Re: Please help me come to terms...................

[Guest guest]

--- mandy houser <mld37917@y...> wrote:

> I am so admant about not having my daughter placed in the special

ed dept because, I use to volunteer in that room, and I know the

teacher, they provoke the children to misbehave, and then call the

parents to come and pick them up. I did however talk with the

principal again today, and she says she has no intention of placing

emily there.

>

> amanda

Your child isn't " placed " in a " spec. ed department. " She will be

given wonderful assistance by TRAINED specialist In The Classroom.

Think of them as THERAPISTS that also teach, because that's what they

are. They also blend in in the classroom, appearing more like

assistant teachers than " spec. ed teachers. "

All of the special ed teachers that has had over the years were

better than his regular teachers. They were compassionate, loving,

gifted and extremely PATIENT! We couldn't have gotten through some

of those tough times without them.

For those of you who homeschool your children: If your child is an

outgoing/extroverted child, I'd seriously think about putting him/her

in public school. I was sent to a private (religious) school in the

first through sixth grades, and then public school 7th-thru 12th.

What an amazing difference! Private school was stuffy, boring, way

too strict and the teachers were CRUEL behind closed doors when

parents weren't around. When I went to public school, it was as if a

big world opened up to me. My grades soared, I was very popular in

public school, I never got into any trouble and my teachers were ALL

great! In contrast, in private school I was always in trouble due to

the strict, religious atmosphere, which made me rebellious and

depressed.

But, I'm extremly OUTGOING and extroverted. I literally shrivel up

and die at home and without LOTS of people and stimulation in my

life. If I had an introverted/shy/quiet child, I might consider

homeschooling, but only if that's what my child wanted - and not what

*I* wanted. I know so many parents that homeschool because THEY are

afraid of public school and they project their fears onto their kids

and live vicariously throught them. My own parents were afraid to

send my sibs and I to public school because *they* feared that we'd

turn into wild/unruly children/teens. Yet, the opposite was true.

When we finally got to go to public school, we started to feel

like " normal " kids that did normal things. There was no strict

corporal punishment, shame and guilt - only natural and logical

consequences in public school. I am almost certain that I would have

turned to drugs or something worse if I had stayed in private

school. Due to going to public school and all of the great public

education (sex and drug education/the dare program, etc), I was never

tempted into that lifestyle.

I am also so extroverted that homeschooling my child is out of the

question. I am not the type that can sit in my house and teach all

day long. In addition, peer pressure is a wonderful motivator to

help my OCD/TS son keep his compulsions and obsessions under control.

He already feels " different " due to OCD. Public school helps him

feel just as " normal " and mainstreamed as all the kids in the

neighborhood.

My two cents,

Joni

Mom to , 13, OCD/TS

and two adult sons, 23 and 21 - all public schoolers and leading

responsible/drug-free/productive lives.

P.S. A big THANK YOU to all of the wonderful Special Ed teachers out

there!

[Guest guest]

--- mandy houser <mld37917@y...> wrote:

> I am so admant about not having my daughter placed in the special

ed dept because, I use to volunteer in that room, and I know the

teacher, they provoke the children to misbehave, and then call the

parents to come and pick them up. I did however talk with the

principal again today, and she says she has no intention of placing

emily there.

>

> amanda

Your child isn't " placed " in a " spec. ed department. " She will be

given wonderful assistance by TRAINED specialist In The Classroom.

Think of them as THERAPISTS that also teach, because that's what they

are. They also blend in in the classroom, appearing more like

assistant teachers than " spec. ed teachers. "

All of the special ed teachers that has had over the years were

better than his regular teachers. They were compassionate, loving,

gifted and extremely PATIENT! We couldn't have gotten through some

of those tough times without them.

For those of you who homeschool your children: If your child is an

outgoing/extroverted child, I'd seriously think about putting him/her

in public school. I was sent to a private (religious) school in the

first through sixth grades, and then public school 7th-thru 12th.

What an amazing difference! Private school was stuffy, boring, way

too strict and the teachers were CRUEL behind closed doors when

parents weren't around. When I went to public school, it was as if a

big world opened up to me. My grades soared, I was very popular in

public school, I never got into any trouble and my teachers were ALL

great! In contrast, in private school I was always in trouble due to

the strict, religious atmosphere, which made me rebellious and

depressed.

