Re: Re: Teen Years-Question for and anyone else

[Guest guest]

Yes, he is ..he has a co-teach class for science and geography since the beginning of the year...and they just pull him out of the pull-out math,reading and english and put him in co-teach classes ....so maybe part is adjusting to this plus the sped teachers in these new classes don't really know my son yet...the math teacher just moved my son closer to her so she can help him better...as he is not doing the ATB's or if he is they are all over the place....he is so disorganized and needs help in that area.

I just mentioned again about getting him a aide...we have a meeting coming up and I am going to write down everything and bring it with me....plus I am going to take a lot of Roxanna's idea's with me.

Jan

P.S. I just have to try to remain calm and not get so emotional...maybe I need my meds. checked....all I do is Cry.

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: r_woman2 <me2ruth@...>Subject: ( ) Re: Teen Years-Question for and anyone else Date: Thursday, April 9, 2009, 1:13 PM

>> Ruth...they started a class...but my son didn't want to go because the kids were less advanced then he and all they wanted was the prizes.� My son went a couple of times and I know he answered something wrong ...like what would you do if someone was making fun of your friend...my son answered.... Punch him....Bizzzzzzzzzz zzzz WRONG....no points ...and I am not sure if they even talked to him about the way he answered.� This is a lot of his problems...he says he would hit or punch but I don't think he would but one day he just might...he has so MUCH anger in side. Any ways they made him go but I don't think he got anything out of it...and then they disbanded...

..I wonder if he would do better with one-on-one pragmatic therapy? My son has had that before. I know schools with "good" programs--of which neither of our kids go to LOL--give both, group once a week and one-on-one once a week. Then you and the teachers need to be helping him practice in between sessions too, which means they need to communicate with you what they are doing. He should be immersed in social skills. Of course, I can't get our school to do anything much with social skills so far either--but I do know what they "should" do LOL. I'm really frustrated because I live in an area where I could at least take my son for these therapies myself--except none of the places take insurance and I can't afford any of it. I'm hoping I can get the school to pay for some, since he is finally getting an autism eval, but that would be out of character for them. We'll see.> �> It seems like the kids are in school for such a long

period of time...but what is he really learning...right now he had 18 days of french and 18 days of spanish...ugh. ..I rather he have social skills or one on one math or writing....he is not going to take a language.� And, art...why can't he skip that and get help where he needs it.....instead they have all these things he doesn't need and when they have a social skills class or his art therapy he is pulled out of an academic class like math or enlgish which he really needs help in!!I'm sure it is what is convenient for them. I guess I'm getting jaded, but it sure seems like the convenience of teachers and school staff come way above what is best for the kids. > �> I am beginning to think he may need a TSS with him and/or go to a different school. Is he in classes with co-teachers? It seems like that would help.Ruth

[Guest guest]

Wow...I wish they had a smaller school around here for chldren like ours. I guess I am not so all alone...it is horrible what our kids go thru. I know where I work in the high school...I don't put up with any of that...if I see someone being picked on or if a student comes to me....I go straight to the kids who are doing it. It is horrible. I have seen it first hand. I have had to walk a student to lunch and keep an eye on her. I have had to explain to students why certain kids act the way they act.

In fact, thinking about it now, I was just asked to give a tiny speech to the careers class...about my career ..where I went to school and how I got to where I am. This is a requirement for the kids to pass...they have to ask an adult in to speak. Well, this girl could not get anyone...her parents could not get time off...etc....so while her case manager was looking for a free teacher to speak....she turned and said well maybe Ms. Rushen will speak ....I said fine. I could not let a girl fail. Anyways...i got up there and spoke about how I ended up going to Montclair State University and making up my own program, how I did an internship my senior years, my years working in various business fields and how I became a paraprofessional. I told them how important education is and that each one of them was important. And, that they should choose a field they love.. I told them I love my job and that I prefer doing this then

going back to school to be a teacher...because in my position....I am so much closer to them. I explained how I need to keep up as my son is in 7th grade with AS. They asked me about AS and I explained. I then went on to explain how important it is for us to all get along...our lives are too short...and I told them that they should never stop learning....even if it is to learn to ski or draw...but too continually use and expand their minds. They all clapped and I felt good. And, when I left I said...

And, one more point, if you run into someone that is different or odd or may seem strange, don't make fun of them.....they may have AS or something else and can't help the way they act.

Then I walked out and cried in the hall. Ugh..so emotional.

jan

Janice Rushen

"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"

From: Tamaoki <tamaoki_s@...>Subject: ( ) Re: Teen Years-Question for and anyone else Date: Thursday, April 9, 2009, 1:07 PM

My son is almost 18 & the early teen years were horrible for him. He was just overwhelmed by all the social interactions. The kids that used to be his friends drifted away and I think he was lonely. He couldn't do assignments that asked him to give opinions, couldn't take good notes. His anxiety went through the roof. He did well where the classes were structured, like math and floundered in everything else. What helped him was having an activity outside of school, like Aikido. We also had him work with a teacher after school who had a small tutoring group. The smaller, more informal setting helped him relax with that teacher and those kids and his grades really improved in that class. He crashed again when he left middle school and started to go to the large public high school. He was bullied there and did not feel safe. Eventually he reached a point where he just could not go to school anymore and the school district agreed to

placing him in a private school for kids with AS. This is a really small school and he has just thrived there. He feels safe and the school works with his strengths and coaches him on his weaknesses. He is happier than he has ever been. You would not recognize him, he has changed so much since his middle school years. If I had to do it all over again, I would have put him in a social skills group in middle school to help him figure things out socially.

[Guest guest]

Jan,

what a great job you did! I'm so glad they asked you to speak.

Roxanna

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." ~ Mark Twain

( ) Re: Teen Years-Question for and anyone else Date: Thursday, April 9, 2009, 1:07 PM

My son is almost 18 & the early teen years were horrible for him. He was just overwhelmed by all the social interactions. The kids that used to be his friends drifted away and I think he was lonely. He couldn't do assignments that asked him to give opinions, couldn't take good notes. His anxiety went through the roof. He did well where the classes were structured, like math and floundered in everything else. What helped him was having an activity outside of school, like Aikido. We also had him work with a teacher after school who had a small tutoring group. The smaller, more informal setting helped him relax with that teacher and those kids and his grades really improved in that class. He crashed again when he left middle school and started to go to the large public high school. He was bullied there and did not feel safe. Eventually he reached a point where he just could not go to school anymore and the school district agreed to placing him in a private school for kids with AS. This is a really small school and he has just thrived there. He feels safe and the school works with his strengths and coaches him on his weaknesses. He is happier than he has ever been. You would not recognize him, he has changed so much since his middle school years. If I had to do it all over again, I would have put him in a social skills group in middle school to help him figure things out socially.

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