Re: overworked teachers

[Guest guest]

Dear Eliza,

All Special Needs teachers deserve Medals of Honor, in my mind.

I agree with you that kids need to be stretched a bit and should

take on all the responsibility they can. They learn to feel so good about

themselves when they can do things themselves. For the few that can't quite

manage it, minimal supports are the most helpful (in my opinion). I also like

it when teachers have the students design the supports they might need, as

much as possible. It gives them some of that feeling of responsibility and

makes them feel more in charge. Just asking " what do YOU think would help you

remember your assignments better? " is helpful.

Our school doesn't have a homework hotline and doesn't give out

students' phone numbers (or teacher e-mails or anything else). And the

students can't go back in the building after they walk out at 3 p.m., even if

they forget their coat and there's a blizzard (of course, Reno doesn't get as

cold as WI - I'm a WI native - kids would freeze solid there). Their

philosophy is that " they'll remember next time!! " It's pretty tough on kids

like mine, who have never remembered to bring anything home, but I think it's

a pretty good policy for the majority.

in Nevada

[Guest guest]

Hi

I would agree that teachers are often overworked and the system is over

worked. I would disagree however about putting the responsibility of any

problems with the system back on the children. I'm talking about school

related responsibilities not those that should be taken care of at home.

Much of the overworked problems are managerial in nature. We need to pay

teachers more and get professional people working in the system so that

teachers, principals and special ed staff get the credit they deserve. The

school systems in general fall very short and there are many reasons for it.

To trickle it down and putting the responsibility somehow on the students

doesn't seem quite right to me. If you want to blame anyone the adults

surrounding the situation should take the blame teachers, parents,

administration, goverment, society.

Of couse children at some point have to take responsibility for their

actions. Somehow i don't feel like all of the sudden we have all of these

terrible parents raising children these days. I think it goes way beyond

that. All of these statewide assesments and forcing children to perform to

prove to the schools and world that we are either a failing school or a

successful school is ludicrous. Everything is jammed down these kids throats

and pressure is put on these kids to perform. Its a no win situation the kids

suffer because they are not being taught basics. The teachers are blamed

because test results do not generally reach expectations.

In the long run the kids suffer the most. Pressure translates into anxiety

and depression. Gee i wonder why we have so many kids dealing with emotional

difficulties this day.

Regards, Dave

[Guest guest]

> Joni - I work in the public school system as a counselor and I

could not agree with you more. MANY, not all, teachers are way

overworked (especially the special needs teachers). We need to have

our kids take whatever responsibility they can and encourage them to

stretch as much as possible on their good days. Supports outside of

the ordinary should be saved for the times when they struggle the

most.

> Eliza in WI

**Ahh!** It's so nice to be validated! Thanks for the breath of

fresh air, Eliza! Over the years, I've talked to many teachers, spec

ed. teachers, and couselors - and wow, they have their hands FULL!!

Like I previously said, one of my sisters is an elementary school

teacher with 4 kids of her own, and mygod, the things she does over-

and-beyond the call of duty is unbelievable for such a small

paycheck. She works night and day, 24/7. And, I agree with you, the

special needs teachers are the most overworked and way UNDER paid.

The entire school system is doing their best each day with a very

imperfect system, so I *support* them in any way possible, and that

includes **disciplinary action/consequences.** I will tell the

teacher about a problem that is occuring with and ask her what

S/He advises. I figure that we are a team, and the ultimate goal is

to get educated, *somewhat* supported with his challenges (OCD)

AND make sure he is READY for the responsibilities AND consequences

ahead. That's a huge task all by itself! I don't ask alot of my

school system because I know how over-worked they all are, and

because I don't want to be dependent on them. He must learn

(eventually) that he's not the only person with problems/challenges

and it's up to him to make the best out of a situation without

relying too heavily on others to rescue/bail him out or support him.