But, I'm extremly OUTGOING and extroverted. I literally shrivel up

and die at home and without LOTS of people and stimulation in my

life. If I had an introverted/shy/quiet child, I might consider

homeschooling, but only if that's what my child wanted - and not what

*I* wanted. I know so many parents that homeschool because THEY are

afraid of public school and they project their fears onto their kids

and live vicariously throught them. My own parents were afraid to

send my sibs and I to public school because *they* feared that we'd

turn into wild/unruly children/teens. Yet, the opposite was true.

When we finally got to go to public school, we started to feel

like " normal " kids that did normal things. There was no strict

corporal punishment, shame and guilt - only natural and logical

consequences in public school. I am almost certain that I would have

turned to drugs or something worse if I had stayed in private

school. Due to going to public school and all of the great public

education (sex and drug education/the dare program, etc), I was never

tempted into that lifestyle.

I am also so extroverted that homeschooling my child is out of the

question. I am not the type that can sit in my house and teach all

day long. In addition, peer pressure is a wonderful motivator to

help my OCD/TS son keep his compulsions and obsessions under control.

He already feels " different " due to OCD. Public school helps him

feel just as " normal " and mainstreamed as all the kids in the

neighborhood.

My two cents,

Joni

Mom to , 13, OCD/TS

and two adult sons, 23 and 21 - all public schoolers and leading

responsible/drug-free/productive lives.

P.S. A big THANK YOU to all of the wonderful Special Ed teachers out

there!

[Guest guest]

Regarding homeschooling and outgoing, extroverted children:

Homeschooling is not confined to the home. Homeschoolers are involved in

countless activities, including co-op's, tutorials, gym classes, etc. My

daughter, BECAUSE she is homeschooled, has opportunities to volunteer one

day a month at a nursing home, and one day a month at our church helping the

office staff. This not only gives her an outlet, but teaches her invaluable

skills....organization, cooperation, compassion, to name a few. She is

afforded many opportunites and has a great number of friends.....to the

extent that I sometimes feel we need another phone line! She has always

been homeschooled.

T o assume that homeschooled children somehow miss something positive is

to not truly have a grasp on what homeschooling is and can be. My children

have had opportunites and trips that would have not been possible in a

traditional setting. They have been able to learn things at their own speed

without being made to feel badly about it....my younger daughter did not

learn to read (although we worked on it for several years) until she was 8

years old, and is now a voracious reader! My oldest dd (with OCD) has been

able to learn things that interest HER, because she has the ability to spend

the time doing just that. She is also a gifted writer, and because of this,

I can work that gifting into our daily schooling.

My oldest dd is extremely sensitive. You had a positive school

experience. Our schools here are fraught with drugs, racial tension,

(unfortunately), and overcrowding. I think that having to navigate all of

that at her age could cause her to " snap " . Schools aren't necessarily like

when you went to school.

Schooling is an intensely personal issue. We as parents are charged with

raising our children in a way that benefits the child. For some children,

that is a public school setting. For others, it is homeschooling. Others

still choose private school. I think grace needs to be afforded everyone

for the choices they make. Enough of us second guess ourselves without

having others do it for us!

I guess you hit a nerve! Thank you for listening to yet another opinion.

Blessings,

Tammy

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

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[Guest guest]

Regarding homeschooling and outgoing, extroverted children:

Homeschooling is not confined to the home. Homeschoolers are involved in

countless activities, including co-op's, tutorials, gym classes, etc. My

daughter, BECAUSE she is homeschooled, has opportunities to volunteer one

day a month at a nursing home, and one day a month at our church helping the

office staff. This not only gives her an outlet, but teaches her invaluable

skills....organization, cooperation, compassion, to name a few. She is

afforded many opportunites and has a great number of friends.....to the

extent that I sometimes feel we need another phone line! She has always

been homeschooled.

T o assume that homeschooled children somehow miss something positive is

to not truly have a grasp on what homeschooling is and can be. My children

have had opportunites and trips that would have not been possible in a

traditional setting. They have been able to learn things at their own speed

without being made to feel badly about it....my younger daughter did not

learn to read (although we worked on it for several years) until she was 8

years old, and is now a voracious reader! My oldest dd (with OCD) has been

able to learn things that interest HER, because she has the ability to spend

the time doing just that. She is also a gifted writer, and because of this,

I can work that gifting into our daily schooling.

My oldest dd is extremely sensitive. You had a positive school

experience. Our schools here are fraught with drugs, racial tension,

(unfortunately), and overcrowding. I think that having to navigate all of

that at her age could cause her to " snap " . Schools aren't necessarily like

when you went to school.

