RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

[Guest guest]

A school will never tell you

that anything is too expensive but actions speak louder than words. As far as

pulling the child out of class, it depends on the child and how severe his

autism is. Sometimes you can’t keep the child’s attention if he is

in a group. Also I don’t think the IEP is accurately followed. Say for

example your child is approved for 30 mins of Speech. The group size is 3

children. Does he receive 30 mins of Speech or a fraction of 30 mins? And if

you do the division, he is probably getting 10 mins of Speech. Furth more I don’t

believe the child will necessarily learn from the others in the class,

especially if they are not at the same level. If you are constantly breaking up

the speech exercises for the child the child has to start over each time the

teacher returns. Give me 30 mins of Speech, period.

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Hawk

Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:18 PM

To: sList

Subject: Re: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

[Guest guest]

A school will never tell you

that anything is too expensive but actions speak louder than words. As far as

pulling the child out of class, it depends on the child and how severe his

autism is. Sometimes you can’t keep the child’s attention if he is

in a group. Also I don’t think the IEP is accurately followed. Say for

example your child is approved for 30 mins of Speech. The group size is 3

children. Does he receive 30 mins of Speech or a fraction of 30 mins? And if

you do the division, he is probably getting 10 mins of Speech. Furth more I don’t

believe the child will necessarily learn from the others in the class,

especially if they are not at the same level. If you are constantly breaking up

the speech exercises for the child the child has to start over each time the

teacher returns. Give me 30 mins of Speech, period.

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Hawk

Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:18 PM

To: sList

Subject: Re: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

[Guest guest]

All decisions should be in the best interest of the child, and what the child needs. Some of the services

that all of our children receive, may not be as effective in a large classroom, with many distractions.

Sometimes it is an asset, as in OT, when the other children may be working on the same task.

Just my opinion

From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of HawkSent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:18 PMTo: sList Subject: Re: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

Our children should never suffer due to budge constraints. You can'ttell me the school does not have the money to provide a FreeAppropriate Public Education as they are required to. Nowhere does itsay that they will provide FAPE if it does not cost too much, if theycan afford it, or have enough staff.To add more services, why do they need to be pull out? Why can'tadditional services be provided in the classroom? All therapies canalso provide additional assistance and time in the classroom. Maybe atreading time the speech therapist comes in and does small groupinstruction. Or during art and recess OT and PT come in and add smallgroup instruction. Everything does not need to be pull out and thiscan provide assistance to other students in the classroom as well.2008/12/16 Lizzie Berg <floridalizzie>:> ,>> I like that you compared the MD with a chiropractor. I agree with everything> you say. So then this discussion is no longer about the STAR program, but> rather the quality of the curriculum/education our kids are getting, right?> I must admit I do not know what other counties are using for this type of> kids (kids who are not yet ready to access the gen ed kindergarten> curriculum). The schools in Broward have a long way to go. Much needs to be> done. Are you in Broward? Remember there are practically no behavior> specialists at the schools. Those who were there last year were laid off,> and I heard today that more program specialists may be laid off in the near> future (yes, this is crazy, and yes, where are our tax dollars?) So ,> where does ABA fit in here? Should all cluster teachers be trained in ABA?> How should this be done? Please explain this to me.>> The cost factor? That all depends on who does the budget, don't you think?>> 2. I have yet to hear anyone saying that the schools are meeting all of our> kids' needs. How can they? The kids are not getting enough speech, OT> or good instruction. Then again, if you pull them out for these services> every day, they will miss reading instruction or math. This is the> nightmare. Even cluster teachers will tell you that. I know you'll get upset> now, but I still will say this: Most parents seek outside help because the> schools can't possible provide every kid with everything, and the parents> themselves are unable to help their kids. Do you feel that you are able to> meet you kid's needs? I can't blame everything on the school system> (although there are days when I do...). What do you think???>> >> From: Heifferon <gary00001msn>> Subject: RE: Re: Broward County Star Program> To: sList > Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 3:10 PM>> Liz, I'm sorry I wasn't able to answer your reply earlier, put it appears> others have done it for me. Here are some more observations of mine:>> 1. It seems to me that there is a real riff between the Educator and> Behaviorist. The Educator has a Masters or Doctorate Degree in Education and> if you are not from this mold, you can't educate. It's like the view doctors> have of chiropractors. So, I am not surprised to see what Educators think of> Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). A lot of Research states that this method> of teaching has a definite and positive bearing on the progress of an> Autistic child. Schools and school districts treat ABA as voodoo as if it> can't possibly help a child as much as the Education Plan. The Education> Plan can only work with autistic children if the Plan includes strategies to> remove the obstacles. The Broward School District's STARS Program doesn't> tend to these obstacles because it drops an essential part, ABA. Also more> emphasis needs to be placed on academic goals since these children are> neither mentally retarded nor Intellectually deficit as they have been> classified in the past. I don't buy into the cost factor. Parents of> autistic children play taxes just like anyone else. The waste in taxpayers> money is not using the proper ABA personnel but in not using them.>> 2. If the schools are doing their job, why do so many parents choose> to go outside for additional help?>______________________________________________________________________This email has been scanned by the Broward Health Email Security System.______________________________________________________________________

