Re: Clusters

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Nila Benito

Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 12:00 AM

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

The research says that clusters do not result in optimal outcomes for our

kids.

From: gary00001@...

Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:28:20 -0400

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

I once heard a Behaviorist sat that he has never seen a

cluster he liked.

To: sList

From: janvanoy@...

Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:33:21 -0700

Subject: Re: Re: Clusters

Thank You. If anyone has more suggestions they are welcome

Jeannette

From: mytoothaches2003

To: sList

Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 2:09:42 PM

Subject: Re: Clusters

--

WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A

GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION

IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE

ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD LUCK!

- In sList@ yahoogroups. com,

jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:

>

> Hi:

> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby

sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is

because he is able to see other children.

> Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood,

City, etc.

> Thank You,

> Jeannette

>

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September 13, 2009

So just like everything else about autism, this dicussion has varying points of view. Should every kid on the spectrum in our schools receive 1 on 1 ABA therapy for their entire school day (most restrictive)?? or should every kid on the spectrum in our schools go into a general education classroom with every other kid in a much larger class all day(least restrictive )??

Is there a definitive answer here? To say that all spectrum kids should be in this setting or that setting is not going to dissolve the issue.

Personally, my kid would not do well in either of these settings all school day long and that is why he is in a cluster (and gen ed. for reading) where he is doing well.

To: sList From: shirlygilad@...Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:38:37 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

Clusters are a restrictive environment. They are the extreme opposite to inclusion. IDEA states that children should be in a least restrictive environment. The argument is that in the cluster our kids can receive more intense therapy and services. The reality should be that they get all that they need but in an inclusive setting.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral Therapy and then some.

Work:

Fax:

From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Nila BenitoSent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 12:00 AMTo: deniseslist Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

The research says that clusters do not result in optimal outcomes for our kids.

To: deniseslist From: gary00001msnDate: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:28:20 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

I once heard a Behaviorist sat that he has never seen a cluster he liked.

To: sList From: janvanoyDate: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:33:21 -0700Subject: Re: Re: Clusters

Thank You. If anyone has more suggestions they are welcome

Jeannette

From: mytoothaches2003 <mytoothaches2003>To: sList Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 2:09:42 PMSubject: Re: Clusters

--WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD LUCK!- In sList@ yahoogroups. com, jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:>> Hi:> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is because he is able to see other children. > Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood, City, etc.> Thank You,> Jeannette>

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September 13, 2009

Shirley, I'm not really concerned about the restrictive environment in reference to clusters because just by being in Special class, they are in a restrictive environment. Since they are in one, let's make the best of it. The cluster instruction is not the answer.

To: sList From: shirlygilad@...Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:38:37 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

Clusters are a restrictive environment. They are the extreme opposite to inclusion. IDEA states that children should be in a least restrictive environment. The argument is that in the cluster our kids can receive more intense therapy and services. The reality should be that they get all that they need but in an inclusive setting.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral Therapy and then some.

Work:

Fax:

From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Nila BenitoSent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 12:00 AMTo: deniseslist Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

The research says that clusters do not result in optimal outcomes for our kids.

To: deniseslist From: gary00001msnDate: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:28:20 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

I once heard a Behaviorist sat that he has never seen a cluster he liked.

To: sList From: janvanoyDate: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:33:21 -0700Subject: Re: Re: Clusters

Thank You. If anyone has more suggestions they are welcome

Jeannette

From: mytoothaches2003 <mytoothaches2003>To: sList Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 2:09:42 PMSubject: Re: Clusters

--WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD LUCK!- In sList@ yahoogroups. com, jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:>> Hi:> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is because he is able to see other children. > Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood, City, etc.> Thank You,> Jeannette>

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September 13, 2009

The cluster may be ideal for high functioning autistic child. But as you move closer to the middle it becomes more useless.

To: sList From: tallyb303@...Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:34:25 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

My son did very well at Lake Forest Elementary, which is just a few blocks south of Hollywood Hills. He was both in the cluster and mainstreamed, depending on what we were trying to achieve that month or year. Working together with the teachers, and school personnel, we found a lot of collaboration and support to help him catch up with his peers. Good luck,

Hilda

Re: Clusters

--WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD LUCK!- In sList@ yahoogroups. com, jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:>> Hi:> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is because he is able to see other children. > Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood, City, etc.> Thank You,> Jeannette>

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September 13, 2009

Good points...

The IEP is another facet of this process. The better and more descriptive the goals, the more precise the education can be. The goals are data driven and should reflect the child's present level of functioning and more importantly, be written to address all of the issues that keep them from accessing the general curriculum.

