School Decision - long

May 30, 2004

Olivia's almost done pre-school and will be going to Kindergarten

in the fall but we're having a bit of a problem with the school she

goes to now. It's for both " regular " and " special needs " kids,

specializing in special needs and runs classes from toddler (12mths)

to Kindergarten. She's been going there for 2 years now and the

plan up until Thursday was to place her there for kindergarten as

well. We then found out that a little boy in her class now will

also be in the Kindergarten class, he has a severe speech delay and

is not understandable at all 98% of the time. He gets very

frustrated and will take it out physically and spends a lot of time

in time out. He's a good boy other than that and he gets along

great with Olivia (they're cute together as he's just over 55lbs!!!)

I just want to clarify that I have nothing against speech delays

or anything like that ( had horrible speech until she was 6)

but the problem is that his mom is the Kindergarten teacher. I'm

not sure why they're allowing this but on the other hand I know that

he really needs this program while Olivia really doesn't. Other

than her size we have no doubts that she would flourish in a reg.

kindergarten setting. She's tested out of OT --> 50%ile, still

needs PT --> 8%ile, but her speech and cognitave (sp) tested at a

whopping 95%ile for 4-5 yr olds.

We've already contacted the public school here and since she

alread has PUF funding we don't have to re-apply, it will go with

her to any school that she attends. We'll have a one time OT

consult at the school to tour the school and classroom to see what

Olivia will need for independance (size appropriate

desk/table/chair, lowered coat hook, stools at the fountain and

sink, etc, etc)

I'm not sure if I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill or what

but it leaves a heavy feeling in my stomach when I think about it!!

Any input from teachers here (Jodi Z. maybe) or any one else would

be great!!

Leah, mom to Ash 9 and Olivia 4.5, RSS, OI, 19lbs!, 33 " , lactulose,

senokot, zantac, cyproheptadine (periactin)

May 30, 2004

Just a moms point of view here.

I would put Olivia in a regular kindergarten class. From what you wrote I do

not see a need for her to be in that class. The speech impaired child will be

taking up alot of the teachers time and Olivia will not be getting what she

needs.

In Lindsey class this year. There is a child the size of a two year,and weight

less. and its just not an issue.. MY child gets the questions because she is

speech impaired(verbal and oral apraxia),fine motor problems,devopmentally

delayed and can be a defiant! In kindergarten she was not understood AT all.,and

she acted out.She's repeated K twice and once again she's in another K with 3

special needs first graders, my child being one of the first graders. The

special needs children are accepted completely.

If Olivia's not cognitively impaired,I would surely put her in a regular

kindergarten class in a regular school.It sounds like her needs will be met with

the adaptations she will receive.

Lindsey is going to a self contained class in the fall,she will be a second

grader.

Good luck,Go with your gut. Moms know best!

Jennie

May 30, 2004

Leah

What does the special setting offer that you feel the regular kindergarten

placement would not? I think that would make the difference.

I can see your concerns. My son was always in the " main stream " with the OT

assessments for physcial suitability. One thing to keep in mind, from

experience!, have the OT check any doors that Olivia may be expected to open

and close regularly. One year Adam had a heavy fire door that he had to open

and close to go to the washroom. I didn't want him singled out by having to

take a " buddy " everytime he went out. The OT felt it needed automatic door

openers (she said Adam was jumping down off the last step, running full

speed for the door, using that momentum to open the door and then wail

himself through it.....she said one kid, just one, needs to get in his way

and he'd be " Adam sandwich " as she put it.)

Meanwhile the request went in, but the school board kept delaying until they

had funds. Ended up I requested he be allowed to use the intermediate stair

way (that had the automatic doors already). Just something to consider.

My gut feeling and the recommendation I make as a special ed. teacher is to

mainstream as much as possible. Olivia is very bright from the scores you

mentioned and if the other kids are struggling academically and the teacher

needs to remediate or go at a slower pace for the majority of the kids,

Olivia is going to be bored.