I'm not sure if you watch " Monk " (the OCD private detective) on the

USA channel, but is Monk in a few years if I don't start

letting go a little each year. Monk has a very co-dependent

secretary that is so sickening in the way she does everything for

him. Maybe if Monk started to carry his own weight (germ fears) a

little more - he'd be more motivated to work on getting BETTER! But,

why should he when he's got someone running behind him all the time,

making sure the field is nice and level, and that all germs are wiped

clean for him by Miss Enabler/Secretary??

I do not want to be Monk. I would feel very bad for my

future daughter-in-law who would have to put up with his behavior!!

Yes, we do need the kids to take whatever responsibility they can and

encourage them to STRETCH and grow with whatever challenges they

have. What I have found is that the more I allow to take

what's his (feelings, consequences, etc) the better he feels about

himself. Last night, he did his Math homework BY HIMSELF. This is

amazing because he has severe Math-Anxiety. Last year, I needed to

sit right next to him each night, and 'hold his hand' while he did

his math homework. He would be too afraid to go on to the next

problem unless I checked (for perfection) first. Ugh!!!!!!! I could

easily see the future with this sort of sick behavior: the

waitor, the cook, or the lawyer, needing someone to check behind his

work all the time - to make sure it's right. Geez! I don't know any

employer or co-worker that put up with that. I certainly wouldn't.

As their supervisor, I'd tell them to either carry their own weight

or hit the road! But, with lots of encouragement ( " I know how

capable and smart you are, you CAN do it by yourself! " ) my son is

getting better each day.

And, I agree. Support outside the ordinary should be saved for when

the kids need it the most, or for the most SEVERE cases.

Thanks Eliza!

Joni

P.S. For those who aren't at this point yet, tuck this post in the

back of your mind for when your child is OLDER or ready to take on

more responsibility, or getting better on meds and treatment. Each

case/child is different.

[Guest guest]

> Our school doesn't have a homework hotline and doesn't

give out students' phone numbers (or teacher e-mails or anything

else)....

What can you do, , to get this changed? The homework hotline is

a wonderful idea, and used to use it when he was so forgetful.

Unfortunately, it too is imperfect. The teachers must stay late, and

inform someone of the homework EACH night to get it on the hotline!

This after they've already written it on the board, checked to make

sure the kids wrote it down, etc....

Many times when he'd call it, the 3rd grade assignments weren't in

the system yet due to the teacher being called into ANOTHER meeting,

or something else (with all the responsibility that is on their

shoulders these days). *sigh* You really couldn't pay me enough to

be a teacher today.

IMO, the homework hotline is another " enabling " tool that the school

uses, but they're intentions are good. However, it just over-works

the teachers even more. If volunteer PARENTS or students could man

this thing, it would be a great idea. Here, however, the teachers

have to do it.

Joni

[Guest guest]

Dave--

I agree. The problems are alot more complex than email could

possibly define. Remember, I had two get thru' high school, and

one...my ADHD son OPTED out in his senior year and got his GED. It

was too much pressure for him. No guilt here. He made his own

choice and did what worked for him. He is very happy with his

decision. I wasn't at the time, but now I'm happy for him. Most of

the " blame " lies on , not me. He couldn't handle it. So, he

did what he had to do. He was OFFERED tons of help, but he turned it

down. He had people all over the place trying to help him, but he

was too spirited, restless, impatient, independent and bored to see

the light at the end of the tunnel. Not my problem. There are no

problems, in fact, only opportunities to learn and grow from

adversity!

However, in 's case, I was talking about simple things like when

a child " can't " write down their homework, and the parents (me

included) bark down the teachers throats for not doing enough to

ENABLE and keep Little ny crippled (been there, regretted

THAT!). Some kids don't learn well with consequences because they're

harder on themselves than anyone could be, so fine, let THEM have the

help. My son doesn't need it anymore. He's more than capable of

writing down his homework. AND they have a " homework buddy system "

where the kids are assigned a partner's name and phone number to call

after-hours if they've forgotten something. The school, in OUR case,

is doing everything humanly possible, and MORE than they should do!

