Re: PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

[Guest guest]

Well today was our last school day.......my son has 1/2 day tomorrow. While I was in school today ...the english teacher who is so sweet...looked my son up in the system and pulled up all his past PSSA's....and he was proficient and basic in a lot of areas ....then she pulled the latest one where he did not score well...and she said...no wonder he didn't have most of this stuff yet...it is the 8th grade PSSA. OMG....now I don't feel so bad...he was taking a test meant for 8th graders ...so now I feel I can rest a little bit easier.

My son doesn't have outburst in public unless he can't get his way and then he'll march off to the car or whatever....he gets upset with us (his Dad and I)...he doesn't want us talking to him or telling him anything in public...like he doesn't want us to embarrass him or he thinks everyone is watching...he says "we" are annoying. OMG...and I say...jsut do what I ask and that will be that. I decided to do something new...whenever I ask him to do something...like his chores ...it is "I will" and 3 hours later it is still not done...So now when he asks me to do something ...I will reply "I will" and then make him wait 3 hours or more....and see how he likes it. I also need to limit the electronics...I can see him on TV, Xbox and texting all day and night!

I still plan on having the tutor come twice a month all summer...and when school starts up I am going to see how it goes ...if he is having problems in math which will be at the end of the day...I am going to request a different bus ...one that leaves only 5 min. early or I will ask the school to supply me with a tutor for 1 1/4 hours a week (which is the amount of time he misses). Don't worry ...I know most of his rights and mine....and since I am in school I see and know what goes on.

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:40 AM

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses.

But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherry

From: jrushen <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse. We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading. Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...Jan

[Guest guest]

That's great Jan, my son does alot of that stuff too, very frustrating , i have a question to you and the others though, i have been noticing this more and more with him lately my son sometimes gets this look on his face when i am or others are talking to him he looks as if he is trying to figure out or process it all or something and sometimes you can see he just isnt understanding but he wont say anything he will just stand there not looking at the person but just looking and it is if it is a blank look, does any one else experience this is this normal or do you think it is something else.He has been diagnosed with seizure disorder that they believe is comorbid to the AS dx. But this look doesnt seem to be a seizure type issue, it seems he is just taking alot longer to

process what has been said to him than you would think it would take, but it isnt all the time but noticeable enough, does any one relate to this. does anyone have any suggestions.thanks sherryFrom: rushen janice <jrushen@...> Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2009 8:01:29 PMSubject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

Well today was our last school day.... ...my son has 1/2 day tomorrow. While I was in school today ...the english teacher who is so sweet...looked my son up in the system and pulled up all his past PSSA's....and he was proficient and basic in a lot of areas ....then she pulled the latest one where he did not score well...and she said...no wonder he didn't have most of this stuff yet...it is the 8th grade PSSA. OMG....now I don't feel so bad...he was taking a test meant for 8th graders ...so now I feel I can rest a little bit easier.

My son doesn't have outburst in public unless he can't get his way and then he'll march off to the car or whatever.... he gets upset with us (his Dad and I)...he doesn't want us talking to him or telling him anything in public...like he doesn't want us to embarrass him or he thinks everyone is watching...he says "we" are annoying. OMG...and I say...jsut do what I ask and that will be that. I decided to do something new...whenever I ask him to do something... like his chores ...it is "I will" and 3 hours later it is still not done...So now when he asks me to do something ...I will reply "I will" and then make him wait 3 hours or more....and see how he likes it. I also need to limit the electronics. ..I can see him on TV, Xbox and texting all day and night!

I still plan on having the tutor come twice a month all summer...and when school starts up I am going to see how it goes ...if he is having problems in math which will be at the end of the day...I am going to request a different bus ...one that leaves only 5 min. early or I will ask the school to supply me with a tutor for 1 1/4 hours a week (which is the amount of time he misses). Don't worry ...I know most of his rights and mine....and since I am in school I see and know what goes on.