Some ideas to assist in goal planning for early or naÃ¯ve learners is to utilize the ABLLS or the VB-MAPP as a guide. A behavior specialist can also assist with goals and really should assist in goal planning and in writing them.

The "cluster" from what I can see is just a term that describes that certain school sites spread throughout the county service these children. They are essentially self-contained classrooms. I don't know where the term "cluster" was derived from. Some schools are better at providing the services the children need and are better at offering multiple opportunities for inclusion. Some aren't.

Contrary to what was stated by another list member, our kids do learn from other kids, perhaps in most cases, not as intensely or as obviously or at the same pace as their typical peers do but they do learn. I know that when my son is in the cluster classroom, he tends to act more like a cluster kid. When he is in the general educational classroom, he adapts and tends to act more like the typical kids in the room.

I believe an inclusive environment is the optimal environment for our children. However, what does that entail? For some children this entails a lot of support, for others, not so much. What do you think the classroom would look like if the children, who required more support, all had the support they needed? I just don't believe our school/educational system as a whole can properly accommodate and educate our kids. They are not equipped. Period. Is this right? Absolutely not.

I also don't think the general education kids should be exposed to some of the more challenging behaviors some of our kids express. I don't mean that as a blanket statement but not without some prepping for the typical kids as to why our kids engage in these behaviors and how to deal with them. Some of the behaviors our kids exhibit can be scary for other little kids to see and they deserve to be educated about how and why and what to do or what not to do. They also deserve an education and I don't want my kid to be the one to keep them from getting what they need and deserve too because he may be too aggressive or impulsive or whatever. Plus, if one of our kids is kicking, screaming, is aggressive or engaging in SIB, how much learning do you think is really going on for any of the kids? It is definitely a touchy subject but one that I think needs to be discussed openly and honestly. It does not mean they cannot be educated or that they don't deserve....It's not about that sometimes. I think an open and frank discussion is missing sometimes. And, people have entitlement issues at other times.

My kid learns much differently than typical kids. I like that he gets exposed to language arts and reading and math using the typical general ed. curriculum and the mainstream way of teaching. But I equally like that he receives the accomodations and modifications to the teaching he needs such as the computer programs Edmark, TouchMath and SRA, which target his particular learning style. And, he has opportunities to engage with typical kids and watch and learn from them.

One parent told me once he felt all of our kids should be spread out amongst the classrooms with support staff so that essentially, there would be one of ours mixed in with the general ed. kids. Only one asd kid per class. In cluster programs that does not occur b/c several of our kids go out with a para to a classroom according to their grade. That would be a lot more paras and schools don't appear to have the funding for that. Assigning one-to-ones and paras opens up an entirely other issue for our kids to be discussed at another point in time.

It appears to be an individual preference based on the parents and based on the needs of the child. Some kids do well in a "cluster" or self-contained classroom for a period of the day and then can go to another mainstream classroom and then come back to their safe zone. I see nothing wrong with that.

We cannot pigeon hole our kids as they are all different with different needs and challenges and strengths. It's a journey, that's for sure...

From: Lizzie Berg

Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 7:51 PM

To: sList

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

Hi,

all the schools with autism clusters in Hollywood are good. The older the cluster is at the school, the better (this is the reason why I think there have been so many problems associated with the clusters in Weston, they are too new).

However, just like in gen ed classes, it all depends on the child's teacher. Telling us that you, the parent, do not like your kid's cluster, does not tell us anything. What specifically is it that you don't like? Moving your child to another school may not at all be what is best for you kid. Who, so far, have you addressed your concerns to? See, this is where people on this list can be helpful: sharing experiences that can help you deal more effectively with your problems, or overcome them.

I have seen again and again that parents avoid discussing their problems with the classroom teacher, the autism coach and the schools administration. In order for us to help each other, we need to coach one another through the courageous process called parent-teacher conference, parent-coach conference and parent- adm. process. I can guarantee you it will work. Until then, we will continue to be looking for another cluster or another private school where the grass seems to be greener.

Liz>> Hi:> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is because he is able to see other children. > Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood, City, etc.> Thank You,> Jeannette>

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September 13, 2009

As we are usually reminded in these discussions, there is no one formula

for every child. There are certainly benefits and disadvantages to both

settings depending on the child’s needs. I am one to believe that

it is the teacher and administration that makes the real difference.

Cohane, LCSW

creating connections and strengthening families by providing

developmental-behavioral interventions and psychotherapy services

Cohane@...