Sometimes I think that we are raising a bunch of irresponsible

slackers in this country (USA) and when turned loose onto society,

they will self-medicate, get drunk and get behind the wheel of an 18

wheeler, commercial airliner, or god forbid, a school bus. In court

they say " Sorry, it was my ABC disorder.. I couldn't help it. Plus,

my secretary was off that day, and she wasn't there to wipe my nose

and remind me of my medication! " (being silly, sorry)

I'm not speaking about every situation/kid here. Just the ones that

I personally know. Many, not all, are looking for an excuse to get

OUT of doing something, and their are excuses EVERYWHERE. Ask ANY

teacher and you'll understand. Talk to a HIGH SCHOOL teacher.

They're the " lucky " ones who get them just when mom and dad are DEAD

from constantly rescuing them.

Yes, the system is flawed, but so are we. I highly respect the WWII

generation because they valued responsibility and had NO excuses - No

safety nets. Like them, I don't believe there are " victims " in the

world, only OPPORTUNITIES to grow and learn, or die trying. They had

their problems too, and I don't care for the way they treated women

and minorities. But, luckily our generation has learned and taken

steps to correct this. How did that happen? We got knocked around,

that's how! There were NO LEVEL PLAYING FIELDS in this arena! We

finally said Enough is Enough, and we took steps to fix THAT bump in

the road of life- by ourselves! The government certainly didn't

help, but politicians sure like to take credit for it!

Teachers have ENOUGH on their plates. Support them. Volunteer.

Help them. They need it!

In a nutshell, I think the reason that so many kids have " emotional

problems " these days is because our society buys into that nonsense

(not all of them fall into that category. Some do, not all). But,

it makes the whole system go round, doesn't it? We spend lots of

$$$cash$$$ on doctors, therapists, medication, LAWYERS etc... to put

the blame everywhere else except where it belongs- on OURSELVES.

Joni

P.S. It could be worse Dave. Take a look at the following article

about the school systems in FRANCE! Apparently, they're getting

tired of Little ny/ messing up too, and have had ENOUGH!

" Insult the Teacher. Go to Prison! "

By Cathryn Conroy, CompuServe News Editor

French students who threaten or swear at their teachers or create a

mayhem in the classroom, will face a fine of $7,500 and six months in

a " closed educational center " for juveniles. The new law, which has

stirred up quite the controversy in France, is designed to stamp out

anti-social behavior, reports The Daily Telegraph.

The county has been hit by a wave of street crime committed by

youths, and the law is an attempt to curb it. The first offense will

result in just the pricey fine, which is sure to get parents to wake

up to the fact that their kids may be out of control. But if the

kids' behavior doesn't improve, they'll be sent pronto to a special

unit--the closed educational center--that is attached to a prison for

adults. And that's not all! The same punishment can be imposed on

students who insult anyone in the public service, including police

officers and railway guards. The public has welcomed the new law.

France's civil liberties lobby is outraged by it.

> Hi

>

> I would agree that teachers are often overworked and the system is

over

> worked. I would disagree however about putting the responsibility

of any

> problems with the system back on the children. I'm talking about

school

> related responsibilities not those that should be taken care of at

home.

>

> Much of the overworked problems are managerial in nature. We need

to pay

> teachers more and get professional people working in the system so

that

> teachers, principals and special ed staff get the credit they

deserve. The

> school systems in general fall very short and there are many

reasons for it.

> To trickle it down and putting the responsibility somehow on the

students

> doesn't seem quite right to me. If you want to blame anyone the

adults

> surrounding the situation should take the blame teachers, parents,

> administration, goverment, society.