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:40 AM

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses.

But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherry

From: jrushen <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse. We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading. Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...Jan

[Guest guest]

>

> ... he looks as if he is trying to figure out or process it all or something

and sometimes you can see he just isnt understanding but he wont say anything he

will just stand there not looking at the person but just looking and it is if it

is a blank look, ... it seems he is just taking alot longer to process what has

been said to him than you would think it would take, but it isnt all the time

but noticeable enough, does any one relate to this. does anyone have any

> suggestions.

My son does this because it takes him awhile to access things out of his memory

and also to process things. It shows up in eval results as slow processing

speed, weak working memory and executive dysfunction--I think it all kinds of

works together. My son's evals said over and over again (from different tests)

that he got could come up with correct answers to things but took longer than

typical to come up with them to the point it was considered impaired.

My son's answer to this problem has been twofold. First, he is learning to give

himself time. When he was younger (he is 14 now), he used to just get irritated

and say " I don't know " right away instead of trying to remember or process

whatever he was being faced with. He also needs to work on communicating to

others that he needs more time. (Could be a good IEP goal, huh?) What he does

right now is repeat the question slowly or say " um " a few times until he's

either gotten it or decided to give up on it (if it is not that important). He

does sometimes get overwhelmed and give up still, so it is still a work in

progress.

Second, I notice he has learned how to be humorous about it when he is with

people that aren't understanding. He just pretends like he's faking it and

jokes around.

I've been aware of the problem for awhile and have always encouraged him to take

his time, and I know he has had teachers that have done the same, but he really

came up with these accommodations on his own. This leads me to believe that is

maybe how it is with most kids with Asperger, that is, just give them patience,

encouragement and time to figure out how to handle it in their own way. You

could always do social stories if you think it would benefit your child.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Yes...I think they are processing what you said or asked them and figuring out how t reply. I remember a couple of times...saying Welll???????????????? and he would say I AM ThINKING!!!!! Sometimes he doesn't answer and he will say ...it doesn't require an answer.

What I hate is when he tells me something and later say the next day...he'll say I didn't say that...or if I say something or tell him something...he say You never said that....I know part of it could be selective hearing...teens stuff...but he does say things and then denies ever saying them. I wonder if they are just so busy in their head that they don't realize what they said???

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:40 AM

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses.

But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherry

From: jrushen <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse. We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading. Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...Jan

[Guest guest]

i dont know, my son does that to me sometimes, he is only 11 but it can be very frustrating as you dont know if he really doesnt remember or if he is just trying to get away with something. sherryFrom: rushen janice <jrushen@...> Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 3:18:26 PMSubject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

Yes...I think they are processing what you said or asked them and figuring out how t reply. I remember a couple of times...saying Welll??????? ????????? and he would say I AM ThINKING!!!! ! Sometimes he doesn't answer and he will say ...it doesn't require an answer.

What I hate is when he tells me something and later say the next day...he'll say I didn't say that...or if I say something or tell him something... he say You never said that....I know part of it could be selective hearing...teens stuff...but he does say things and then denies ever saying them. I wonder if they are just so busy in their head that they don't realize what they said???

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor Date: Sunday, June 14, 2009, 10:40 AM

we havent got our pssa test results yet but i think my son may have done poorly when they did the eval at school they said his total score was an 83 which is where they expected him to score given the aspergers but i dont even know what that means either, but I had a teacher tell me that if they test poorly on the pssa dont even sweat it because it isnt really a reflection on our children more on the school and what the teachers are doing they are just trying to see how well the school is performing and teachers performance than the children. that is why it is state wide to see which schools are doing ok and which ones are not. these test scores also are what they base alot of school funding on, the schools who do poorly get more state funding than the schools who students appear to be on target, does this sound right to you. did your child have problems with math and reading during school my son final grade was a d in both of those courses.

