Re: Kindergarten/Gavin

[Guest guest]

: I feel your pain and wish I could give you some great advice, but I

can't. We are fortunate here that the school has supplied everything for

Tori (1:1 aide & the learning support staff). She is 1 of 2 kids with

special needs in a school of 600. I know many of the parents on this site

will have good advice for you...but don't give up hope.

Liz Mom to Tori 5 y.o.

Kindergarten/Gavin

> Well guys it's been forever since I last posted. So much has happened

> in the last 6 or so months. Gavin is now 6 years old and just started

> Kindergarten in a fully inclusive classroom.

>

> In the 3 weeks we have been there it has been a nightmare. The school

> has put NO supports in place for him. The only thing they have

> provided is a speach therapist and an " aid " that has no education or

> experience with special needs kids.

>

> With the court battle we went through in Lancaster County I thought

> that we would " pave " the way to sail him right into York County (we

> moved). It is so discouraging and I am at my wits end!!

>

> The aid was ready to quit the 2nd day, and my sister Traci and I were

> asked by the school district if we could come in and help " train " her

> to better assist Gavin.

>

> Well, we are now going into the 4th week and when we told the school

> on Friday that we are now going to " back out " and let the aid step up

> to the plate, the aid said they were to find someone else because she

> can not control Gavin, and does not know what to do, or how to

> understand him.

>

> We called and are in the process of getting an intake done to see if

> Gavin qualifies for a TSS, but I was told that they don't always

> approve that and it may take as long as 6 months to get it in place.

> I love Gavin dearly, but it is taking a toll on me having to go into

> school, and I was really looking forward to that little " break " of

> having him at school.

>

> Gavin is soooo frustrated with his aid that he crys every morning

> when it's time to get ready. She has done more damage being there

> with him, and I would love to just tell them to fire her and I'd take

> over until the TSS comes, but I don't know if I can last for 6

> months!!

>

> I am open for any suggestions or encouragement right now, because the

> light has gone out at the end of the tunnel and I am wondering if I

> should just " throw in the towel " and put him in the " life skills "

> class they so badly want to dump him in.

>

> Sorry for the length of this post, and thanks for letting me " vent " .

>

>

>

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/19/2005 1:07:15 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

nuwyne@... writes:

Gavin is soooo frustrated with his aid that he crys every morning

when it's time to get ready. She has done more damage being there

with him, and I would love to just tell them to fire her and I'd take

over until the TSS comes, but I don't know if I can last for 6

months!!

Aw....Poor Gavin. And poor you Terese! It really sounds like the

situation is spiraling out of control. Is it just the situation with the

aide,

or are there other issues with the school? Do you feel the school is not

providing the appropriate support for Gavin to be successful? If they

replaced this aide, would things be better? These are questions you have to

ask

yourself. I'm sure that you have a legal leg and all that (and I'm sure

Charlyne will chime in with that end of it). But all that takes time and if

Gavin is that miserable, you may start seeing behaviors that will stress him,

you, AND the school out completely.

<<In the 3 weeks we have been there it has been a nightmare. The school

has put NO supports in place for him. The only thing they have

provided is a speach therapist and an " aid " that has no education or

experience with special needs kids.>>

What supports do YOU think will enable success for Gavin in this classroom?

Write them all down. Write how you think you would implement those

supports. Write out how you want it to look. Then call for an immediate IEP

meeting with the entire team. Let them know this is a crisis. Let them know

this is affecting Gavin's ability to learn, and that he is crying each day.

I have to tell you when we went through the issues at Maddie's school last

year, I held out the ultimatum I knew would work. But recognize if you

put an ultimatum out there, you have to be prepared to stick to your end. I

told them I would NOT send Maddie to school unless they did what I wanted, and

told them " They could then explain to the Philadelphia school district why

my child was not coming to school " . I think it took 3 or 4 days. The

problem with you going in (or Tracey) going in and working as the aide is it

won't make them exactly rush out to get another one. And the fact is that

while as a parent, you want to work with an aide so you can help Gavin be the

best he can be, it's not YOUR job. Yes, you can have great input because no

one knows Gavin like you do, but they should hire a person who is

skilled....not someone who threatens to quit after day one.