>

> Of couse children at some point have to take responsibility for

their

> actions. Somehow i don't feel like all of the sudden we have all of

these

> terrible parents raising children these days. I think it goes way

beyond

> that. All of these statewide assesments and forcing children to

perform to

> prove to the schools and world that we are either a failing school

or a

> successful school is ludicrous. Everything is jammed down these

kids throats

> and pressure is put on these kids to perform. Its a no win

situation the kids

> suffer because they are not being taught basics. The teachers are

blamed

> because test results do not generally reach expectations.

>

> In the long run the kids suffer the most. Pressure translates into

anxiety

> and depression. Gee i wonder why we have so many kids dealing with

emotional

> difficulties this day.

>

> Regards, Dave

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

HI Dave:

Thanks for sharing your views. They will help me keep a level head

when I go to bat for my bullied son at school tomorrow. Take care,

aloha, kathy (h)

kathy.hi@...

> Hi

>

> I would agree that teachers are often overworked and the system is

over

> worked. I would disagree however about putting the responsibility

of any

> problems with the system back on the children. I'm talking about

school

> related responsibilities not those that should be taken care of at

home.

>

> Much of the overworked problems are managerial in nature. We need

to pay

> teachers more and get professional people working in the system so

that

> teachers, principals and special ed staff get the credit they

deserve. The

> school systems in general fall very short and there are many

reasons for it.

> To trickle it down and putting the responsibility somehow on the

students

> doesn't seem quite right to me. If you want to blame anyone the

adults

> surrounding the situation should take the blame teachers, parents,

> administration, goverment, society.

>

> Of couse children at some point have to take responsibility for

their

> actions. Somehow i don't feel like all of the sudden we have all of

these

> terrible parents raising children these days. I think it goes way

beyond

> that. All of these statewide assesments and forcing children to

perform to

> prove to the schools and world that we are either a failing school

or a

> successful school is ludicrous. Everything is jammed down these

kids throats

> and pressure is put on these kids to perform. Its a no win

situation the kids

> suffer because they are not being taught basics. The teachers are

blamed

> because test results do not generally reach expectations.

>

> In the long run the kids suffer the most. Pressure translates into

anxiety

> and depression. Gee i wonder why we have so many kids dealing with

emotional

> difficulties this day.

>

> Regards, Dave

[Guest guest]

.....my analysis is that schools have not kept

> abreast of neuropsych findings about OCD, ADHD, LD, etc. Schools

need to be infused with knowledge of these conditions and the

accommodations that work for them. There is a large gap between

education and neuropsychology/clinical psychology that has to be

bridged.

***I agree with you that the school systems are overwhelmed and

teachers/administrators need more education. It's been *my*

experience that the schools in my area (made up of state employees

making very little money) are overwhelmed with classes, meetings,

etc. to meet the needs of every single child. I am the mother of 3

kids, and I find THAT overwhelming. I can't imagine what a classroom

of 35+ kids with different learning styles must be like!

I don't like to shift blame to the school system. If all the blame

lies there, then my child and I are " victims " - and we have no

power. Baloney. Whenever I encounter a teacher that needs a

little " education " to the needs of my child, I take the ball and run

with it. I educate the teacher, get proactive, and solve the problem

with communication and support. These teachers can't do it all.

>>>Your average teacher and special education teacher is not really

qualified to deal with these conditions unless they have specific

training in it. >>

*** Of course they aren't qualified! Teachers aren't psychiatrists.

Let's look at all the other hats a teacher must wear within a 10 hour

day:

-parent -nurse -counselor -role model - community spokesperson -

cook/snack provider -motivator -advisor -mediator -supply clerk -

paper pusher -fund raiser -librarian -anger management expert -

field trip coordinator -standardized test expert and administrator -

math, english, science, social studies, reading expert... etc etc

etc.... geez!

And, let's not forget about our other " disabled " children that

teachers must meet the needs of:

-- the *physically* handicapped also need a teacher who understands

this child's challenges. My son attends classes with a child who has

MS and is wheelchair bound. This boy is such an inspiration and

seeing him everyday makes me realize how small OCD is. The school

must accomodate him too, and they do a very good job!