- ----------------------------------------------

Broward Health

[Guest guest]

Maybe that did not come out right. I have had the schools tell me it

is not in the budget, that they just don't have the money or the

resources. The services our children should receive should depend on

what they need, not what is in the budget.

My child (and no family I know) has received individual speech therapy

after pre-k. All my son's speech and even his OT is in small groups

and I wish there were only 3 in a group. The only thing he receives

individually is counseling and I fought to have that as one on one.

> A school will never tell you that anything is too expensive but actions

> speak louder than words. As far as pulling the child out of class, it

> depends on the child and how severe his autism is. Sometimes you can't keep

> the child's attention if he is in a group. Also I don't think the IEP is

> accurately followed. Say for example your child is approved for 30 mins of

> Speech. The group size is 3 children. Does he receive 30 mins of Speech or a

> fraction of 30 mins? And if you do the division, he is probably getting 10

> mins of Speech. Furth more I don't believe the child will necessarily learn

> from the others in the class, especially if they are not at the same level.

> If you are constantly breaking up the speech exercises for the child the

> child has to start over each time the teacher returns. Give me 30 mins of

> Speech, period.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Maybe that did not come out right. I have had the schools tell me it

is not in the budget, that they just don't have the money or the

resources. The services our children should receive should depend on

what they need, not what is in the budget.

My child (and no family I know) has received individual speech therapy

after pre-k. All my son's speech and even his OT is in small groups

and I wish there were only 3 in a group. The only thing he receives

individually is counseling and I fought to have that as one on one.

> A school will never tell you that anything is too expensive but actions

> speak louder than words. As far as pulling the child out of class, it

> depends on the child and how severe his autism is. Sometimes you can't keep

> the child's attention if he is in a group. Also I don't think the IEP is

> accurately followed. Say for example your child is approved for 30 mins of

> Speech. The group size is 3 children. Does he receive 30 mins of Speech or a

> fraction of 30 mins? And if you do the division, he is probably getting 10

> mins of Speech. Furth more I don't believe the child will necessarily learn

> from the others in the class, especially if they are not at the same level.

> If you are constantly breaking up the speech exercises for the child the

> child has to start over each time the teacher returns. Give me 30 mins of

> Speech, period.

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

do you have kids with special needs in the public schools?

Kids who are mainstreamed in Broward to not get individual speech lessons. They are in groups of maybe 5 or 7. They come from different classes. They have IEP goals, not reading goals, . They have artic. goals. They cannot be served within a gen ed class during the reading block. This is obvious.

The cluster SLP can, of course, teach within the class. However, it is often disturbing for the kids to have many adults teaching at the same time in the cluster room, especially when one of the kids has a tantrum. That's why many SLPs and teachers prefer to teach in a separate room. Further more, when I suggest speech goals I focus on communication, not reading, and I most certainly expect the SLP to work on the goals.

