I just need to cry on someone's shoulder

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I've been really busy lately with work and home and so haven't

posted much although I do read everything daily.

As many of you know, we have twins and who will be

turning 5 on 2/4. has RSS. Both children are in a special

needs preschool. gets PT, ST, OT and feeding therapy along

with the benefits of being in a very structured classroom setting.

gets PT, OT and play therapy (really one-on-one with a psych

twice a week). They are both in (separate) integrated classes (1/2

special needs kids and 1/2 regular kids). is with the

appropriate age group. however started the year in a self-

contained special needs class. When they wanted to transition him

to an integrated class, the decision was made to keep him with the

kids one year younger as we did not want the children together and

there is only one class of each type at each age. Also, was

very delayed in social skills.

Two weeks ago I received a note from 's teacher saying how they

are working on his testing and evaluations for the transition to

kindergarten next year and how his cognitive is testing between ages

5 and 6 with a smattering of skills to age 7. Therefore, even

though his social skills/behaviour is testing out below his age she

is recommending he transition to a regular education class with an

aide.

Last night I received a note (and spoke with his teacher today) that

she has changed her mind and will be recommending an integrated

class for next year. As our local school district doesn't have any

such program, will need to be sent out of district again.

This is AWFUL!!!!!

First of all, what parent of a " normal " child would want them in an

integrated class and not a regular class? I don't for one minute

believe anyone that this class will not be all special needs kids

which is NOT what is best for . is spelling and starting

to read. He adds. They want him in this class strictly because of

his social skills (or lack thereof). How will they improve if he is

with other special needs kids?

Second, the system for determing where will attend school

SUCKS! Our local district will put together a package of his

evaluations and recommendations and send them anywhere across the

county they feel will have an appropriate program. They aren't even

required to tell me where they are sending the information. After

the other schools decide they will accept , I am told who said

they would accept and I get to look at those schools and pick one.

Third, my daughter has major emotional issues especially

transitional issues and is going to freak out when the kids are in

different school and on different buses.

Fourth, the busing situation is the worst. On Monday, even though

the kids school opened on time, the bus was delayed 2 hours because

our home district was delayed 2 hours and therefore they are not

required to pick up the kids until the home district opens. On

Wednesday, the kids school opened on time. However, the district it

is in was delayed 2 hours so another 2 hour bus delay. Plus, next

year Becca will get picked up 1 block away with the other school

kids and will get picked up right at the door. What if they

are supposed to get picked up at the same time?

Anyway, I am having a really bad day!!!

Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) twins turning 5 on

2/4

[Guest guest]

HI Judith,

Does or have an IEP? Can you call an IEP meeting to

discuss placement? If they have an IEP, you can always reject it and

let them attend their home school. Of course, then they would not get

any assistance or therapy. You might want to contact an advocate and

discuss your options.

Sorry, I can't be more help.

Ken M

>

> Hi all,

>

> I've been really busy lately with work and home and so haven't

> posted much although I do read everything daily.

>

> As many of you know, we have twins and who will be

> turning 5 on 2/4. has RSS. Both children are in a special

> needs preschool. gets PT, ST, OT and feeding therapy along

> with the benefits of being in a very structured classroom setting.

> gets PT, OT and play therapy (really one-on-one with a

psych

> twice a week). They are both in (separate) integrated classes (1/2

> special needs kids and 1/2 regular kids). is with the

> appropriate age group. however started the year in a self-

> contained special needs class. When they wanted to transition him

> to an integrated class, the decision was made to keep him with the

> kids one year younger as we did not want the children together and

> there is only one class of each type at each age. Also, was

> very delayed in social skills.

>

> Two weeks ago I received a note from 's teacher saying how

they

> are working on his testing and evaluations for the transition to

> kindergarten next year and how his cognitive is testing between

ages

> 5 and 6 with a smattering of skills to age 7. Therefore, even

> though his social skills/behaviour is testing out below his age she

> is recommending he transition to a regular education class with an

> aide.

>

> Last night I received a note (and spoke with his teacher today)

that

> she has changed her mind and will be recommending an integrated

> class for next year. As our local school district doesn't have any

> such program, will need to be sent out of district again.

> This is AWFUL!!!!!

