Parents: Disability Training Should Be Mandatory

[Guest guest]

http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2008/may/29/ha-parents-

disability-training-should-be-mandatory/

Parents: Disability Training Should Be Mandatory

By LINNEA BROWN

Hernando Today

Published: May 29, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - You wouldn't put a deaf child in a classroom with a

teacher who doesn't know sign language.

That's the complaint voiced by local parents of children with

disabilities who would like to see special training for teachers of

children with often-invisible disabilities, such as autism, made

mandatory.

It was one of the issues brought up at a special town hall meeting

Wednesday evening, designed as a forum for anyone with concerns or

questions about the Hernando County School District's Exceptional

Student Education department.

" Students are going into classrooms with teachers who don't know

anything about autism spectrum disorder, " said Spring Hill resident

Walsh.

Her son, Gavin, a third grader at Challenger K-8 School of Science

and Mathematics, has a form of high-functioning autism known as

Asperger Disorder, a neurological condition that means he looks like

other children and is bright, yet is often unaware of socially

appropriate behavior and has difficulty interacting with other

children, she said.

" It really is an invisible disability, " she said.

He was first diagnosed with a mild physical disability in his thumb -

which granted him a state-mandated Individualized Educational Plan,

or IEP - and diagnosed a week later with autism.

However, it has been an ongoing struggle since the fall to get the

autism label added to his IEP, which would legally entitle him to the

educational services that would help him most, Walsh said.

" I constantly am battling the fact that there is no communication, "

she said.

She has also struggled to get teachers and school officials to tell

her about issues with her child, such as bullying and academic plans.

Parents spoke of two types of teachers: Those who are willing to

learn new styles of teaching and recognize the subtle learning

differences with students with disabilities, and those who have no

interest or knowledge of how to adapt.

" One teacher who doesn't understand can ruin your whole year, " said

Spring Hill resident Garza, whose son graduated from Central

High School last year.

Garza said her son, who is now 19 and in college on a full academic

scholarship, also has a form of high-functioning autism. The disorder

can encompass a broad range of symptoms, though students'

communication issues are often misinterpreted as " acting out " without

proper recognition training, she said.

Starting in 2011, teachers who have more than half of their students

diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder will be required by state

law to obtain a special " autism endorsement " teaching certification,

consisting of issues specific to autistic learning.

But this won't help children with high-functioning autism, many of

whom thrive in mainstream classrooms but lack social skills.

" I would like to see that changed, " Walsh said. " I would like to see

some sort of training made mandatory for teachers who are assigned

these kids. "

Dofka, director of Exceptional Student Education for the

district, said the district offers hundreds of optional training

sessions each year for teachers.

For the past three years, the district has hosted regular training

sessions on Tuesday evenings and during the day which are open to

everyone, including parents.

Funded by grants, the workshops cover a host of issues related to

autism and other disabilities, including differentiated instruction,

co-teaching, crisis prevention intervention and behavior.

But officials cannot force teachers to participate without direction

from the state, Dofka said.

" Do we offer it? Yes, " she said. " Is it a need? Yes. It's a big need.

I've even brought in specialists to work with teachers and encourage

them. "

Dofka spoke of one school in which all of the teachers of one

particular child with autism attended multiple training sessions and

worked together to make sure the child's needs were being met.

" A lot of teachers are very open-minded and will do what they need to

do, " she said. " There is a lot out there. Teachers just need to be

willing to come. "

Many parents praised the work of the ESE department and individual

teachers, and said it's only certain teachers and administrators who

need to be pushed to attend additional training.

" ESE has really been behind these kids - but schools need to let ESE

(officials) in to help them and show them what they need to do, "

Walsh said. " That's where the problems lie. "

Both she and Garza spoke of the desire to help other students and

their families who are experiencing the same struggles.

" I want to (bring this up) not just for my son, but for all the other

kids out there who are just slipping through the cracks, " Walsh said.

[Guest guest]

It probably should be, but the parents also shouldn't complain when taxes go up to cover it.

In a message dated 5/29/2008 1:08:34 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, no_reply writes:

Parents: Disability Training Should Be MandatoryGet trade secrets for amazing burgers. Watch "Cooking with Tyler Florence" on AOL Food.

[Guest guest]

>

> http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2008/may/29/ha-parents-

> disability-training-should-be-mandatory/

>

> Parents: Disability Training Should Be Mandatory

>

> By LINNEA BROWN

>

> Hernando Today

>

> Published: May 29, 2008

>

> BROOKSVILLE - You wouldn't put a deaf child in a classroom with a

> teacher who doesn't know sign language.

>

Parents spoke of two types of teachers: Those who are willing to

learn new styles of teaching and recognize the subtle learning

differences with students with disabilities, and those who have no

interest or knowledge of how to adapt.

mimi says ummm yes.