--My sister, the elementary teacher, has a child in her class with

diabetes and needs insulin. This child also feels different and

needs accomodations dues to her " meltdowns " when her sugar level is

too low.

-- A friend of mine is launching a campaigne against her school

system for *religious* reasons. And, the school must deal with that

too....

My point is, OCD/ADD/etc, isn't the only condition teachers must try

to understand. It's up to us, as parents, to support and educate

them.

> Our experience was that many educators took the smug position

that they knew all there was to know and were very closed minded to

the idea that academic and behavioral problems could be due to brain

processes. Instead, they attributed the problems to what they

thought they knew: motivation, enabling parents, etc. This

misattribuation actually makes matters worse.

**** In all the years that my kids have been in the public school

system (ages 21, 19 and 11), I have only encountered *TWO* teachers

that fit the above description. One was retirement age and was

burned out. She was 65 years old, and when she took a " know-it-all "

approach with me, I gave her the benefit of the doubt. IMO, she

*did* know more than I did about children in general and I respected

her for it. But, she did not understand OCD - and I didn't expect

her to. So, I shared information with her about 's OCD and she

appreciated it. Problem solved.

The other teacher was young and didn't have a clue. was

ridiculed and humiliated in her classroom due to an OCD issue. I

took that straight to the principal and DEMANDED an apology from this

teacher -in front of her principal. Our meeting was very intense and

serious. She knew I meant business - and it never happened again.

In fact, she bent over backwards the rest of the school year for

(you don't want to mess with ME and MY son! But, this young woman

made a mistake. Who among us has never made a mistake?

> When our consulting psychologist requested that my daughter only do

half her homework, the principal said " he's not going to tell us how

to run things around here. "

***That's shocking. I would have taken that comment straight to the

school board. What did you do?

<snip>

My daughter is now working for a program that fights ignorance,

> discrimination, and prejudice. She still has to finish a few

things for school, but she is acting like a much more responsible

adult. She gets up in the morning to catch the train to her

> jjob. What do I think made the difference? Tolerance, acceptance,

and understanding..

***And, I bet she learned those skills from a TEAM of people who

cared about her: Her Parents (you) AND the School System.

Joni

P.S. Hi everyone! is still doing great and I'm thrilled!

[Guest guest]

When I have more time, I will respond to your post in more detail. I agree,

the issue is very complex. I did not suggest the burden was entirely on the

schools, but that the gap between neuropsych and education needs to be

filled. That also depends on neuropsychology and parents like us who push

for those initiatives. My main point was about the attitude often

encountered. Teachers often don't even know what they don't know and then

they become defensive about their position, as though they are scared or

insecure about their lack of knowledge. No one is asking them to become a

neuropsychologist, just be open to the possibility that they don't know and

allow the experts to guide them instead of thinking inside the box and taking

the path of least resistance: following their own standards.

I am amazed that you only encountered two teachers who showed this

attitude. At our school it was the party line, led by the principal who made

that stupid remark.He has also called these kids " bubbleheads. " What did I

do? I contacted an attorney and we quickly got money for an outside

placement. This did not solve the problem, however, because my child felt

very stigmatized as a SPED.

I have compassion for teachers who are overextended. The system needs

an overhaul and we could benefit from the infusion of

neuropsychology/clinical psychology. I just ask that people keep their minds

open and learn and refrain from discriminatory remarks because of their own

ignorance and prejudices...I'll tell you a personal story when I come back!

Just, don't allow our kids to suffer because of the system's inadequacies.

They have enough to deal with too with their OCD!

Mamimiz

[Guest guest]

OKAY, adding my 2-cents here with my opinion.

I don't know about other school systems, so this is my opinion on our

middle/high schools. Well, also elementary, though our elementary

school personnel seem to be set up differently.

