Re: Re: Opinions Needed - Gifted/LD School Stuff

April 27, 2002

Patty:

My son would mostly worry/obsess and then meltdown when he was at home with me

and not at his Dad's (where he visits every other weekend). For a while I

thought (and his Dad accused) that I was just doing something wrong concerning

discipline.

I'm sorry I don't have much advice for you concerning the hospitalization,

except to state that having worked in the area of medical malpractice for years,

I think it is essential that you are aggressive in getting good treatment and a

second opinion.

Anyway, I just wanted to assure you that, at least in our case, Luke's symptoms

were always worse around me. I definitely think that children will let out some

of the things they are holding in when they are in their most secure

environment. I think this also explains why early on a lot of Luke's meltdowns

would occur just after school.

Good luck to you and your family. Please keep us posted.

Warmly,

in Missouri (Luke's mom)

Re: Opinions Needed - Gifted/LD School Stuff

Thanks .

So what kind of supports do you have in your son's IEP?

I can't remember if I said this or not in previous post, but since

our school system's exceptional children's director & coordinator had

both been helpful to me this year & last, I emailed them a copy of

my " draft " to see if they could answer my question first; told them

that if we still disagreed, I'd still be wanting clarification from

the state on it otherwise I'll keep arguing it in the upcoming years

so best get it settled now. I mean, if you read what is in those

documents/letters, it makes sense and this doesn't pertain to

just " gifted " children but ALL children.

Is the child succeeding/passing on his/her own or just due to all the

supports/modifications being received? would have failed 6th

if not for those and also my help. He's so much better this year but

still needs them and would probably fail in some classes if not for

supports. I mean he makes anywhere from an A to a D now, tho some

report cards are A/B's. Made a D in math this last one, she said due

to work not turned in so had some zero's. Had an A in social studies

(guess who writes most of that work??) plus the teacher there doesn't

grade him for notes taken from videos, class, etc., since that's in

504 plan; had an A in language but lots of those sheets are printed

and multiple choice type things, plus I have to " read " some of the

assignments to him (stories) as he doesn't get too far at school

sometimes. And I've heard him say more than once he didn't start

homework at school because he was still finishing a test or another

assignment (whereas did all his at school); even had to finish

a test on a Monday because he hadn't finished it the previous Friday

recently.

And really, besides being " slow " at the physical act of writing, his

OCD interferes in one way or another plus the good/bad OCD days, and

then there's that " something else " that I wonder about so I've

requested the school test him. (Really, if could just be a

little more forthcoming about himself and WHY he has difficulties -

OCD, some mental block, lazy or whatever - it would help at times.)

Did I mention recently that had told me asks their

language teacher EVERY DAY if they can go outside. said that

it's got to the point that she won't call on when he raises

his hand or will just plain say, " No we are not going

outside. " Well, one day recently she said " , you are OBSESSED

with going outside. " And said answered " And you are

OBSESSED with staying in! " I thought MY STEPHEN SAID THAT????

Couldn't believe it. But I gave an order to him that he is NOT to

ask that question again, let some other student ask.

> Dear

> I don't have much experience in dealing with 504 plans, but

I am

> nearly 100% sure that the school can refuse to not provide services

because

> he is doing well in school. If he has the diagnosis, he qualifies,

doesn't

> he? There are lots of kids with learning disabilites who are gifted

and they

> certainly deserve the threatment they need!!!! Geez Louise.

> My son is getting an IEP because he has a mild stutter -

the school

> actually agreed to qualify him for the IEP on the basis of the

stutter even

> though they consider it too mild to worry much about. But this was

their way

> of getting an IEP for him because he is profoundly gifted and isn't

going to

> be able to progress through school normally. They certainly didn't

try to say

> " well, obviously he is doing fine so we won't help him with his

speech. "

> I think your letter is good - I wish I could offer more

help, but I

> have no experience (yet) in this area. There should be a special ed

> coordinator in the district (or the superintendent for special ed)

who could

> answer your questions. I'd demand to see the policy that they seem

to believe

> exists.

> Best wishes,

>

April 28, 2002

Hi everyone, my name is Patty and i have a 12 yr old daughter who was diagnost

with ocd and some psychosis, she has been on seraqueral and zoloft for 1.5 yrs

now and going to a psychiologist and psychiotrist, i took her to be assessed due

to her not getting better and now she is in a psychiatric hospital in berkeley

and the psychiatrist states she dosent have ocd that he thinks we are just

makeing a big deal of her fantacies which then makes her fantasies worse and she

has to tell me over and over again. He states we have all labeled her as

possibly molestateing little kids cause thats what her thoughts were about

touching others and harming me. Now i am more confused then ever. will someone

please respond to this and write me back- He states that if my daughter can

spend a week at my moms without telling her thoughts - that she just playing me,

but i have read that ocd children will usually only tell parents and act at home

since that is there comfort zone.

someone please respond i really need advice thanks Patty in calif.