Schooling is an intensely personal issue. We as parents are charged with

raising our children in a way that benefits the child. For some children,

that is a public school setting. For others, it is homeschooling. Others

still choose private school. I think grace needs to be afforded everyone

for the choices they make. Enough of us second guess ourselves without

having others do it for us!

I guess you hit a nerve! Thank you for listening to yet another opinion.

Blessings,

Tammy

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.789 / Virus Database: 534 - Release Date: 11/07/2004

[Guest guest]

Regarding homeschooling and outgoing, extroverted children:

Homeschooling is not confined to the home. Homeschoolers are involved in

countless activities, including co-op's, tutorials, gym classes, etc. My

daughter, BECAUSE she is homeschooled, has opportunities to volunteer one

day a month at a nursing home, and one day a month at our church helping the

office staff. This not only gives her an outlet, but teaches her invaluable

skills....organization, cooperation, compassion, to name a few. She is

afforded many opportunites and has a great number of friends.....to the

extent that I sometimes feel we need another phone line! She has always

been homeschooled.

T o assume that homeschooled children somehow miss something positive is

to not truly have a grasp on what homeschooling is and can be. My children

have had opportunites and trips that would have not been possible in a

traditional setting. They have been able to learn things at their own speed

without being made to feel badly about it....my younger daughter did not

learn to read (although we worked on it for several years) until she was 8

years old, and is now a voracious reader! My oldest dd (with OCD) has been

able to learn things that interest HER, because she has the ability to spend

the time doing just that. She is also a gifted writer, and because of this,

I can work that gifting into our daily schooling.

My oldest dd is extremely sensitive. You had a positive school

experience. Our schools here are fraught with drugs, racial tension,

(unfortunately), and overcrowding. I think that having to navigate all of

that at her age could cause her to " snap " . Schools aren't necessarily like

when you went to school.

Schooling is an intensely personal issue. We as parents are charged with

raising our children in a way that benefits the child. For some children,

that is a public school setting. For others, it is homeschooling. Others

still choose private school. I think grace needs to be afforded everyone

for the choices they make. Enough of us second guess ourselves without

having others do it for us!

I guess you hit a nerve! Thank you for listening to yet another opinion.

Blessings,

Tammy

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.789 / Virus Database: 534 - Release Date: 11/07/2004

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I'm glad that homeschooling works for you. Private school did not

work for me. I found it extremely stifling and restrictive. And,

that school is still the same way today. My nephews attended the

same school and they couldn't stand it either. In fact, they too got

into lots of trouble in the private school due to the restrictive

environment and yet, in public school they shined. One of my nephews

became a quarterback for his public school football team and got so

much recognition and publicity due to his talent, he was offered

scholarships all over the country. He attributes his success to his

local public school coaching staff.

My parents had many good and not-so-good reasons for sending me to

private school. Some of the not-so-good reasons were:

1) THEY were afraid of public school. I wasn't afraid of it.

2) THEY wanted obedient children. We were already obedient In fact,

the kids in private school were WAY more disobedient than the kids in

public school. All of the rules, structure, routine, and strict

discipline caused many of them to rebel and become defiant.

3) They were somewhat racist and didn't want us to attend school in a

multicultural environment.

4) THEY thought private school was prestigious and it looked good on

THEM. Our feelings, needs and personality were never even

considered.

Once my sibs and I got out of that controlling environment, we

thrived and did much better in public school. And, yes -- our

private school had lots of activities, field trips, music lessons,

etc., etc., etc., (money flowed abundantly there and still does) but,

our trips were highly controlled as to what we could learn and

experience due to the religious factor. The public schools that my

sons attend(ed) actually has better field trips and cultural

opportunities (Wash. DC, town, New York City, etc - just to name

a few) than the private school ever offered. Private school sent us

to places like nursing homes and church bake sales and clean up

duties, and called that a " field trip. " Ahem.

Please keep in mind that I'm speaking from my *own experience* and

don't intend to start a war here about homeschooling vs. public

school. If I lived in a drug infested area with gang wars, etc, I

still wouldn't homeschool - I'd MOVE. I'd be a terrible and

unhappy at-home mother/teacher because I need lots of people and

interaction. And, the teachers in MY public school district all have

masters degrees - and the principal has a Ph.D. Not so in private

school, where they pay the teachers less.

I was extremely unhappy in a private school setting, yet my parents

didn't finally realize that until middle school age - when we all

ganged up on them and demanded to go to school with our neighborhood

friends. I was much happier in public school where I was free

to choose my own classes, be around LOTS of people, and open my mind

to all the different races and cultures that public school offers.

