School Question

February 26, 2008

Thanks! It really is easy to worry about our kids. I let them know I won't have a problem with him being moved once/if his behavior warrants it but right now he needs the classroom he is in which is catered to kids with sensory issues for example there's a couch, rocking chair, tent, beanbag chairs, mini trampoline, etc, and he has a teacher that he adores and who feels the same way about her students.

( ) School question

What is the best way to convince a school to keep a child in a self contained classroom? I am just wondering in case they want to move my son next year. Academically he is far above the other kids in his class but with his behaviors I know for a fact he could not function in a regular classroom just yet. I want to start preparing early just in case they do decide to move him. Right now everyones (at the school) opinion seems to go back and forth. If he gets put in a different class it would be at a different school because grades K and 1 are at a different school unless you are in the self contained class so there wouldn't be anyone at the other school that is used to him and his behaviors. Thanks!

February 27, 2008

Thanks! I will be meeting with his teacher Thursday and discuss this with her. Hopefully it works because I just don't see putting him in a class that overwhelms him as being beneficial. Also, in the self contained class I don't have to worry about him as much. He's a wanderer so he has a Project Lifesaver monitor. The bathroom is in the classroom so he doesn't need to leave the room without the rest of his class.

( ) School question

What is the best way to convince a school to keep a child in a self contained classroom? I am just wondering in case they want to move my son next year. Academically he is far above the other kids in his class but with his behaviors I know for a fact he could not function in a regular classroom just yet. I want to start preparing early just in case they do decide to move him. Right now everyones (at the school) opinion seems to go back and forth. If he gets put in a different class it would be at a different school because grades K and 1 are at a different school unless you are in the self contained class so there wouldn't be anyone at the other school that is used to him and his behaviors. Thanks!

February 27, 2008

Documentation is the best way to argue a point with the school. The more data you have showing need, the stronger your argument and the less likely they will mess with what you want.

I would keep data on his behaviors and everything that occurs that is the reason he is in this classroom. List why he is in there and each time something happens to reinforce that reason, jot it down and date it. Then you can say, "Look, he's in this classroom because....(list reason) and he's needed to be here because he still has these problems (list problems and examples of when they occur.)

Another thing to consider is that you don't want to take him from a self-contained position and throw him into regular education. That is like throwing a kid into the water to teach him how to swim! So if you feel they are determined to mainstream him, you should insist that it be implemented in phases that are acceptable. For instance, he would participate in one class to start with and he would have an aide with him to help with the transitioning. Then you could increase his time in regular ed and decrease the aide support if warranted. But only in small pieces. Not all at once. And only when it's clear he can manage the situation and learn appropriately in the new placement.

Also, always ask them what they plan to do about/for specific behaviors/issues. Say they tell you they want him in another class...you would ask them, "What will happen when he gets overwhelmed and needs to leave the classroom?" or "What will be done when he doesn't understand the material and needs extra help learning it?" Whatever concerns you have about moving, list them and ask these people what arrangements are being made for these situations/problems? It could be that they have the answers and it will relieve your worry. Or it could be another good way for you to point out that they have no supports in place and so he cannot be moved. Either way, your ds wins.

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) School question

What is the best way to convince a school to keep a child in a self contained classroom? I am just wondering in case they want to move my son next year. Academically he is far above the other kids in his class but with his behaviors I know for a fact he could not function in a regular classroom just yet. I want to start preparing early just in case they do decide to move him. Right now everyones (at the school) opinion seems to go back and forth. If he gets put in a different class it would be at a different school because grades K and 1 are at a different school unless you are in the self contained class so there wouldn't be anyone at the other school that is used to him and his behaviors. Thanks!

February 27, 2008

Hi , I always do exactly what you are doing. I like to be one step ahead at all times. if the school is going back and forth with deciding if your son is ready to be removed from a self contained classroom and into a regular classroom, or not.. that proves he's not ready, because the school isn't 100 % sure and your his mom and you know best..and your part of your sons team... also, our kids don't do well with transition.. when he is ready, he will need baby steps with the transition. Not a regular move like the N.T. children. that's a Hugh step, not only for leaving a contained classroom to a regular classroom but its also a different school with different kids.. , I didn't have my child in a contained classroom since he was in a program for 3 year olds, when he was 3.. So, I don't have that experience as others, but If that were my concern with my child. At

the meeting my opening statement would be, My son is not ready for a regular classroom because its too many transitions for him right now and will cause great stress and regression for him. (also, take him to his specialist, explain, and have his doctor document it) However, if you do feel he might be ready but your concerned with all the transitions, can you work something out with the school to take those baby steps. like maybe go to the regular classroom for 1/2 a day and 1/2 a day in his contained classroom. If you feel comfortable with that?. Also, while in the regular classroom have an aid or shadow with him to help when needed and write you up a daily progress report. also a meeting with the teacher once a week. you can always offer to volunteer in his class to see for yourself to help you make your choice if he is ready... I hope maybe I gave you some ideas which maybe you already

thought of. *smile* Rose <lisa_leonard@...> wrote: What is the best way to convince a school to keep a child in a self contained classroom? I am just wondering in case they want to move my son next year. Academically he is far above the other kids in his class but with his behaviors I know for a fact he could not function in a regular

classroom just yet. I want to start preparing early just in case they do decide to move him. Right now everyones (at the school) opinion seems to go back and forth. If he gets put in a different class it would be at a different school because grades K and 1 are at a different school unless you are in the self contained class so there wouldn't be anyone at the other school that is used to him and his behaviors. Thanks!

