Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 I have advocated for total communication since pre-K. I've told the school we use sign, speech, gesture, picture, object - whatever to get the message through. I need to learn more about this new teacher and her views. I then need to share with her the established, best practices for working with deaf-blind children. I've got to stay calm and appear matter-of-fact with these folks or I lose all credibility. The way I look at it, I am the expert on Austin and his deaf-blindness and I'm an expert in researching what he needs. I may not have the creativity or time to create elaborate laminated calendar systems for the home, but I do know what is going on across the country and I have traveled the U.S. to gain knowledge and information about my child. I am like any concerned parent and I should not be expected to do the teachers job. Austin is my first child; I've not had the experience of a first child meeting typical milestones. I've never taken breathing, swallowing, walking, etc. for granted. :-( My 2nd child has shown me how children learn vicariously. What a huge, profound difference from a child who has vision and hearing loss, along with other medical issues thrown in for good measure!! Just this evening, as we were reading her A.R. books, I found myself signing words that she was sounding out... what does that tell you about total communication. She knows and understands a word by sign before she can sound it out. She will be bilingual at the least!! I feel much more calm and capable after reading the support of many of you who face, and have responded, to these same issues one or more times. Monday, the teachers will see the literature on communication and deaf-blind children; Tuesday they will receive more info and then on Weds. we will discuss this in person and I know that if they do not " get it " I will proceed with a formal complaint or a 504 violation complaint for the violation of Austin's basic civil rights to receive a free and appropriate education!!! Thank you all for your support!! Jacque Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Well, this seems to be my night for posts! Just hang in there. I no longer remember how often we've gone to due process, but we also made it through federal court and the court of appeals. It was exhausting, but got what she should have had from the beginning. I'm all for parents being friendly, etc., but if you don't think you're reaching your goal, then move on. I think we learned the hardest way that kids only have so much time to lose. Good thoughts are heading your way from here! Martha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Think about it, how can you sound out a word if you don't hear all the sounds? Also remember that hearing the word is not just understanding words and their meanings. Especially in America. There are influctuations of voices, body language, facial expressions, and so much more. Patty isn't totally deaf and she isn't totally blind but the combination of her vision and hearing losses make her deaf/blind and impact not just her learning, but her entire life. It also impacts her social situations as well. Signing for her now is a life skill and not just a learning skill. It is a way for her to understand her environment and situations around her. So often she was denied services because they didn't do thator have that where we came from or they believed she didn't need it because she was learning and looked so good. Although she graduated with a regular ed diploma I know she could have done better if she were serviced appropriately. By the way, it isn't just signing that is important. So is technology of every level, modifications of materials, programs and environment and so is respect and understanding. I feel what many couldn't comprehend is that it wasn't that she couldn't learn it was just she had to be provided the information in a different way. By the way, fighting for what is right for your children is what everyone should and must do. Just don't forget to thank the teachers for doing their jobs. It ended up that the Special Ed staff were the ones who placed limitations on Patty. It was many of the gifted regular educators who gave her learning opportunities and fought for her. Thank you went a long way. Good luck everyone. Bonnie, mom to a 21, Patty CHARGE 19 and wife to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Thankyou, I couldnt have put it better! Same goes for spelling! Who here has had teachers say " we let the kids use creative spelling (spelling the way they hear the words) " Chantelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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