And no, , the schools don't have enough money to provide appropriate education, you now that. Florida is state number 47 in the country when it comes to spending money per child. >> From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>> Subject: RE: Re: Broward County Star Program> To: sList@ yahoogroups. com> Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 3:10 PM>> Liz, I'm sorry I wasn't able to answer your reply earlier, put it appears> others have done it for me. Here are some more observations of mine:>> 1. It seems to me that there is a real riff between the Educator and> Behaviorist. The Educator has a Masters or Doctorate Degree in Education and> if you are not from this mold, you can't educate. It's like the view doctors> have of chiropractors. So, I am not surprised to see what Educators think

of> Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). A lot of Research states that this method> of teaching has a definite and positive bearing on the progress of an> Autistic child. Schools and school districts treat ABA as voodoo as if it> can't possibly help a child as much as the Education Plan. The Education> Plan can only work with autistic children if the Plan includes strategies to> remove the obstacles. The Broward School District's STARS Program doesn't> tend to these obstacles because it drops an essential part, ABA. Also more> emphasis needs to be placed on academic goals since these children are> neither mentally retarded nor Intellectually deficit as they have been> classified in the past. I don't buy into the cost factor. Parents of> autistic children play taxes just like anyone else. The waste in taxpayers> money is not using the proper ABA personnel but in not using

them.>> 2. If the schools are doing their job, why do so many parents choose> to go outside for additional help?>

[Guest guest]

,

do you have kids with special needs in the public schools?

Kids who are mainstreamed in Broward to not get individual speech lessons. They are in groups of maybe 5 or 7. They come from different classes. They have IEP goals, not reading goals, . They have artic. goals. They cannot be served within a gen ed class during the reading block. This is obvious.

The cluster SLP can, of course, teach within the class. However, it is often disturbing for the kids to have many adults teaching at the same time in the cluster room, especially when one of the kids has a tantrum. That's why many SLPs and teachers prefer to teach in a separate room. Further more, when I suggest speech goals I focus on communication, not reading, and I most certainly expect the SLP to work on the goals.

And no, , the schools don't have enough money to provide appropriate education, you now that. Florida is state number 47 in the country when it comes to spending money per child. >> From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>> Subject: RE: Re: Broward County Star Program> To: sList@ yahoogroups. com> Date: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 3:10 PM>> Liz, I'm sorry I wasn't able to answer your reply earlier, put it appears> others have done it for me. Here are some more observations of mine:>> 1. It seems to me that there is a real riff between the Educator and> Behaviorist. The Educator has a Masters or Doctorate Degree in Education and> if you are not from this mold, you can't educate. It's like the view doctors> have of chiropractors. So, I am not surprised to see what Educators think

of> Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). A lot of Research states that this method> of teaching has a definite and positive bearing on the progress of an> Autistic child. Schools and school districts treat ABA as voodoo as if it> can't possibly help a child as much as the Education Plan. The Education> Plan can only work with autistic children if the Plan includes strategies to> remove the obstacles. The Broward School District's STARS Program doesn't> tend to these obstacles because it drops an essential part, ABA. Also more> emphasis needs to be placed on academic goals since these children are> neither mentally retarded nor Intellectually deficit as they have been> classified in the past. I don't buy into the cost factor. Parents of> autistic children play taxes just like anyone else. The waste in taxpayers> money is not using the proper ABA personnel but in not using

them.>> 2. If the schools are doing their job, why do so many parents choose> to go outside for additional help?>

[Guest guest]

:

you have some interesting ideas. I had not thought about contracting ABA certified people. How do I become certified myself? Does anyone know?

I can tell from your mail that you have not yet looked at the STAR program. It is preschoolish, . It involves academics. It does not classify all children like you say, and , all our kids need to learn basic skills, no matter what their disability is, right? That's the whole purpose with an approved curriculum versus worksheets printed out from any cool web site.

Does it really matter what we call it: "Mastering certain tasks and moving on" or "Not needing the program and moving on"? You got my point when I said that, didn't you? Let's talk about the real issues instead of nit picking. Most of us list members write our comments when we are done with work, home work and whatever the world is throwing at us, and we don't think and write as if we are in court. (right now it is 2 pm and I have nobody else to talk to-my best friends are in bed, so I am venting...)

gary, my point is that you have a lot to teach me. Tell me more about ABA, for example, and how it can be implemented at school.

