Re: risperdal/structure

[Guest guest]

That's probably what we'll end up doing for next year. She's in a

pre-k class this year from 7:45-1pm each day. The class is a mix of

NT kids and kids with different exceptionalities. I think she enjoys

it, she is more verbal, but she's having problems understanding

appropriate behavior. To try and get kids to play with her, she goes

up to the boys and flicks their ears. I'm sure she's meaning it as a

way to get attention 'cause she started doing it hear and home and

laughs when she does it. I think the whole not understanding what's

appropriate and what isn't is what's getting her frustrated. Last

year she was in a 4 yr old autism class and she LOVED it, but the

staff felt she needed a less-restrictive class because she was

becoming so social with the other kids and the other kids were lower

functioning and often didn't seem to respond to her initiating

interaction.

Next year will be kindergarten for her, she'll just be turning six.

I had planned on having her in regular K until 1pm, when K lets out,

and then have her stay in the autism class until 2:45, when 1-5

grades let out, but I just heard that next year K will be until 2:45

also. My plan right now is for her to start out in reg ed and we'll

see how well she does and tweak it as we go. My big fear of having

her in the " Asperger class " as it's called at our zoned school, is

that she will not get academic needs met. I have met person after

person who spent time in resource and got further behind. I know a

17 yr old boy with dyslexia right now in the same school system who

is functionally illiterate.

I welcome any advice you might have on what I can do to help her.

What my goal as her mom is is to make sure she gets proper academics

and is happy and confident. I think a regular ed class can offer her

some of that, but I also fear her feeling inadequate because she

will be perceived as different. I hear so many parents

saying " regular ed no matter what " but then I hear adults themselves

say how miserable they were in regular ed that I'm not gonna do that

to my daughter. Hopefully, regular ed will rally to her and it won't

become an issue. I've also considered a Montessouri school if I

start back to work, I hear those are wonderful for kids with autism.

I plan on also addressing the class as soon as school starts and

explaining to them about autism and I'm gonna do " Good Friend "

trophies to the entire class at the end of the school year to help

encourage the class to help and support exceptional students. Of

course, if someone's a jerk to her they won't get one, lol.

Debi

> I see.

> Is it possible for her to do part day autism class

> part day less restrictive class? Get the best of both

> worlds?

>

> Kassiane