Re the middle/high school. There is a " guidance office " WITH a

school psychologist. Plus other personnel, not sure of

their " degrees " but they also work with IEPs/504s. Now, my opinion,

overworked teachers aside - the school psych NEEDS/SHOULD BE up-to-

date or educated in the learning needs of the various learning

disabilities/disorders, etc. AND the school psych I would think at

least needs to educate the teachers somewhat. I mean, at the very

least, say something like " this year there is an OCD....child in your

class with these particular problems " or ADD, or any other

learning " problem. " " This child would benefit from.... " things like

lists, teacher notes, sitting arrangements, needs a resource room,

whatever.

NOW the teachers DO get to go to training on different things every

so often, I can see that from our state website, it lists upcoming

training and it includes training on how to teach " these " kids.

(hmm..or maybe just the school psych goes....; anyway, it's offered.)

Well, just wanted to say that it's not JUST up to the teachers here

in my opinion. It's great if they ARE knowledgeable but I also feel

that if not, the personnel who ARE supposedly trained in these areas,

need to get with each teacher (group meeting or individually) to talk

about these issues.

And of course we PARENTS can educate them really well!!

But then remember, 's school psych was the one who said to me

when I mentioned the word " autism " to her last year that she had

never met anyone who was autistic, she surely would like to meet

someone. (duh!) And she really didn't know a lot about it. Well,

our county school system DOES have one person that is familiar with

the disorder.

I can't wait for my upcoming meeting with 's and 's

teachers next week. I'm looking forward to seeing if they actually

READ 's 504 Plan or know he has one. (particularly since it

was evident in once class it wasn't being followed)

Other news - they are STILL testing , 3 different days so

far. The occupational therapist will see him hopefully this week.

And luckily, it's the SAME one who has known him since 3rd grade and

done all his evals. So she'll be best to note the improvements.

On the " down " side, he is doing soooo well with writing all his own

work this year, etc. (and I asked for all these tests BEFORE this!)

that I wonder will they do away with his 504 Plan?? I really would

like it there as a " use when needed " support. His OCD is increasing

just a little though he denies it. If it's not the OCD then it must

be the " Aspergers " bit I see in him. He's picking at his skin (well,

maybe not picking but touching) like he used to, getting frustrated

at home more easily ('s not helping there!), and was wanting ME

to do the calculator for him last night to check things he was doing

in his head. This was only twice but the calculator was " right

there " and he sometimes does have a way of messing up things he keys

in so I just did it without commenting. Though DID comment on

it to ( " Why don't YOU do it??! " ) but I didn't hear the answer.

[Guest guest]

Mami

I find the kind of attitudes you speak of more in the middle and high

school settings, and WAY less in elementary schools (in my area). It

stands to reason that the older they get, the less " adorable " they

are, and fewer teachers want to put up with their hormones AND

disorders (making it worse). I'm doing my best at this time to get

(11, OCD+Tourettes+Moods) ready for the demands of middle and

high school. He's going to have to get less dependent on

accomodations and " help " because they expect them to be more

accountable and self-sufficient the older they get. If I were to

bitch and complain about the school systems, the ONE area I would

find that needs to be examined is how they drop the ball in the upper

grade levels. Some of this is because the PARENTS also drop the ball

and become less interested in school volunteering the older they get

too.

But, my 19 year old ADHD son was given *so* much help in elementary

school, then... very little in middle and almost NONE in high

school. I don't entirely blame the school system -- he was OFFERED

tons of help, but his pride got in the way, and he refused it. But,

how many 17 year olds are going to go along with something called

a " Child Study " or " Special Education?? " That's why I strongly urge

the parents on this board to get those IEP's going WAY BEFORE middle

and high school because if you attempt it when they're older, it's

going to be a tough sale on a teenager that wants to desperately " fit

in " -- and not be labled as something different.