Debby

School Decision - long

>

> Olivia's almost done pre-school and will be going to Kindergarten

> in the fall but we're having a bit of a problem with the school she

> goes to now. It's for both " regular " and " special needs " kids,

> specializing in special needs and runs classes from toddler (12mths)

> to Kindergarten. She's been going there for 2 years now and the

> plan up until Thursday was to place her there for kindergarten as

> well. We then found out that a little boy in her class now will

> also be in the Kindergarten class, he has a severe speech delay and

> is not understandable at all 98% of the time. He gets very

> frustrated and will take it out physically and spends a lot of time

> in time out. He's a good boy other than that and he gets along

> great with Olivia (they're cute together as he's just over 55lbs!!!)

>

> I just want to clarify that I have nothing against speech delays

> or anything like that ( had horrible speech until she was 6)

> but the problem is that his mom is the Kindergarten teacher. I'm

> not sure why they're allowing this but on the other hand I know that

> he really needs this program while Olivia really doesn't. Other

> than her size we have no doubts that she would flourish in a reg.

> kindergarten setting. She's tested out of OT --> 50%ile, still

> needs PT --> 8%ile, but her speech and cognitave (sp) tested at a

> whopping 95%ile for 4-5 yr olds.

>

> We've already contacted the public school here and since she

> alread has PUF funding we don't have to re-apply, it will go with

> her to any school that she attends. We'll have a one time OT

> consult at the school to tour the school and classroom to see what

> Olivia will need for independance (size appropriate

> desk/table/chair, lowered coat hook, stools at the fountain and

> sink, etc, etc)

>

> I'm not sure if I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill or what

> but it leaves a heavy feeling in my stomach when I think about it!!

> Any input from teachers here (Jodi Z. maybe) or any one else would

> be great!!

>

> Leah, mom to Ash 9 and Olivia 4.5, RSS, OI, 19lbs!, 33 " , lactulose,

> senokot, zantac, cyproheptadine (periactin)

>

May 30, 2004

Leah,

Even if Olivia were not facing going to school with the boy with the

behavior problems (forget the speech, that is the least of it), I

would recommend that you place her in a mainstreamed Kindergarten

class. It sounds like she is ready for it and, unless she has any

special learning concerns - which she does not from what you have

written - a mainstreamed class is best for her.

I am surprised that the boy is allowed to be in the same class as

his mom. That is really not professional or ethical, in my

opinion. But that is not your problem to deal with.

I hope that Olivia has a great year in kindergarten. It sure sounds

like she is ready!

Jodi Z.

May 31, 2004

Leah,

I suggest you try the regular kindergarten class for Olivia. As far as the

adaptation to the

desk, chair, etc. - that is easy to get done. However, after kindergarten you

may need to

stay on top of the school to keep providing accommodations. I am not sure what

your

school system is like as far as getting services, but in many school systems it

can be

tricky to get what you want/need. I am an ESE teacher for severely emotionally

disturbed

students. When my son started kindergarten, he was " medically fragile " and the

health

department for the school system suggested that he go to a school where there

was a

nurse. At the time, the only schools in my district which had nurses were

centers, and

the ones with medically fragile students were mentally handicapped centers.

Obviously,

this did not fit the bill for , as he has normal intelligence.

With a lot of struggling, the school board provided a nurse at his school to

take care of

his g-tube feedings and other medical needs. He had a nurse in some capacity

until the

middle of 3rd grade. He is just finishing 4th grade now, and has always been in

regular

classes. He also has had a unique aide since kindergarten, and I would suggest

you look

into this for Olivia. They may call it something else in your school system,

but basically

this is a paraprofessional or teacher's aide who can assist Olivia with her

needs that are

different from the other students in the class. This person can be assigned to

her full-

time or only during activities where she is needed. I don't want to scare you,

but

depending on the level of Olivia's needs, you may go through some struggles to

get what

is best for her. This has been somethng I have dealt with for many years with

my son,

and for most of his schooling, I was an ESE Specialist, who facilitates ESE

meetings and

places referrals for testing. The one thing I still struggle with is that I am

sure my son

has a learning disability, and his school refuses to test him for this. One

would think

that because of my position with the school sysytem that they would humor me

even if

they felt I was wrong (though I am sure that I am not), but it still hasn't

happened yet. I

will admit though that they are providing the services he needs in relation to

this, but I

would like the testing to be done to hopefully get some answers on his

processing

problems.

In any event, I wish you luck in your decision & good luck to to Olivia for

kindergarten!

Kim C.