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star ProgramTo: sList Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 5:51 PM

Liz,

The STAR program is where everything starts. It appears the school district has taken bits and pieces from a program. For some its too much and for others it isn’t enough. In any case it seems to classify all the children the same and therefore they receive the same instruction. I don’t think it is fare to say that once they don’t need the program they move on. It would be better to say that once the child masters a certain task you should move on. For example, autistic children as a whole are visual learners and very often have vocalization problems. If the child learns a visual cue that cue should be transitioned into a verbal cue only. We should always strive for the normal activity that typical children do. Also it spends too much time on teaching proper behavior and it forgets the academic. A lot of these activities are performed over and over, five times a week. This in

itself should allow academic instruction and at least starting the preliminary instruction of the 3 R’s. I don’t think we necessarily need Circle Time 5 days per week. Academically we should be striving to accomplish what a normal pre-scholar does. Maybe this is a little too much for some but surely not too much for all.

As far as ABA goes I think the only plausible approach would be to contract out the service. This were it becomes expensive: ABA by its nature is a one-on-one approach to correcting problems. We have all heard the refrain, “We don’t do one-on-one.”

Parents seek outside help not because the school can’t provide with everything but because the school won’t provide what every child needs in order to succeed.

Maybe in addition to ranking a schoo’ls academic achievements, we should also rank schools for their accomplishments in Special Ed.

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie BergSent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:10 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

[Guest guest]

:

you have some interesting ideas. I had not thought about contracting ABA certified people. How do I become certified myself? Does anyone know?

I can tell from your mail that you have not yet looked at the STAR program. It is preschoolish, . It involves academics. It does not classify all children like you say, and , all our kids need to learn basic skills, no matter what their disability is, right? That's the whole purpose with an approved curriculum versus worksheets printed out from any cool web site.

Does it really matter what we call it: "Mastering certain tasks and moving on" or "Not needing the program and moving on"? You got my point when I said that, didn't you? Let's talk about the real issues instead of nit picking. Most of us list members write our comments when we are done with work, home work and whatever the world is throwing at us, and we don't think and write as if we are in court. (right now it is 2 pm and I have nobody else to talk to-my best friends are in bed, so I am venting...)

gary, my point is that you have a lot to teach me. Tell me more about ABA, for example, and how it can be implemented at school.

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star ProgramTo: sList Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 5:51 PM

Liz,

The STAR program is where everything starts. It appears the school district has taken bits and pieces from a program. For some its too much and for others it isn’t enough. In any case it seems to classify all the children the same and therefore they receive the same instruction. I don’t think it is fare to say that once they don’t need the program they move on. It would be better to say that once the child masters a certain task you should move on. For example, autistic children as a whole are visual learners and very often have vocalization problems. If the child learns a visual cue that cue should be transitioned into a verbal cue only. We should always strive for the normal activity that typical children do. Also it spends too much time on teaching proper behavior and it forgets the academic. A lot of these activities are performed over and over, five times a week. This in

itself should allow academic instruction and at least starting the preliminary instruction of the 3 R’s. I don’t think we necessarily need Circle Time 5 days per week. Academically we should be striving to accomplish what a normal pre-scholar does. Maybe this is a little too much for some but surely not too much for all.

As far as ABA goes I think the only plausible approach would be to contract out the service. This were it becomes expensive: ABA by its nature is a one-on-one approach to correcting problems. We have all heard the refrain, “We don’t do one-on-one.”

Parents seek outside help not because the school can’t provide with everything but because the school won’t provide what every child needs in order to succeed.

Maybe in addition to ranking a schoo’ls academic achievements, we should also rank schools for their accomplishments in Special Ed.

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie BergSent: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:10 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

[Guest guest]

what kind of device does

he presently have?

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of JeanC@...

Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 1:10 PM

To: sList

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

[Guest guest]

my experience has been that few educators in our school system , truly care about teaching our kids,,,and the ones who do are told to shut down...had an ESE person tell me that they agreed but could not do anything and there hands had been tied by the district,, the fight does get exhausting...

-------------- Original message from " Hawk" : --------------

My son has his own laptop at home, uses a computer at school. We were able to get a little 9inch laptop with Windows on it for a little over $300. It has wireless on it and we installed Open Office. He loves it. I see no reason that schools can not use these for students who have outgrown an Alpha Smart and they are even cheaper.

On Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 1:10 PM, <JeanCbellsouth (DOT) net> wrote:

I had a school board person in Broward say that my son was not entitled to the "cadillac" of devices and aids when I asked for him to be given a laptop....he types and has great frustration when not understood and can not express his thoughts clearly due to his apraxia...

-------------- Original message from " Heifferon" <gary00001msn>: --------------

A school will never tell you that anything is too expensive but actions speak louder than words. As far as pulling the child out of class, it depends on the child and how severe his autism is. Sometimes you can't keep the child's attention if he is in a group. Also I don't think the IEP is accurately followed. Say for example your child is approved for 30 mins of Speech. The group size is 3 children. Does he receive 30 mins of Speech or a fraction of 30 mins? And if you do the division, he is probably getting 10 mins of Speech. Furth more I don't believe the child will necessarily learn from the others in the class, especially if they are not at the same level. If you are constantly breaking up the speech exercises for the child the child has to start over each time the teacher returns. Give me 30 mins of Speech, period.

From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of HawkSent: Wednesday, December 17, 2008 12:18 PMTo: sList Subject: Re: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

[Guest guest]

Nova has a program but it is 1500 per class. Florida Institute of Technology also has a program and the classes are from $750-790 depending upon when you register. I take classes with FIT as they are online, more convenient to my schedule and obviously cost less. The professor is very knowledgeable in his field and is on the Board and helps make up the test questions. I have learned so much from these classes.

Go to BCBA website for info on supervision hours, along with course content for more info.

Oh, and training is different than obtaining a certification. If you just want to be trained, call some of the local behavioral agencies and request info on when they hold trainings.

I hope to provide this someday b/c I firmly believe that even parents would greatly benefit.

Re: Re: Broward County Star Program

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. comVersion: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.17/1847 - Release Date: 12/13/2008 4:56 PM

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[Guest guest]

Liz,I fully understand what you are stating.. But IT DOES MATTER if its on anIEP, AKA a legal and binding contract. To not provide what is on an IEP because adistrict doesn't want to hire the additional staff is non compliance and if allparents reported it would make a HUGE difference. We have different pointsof view..and I accept that - but stating 'it doesn't matter' to me is wrong.It DOES matter.. why do we have IEPs for our kids ? So there is an agreement uponservices.. if those services are not given for the reasons you stated, that district and the state itself can wind up in a pool of HOT Water. E. , Sr. Please go and register, comment to vote & Let others know ASAP to do the same(Add this link to your email sig. for the next 5 weeks if you can.....for the kids)http://www.change.org/ideas/view/accept_and_sign_the_autism_reform_act_of_2009I appreciate your support in helping children with Autism and other disabilities. E. , Sr. Founder The Office of Advocacy for Autistic ChildrenThis electronic mail message and any attached files contain information intended for the exclusive use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and may contain information that is proprietary, privileged, confidential and/or exempt from disclosure

under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, (18 U.S.C. §§ 2510-2521.) To: sList Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 6:29:56 PMSubject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

In the Broward schools there is usually only one SLP for the cluster covering all the cluster students.If there are 30 students in the cluster, there is no way every student can get one on one. It does not matter if it in the IEP or not, because it is physically impossible. If a kid shows up at a school with an IEP goal, the SLP will maybe provide a few minutes one on one with the student. However, some clusters have only two or three classes, and there the kids get on on one unless the speech goals call for group interaction.

Liz> A school will never tell you that anything is too expensive but actions> speak louder than words. As far as pulling the child out of class, it> depends on the child and how severe

his autism is. Sometimes you can't

keep> the child's attention if he is in a group. Also I don't think the IEP is> accurately followed. Say for example your child is approved for 30 mins of> Speech. The group size is 3 children. Does he receive 30 mins of Speech or a> fraction of 30 mins? And if you do the division, he is probably getting 10> mins of Speech. Furth more I don't believe the child will necessarily learn> from the others in the class, especially if they are not at the same level.> If you are constantly breaking up the speech exercises for the child the> child has to start over each time the teacher returns. Give me 30 mins of> Speech, period.>>

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. comVersion: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.19/1855 - Release Date: 12/18/2008 10:16 AM

[Guest guest]

,

Wake up . I have several friends who work as SLPs in Broward, don't you? get in touch with them and ask them simple questions such as what is your workload? How many students do you sevice? Go to any public school. Count the number of students who receive SLP and compare it to the amount of minutes that the SLP has during his or her day. Deduct the SLP's lunch and you'll see that it is impossible to provide individual SLP services in most of our schools. In clusters with only 2 classes, or say with only 10 or so students, the SLP may be employed only part time. I don't know how they get away with this. It is not the school's fault, because the school cannot force the county to provide an other SLP on staff. The problem is with the county and the state.

what can we do, ?