But, even the LANGUAGE the school systems uses is out of date. Just

a few years ago in this " politically correct " day and age we live in,

I had to sign paperwork to get an IEP called " Emotionally

DISTURBED " Geez! I cried my eyes out that day! My son is

not " disturbed! " But, I had to bite the bullet and sign that dumb

form just to get him some assistance. Thank God he doesn't know

anything about this form and the label they wanted to attach to him.

But still, I don't like to whine and complain, because when I do, I

give away my power - and I become a victim. I am not a victim, and I

do have power, and so does everyone on this board. I say we form

some kind of National Parent Coalition of Special Needs Kids to get

the government to recognize the inadequacies that still remain in the

system.

Together, we CAN change these problems and improve *our*

educational system - bought and paid for by *us* - the taxpayers!

Private school isn't the answer for many due to the cost, the lack of

protection (IEPs) and the rigid standards and pressure. I went to a

private school when I was a kid, and no way would my son ever

survive! There is absolutely no compassion or funding(in my

experience) for special needs kids in a private school setting.

Then, add on the religious or military component - and I don't want

that pressure and guilt on him either.

I personally think we've got the BEST public school system in the

world - but it, like many govt. systems, needs to get up to speed.

The only way that's ever going to happen is if parent's get more

involved, get proactive, and realize the power they have. Afterall,

that " know-it-all " teacher is an employee of the state, whose income

is derived from OUR tax dollars. We have lots of power, but many

parents don't have the time or the energy to fight - and they feel

helpless and powerless - " victims " of a system THEY are paying for!

Not me! Perhaps it's from working so many years in a corporation

that makes me different. I was one of those " movers and shakers " to

get things changed. I simply refuse to be a victim and DEMANDED to

be heard. It's funny, but at 's school, when I say " Excuse me,

can I speak to you? " the principal, teachers, aid's etc, all scurry

around IN FEAR and make sure that whatever I want, I GET!!! LOL

(funny too because I'm only 5'2 " tall!) Like I said, you don't mess

with me and my son! The squeaky wheel DOES get the grease! But,

respect goes a long way too, and I find that when I give respect to a

teacher (instead of resisting and discounting them), I get it all

back - most of the time.

I look forward to reading more of your stories and rants about the

school system - and how you championed your daughter against the

TRUE 'bubbleheads' of the world - that newly " enlightened " former

principal! Good job! I seriously doubt he'll be using THAT word

again! If he does, wait till he gets a dose of ME!

Joni

> When I have more time, I will respond to your post in more detail.

I agree,

> the issue is very complex. I did not suggest the burden was

entirely on the

> schools, but that the gap between neuropsych and education needs to

be

> filled. That also depends on neuropsychology and parents like us

who push

> for those initiatives. My main point was about the attitude often

> encountered. Teachers often don't even know what they don't know

and then

> they become defensive about their position, as though they are

scared or

> insecure about their lack of knowledge. No one is asking them to

become a

> neuropsychologist, just be open to the possibility that they don't

know and

> allow the experts to guide them instead of thinking inside the box

and taking

> the path of least resistance: following their own standards.

> I am amazed that you only encountered two teachers who showed

this

> attitude. At our school it was the party line, led by the

principal who made

> that stupid remark.He has also called these kids " bubbleheads. "

What did I

> do? I contacted an attorney and we quickly got money for an

outside

> placement. This did not solve the problem, however, because my

child felt

> very stigmatized as a SPED.

> I have compassion for teachers who are overextended. The

system needs

> an overhaul and we could benefit from the infusion of

> neuropsychology/clinical psychology. I just ask that people keep

their minds

> open and learn and refrain from discriminatory remarks because of

their own

> ignorance and prejudices...I'll tell you a personal story when I

come back!

> Just, don't allow our kids to suffer because of the system's

inadequacies.

> They have enough to deal with too with their OCD!

>

> Mamimiz