But i have also been told by a different school pschycologist said and i quote " Ms. Burford there is no need to test your son at this time if he has a dx of aspergers he will qualify for that reason alone. Aspergers children simply do not test well so there is no point of testing him. " i was certainly appalled and even infuriated because that was in March of 2008, it took me moving out of that school district to another and let me say much better and my son is comfortable at school and really enjoys going and next year will be even better as he will finally have a iep to go by . by the way where do you live as i thought pssa are only in pa right? sherry

From: jrushen <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2009 11:29:38 PMSubject: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor

Does anyone else's child do poorly on the PSSA's...the state mandated tests????? It seems each year my son does worse. We just got the results and he is below basic in math and basic in reading. Any ideas? Help? Depressing.. ..bugged me all day long...Jan

[Guest guest]

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears i quess to shut people out not sure.he was tested for auditory processing and he has trouble in areas i cant remember the terms but one is if there are outside noise he can hear the teacher but then he forgets what she has said, and the other was decoding but i am not sure what that means. so i know it takes him longer to process info being spoken to him versus him seeing a picture of it or it being written down for him to see. hopefully by the time he is old enough to be on his own i wont be sooooooooooo worried about him right now it seems all i do is worry

about all that kind of stuff. sherryFrom: r_woman2 <me2ruth@...> Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 1:29:56 PMSubject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

>

> ... he looks as if he is trying to figure out or process it all or something and sometimes you can see he just isnt understanding but he wont say anything he will just stand there not looking at the person but just looking and it is if it is a blank look, ... it seems he is just taking alot longer to process what has been said to him than you would think it would take, but it isnt all the time but noticeable enough, does any one relate to this. does anyone have any

> suggestions.

My son does this because it takes him awhile to access things out of his memory and also to process things. It shows up in eval results as slow processing speed, weak working memory and executive dysfunction- -I think it all kinds of works together. My son's evals said over and over again (from different tests) that he got could come up with correct answers to things but took longer than typical to come up with them to the point it was considered impaired.

My son's answer to this problem has been twofold. First, he is learning to give himself time. When he was younger (he is 14 now), he used to just get irritated and say "I don't know" right away instead of trying to remember or process whatever he was being faced with. He also needs to work on communicating to others that he needs more time. (Could be a good IEP goal, huh?) What he does right now is repeat the question slowly or say "um" a few times until he's either gotten it or decided to give up on it (if it is not that important). He does sometimes get overwhelmed and give up still, so it is still a work in progress.

Second, I notice he has learned how to be humorous about it when he is with people that aren't understanding. He just pretends like he's faking it and jokes around.

I've been aware of the problem for awhile and have always encouraged him to take his time, and I know he has had teachers that have done the same, but he really came up with these accommodations on his own. This leads me to believe that is maybe how it is with most kids with Asperger, that is, just give them patience, encouragement and time to figure out how to handle it in their own way. You could always do social stories if you think it would benefit your child.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

>

> thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears

and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but

sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his

ears

Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know

what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is

14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I

thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't " do " something

when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone

has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get

himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this

area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it

unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).

Ruth

[Guest guest]

>

> i dont know, my son does that to me sometimes, he is only 11 but it can be

very frustrating as you dont know if he really doesnt remember or if he is just

trying to get away with something. sherry

I don't know if you have done a neuropsych eval yet or not, but this is where

that info can really shed some light!

Ruth

[Guest guest]

I truly believe they are sensory over-loaded and are shutting down...they have to shut out all the noise ...it probably is one of their self-calming, regulating techniques. I know when we were at a fair and the noise was too load...the student put her hooded over her ears and tied the arms under her chin....I believe our kids do this too because of the stimulation and sensory are overloaded and they need the peace and quiet in order to think and calm down.

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: r_woman2 <me2ruth@...>Subject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 7:13 PM

>> thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills

and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).Ruth

[Guest guest]

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear

down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise

continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and

will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since

about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling,

i can understand why my daughter is always tired.

regards, melody

> >

> > thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears

and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but

sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his

ears

>

> Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know

what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is

14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I

thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't " do " something

when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has

given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself

together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is

one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally

would have done the trick (the last school proved that).