It made me a much better person and tolerant of all kinds of people,

in my not so humble opinion.

Joni

Regarding homeschooling and outgoing, extroverted children:

Homeschooling is not confined to the home. Homeschoolers are involved

in

countless activities, including co-op's, tutorials, gym classes, etc.

My

daughter, BECAUSE she is homeschooled, has opportunities to volunteer

one

day a month at a nursing home, and one day a month at our church

helping the

office staff. This not only gives her an outlet, but teaches her

invaluable

skills....organization, cooperation, compassion, to name a few. She is

afforded many opportunites and has a great number of friends.....to

the

extent that I sometimes feel we need another phone line! She has

always

been homeschooled.

T o assume that homeschooled children somehow miss something positive

is

to not truly have a grasp on what homeschooling is and can be. My

children

have had opportunites and trips that would have not been possible in a

traditional setting. They have been able to learn things at their own

speed

without being made to feel badly about it....my younger daughter did

not

learn to read (although we worked on it for several years) until she

was 8

years old, and is now a voracious reader! My oldest dd (with OCD) has

been

able to learn things that interest HER, because she has the ability

to spend

the time doing just that. She is also a gifted writer, and because of

this,

I can work that gifting into our daily schooling.

My oldest dd is extremely sensitive. You had a positive school

experience. Our schools here are fraught with drugs, racial tension,

(unfortunately), and overcrowding. I think that having to navigate

all of

that at her age could cause her to " snap " . Schools aren't necessarily

like

when you went to school.

Schooling is an intensely personal issue. We as parents are charged

with

raising our children in a way that benefits the child. For some

children,

that is a public school setting. For others, it is homeschooling.

Others

still choose private school. I think grace needs to be afforded

everyone

for the choices they make. Enough of us second guess ourselves without

having others do it for us!

I guess you hit a nerve! Thank you for listening to yet another

opinion.

Blessings,

Tammy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I'm glad that homeschooling works for you. Private school did not

work for me. I found it extremely stifling and restrictive. And,

that school is still the same way today. My nephews attended the

same school and they couldn't stand it either. In fact, they too got

into lots of trouble in the private school due to the restrictive

environment and yet, in public school they shined. One of my nephews

became a quarterback for his public school football team and got so

much recognition and publicity due to his talent, he was offered

scholarships all over the country. He attributes his success to his

local public school coaching staff.

My parents had many good and not-so-good reasons for sending me to

private school. Some of the not-so-good reasons were:

1) THEY were afraid of public school. I wasn't afraid of it.

2) THEY wanted obedient children. We were already obedient In fact,

the kids in private school were WAY more disobedient than the kids in

public school. All of the rules, structure, routine, and strict

discipline caused many of them to rebel and become defiant.

3) They were somewhat racist and didn't want us to attend school in a

multicultural environment.

4) THEY thought private school was prestigious and it looked good on

THEM. Our feelings, needs and personality were never even

considered.

Once my sibs and I got out of that controlling environment, we

thrived and did much better in public school. And, yes -- our

private school had lots of activities, field trips, music lessons,

etc., etc., etc., (money flowed abundantly there and still does) but,

our trips were highly controlled as to what we could learn and

experience due to the religious factor. The public schools that my

sons attend(ed) actually has better field trips and cultural

opportunities (Wash. DC, town, New York City, etc - just to name

a few) than the private school ever offered. Private school sent us

to places like nursing homes and church bake sales and clean up

duties, and called that a " field trip. " Ahem.

Please keep in mind that I'm speaking from my *own experience* and

don't intend to start a war here about homeschooling vs. public

school. If I lived in a drug infested area with gang wars, etc, I

still wouldn't homeschool - I'd MOVE. I'd be a terrible and

unhappy at-home mother/teacher because I need lots of people and

interaction. And, the teachers in MY public school district all have

masters degrees - and the principal has a Ph.D. Not so in private

school, where they pay the teachers less.

I was extremely unhappy in a private school setting, yet my parents

didn't finally realize that until middle school age - when we all

ganged up on them and demanded to go to school with our neighborhood

friends. I was much happier in public school where I was free

to choose my own classes, be around LOTS of people, and open my mind

to all the different races and cultures that public school offers.

It made me a much better person and tolerant of all kinds of people,

in my not so humble opinion.

Joni

Regarding homeschooling and outgoing, extroverted children:

Homeschooling is not confined to the home. Homeschoolers are involved

in

countless activities, including co-op's, tutorials, gym classes, etc.

