Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Need advice from parents with special needs kids...
They want to start Parker in Kindergarten without an aid, and then give him one if he needs one. I feel like he should start with one and then wean it off if he doesn't need one. I feel like he would be more successful. What do you guys think? What did you do with your special need kids if you integrated them?
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10 comments:
I agree with your thought about it...but then, I don't know Parker. You know him best and you know what his abilities are. Just some things to think about:
oops! I didn't mean to send that yet- all I did was press enter!
Anyway, some things to think about:
- How much supervision does he need? If you go on a playdate or to the library, do you have to stay close or is he fine on his own?
- Does he follow directions?
- Can he stay on task?
- Is he easily overwhelmed or distracted by other kids?
-Does he have sensory issues that may effect how he behaves in the classroom?
You don't have to answer those of us, of course, but those are things that would think about.
Maybe it's just my impression of Parker from what I've read, but something else to think about is that if he is a quiet child he may "get lost" in the class. That's how Daniel was anyway. He went with the flow because that was the routine, but he wasn't really doing well, he was just existing in class. As they say, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". Will he get the attention and help he needs if he's quiet and not disruptive?
Whatever you happens, you'll have to decide if his program is working for him- but it may be easier to phase an aide out than to fight for one if you think he needs it. I felt intimidated by the school and they did the very minimum they could get away with. Just make sure that doesn't happen if you really think he needs an aide. I'm all for encouraging our kids to get out there and be "normal", but if it will hurt him in the long run because he's not ready for it- I say wait to put him on his own.
There was a great tip for Try This Tuesday this week. Check it out here.
Good luck!!!
If you feel he needs an aide, then PUSH for an aide. TC was in an inclusive setting last year. There were times when his teacher was so overwhelmed! I feel he needed an aide but I didn't know as much as I know now.
Well, Kennedy will be going to Kindergarten next year, and I don't think I am going to push for an aide, BUT she is pretty compliant, follows directions and knows more than a lot of Kindergartners do right now... I'm not sure how she'll do in a large class though, so I'm definitely ready to ask for an aide if needed.
I think it really depends on Parker. You know him best, you know his temperment, and if you think he needs the 1 on 1 to succeed I would most definitely fight for it!
Remember you can call an IEP meeting whenever you want, so you can always change things, in either direction, whenever.
Sorry, that wasn't much help huh?! Good luck!
Thanks everyone for the comments. I really feel he will do better starting out with an aid. Thank you all for taking the time to answer me. You all had great points. Juile, thanks for the link!
You're welcome!! Good luck! :)
I agree- you know Parker best. If you feel he would benefit for an aide, push for one. It will probably be easier to get on now than try to get one later. Just my experience.
Jaysen is mainstreamed with a parapro.
Hi. I'm shelly and I found you off of Shannon's sidebar.
I had different issues with my oldest, however, after 10+ years in school, and el ed degree, and other such lovely life experiences here is the basic bottom line.
1. It is the school's job to provide the best education to the most children possible.
2. As your child's parent, you are their ADVOCATE to make sure that YOUR child gets the best education possible.
These two points are never close together. However, a partnership needs to be formed between you and the district.
I have found that open dialogue is the best. Attack statemnts get all parties nowhere. About 85% of the staff I've dealt with couldn't have been better and deserve teacher of the year. Then there is the other 15%. Occasionally I have let the situation escalate naturally. No matter what you do, make sure that his progress is being monitored in a tangable way. (as objective and NOT subjective as possible) GET YOUR HANDS on your parental rights. There are pages of documentation out there on what your child is entitled to.
I do know Parker and I agree with you that he should have the aide first and then if they find out he doen't need that person then say he's doesn't need the aide. I think in the beginning he will, especially with everything being new. I also know I had to fight for Robby's rights because they were not in place ahead of time and it was such a hard battle.
You tell them what you want because the feeling is from your gut. Why let him start out without and then allow him to escalate to the point where he might need one, and the whole idea becomes a view that he couldn't handle it. They're dumb, stick to your guns, we moms know best. Make threats if necessary, they aren't always right!
(can you tell how strongly I feel about this!)
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