>

> Ruth

>

[Guest guest]

Yes...and this is why my son comes home from school tired every day...think about all the different noises, the action going on, the interruptions, the kids moving about, the crowds. And, then think about trying to learn in this environment...to me it would be like walking into a school where they only spoke Russian....you don't understand a word of it and you have to learn on top of it all....I would come home exhausted too. Also florescent lights bother a lot of children with AS...and certain humming noises...

jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Melody <mkalomiris@...>Subject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 8:51 PM

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> > thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think

working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> > Ruth>

[Guest guest]

>

> I truly believe they are sensory over-loaded and are shutting down...

ITA! And at some point they have to learn socially acceptable ways of handling

this so they can stay in some kind of comfort zone, don't melt down or even just

act too weird. I'm not sure this is something that can really be taught.

It seems more like they just need understanding and space so they can figure it

out (maybe a few gentle suggestions at a different time when they aren't upset).

Ruth

[Guest guest]

ITA , ive been working with my son for a very long time and he still does this sort of behavior and i am finding out from more and more kids that he just becomes annoying after a period of time. but i keep hoping i think eventually he will learn that it is not acceptable it is just taking forever!!! you know what i mean? sherryFrom: r_woman2 <me2ruth@...>To:

Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 10:38:40 AMSubject: Re: ( ) PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

>

> I truly believe they are sensory over-loaded and are shutting down...

ITA! And at some point they have to learn socially acceptable ways of handling this so they can stay in some kind of comfort zone, don't melt down or even just act too weird. I'm not sure this is something that can really be taught. It seems more like they just need understanding and space so they can figure it out (maybe a few gentle suggestions at a different time when they aren't upset).

Ruth

[Guest guest]

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherryFrom: Melody <mkalomiris@...> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test

scores-poor/UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.

regards, melody

> >

> > thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears

>

> Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).

>

> Ruth

>

[Guest guest]

it is amazing that simple noises bother him but he can and most of the time is very very loud almost to the point of being obnoxious his teacher this yr even complained a few times about the fact that he is so loud in class, evidently he does not realize how loud he is or something. sherryFrom: rushen janice <jrushen@...> Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 9:52:29 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

Yes...there are some quiet noises that don't bother you or I ...but bother them...such as the hum of a refridgerator or some florescent lights make a quiet noise...I do remember a boy that hated the clicking of a pen...and of course all the kids knew that and would do it just to annoy him....of course if it happened around me ...I put a stop to it.

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> > thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think

working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> > Ruth>

[Guest guest]

You know what...my son can be very loud too! I don't think they realize it. If he is in the car with other boys...he gets way, way too loud. I don't think he is too loud in school...except maybe at lunch!!!

My son wrote in this book with his TSS what noises bother him like the Refridgerator humming and people turning pages ...hmmm?

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> >

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> >

Ruth>

[Guest guest]

What will this test tell you? What is it for? You already know he has Aspergers and ADHD. Find out more information on the testing....if you are going to test him...I would test him in areas where he is having trouble learning. Does he need Occupational Therapy?

I would not go too crazy on the testing ....but that is my opinon. I would have the school test him in area where he is having diffiuclty.

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> >

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> >

Ruth>

[Guest guest]

yes he gets occupational and physical therapy, the school has already tested him and so that is one reason why i questioned more tests as he has already had so many done in the past 2 yrs. i will find out what this test is cuz i am not sure what it is either thanks alot. sherryFrom: rushen janice <jrushen@...> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:56:11 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

What will this test tell you? What is it for? You already know he has Aspergers and ADHD. Find out more information on the testing....if you are going to test him...I would test him in areas where he is having trouble learning. Does he need Occupational Therapy?