Liz

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star ProgramTo: sList Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 2:56 PM

You said it doesn¢t matter if it is in the IEP. Has there been a change in the law???

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie BergSent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:30 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

[Guest guest]

ZZZZZzzzzzzzz. Don’t be so snippy!!!

I don’t have a lot of friends who are SLP’s in the

Broward School District. But I do have friends who use to work for the Broward

Schools. I don’t doubt that they are overworked and the schools are not

properly staffed. But staffing is not my problem but the school district’s

problem. I can go to any public school but they won’t let me in or they

restrict me from observing classes. ly, the school doesn’t

want to be accountable to anyone outside the system. Heaven forbid someone

finds fault with it!! Personally I don’t care who is to blame. Just fix

it!!!

May I go back to sleep now?

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Lizzie Berg

Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 12:25 AM

To: sList

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

,

Wake up . I have several friends who work as SLPs in

Broward, don't you? get in touch with them and ask them simple questions such

as what is your workload? How many students do you sevice? Go to any

public school. Count the number of students who receive SLP and compare it to

the amount of minutes that the SLP has during his or her day. Deduct the

SLP's lunch and you'll see that it is impossible to provide individual SLP

services in most of our schools. In clusters with only 2 classes, or say with

only 10 or so students, the SLP may be employed only part time. I don't know

how they get away with this. It is not the school's fault, because the school

cannot force the county to provide an other SLP on staff. The problem is with

the county and the state.

what can we do, ?

Liz

From: Heifferon

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

To: sList

Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 2:56 PM

You said it doesn?t matter if it is in the IEP. Has

there been a change in the law???

From:

sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On

Behalf Of Lizzie Berg

Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:30 PM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

No virus found

in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com

Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.19/1857 - Release Date: 12/19/2008

10:09 AM

[Guest guest]

ZZZZZzzzzzzzz. Don’t be so snippy!!!

I don’t have a lot of friends who are SLP’s in the

Broward School District. But I do have friends who use to work for the Broward

Schools. I don’t doubt that they are overworked and the schools are not

properly staffed. But staffing is not my problem but the school district’s

problem. I can go to any public school but they won’t let me in or they

restrict me from observing classes. ly, the school doesn’t

want to be accountable to anyone outside the system. Heaven forbid someone

finds fault with it!! Personally I don’t care who is to blame. Just fix

it!!!

May I go back to sleep now?

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Lizzie Berg

Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 12:25 AM

To: sList

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

,

Wake up . I have several friends who work as SLPs in

Broward, don't you? get in touch with them and ask them simple questions such

as what is your workload? How many students do you sevice? Go to any

public school. Count the number of students who receive SLP and compare it to

the amount of minutes that the SLP has during his or her day. Deduct the

SLP's lunch and you'll see that it is impossible to provide individual SLP

services in most of our schools. In clusters with only 2 classes, or say with

only 10 or so students, the SLP may be employed only part time. I don't know

how they get away with this. It is not the school's fault, because the school

cannot force the county to provide an other SLP on staff. The problem is with

the county and the state.

what can we do, ?

Liz

From: Heifferon

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

To: sList

Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 2:56 PM

You said it doesn?t matter if it is in the IEP. Has

there been a change in the law???

From:

sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On

Behalf Of Lizzie Berg

Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:30 PM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

No virus found

in this incoming message.

