending on how the IEP was written - staff may be able

to justify the " teaching opportunity " you witnessed. For example, if the

IEP does not specifically have a handwriting goal in the IEP, the teacher

and teaching staff can justify your son practicing farm animal signs instead

of learning to write the first letter of his name as the other students

were.

My understanding is that goals are written during the IEP's process but

teachers get to determine the strategy that goal is accomplished. If there

isn't a goal to address that skill at all - it is up to the teacher to

determine whether it has value to the child.

It makes perfect sense to you and I that your son would be doing what the

other children in his group were doing but .sometimes teaching staff have

other ideas and have no concept of how disappointing it is to us as parents.

We think, " wow, my kid can do this why can't they do what everyone else is

doing? "

One of the most freeing things another parent and professional advocate

shared with me when my son was in kindergarten was the concept that the

school doesn't have all the answers. Sometimes we truly have to look other

places. So, my son and I went to mood Bell program and got trained in

phonics. I then continued to teach him and to teach his little brother.

Sometimes the school does well, sometimes not but the reading and math

skills my children have came from what we taught them at home. During a

good year, these skills are enhanced and supported at school.

Did I take the easy way out by not making the school do a better job?

Maybe. But for me it has been less stressful than if I tried to force the

issue at school. It is only now that they are in 4th and 5th grade that

they have teachers with experience and training to handle their quirky ways.

Just my thoughts. Many Blessings,

Lori , mom to Isaac and Tony

_____

From: @yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:@yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf

Of mdawson728aol (DOT) com

Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 10:24 AM

To: @yahoogrou ps.com

Subject: Fwd: what to do

Re: what to do

I do not know what to do I don't post often ,but boy do I need your opinion.

Today? I went to my sons J.P. functional? kindergarten? class to drop off his

hearing aids that I forgot to put in his book bag. I have been trying to get

a chance to observe his reading instruction, because I was unclear of how

they were teaching reading and no work or correspondence? has come home . I

am a former reading teacher and was planning to work with him at home . What

I saw today made me close to tears .I saw the 4 children go to the kidney

shaped table with the teacher and work on making the first letter of their

name with small pieces of wood. one student was at his desk working on

writing sentences.with mild teacher assistance supervision and my son J.P.

was at his table with his one on one? sitting directly behind him and his

communication book as well as his device slightly off to the side. on the

table were a touch and feel book about farm animals and picture symbols of

farm animals.? the 1 on signed different anaminals from the book to and

tried to get him to sign the animals.

My areas of concern are :

why was his not getting letter instruction as the other children since the

sign for his name is a J to the stomach which he can do I see it possible to

teach him the letter?J

why is the one on one behind him how can he have dace to face communication

?

when does he get instruction from a certified teacher (teachers are the best

qualified to give instruction) ?

I am feeling that if this child is ever going to read in some form which is

my goal then I need to teach him to do so my self. i?at home after school on

top of every thing else. This is not to mention that?? the device? is not

being used regularly as needed I have been trying to get them to up date the

device as per our IEP. I am thinking of of? doing the device work myself

then giving it to them to down load on the device just so my son will have

it .

McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you

browse - Download Now!

McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you

browse - Download Now!

[Guest guest]

Thank you? for responding

I am going? to allign the IEP even as charlyne suggested though they told me I

did not have to that he would be taught the curriculum and I am also going to

take Lori advice and make sure we work on reading/pre Reading skills at home it

too important to his future to leave it to the school at this point. It is just

frustrating that 90 % of his skills that he has learned were done in outside

therapy and at home then? the school? builds on the hard work we have done. I

thought it was to be the other way around? and they would be the major

instructors of new skills , I think Lori has a point about doing the less

stressful thing the school is still struggling on getting his device updated and

using it consistently I? do not thing they can handle teaching him letters even

thought they should

?

Re: what to do

I do not know what to do I don't post often ,but boy do I need your opinion.

Today? I went to my sons J.P. functional? kindergarten? class to drop off his

hearing aids that I forgot to put in his book bag. I have been trying to get

a chance to observe his reading instruction, because I was unclear of how

they were teaching reading and no work or correspondence? has come home . I

am a former reading teacher and was planning to work with him at home . What

I saw today made me close to tears .I saw the 4 children go to the kidney

shaped table with the teacher and work on making the first letter of their

name with small pieces of wood. one student was at his desk working on

writing sentences.with mild teacher assistance supervision and my son J.P.

was at his table with his one on one? sitting directly behind him and his

communication book as well as his device slightly off to the side. on the

table were a touch and feel book about farm animals and picture symbols of

farm animals.? the 1 on signed different anaminals from the book to and

tried to get him to sign the animals.

My areas of concern are :

why was his not getting letter instruction as the other children since the

sign for his name is a J to the stomach which he can do I see it possible to

teach him the letter?J

why is the one on one behind him how can he have dace to face communication

?

when does he get instruction from a certified teacher (teachers are the best

qualified to give instruction) ?

