Re: IEP experimenting

[Guest guest]

>

" with the above average IQ, why is he struggling with grades, work, etc.? "

>

Hi Yes, Why? He has always had difficulties with his handwriting and

issues with completing classwork and homework, even in elementary.

He has a lot of problems with executive function and has difficulty initiating,

to even start to write anything like an essay, even on the computer. We bought

him a laptop to take to school to do his work with, but he refuses to take it,

claiming he doesn't want to " look different " .

> " When he was making B's and C's, what was the support(s) he was getting that

helped him improve, or maybe understand/learn the work better? Did you help

teach him at home or just " nag " to do the work (since they are asking you to

step back)? Apparently he misbehaves in class? And how was elementary school

grade-wise? "

Even in elementary, before his dx, he struggled to complete work and teachers

were always complaining that he wasn't working to his potential, " should try

harder " , etc. When his grades improved earlier this year, he was getting a lot

of his Math HW done in class, his teachers were organizing his HW diary and

backpack. I was required to sign and check his HW each day. I have never

attempted to teach him, just explain some HW questions and encourage a longer

answer to questions. He often will only write the bare minimum, often not even a

complete sentence.

In the sped Language arts class, he was required to do a lot less, and at the

same time,given more support due to the smaller class size.

He is sometimes uncooperative and " defiant " in class. More often he is the

" class clown " . All of his teachers at the last IEP meeting seemed to have a

positive opinion of him. His Math teacher wasn't present.

>

He seems to do better in a smaller class, with fewer distractions and more 1:1

attention, which won't happen in his current classes.

Kylie

[Guest guest]

> He seems to do better in a smaller class, with fewer distractions and more 1:1

attention, which won't happen in his current classes.

Hi Kylie. This can happen in his current classes, it is just a little different

from being in the small self-contained classes. They can give him an aide or

" co-teacher " , either one-on-one or shared with other students, to give him the

cueing and other one-on-one attention he needs during class. They can also give

him a study period with a special ed teacher, who can help him with

organizational coaching and getting homework done. These are very common

accommodations, so don't let them tell you otherwise.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Kylie, is the handwriting issue his motor skills? I know writing was harder for

due to this. I also used to wonder about executive dysfunction, getting

from the brain to the hand sort of thing with writing skill. But also with just

getting started on some things too. I know sometimes with writing it was

because just couldn't skip that first paragraph and sort of draft out

others; wanted to get the 1st paragraph " right " and wasn't sure what to way;

didn't like my repeated suggestions to draft out the others and come back to the

intro later. Sometimes I would prompt him with ideas at home but he didn't want

me telling him what to write (cheating) so I had to be careful with my own

suggestions (not say precisely what to write, just throw several thoughts out

there).

I wonder if the smaller class size had the teacher prompting him more and he got

more done.... Sigh, wish I had an answer for you. was fine with

writing complete sentences for reports, etc., but I do recall (he's 20 now)

complaining to myself about his having a problem just getting started on

report/writing type things.