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10:09 AM

[Guest guest]

,

This is the problem there are too many people that listen to what the schools ditacte. If only parents would read wrightslaw or other Spec Ed self help books instead of having the schools tell them what their child is entitled to. There is a bias, but often parents don't get this until it is too late. They often believe "the school knows best." Until parents realize that it is not in the schools best interest to provide the student with ALL they are entitled to things will not change. The fact that a school does not emply enough SLPs or paln approriately is their problem not the students'. Also, why are you not permitted to observe your child in class? They have to allow this??? Fran

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star ProgramTo: sList Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 2:56 PM

You said it doesn?t matter if it is in the IEP. Has there been a change in the law???

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie BergSent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:30 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

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[Guest guest]

,

your views are interesting because you have a kid on the spectrum who is 15. I listen carefully to what you have to say. It is your opinion as a dad I pay attention to. I also like that you are compassionate and eager to share your views. Whenever I am able to log on in the evening, I always read your postings first

Liz> A school will never tell you that anything is too expensive but actions> speak louder than words. As far as pulling the child out of class, it> depends on the child and how severe his autism is. Sometimes you can't

keep> the child's attention if he is in a group. Also I don't think the IEP is> accurately followed. Say for example your child is approved for 30 mins of> Speech. The group size is 3 children. Does he receive 30 mins of Speech or a> fraction of 30 mins? And if you do the division, he is probably getting 10> mins of Speech. Furth more I don't believe the child will necessarily learn> from the others in the class, especially if they are not at the same level.> If you are constantly breaking up the speech exercises for the child the> child has to start over each time the teacher returns. Give me 30 mins of> Speech, period.>>

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. comVersion: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.19/1855 - Release Date: 12/18/2008 10:16 AM

[Guest guest]

,

your views are interesting because you have a kid on the spectrum who is 15. I listen carefully to what you have to say. It is your opinion as a dad I pay attention to. I also like that you are compassionate and eager to share your views. Whenever I am able to log on in the evening, I always read your postings first

Liz> A school will never tell you that anything is too expensive but actions> speak louder than words. As far as pulling the child out of class, it> depends on the child and how severe his autism is. Sometimes you can't

keep> the child's attention if he is in a group. Also I don't think the IEP is> accurately followed. Say for example your child is approved for 30 mins of> Speech. The group size is 3 children. Does he receive 30 mins of Speech or a> fraction of 30 mins? And if you do the division, he is probably getting 10> mins of Speech. Furth more I don't believe the child will necessarily learn> from the others in the class, especially if they are not at the same level.> If you are constantly breaking up the speech exercises for the child the> child has to start over each time the teacher returns. Give me 30 mins of> Speech, period.>>

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[Guest guest]

Yes, I’m allowed one hour per month and I have to give 48

hour notice. Since they will know when I’m coming, they will prepare

accordingly.  I would love to stay the whole day. I* will also have to look at

cluster programs for next year. I wouldn’t use the term, child advocate,

unless I have to.

From: sList

[mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Lizzie Berg

Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 12:04 AM

To: sList

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

,

I did not mean to be snippy, but please don't fall asleep

on me as I tend to lose sleep over these problems...

, why can't you observe schools???I do it all the

time. Don't you have a kid in the school? Of course you can observe. You are

allowed an hour every so often and all you need is to otify the teacher that

you are coming (they want to be notified 48 hours in advance). If you don't

have a kid who is in school now, just hook up with other people's kids and

ask the parents if they allow you to either go with them or give you

permission to do it on your own. You can always tell the school you are a

parent advocate, because that is what you are.

Liz

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 2:56 PM

You said it doesn?t matter if it is in

the IEP. Has there been a change in the law???

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com

[mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie Berg

Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:30 PM

To: sList@ yahoogroups. com

Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

No virus found in this

incoming message.

Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. com

Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.19/1857 - Release Date: 12/19/2008

10:09 AM

[Guest guest]

,

why are you looking at clusters next year? Do you have a kid, and how is he?

Liz

From: Heifferon <gary00001msn (DOT) com>Subject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star ProgramTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comDate: Friday, December 19, 2008, 2:56 PM

You said it doesn?t matter if it is in the IEP. Has there been a change in the law???

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Lizzie BergSent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:30 PMTo: sList@ yahoogroups. comSubject: RE: Re: ,Broward County Star Program

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - http://www.avg. comVersion: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.19/1857 - Release Date: 12/19/2008 10:09 AM