My

daughter, BECAUSE she is homeschooled, has opportunities to volunteer

one

day a month at a nursing home, and one day a month at our church

helping the

office staff. This not only gives her an outlet, but teaches her

invaluable

skills....organization, cooperation, compassion, to name a few. She is

afforded many opportunites and has a great number of friends.....to

the

extent that I sometimes feel we need another phone line! She has

always

been homeschooled.

T o assume that homeschooled children somehow miss something positive

is

to not truly have a grasp on what homeschooling is and can be. My

children

have had opportunites and trips that would have not been possible in a

traditional setting. They have been able to learn things at their own

speed

without being made to feel badly about it....my younger daughter did

not

learn to read (although we worked on it for several years) until she

was 8

years old, and is now a voracious reader! My oldest dd (with OCD) has

been

able to learn things that interest HER, because she has the ability

to spend

the time doing just that. She is also a gifted writer, and because of

this,

I can work that gifting into our daily schooling.

My oldest dd is extremely sensitive. You had a positive school

experience. Our schools here are fraught with drugs, racial tension,

(unfortunately), and overcrowding. I think that having to navigate

all of

that at her age could cause her to " snap " . Schools aren't necessarily

like

when you went to school.

Schooling is an intensely personal issue. We as parents are charged

with

raising our children in a way that benefits the child. For some

children,

that is a public school setting. For others, it is homeschooling.

Others

still choose private school. I think grace needs to be afforded

everyone

for the choices they make. Enough of us second guess ourselves without

having others do it for us!

I guess you hit a nerve! Thank you for listening to yet another

opinion.

Blessings,

Tammy

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy,

I'm glad that homeschooling works for you. Private school did not

work for me. I found it extremely stifling and restrictive. And,

that school is still the same way today. My nephews attended the

same school and they couldn't stand it either. In fact, they too got

into lots of trouble in the private school due to the restrictive

environment and yet, in public school they shined. One of my nephews

became a quarterback for his public school football team and got so

much recognition and publicity due to his talent, he was offered

scholarships all over the country. He attributes his success to his

local public school coaching staff.

My parents had many good and not-so-good reasons for sending me to

private school. Some of the not-so-good reasons were:

1) THEY were afraid of public school. I wasn't afraid of it.

2) THEY wanted obedient children. We were already obedient In fact,

the kids in private school were WAY more disobedient than the kids in

public school. All of the rules, structure, routine, and strict

discipline caused many of them to rebel and become defiant.

3) They were somewhat racist and didn't want us to attend school in a

multicultural environment.

4) THEY thought private school was prestigious and it looked good on

THEM. Our feelings, needs and personality were never even

considered.

Once my sibs and I got out of that controlling environment, we

thrived and did much better in public school. And, yes -- our

private school had lots of activities, field trips, music lessons,

etc., etc., etc., (money flowed abundantly there and still does) but,

our trips were highly controlled as to what we could learn and

experience due to the religious factor. The public schools that my

sons attend(ed) actually has better field trips and cultural

opportunities (Wash. DC, town, New York City, etc - just to name

a few) than the private school ever offered. Private school sent us

to places like nursing homes and church bake sales and clean up

duties, and called that a " field trip. " Ahem.

Please keep in mind that I'm speaking from my *own experience* and

don't intend to start a war here about homeschooling vs. public

school. If I lived in a drug infested area with gang wars, etc, I

still wouldn't homeschool - I'd MOVE. I'd be a terrible and

unhappy at-home mother/teacher because I need lots of people and

interaction. And, the teachers in MY public school district all have

masters degrees - and the principal has a Ph.D. Not so in private

school, where they pay the teachers less.

I was extremely unhappy in a private school setting, yet my parents

didn't finally realize that until middle school age - when we all

ganged up on them and demanded to go to school with our neighborhood

friends. I was much happier in public school where I was free

to choose my own classes, be around LOTS of people, and open my mind

to all the different races and cultures that public school offers.

It made me a much better person and tolerant of all kinds of people,

in my not so humble opinion.

Joni

Regarding homeschooling and outgoing, extroverted children:

Homeschooling is not confined to the home. Homeschoolers are involved

in

countless activities, including co-op's, tutorials, gym classes, etc.

My

daughter, BECAUSE she is homeschooled, has opportunities to volunteer

one

day a month at a nursing home, and one day a month at our church

helping the

office staff. This not only gives her an outlet, but teaches her

invaluable

skills....organization, cooperation, compassion, to name a few. She is

afforded many opportunites and has a great number of friends.....to

the

extent that I sometimes feel we need another phone line! She has

always

been homeschooled.