I would not go too crazy on the testing ....but that is my opinon. I would have the school test him in area where he is having diffiuclty.

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >>

>

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> >

Ruth>

[Guest guest]

>

> What will this test tell you? What is it for? You already know he has

Aspergers and ADHD.  Find out more information on the testing....if you are

going to test him...I would test him in areas where he is having trouble

learning.  Does he need Occupational Therapy?

>  

> I would not go too crazy on the testing ....but that is my opinon.  I would

have the school test him in area where he is having diffiuclty. 

I know what you all mean regarding the testing. There is so much of it for

autism. I can't believe how much evaluating we have done with my own son (14yo

with Asperger)--neuropsych, psych, physical medicine, occupational therapy

(including sensory), speech, educational--3 times so far, autism--twice so far,

psychiatric (for meds). And I have to say--every bit of it was useful in

getting a more complete picture of what our son needs and his strengths and

weaknesses.

The more evaluating you do, the more individual you can make your child's IEP,

because you'll know more. It is really a personal decision how far you want to

go. Lots of evaluating may be necessary if you have the kind of school district

we do that feel they have to see definitive proof for everything. And I think

partly it is that they are just learning about high functioning autism, just

starting to deal with it. So, maybe you will need to do less evaluating if your

school district is already experienced with kids like yours.

My experience is such that I would never depend on the school district being my

main source of evaluating. They have their own agenda to save money and to do

things at the lowest level possible. That is good management. If you have the

evaluating done yourself, you can make sure it is done more thoroughly. I have

also found my own evaluators are a lot more chatty and informative--again, the

school district has an agenda, so it may be hard to get them to talk and reveal

everything they know.

This is not to say that you don't need the school evaluations too, after all

they are the experts on school itself and can provide more school observations

of your child than anyone. Not to mention the fact that you can't get services

without them. I just wouldn't advise making them your sole source.

A lot of people don't seem to be aware that most of this evaluating is covered

by health insurance. The only thing we couldn't get covered was the educational

testing and the parent part of the autism testing. We got in on a research

project for the autism testing though, so we still didn't have to pay for it.

So, that is another option. We didn't not pay anything other than small

co-payments for ANY of this evaluating (other than what I just said).

Sorry this is kinda long. For people new to testing, I'll give some examples of

what kind of testing helped in what ways for our son. This is by no means

comprehensive, just to give you an idea.

Neuropsych. Let us know that his memory was accurate but very slow. Showed his

planning/organization skills were in the impaired range. Same deal as memory.

He could come up with correct answers, but the method used was inefficient to

the point of impairment. Because of his executive dysfunction, he has break

everything up into tiny steps that are not efficient.

Occupational therapy. Let us know he had several years delay in specific areas.

Helped know what to expect of him.

Autism. Gave us the specific knowledge on pragmatic communication

weaknesses--maintaining conversations, initiating conversations,

receiving/giving non-verbal communications, little speech idiosyncrasies he

needs to work on. Strengths--pretty good at humor, literalism, abstractness for

an aspie.

The speech testing is the only thing that I would say we could have done

without. Autism testing and neuropsych evals cover all those pragmatic

communication issues and more. And the physical medicine turned out to be needed

to rationalize the occupational therapy testing. The OT people didn't think

there was anything wrong; I don't think I could have convinced them to do the

complete OT eval without the physician's order from the physical medicine

doctor.

Hope this helps.

Ruth

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Are you from Pennsylvania? There is a test that all PA schools give to all kids , not just kids with an IEP, called the PSSA. It is a state test that tells where the kids are compared to other students in that grade level in the state and across the nation. It test reading and math skills and at some grade levels writing and science. It's part of the No Child Left Behind requirements that the schools are required to meet. Meaning that a certain percentage of their school has to test at the proficent level. I wouldn't worry to much if the scores weren't at the proficent level. My son has Asperger's and he scored at the Basic level in both math and reading. He doesn't test well so I know this isn't a true picture of his abilities. If your not in PA schools and there is another test out there called the PSSA then I don't know what it is. I hope this helps.