It really stinks to the high heavens that we have to deal with this stuff, I

know. Giant hugs, and let us know how you make out.

Donna

[Guest guest]

~ Hang in there. I can't beleive what they are putting Gavin through. I

hope they get their act together and get him what he needs & is entitled to.

Becky

---------------------------------

Yahoo! for Good

Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

[Guest guest]

Hello -

I just wanted to chime in with some moral support. My Max (6) is also

in fully included Kindergarten this year (after our share of battles)

and the class aid is also clueless, although nice enough and well

intentioned. The only suggestion I can offer is that you put your

efforts into winning this person over and getting her on board with

Gavin's right to be in the class. Even a well intentioned person may

take a while to figure out Gavin's cues and the tactics that work for

him. As parents, we've had years to learn what works for our kids and

what doesn't.

If the aide is still threatening to quit, maybe that would be the best

thing. Tell her to " Bring it, don't sing it. " And you could focus on

hiring someone better qualified.

The only hope I can offer is this: Over years of talking to parents in

our local DS group about their experiences with full inclusion in

settings where the administration is not supportive, I've heard the

same story over and over. At the beginning of the school year, teachers

and administrators think it will never work but, by the end of the year

many really change their attitudes as they see how far the student has

come.

I know it's incredibly hard work for you. Hang in there. Our thoughts

are with you.

Sharon

(mom to Kindergartener Max)

> Well guys it's been forever since I last posted. So much has happened

> in the last 6 or so months. Gavin is now 6 years old and just started

> Kindergarten in a fully inclusive classroom.

>

> In the 3 weeks we have been there it has been a nightmare. The school

> has put NO supports in place for him. The only thing they have

> provided is a speach therapist and an " aid " that has no education or

> experience with special needs kids.

>

> With the court battle we went through in Lancaster County I thought

> that we would " pave " the way to sail him right into York County (we

> moved). It is so discouraging and I am at my wits end!!

>

> The aid was ready to quit the 2nd day, and my sister Traci and I were

> asked by the school district if we could come in and help " train " her

> to better assist Gavin.

>

> Well, we are now going into the 4th week and when we told the school

> on Friday that we are now going to " back out " and let the aid step up

> to the plate, the aid said they were to find someone else because she

> can not control Gavin, and does not know what to do, or how to

> understand him.

>

> We called and are in the process of getting an intake done to see if

> Gavin qualifies for a TSS, but I was told that they don't always

> approve that and it may take as long as 6 months to get it in place.

> I love Gavin dearly, but it is taking a toll on me having to go into

> school, and I was really looking forward to that little " break " of

> having him at school.

>

> Gavin is soooo frustrated with his aid that he crys every morning

> when it's time to get ready. She has done more damage being there

> with him, and I would love to just tell them to fire her and I'd take

> over until the TSS comes, but I don't know if I can last for 6

> months!!

>

> I am open for any suggestions or encouragement right now, because the

> light has gone out at the end of the tunnel and I am wondering if I

> should just " throw in the towel " and put him in the " life skills "

> class they so badly want to dump him in.

>

> Sorry for the length of this post, and thanks for letting me " vent " .

>

>

>

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------

> Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and

> photos of our kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other

> information by including them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent

> record of the archives for our list.

> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

> --------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Totally agree, hope Charlyne could back this current info out with the

new IDEA changes which were just in effect this July. You may find it

on the slaw site something on the " insufficient training with the

staff " which would be the biggest concern that you are addressing.

Just something in the mean time to look into for now, so that your son

could still be in inclusion as he will benefit from learning with " NT "

students at his age, the NT students would be the best role models and

his school activites, etc. could be modified around his level from

actual Certified Autism specialist EXAMPLE like from a Certified BCABA.

Many parents have asked for this than an Autism Educational

Consultant/Trainer but please look into this and hopefully you will end

up with a good one.

There is a site that you could pass on with the list of certified ABA

personnel that the school district could go under and contact them to

contract with them so that the school district help with the funding. I

should have this site in my folders. Unless you're aware of one in your

area should you go this route. All this is an example should you decide

something like this. I just find it as one of the most effective

program based on research and with our experience with our son who has

made some tremendous gains but in a self-contain classroom as he missed

out on so much as nobody knew how to work with him when he was younger.