>

> First of all, what parent of a " normal " child would want them in an

> integrated class and not a regular class? I don't for one minute

> believe anyone that this class will not be all special needs kids

> which is NOT what is best for . is spelling and

starting

> to read. He adds. They want him in this class strictly because of

> his social skills (or lack thereof). How will they improve if he

is

> with other special needs kids?

>

> Second, the system for determing where will attend school

> SUCKS! Our local district will put together a package of his

> evaluations and recommendations and send them anywhere across the

> county they feel will have an appropriate program. They aren't

even

> required to tell me where they are sending the information. After

> the other schools decide they will accept , I am told who said

> they would accept and I get to look at those schools and pick one.

>

> Third, my daughter has major emotional issues especially

> transitional issues and is going to freak out when the kids are in

> different school and on different buses.

>

> Fourth, the busing situation is the worst. On Monday, even though

> the kids school opened on time, the bus was delayed 2 hours because

> our home district was delayed 2 hours and therefore they are not

> required to pick up the kids until the home district opens. On

> Wednesday, the kids school opened on time. However, the district

it

> is in was delayed 2 hours so another 2 hour bus delay. Plus, next

> year Becca will get picked up 1 block away with the other school

> kids and will get picked up right at the door. What if they

> are supposed to get picked up at the same time?

>

> Anyway, I am having a really bad day!!!

>

> Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) twins turning 5 on

> 2/4

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken,

They both had IEP's for this year which was their last year in pre-

school. Our meeting to discuss next year won't even happen until

some time in March because the evaluations aren't completed yet for

either child. I was told (only because I asked) that Dobbs Ferry is

sending someone to the preschool on 2/7 to observe both kids and

that person has to finish their report as well before we can have

our meeting. At this rate, I won't find out anything until

September! (a slight exageration, but I am sooo frustrated)

Their regular school can supply PT, OT, ST and psych for Becca. The

problem is still needs someone to make sure he eats and a

nurse to do his bolus (I know they have a nurse on staff).

Thanks Ken,

Judith

[Guest guest]

Hi Judith,

Then, I am at a loss as to why they need to go to another school. It

seems their home school can meet their needs. This would be

inconsistent with the IDEA requirement that their education take

place in the least restricive environment.

Yes, school systems can move slowly. It is very very aggravating. It

seems at times as if they are on a different calendar than the rest

of the world.

Ken M

>

> Hi Ken,

>

> They both had IEP's for this year which was their last year in pre-

> school. Our meeting to discuss next year won't even happen until

> some time in March because the evaluations aren't completed yet for

> either child. I was told (only because I asked) that Dobbs Ferry

is

> sending someone to the preschool on 2/7 to observe both kids and

> that person has to finish their report as well before we can have

> our meeting. At this rate, I won't find out anything until

> September! (a slight exageration, but I am sooo frustrated)

>

> Their regular school can supply PT, OT, ST and psych for Becca.

The

> problem is still needs someone to make sure he eats and a

> nurse to do his bolus (I know they have a nurse on staff).

>

> Thanks Ken,

>

> Judith

[Guest guest]

Judith,

How exasperating!! I wish I had words of wisdom, but alas all I can offer

is the shoulder. Keep us posted and I hope it works out!

Dayna

_____

From: Sidny27

Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 10:30 AM

To: RSS-Support

Subject: I just need to cry on someone's shoulder

Hi all,

I've been really busy lately with work and home and so haven't

posted much although I do read everything daily.

As many of you know, we have twins and who will be

turning 5 on 2/4. has RSS. Both children are in a special

needs preschool. gets PT, ST, OT and feeding therapy along

with the benefits of being in a very structured classroom setting.

gets PT, OT and play therapy (really one-on-one with a psych

twice a week). They are both in (separate) integrated classes (1/2

special needs kids and 1/2 regular kids). is with the

appropriate age group. however started the year in a self-

contained special needs class. When they wanted to transition him

to an integrated class, the decision was made to keep him with the

kids one year younger as we did not want the children together and

there is only one class of each type at each age. Also, was

very delayed in social skills.

Two weeks ago I received a note from 's teacher saying how they

are working on his testing and evaluations for the transition to

kindergarten next year and how his cognitive is testing between ages

5 and 6 with a smattering of skills to age 7. Therefore, even

though his social skills/behaviour is testing out below his age she

is recommending he transition to a regular education class with an

aide.