Becky

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone@...> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:39:22 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

yes he gets occupational and physical therapy, the school has already tested him and so that is one reason why i questioned more tests as he has already had so many done in the past 2 yrs. i will find out what this test is cuz i am not sure what it is either thanks alot. sherry

From: rushen janice <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:56:11 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

What will this test tell you? What is it for? You already know he has Aspergers and ADHD. Find out more information on the testing....if you are going to test him...I would test him in areas where he is having trouble learning. Does he need Occupational Therapy?

I would not go too crazy on the testing ....but that is my opinon. I would have the school test him in area where he is having diffiuclty.

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> >

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> >

Ruth>

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to add, that you can put things in your child's IEP related to the PSSA testing to make testing day less overwhelming. Things such as testing in small groups, having directions read to them, and being able to write their answers in the test booklet instead of having to transfer the answers to the computerized sheet.

Becky

From: pidder88 <pidder88@...> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:09:26 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

Hi,

Are you from Pennsylvania? There is a test that all PA schools give to all kids , not just kids with an IEP, called the PSSA. It is a state test that tells where the kids are compared to other students in that grade level in the state and across the nation. It test reading and math skills and at some grade levels writing and science. It's part of the No Child Left Behind requirements that the schools are required to meet. Meaning that a certain percentage of their school has to test at the proficent level. I wouldn't worry to much if the scores weren't at the proficent level. My son has Asperger's and he scored at the Basic level in both math and reading. He doesn't test well so I know this isn't a true picture of his abilities. If your not in PA schools and there is another test out there called the PSSA then I don't know what it is. I hope this helps.

Becky

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 8:39:22 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

yes he gets occupational and physical therapy, the school has already tested him and so that is one reason why i questioned more tests as he has already had so many done in the past 2 yrs. i will find out what this test is cuz i am not sure what it is either thanks alot. sherry

From: rushen janice <jrushen (DOT) com> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:56:11 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

What will this test tell you? What is it for? You already know he has Aspergers and ADHD. Find out more information on the testing....if you are going to test him...I would test him in areas where he is having trouble learning. Does he need Occupational Therapy?

I would not go too crazy on the testing ....but that is my opinon. I would have the school test him in area where he is having diffiuclty.

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> >

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> >

Ruth>

[Guest guest]

Hi Becky....

Yes we are in PA and yes I know the schools are required to test the students to see how the school is doing in teaching them....but in our school district...if the students don't test Proficient at the end of 11th both in Math and Reading ...then they have to go thru pathways in order to graduate. It consists of 45 hours of math and 45 hours of reading after school....you only have to take it if you are not proficient...so if you are basic in both ...then you have to put in 90 hours....if you are basic in only one and proficient in the other, then you have to take 45 hours in the subect you tested basic in.

My son was proficient in math and basic in reading when he was in 4th grade...in 6th grade it reversed....he was basic in math and proficient in reading...but this year he took it and was below basic in math and basic in reading. I was told not to worry....but of course I do. He seems to be going down hill....or falling behind... I worry about his senior year ...I can not see him staying after school to do the 90 hours....it seems unfair. I truly believe this NO ChILD LeFT Behind has caused us to teach the children to pass the tests...not to gain knowledge. We are producing less educated kids then in the 50's. I truly believe we need to go back to the BASICS....get the reading, writing and math down pat.

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> >

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> >

Ruth>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan,

We live in which is about an hour north of Pittsburgh. I've been working with my son to get his multiplication facts down pat too. His special ed teacher said this would help to improve his math skills, and that a lot of kids don't know them by memory. Here is a website that I use for him if you are interested. www.mathisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-subtract.html It's a math trainer for kids to improve their facts. You can set it for subtraction, addition, or multiplication.

My son hates study island too. At first I thought it was just more busy work for him to do, but I do think it has been helpful to improve his math skills.