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February 27, 2008

Great idea! I never would have thought of this but you just made me realize that his behaviors at school have been documented daily since school began. His teacher has a notebook that she writes in letting me know what if anything happened that day and I send it back the following day letting her know how things went at home. Even his teacher mentions how it greatly affected his day if something was different, Thanks for making me think of that!!!!

( ) School question

What is the best way to convince a school to keep a child in a self contained classroom? I am just wondering in case they want to move my son next year. Academically he is far above the other kids in his class but with his behaviors I know for a fact he could not function in a regular classroom just yet. I want to start preparing early just in case they do decide to move him. Right now everyones (at the school) opinion seems to go back and forth. If he gets put in a different class it would be at a different school because grades K and 1 are at a different school unless you are in the self contained class so there wouldn't be anyone at the other school that is used to him and his behaviors. Thanks!

February 27, 2008

Thanks! It was the schools idea to start him out in a self contained classroom which is at the school starting with 2nd grade. I was informed the day before school was to start. We were new here and the school wanted to start out going by my description of my son. We took him in to meet his teacher and the principal so he would be prepared the following day and while there they got to see him have a huge meltdown because everything got to him. It was decided then and there the self contained class was best for him. Hopefully they will recall that when it is time to make the decision.

Re: ( ) School question

Hi ,

I always do exactly what you are doing. I like to be one step ahead at all times.

if the school is going back and forth with deciding if your son is ready to be removed from a self contained classroom and into a regular classroom, or not.. that proves he's not ready, because the school isn't 100 % sure and your his mom and you know best..and your part of your sons team...

also, our kids don't do well with transition.. when he is ready, he will need baby steps with the transition. Not a regular move like the N.T. children. that's a Hugh step, not only for leaving a contained classroom to a regular classroom but its also a different school with different kids..

, I didn't have my child in a contained classroom since he was in a program for 3 year olds, when he was 3.. So, I don't have that experience as others, but If that were my concern with my child. At the meeting my opening statement would be, My son is not ready for a regular classroom because its too many transitions for him right now and will cause great stress and regression for him. (also, take him to his specialist, explain, and have his doctor document it) However, if you do feel he might be ready but your concerned with all the transitions, can you work something out with the school to take those baby steps. like maybe go to the regular classroom for 1/2 a day and 1/2 a day in his contained classroom. If you feel comfortable with that?. Also, while in the regular classroom have an aid or shadow with him to help when needed and write you up a daily progress report. also a

meeting with the teacher once a week. you can always offer to volunteer in his class to see for yourself to help you make your choice if he is ready...

I hope maybe I gave you some ideas which maybe you already thought of. *smile*

Rose <lisa_leonard@ sbcglobal. net> wrote:

What is the best way to convince a school to keep a child in a self contained classroom? I am just wondering in case they want to move my son next year. Academically he is far above the other kids in his class but with his behaviors I know for a fact he could not function in a regular classroom just yet. I want to start preparing early just in case they do decide to move him. Right now everyones (at the school) opinion seems to go back and forth. If he gets put in a different class it would be at a different school because grades K and 1 are at a different school unless you are in the self contained class so there wouldn't be anyone at the other school that is used to him and his behaviors. Thanks!

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

March 1, 2008

You should take a good look at the school(s) that are being suggested. Go visit them and see what you think. That might help you decide what to do.

If she is out of school, do they send a tutor to help her keep up with her studies?

RoxannaAutism Happens

( ) School Question

My daughter (11) is currently attending a regular public middle school. She has been out of school for the last 3 weeks, while we make adjustments to her medication. Her meds decided to just stop working after she began having her periods. Her therapist has mentioned wanting to send her to a therapuetic (sp?) school. Do any of you have children attending such a school? The school she is in wants to try and make things work for her. I also want her to feel as normal as possible. She also doesn't want to lose what few friends she has made. But the stress of worrying about her at school is really taking its toll. I don't know if a school more geared towards her needs would be better. I just think the work load, and changing classes is really stressing her out. The school has done an awesome job with her so far, but I just worry if we are going to be able to keep up with it all. She has already missed so much school, and I worry about whether or not she is going to move on to the next grade. Any advice or experiences would be great!Thanks,Sheryl mom to Becky 11, Aspergers, OCD, severe anixiety, and now depression:-(

May 28, 2009

My 9 yo 2nd grader has had an outstanding year. She has made great gains

academically and socially. Since Easter break her teacher has had the flu and

now is out for the remainder of the year with a staph infection, her aide moved

and now she has a new aide. She is falling apart and no on at the school seems

to have any clue why. They are asking me if there is anything going on at

home!!! Apparently no one at the school has a working knowledge of her

dyspraxia or the fact that they can call me ANYTIME for a problem. I want to

just pull her (they don't finish until June 23rd) can I do that? I'm in NY. It

just makes me sick to think that the whole year will be lost in the last 4

weeks.

Barbara

May 28, 2009

Awww, poor honey. Her aide moved, as in out of town? That wasn't good cause

now she doesn't have anyone who really knows her schedule.

Having taken some ABA courses, I would suggest doing a continuous schedule of

reinforcement until she has adapted to the changes. This means she should be

rewarded with her favorite things every single time she complies.

She is probably having trouble because she isn't motivated or willing to work

for them yet - she hasn't built up the trust and relationship. Most likely they

are not trained to know that when there is a transition, they can't just expect

her to work for them as she worked for the other teacher and aide...they have to

earn it by being patient and kind and playing with her.

Most the time when things are tough, school staff are happy to open their minds

to new suggestions and ideas.

What do you think?

>

> My 9 yo 2nd grader has had an outstanding year. She has made great gains