T o assume that homeschooled children somehow miss something positive

is

to not truly have a grasp on what homeschooling is and can be. My

children

have had opportunites and trips that would have not been possible in a

traditional setting. They have been able to learn things at their own

speed

without being made to feel badly about it....my younger daughter did

not

learn to read (although we worked on it for several years) until she

was 8

years old, and is now a voracious reader! My oldest dd (with OCD) has

been

able to learn things that interest HER, because she has the ability

to spend

the time doing just that. She is also a gifted writer, and because of

this,

I can work that gifting into our daily schooling.

My oldest dd is extremely sensitive. You had a positive school

experience. Our schools here are fraught with drugs, racial tension,

(unfortunately), and overcrowding. I think that having to navigate

all of

that at her age could cause her to " snap " . Schools aren't necessarily

like

when you went to school.

Schooling is an intensely personal issue. We as parents are charged

with

raising our children in a way that benefits the child. For some

children,

that is a public school setting. For others, it is homeschooling.

Others

still choose private school. I think grace needs to be afforded

everyone

for the choices they make. Enough of us second guess ourselves without

having others do it for us!

I guess you hit a nerve! Thank you for listening to yet another

opinion.

Blessings,

Tammy

[Guest guest]

Hi Mandy, if you focus on what accommodations your daughter needs to do well

at school, and not worry too much now whether these accommodations become

available to her under a 504 or IEP, things will work out fine. Nothing can

happen without your signature, so if you refuse to have your child pulled

out for example, just don't sign any paper that provides for this. The

meetings are to hammer out these issues--what you want, what the teachers

etc. want, and what the school is willing or able to provide.

My OCD child has an IEP as it happens, because the school all but insisted

she be tested and her pdoc told me I may as well go ahead and let them, if

they were so eager. Back then I had no idea this meant she'd end up special

ed...my smart, capable, precocious child a special ed student!!???? That

took some getting used to, but mostly because I had some notions but no real

understanding of special ed. I understand that you do have a background and

insight into special education in your district, so I realize this doesn't

apply to you.

Kel had OCD before entering kindergarten, and has had an IEP since first

grade. She's in fifth now and has never been inside of a resource room or

anywhere else than regular ed classrooms with regular ed teachers. The only

difference I noticed in elementary school, was that she was frequently

placed with a teacher who had a room aide, student teacher, or para assigned

to another child in the room. (Not all the teachers had these.) She tended

to be placed in classrooms with fewer children compared to other classrooms,

though this advantage usually disappeared during the year as new children

transferred into the district. It also seemed to me that her classrooms

frequently had several other kids with IEPs, mostly for ADHD, more than I

would have expected by chance. Teachers on the list can tell me if this

impression is likely correct or not--I can't imagine being a teacher and

being ok with having more than my fair share of exceptional kids!

Over time her IEP accommodations have included no penalty for late work, no

penalty for tardies, and she was not to be kept in from recess as a

consequence for behavior, missing work or what have you. She was allowed to

chew gum to relieve tension, get up and move around the room if needed, and

subtly signal the teacher and leave the room if she needed to tic or was

feeling anxious and trapped. For a few months, she worked for one hour (two

half-hour segments), and whatever homework was unfinished at that point was

done later or modified with no penalties. These past few years her IEP

provisions have focused on giving her some slack for her organizational

difficulties, while helping her overcome these. Informally, her counselor

keeps tabs on her to a greater degree than she would otherwise. So far this

year, this has amounted to her snagging Kel in the hallways and reminding

her she can come see her anytime she feels she wants to.

I also decided early on that if the school ever wanted to place my child in

a situation I felt was not in her best interest, I would homeschool her, so

that decision has given me some peace in dealing with the school through the

years.

I think you are lucky (though I understand if you don't think so right now

:-) that your daughter's principal is telling you it is time to check into

accommodations for your child. So many of us have been engaged in

years-long struggles to convince the school that our child's OCD is

interfering with their education, and accommodations are needed.

Take care, good luck,

Kathy R. in Indiana

----- Original Message -----

> I have recently wrote, and many of you have given such great advice,

> that it has even helped the theripist point in new direction. Today

> I got a call from her principal and she said it's time 504 her. I

> told the principal that I agreed, but She is not going into special

> Ed. Principal says she has no intentions of that right now. I told

> her that if that ever became an intention, I will homechool her. I

> was just wondering how many of you homeschool?

> I appreciate you guys.

>

>