Becky

From: rushen janice <jrushen@...> Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 10:53:28 PMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/UPDATE

becky...no need to say Sorry!!!! Hee hee...I work in the school district that my son goes to....I work in the high school as a paraprofessional. I see it every day...teaching to pass the test. Before I really thought it was bad when the Spec. Ed. students had to take the tests and they were only on 5th grade math. Now the school is changing that and having the teachers teach them at grade level...which can be done. The only thing I question is will they remember any of this? I doubt it....and most get to use the calculators. ...so what are they really learning...nothing. ..I would rather they continue do math in areas where they will use them in real life such as fractions, word problems, percents...figuring out weights, sales, what the price will be etc. These kids don't really need geometry or algebra!!! I can see learning how to figure the square footage or area of a room, etc. But for most of these children

all this stuff they learned this year will NEVER be used! They are only teaching them so that they can pass the tests!!!! But, I do beleive teaching them at grade level is possible and I truly do believe their self-esteem rose....

We have study island too...my son hates it! One math teacher kindly printed me some PSSA tests and study guides and I am going to have my son do one problem a day. Tonight I asked him the first question, the one you can not use a calculator for....and it was if something was marked down 1/5, what percent would that be.....I asked him and he told me off the top of his head ...without seeing the choices...20% . Wow! That made me feel good...so this is what I plan on doing. I know I also need to go over the basics...addition and multiplication. They do not drill this into the kids...I see kids in 11th grade who can not multiply in their head ...9x7= 63...they have to do it on a calculator.. .so this is my other goal this summer ...addition and multiplication facts...drill it in his head.

Where are you in PA? We are in the Poconos...Stroudsbu rg, Monroe County.

jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> >

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> >

Ruth>

[Guest guest]

Hey becky ...

That is great...my son is 13 1/2 and going on 19...if ya know what I mean...and it is not cool to be doing school work...and he doesn't want to be a "geek" as he says. OMG!

So, I try to sneak things in....ugh!

keep up the great work....gotta do it when they are young!

Jan

Janice Rushen

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

From: Sherry Burford <aspiemomone>Subject: Re: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 2:45 PM

my son has told me that before, that he keeps hearing noises even when it seems to be very quiet for me . sherry

From: Melody <mkalomiriscomcast (DOT) net> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:51:54 PMSubject: ( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.regards, melody> >> >

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears > > Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).> >

Ruth>

[Guest guest]

I don't think it is totally bad to learn how to pass a test. Some skills towards this are valuable.

I do agree, they teach to the test, which is not a wonderful thing. I see more positives though, than that negative. I agree, we need more basics too. And I think we need to have higher expectations for our sped kids as well, which it tries to do.

Roxanna

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." E. Burke

( ) Re: PSSA test scores-poor/ UPDATE

in a small way, i can relate. if i go to a noisy and active environment, i wear down and get very tired, sometimes a headache. then later at night, the noise continues to echo in my head--i keep hearing the sounds and i can not relax and will have a sleepless night. this did not occur when i was young, only since about the age of 40. if this is anywhere close to what these kids are feeling, i can understand why my daughter is always tired.

regards, melody

> >

> >

thanks ruth, my son can get very frustrated even put his hands over his ears and scream stop i am getting frustrated and i dont know what to do , but sometimes he doesnt tell you he just starts going ballistic and covering his ears

>

> Yes, I know what you mean; our son does this exact same thing. I don't know what you can do besides leave him alone when he gets so overwhelmed. My son is 14 and I learned awhile back to see the warning signs and back off. At first I thought that he would never learn to behave better if I didn't "do" something when he behaves like this, but it has not worked that way. Leaving him alone has given him the chance to develop self-calming skills and learn how to get himself together. He has improved tremendously! We're very pleased in this area--it is one thing our school did right, as I don't think working on it unilaterally would have done the trick (the last school proved that).

>

>

Ruth

>

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