Once they hire the Certified BCABA, an assessment is done and then it

is time to address the areas needed to follow through with the school

activities and the BCABA will help train a 1:1 shadow which you will

also request too (not velcro down the road) and the teacher will also

be given how to modify the school activities and you too will receive

some parent training to continue addressing it at home.

What I know now if my son was your son's age this is definitely where I

would of push and worked around this for him to stay in the classroom

with " NT " students/inclusion but not bad at an older child with DS/ASD.

Of course a different situation with the classroom but at this rate if

you do not mind trying, not to throw in the towel just yet in regards

to this issue. Once all avenues are tried then its time for the next

step and once again you will be battling still as every individual

should be this as an " Individual " . My advise try out Round 1 for now.

If you need some info I'll be glad to past them along with everyone

here on the list to pass some info too, at least the school are

admitting that they need your presence which are the key words to open

these doors.

Unless you would like to search for another school and guess what? It

may be the same thing unless you do run into something that has already

been done from previous parents. Then once this is structured the OT

who specializes with SPD(sensory processing disorder),Floortime would

be one of the best program at his age and every student would be

involved.

ABA for curriculum.

AVB for Language.

RDI for scocial skills but then most intervention relates to this.

Floortime for play, etc....

Irma,17, DS/ASD

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I just happened to check e-mails tonight quickly. I hadn't intended on

responding on the list becuase I am in the middle of three week work a thon but,

your post caught my attention. The school must train their personnel not you!

The IEP supports begin when Gavin enters the building not when the school get

around to putting his program together. The aide must have adequate training to

meet Gavin's needs. I would call an IEP meeting immediately, ask for an ed

consultant with a background in autism, ask that the teacher and aide be

specifically trained by this person. If the team denys your request go straight

to a mediation hearing. You have certainly been cooperative with the school and

have given them the necessary time to get their staff together. It is the

responsibility of the school system to provide Gavin with a program and staff

that meets his needs to benefit from his education. If the aide tells you she is

quitting run don't walk to the principal and let her say it face to

face. The aide can do more damage. School will become a punishment for Gavin.

You must advocate for Gavin because no one else will. The school staff are not

your friends and you owe them nothing. Speak up now.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 12 DS/OCD/ASD?

wrote:

Well guys it's been forever since I last posted. So much has happened

in the last 6 or so months. Gavin is now 6 years old and just started

Kindergarten in a fully inclusive classroom.

In the 3 weeks we have been there it has been a nightmare. The school

has put NO supports in place for him. The only thing they have

provided is a speach therapist and an " aid " that has no education or

experience with special needs kids.

With the court battle we went through in Lancaster County I thought

that we would " pave " the way to sail him right into York County (we

moved). It is so discouraging and I am at my wits end!!

The aid was ready to quit the 2nd day, and my sister Traci and I were

asked by the school district if we could come in and help " train " her

to better assist Gavin.

Well, we are now going into the 4th week and when we told the school

on Friday that we are now going to " back out " and let the aid step up

to the plate, the aid said they were to find someone else because she

can not control Gavin, and does not know what to do, or how to

understand him.

We called and are in the process of getting an intake done to see if

Gavin qualifies for a TSS, but I was told that they don't always

approve that and it may take as long as 6 months to get it in place.

I love Gavin dearly, but it is taking a toll on me having to go into

school, and I was really looking forward to that little " break " of

having him at school.

Gavin is soooo frustrated with his aid that he crys every morning

when it's time to get ready. She has done more damage being there

with him, and I would love to just tell them to fire her and I'd take

over until the TSS comes, but I don't know if I can last for 6

months!!

I am open for any suggestions or encouragement right now, because the

light has gone out at the end of the tunnel and I am wondering if I

should just " throw in the towel " and put him in the " life skills "

class they so badly want to dump him in.

Sorry for the length of this post, and thanks for letting me " vent " .

--------------------------------------------------

Checkout our homepage for information, bookmarks, and photos of our

kids. Share favorite bookmarks, ideas, and other information by including them.

Don't forget, messages are a permanent record of the archives for our list.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

--------------------------------------------