I am feeling that if this child is ever going to read in some form which is

my goal then I need to teach him to do so my self. i?at home after school on

top of every thing else. This is not to mention that?? the device? is not

being used regularly as needed I have been trying to get them to up date the

device as per our IEP. I am thinking of of? doing the device work myself

then giving it to them to down load on the device just so my son will have

it .

McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you

browse - Download Now!

McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you

browse - Download Now!

[Guest guest]

If I had it to do all over again, I would approach academic reading skills with

the school much differently. Years ago the expectations to teach reading to

students with intellectual disabilities was not regarded as a skill they should

be taught or could be taught instead the schools introduced literacy. Literacy

instruction and the act of instruction in reading skills is certainly not one in

the same. Many parents are convinced that having literacy goals on the IEP that

their children are being taught to read, not so. Learning to read includes

direct instruction to include letter and corresponding sound recognition,

learning to decode using a systematic scientific research based method. Students

that are nonverbal or with language issues can be taught using multisensory

methods. If you have a background in reading then you have the skills to

introduce instruction that would meet your child's needs. Many parents have no

idea where to begin and nor do the

schools. Getting appropriate reading instruction to students with LD's  can be

a burdensome ordeal within the school system and I am speaking about students

with average intelligent and ability. If you can find proven strategies for your

child then do it and teach the teachers your methods to buy into the home/school

instruction. You have that advantage.

Charlyne

From: Lori <uccpowelltds (DOT) net>

Subject: RE: Fwd: what to do

To: @yahoogrou ps.com

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2008, 9:56 PM

I didn't see anyone else respond to this question so I thought I would.

Mostly because I deeply empathize with the position you are in.

Unfortunately, and depending on how the IEP was written - staff may be able

to justify the " teaching opportunity " you witnessed. For example, if the

IEP does not specifically have a handwriting goal in the IEP, the teacher

and teaching staff can justify your son practicing farm animal signs instead

of learning to write the first letter of his name as the other students

were.

My understanding is that goals are written during the IEP's process but

teachers get to determine the strategy that goal is accomplished. If there

isn't a goal to address that skill at all - it is up to the teacher to

determine whether it has value to the child.

It makes perfect sense to you and I that your son would be doing what the

other children in his group were doing but .sometimes teaching staff have

other ideas and have no concept of how disappointing it is to us as parents.

We think, " wow, my kid can do this why can't they do what everyone else is

doing? "

One of the most freeing things another parent and professional advocate

shared with me when my son was in kindergarten was the concept that the

school doesn't have all the answers. Sometimes we truly have to look other

places. So, my son and I went to mood Bell program and got trained in

phonics. I then continued to teach him and to teach his little brother.

Sometimes the school does well, sometimes not but the reading and math

skills my children have came from what we taught them at home. During a

good year, these skills are enhanced and supported at school.

Did I take the easy way out by not making the school do a better job?

Maybe. But for me it has been less stressful than if I tried to force the

issue at school. It is only now that they are in 4th and 5th grade that

they have teachers with experience and training to handle their quirky ways.

Just my thoughts. Many Blessings,

Lori , mom to Isaac and Tony

_____

From: @yahoogrou ps.com [mailto:@ yahoogrou ps.com] On Behalf

Of mdawson728aol (DOT) com

Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 10:24 AM

To: @yahoogrou ps.com

Subject: Fwd: what to do

Re: what to do

I do not know what to do I don't post often ,but boy do I need your opinion.

Today? I went to my sons J.P. functional? kindergarten? class to drop off his

hearing aids that I forgot to put in his book bag. I have been trying to get

a chance to observe his reading instruction, because I was unclear of how

they were teaching reading and no work or correspondence? has come home . I

am a former reading teacher and was planning to work with him at home . What

I saw today made me close to tears .I saw the 4 children go to the kidney

shaped table with the teacher and work on making the first letter of their

name with small pieces of wood. one student was at his desk working on

writing sentences.with mild teacher assistance supervision and my son J.P.

was at his table with his one on one? sitting directly behind him and his

communication book as well as his device slightly off to the side. on the

table were a touch and feel book about farm animals and picture symbols of

farm animals.? the 1 on signed different anaminals from the book to and

tried to get him to sign the animals.

My areas of concern are :

why was his not getting letter instruction as the other children since the

sign for his name is a J to the stomach which he can do I see it possible to

teach him the letter?J

why is the one on one behind him how can he have dace to face communication

?

when does he get instruction from a certified teacher (teachers are the best

qualified to give instruction) ?

I am feeling that if this child is ever going to read in some form which is

my goal then I need to teach him to do so my self. i?at home after school on

top of every thing else. This is not to mention that?? the device? is not

being used regularly as needed I have been trying to get them to up date the

device as per our IEP. I am thinking of of? doing the device work myself

then giving it to them to down load on the device just so my son will have

it .

McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you

browse - Download Now!

McCain or Obama? Stay updated on coverage of the Presidential race while you

browse - Download Now!