Last night I received a note (and spoke with his teacher today) that

she has changed her mind and will be recommending an integrated

class for next year. As our local school district doesn't have any

such program, will need to be sent out of district again.

This is AWFUL!!!!!

First of all, what parent of a " normal " child would want them in an

integrated class and not a regular class? I don't for one minute

believe anyone that this class will not be all special needs kids

which is NOT what is best for . is spelling and starting

to read. He adds. They want him in this class strictly because of

his social skills (or lack thereof). How will they improve if he is

with other special needs kids?

Second, the system for determing where will attend school

SUCKS! Our local district will put together a package of his

evaluations and recommendations and send them anywhere across the

county they feel will have an appropriate program. They aren't even

required to tell me where they are sending the information. After

the other schools decide they will accept , I am told who said

they would accept and I get to look at those schools and pick one.

Third, my daughter has major emotional issues especially

transitional issues and is going to freak out when the kids are in

different school and on different buses.

Fourth, the busing situation is the worst. On Monday, even though

the kids school opened on time, the bus was delayed 2 hours because

our home district was delayed 2 hours and therefore they are not

required to pick up the kids until the home district opens. On

Wednesday, the kids school opened on time. However, the district it

is in was delayed 2 hours so another 2 hour bus delay. Plus, next

year Becca will get picked up 1 block away with the other school

kids and will get picked up right at the door. What if they

are supposed to get picked up at the same time?

Anyway, I am having a really bad day!!!

Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) twins turning 5 on

2/4

_____

[Guest guest]

Can't you refuse the Special needs based on his testing? I mean I would

think you can fight it because of the high scores on intellect.. The social

skills will come with time and it is more important that he is challenged

and not bored in school.

R

Mom to:

Jed (1/22/93) Tic disorder, Asthma, Heart Murmur.....

Liam (12/12/00) SGA/RSS, Hypothyroid,Asthma, Epilepsy, Hearing Impaired, Sensory

Issues, Food Allergies, Heart Murmur...

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Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.

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[Guest guest]

<<Their regular school can supply PT, OT, ST and psych for Becca. The

problem is still needs someone to make sure he eats and a

nurse to do his bolus (I know they have a nurse on staff).<<

If the home school can provide all that.. Then they should be able to meet

's need in the home school. The nurse should be able to give him his

feeds....

R

Mom to:

Jed (1/22/93) Tic disorder, Asthma, Heart Murmur.....

Liam (12/12/00) SGA/RSS, Hypothyroid,Asthma, Epilepsy, Hearing Impaired, Sensory

Issues, Food Allergies, Heart Murmur...

--

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.

Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.1 - Release Date: 1/27/2005

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You are right about the education. The problem is the

socialization. is probably (I say probably because he is

undiagnosed and we haven't pushed) OCD. He is TOTALLY obsessive

which gets in the way of his interacting with other children. I

suppose if we were to have him diagnosed the school couldn't say

anything about his lack of socialization because it is part of a

diagnosis.

As of now, his current special ed teacher really wants to see him

make progress in this area and she is hoping he can transition to

regular ed by 1st grade. They tried to move him into his sister's

class this week for about 1/2 hour each day to see how he would be

with his peers (since is currently with younger children) and

couldn't handle it. The other children all know him and were trying

to play with him but just wanted to play by himself and was

getting very anxious. They finally had to take him out of the room

for a walk. This happened every day this week.

At this point, I don't know what is best for !

Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) almost 5 year old

twins

[Guest guest]

Judith,

I am with Ken on this one! The least restrictive environment is a

big buzz word, and I would use it often. If their home school can

meet their needs, then why can't they stay?

Beth

> >

> > Hi Ken,

> >

> > They both had IEP's for this year which was their last year in

pre-

> > school. Our meeting to discuss next year won't even happen

until

> > some time in March because the evaluations aren't completed yet

for

> > either child. I was told (only because I asked) that Dobbs

Ferry

> is

> > sending someone to the preschool on 2/7 to observe both kids and

> > that person has to finish their report as well before we can

have

> > our meeting. At this rate, I won't find out anything until

> > September! (a slight exageration, but I am sooo frustrated)

> >

> > Their regular school can supply PT, OT, ST and psych for Becca.

> The

> > problem is still needs someone to make sure he eats and a

> > nurse to do his bolus (I know they have a nurse on staff).

> >

> > Thanks Ken,

> >

> > Judith