From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of Carroll

Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2009

9:16 AM

Subject: RE: Re:

Clusters

So just

like everything else about autism, this dicussion has varying points of

view. Should every kid on the spectrum in our schools receive 1 on 1 ABA therapy for their

entire school day (most restrictive)?? or should every kid on the

spectrum in our schools go into a general education classroom with

every other kid in a much larger class all day(least restrictive

)??

Is there a definitive answer here? To say that all spectrum kids

should be in this setting or that setting is not going to dissolve the

issue.

Personally, my kid would not do well in either of these settings all school day

long and that is why he is in a cluster (and gen ed. for reading) where he

is doing well.

To: sList

From: shirlygilad

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:38:37 -0400

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

Clusters are a restrictive environment.

They are the extreme opposite to inclusion. IDEA states that children should be

in a least restrictive environment. The argument is that in the cluster our

kids can receive more intense therapy and services. The reality should be that

they get all that they need but in an inclusive setting.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral Therapy and then some.

Work:

Fax:

From: sList

[mailto:sList ]

On Behalf Of Nila Benito

Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009

12:00 AM

Subject: RE: Re:

Clusters

The research says that clusters do not result in optimal outcomes for our

kids.

From: gary00001msn

Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:28:20 -0400

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

I once heard a Behaviorist sat that he has never seen

a cluster he liked.

To: sList

From: janvanoy

Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:33:21 -0700

Subject: Re: Re: Clusters

Thank You. If anyone has more suggestions they are

welcome

Jeannette

From: mytoothaches2003 <mytoothaches2003>

To: sList

Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009

2:09:42 PM

Subject: Re:

Clusters

--

WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A

GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION

IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE

WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD

LUCK!

- In sList@ yahoogroups. com,

jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:

>

> Hi:

> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby

sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is

because he is able to see other children.

> Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood,

City, etc.

> Thank You,

> Jeannette

>

Hotmail® is up to 70% faster. Now good news

travels really fast. Try

it now.

The

Windows Live: Make it easier for your friends to see

what you’re up to on Facebook. Find

out more.

Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it

now.

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.93/2365 - Release Date: 09/13/09 05:50:00

September 13, 2009

Well stated!

Cohane, LCSW

creating connections and strengthening families by providing

developmental-behavioral interventions and psychotherapy services

Cohane@...

From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of austintandt@...

Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2009

1:04 PM

To: sList

Subject: Re: Re:

Clusters

Good points...

The IEP is another facet of this process. The better

and more descriptive the goals, the more precise the education can be.

The goals are data driven and should reflect the child's present level of

functioning and more importantly, be written to address all of the issues that

keep them from accessing the general curriculum.

Some ideas to assist in goal planning for early or naïve

learners is to utilize the ABLLS or the VB-MAPP as a guide. A behavior

specialist can also assist with goals and really should assist in goal planning

and in writing them.

The " cluster " from what I can see is just a term

that describes that certain school sites spread throughout the county service

these children. They are essentially self-contained classrooms. I

don't know where the term " cluster " was derived from. Some

schools are better at providing the services the children need and are better

at offering multiple opportunities for inclusion. Some aren't.

Contrary to what was stated by another list member, our kids

do learn from other kids, perhaps in most cases, not as intensely or as

obviously or at the same pace as their typical peers do but they do

learn. I know that when my son is in the cluster classroom, he tends to

act more like a cluster kid. When he is in the general educational

classroom, he adapts and tends to act more like the typical kids in the

room.

I believe an inclusive environment is the optimal

environment for our children. However, what does that entail? For

some children this entails a lot of support, for others, not so much.

What do you think the classroom would look like if the children, who required

more support, all had the support they needed? I just don't believe our

school/educational system as a whole can properly accommodate and educate our

kids. They are not equipped. Period. Is this right?

Absolutely not.

I also don't think the general education kids should be exposed

to some of the more challenging behaviors some of our kids express. I

don't mean that as a blanket statement but not without some prepping for

the typical kids as to why our kids engage in these behaviors and how to deal

with them. Some of the behaviors our kids exhibit can be scary for other

little kids to see and they deserve to be educated about how and why and what

to do or what not to do. They also deserve an education and I don't want

my kid to be the one to keep them from getting what they need and deserve too

because he may be too aggressive or impulsive or whatever. Plus, if one

of our kids is kicking, screaming, is aggressive or engaging in SIB, how much

learning do you think is really going on for any of the kids? It is

definitely a touchy subject but one that I think needs to be discussed openly

and honestly. It does not mean they cannot be educated or that they

don't deserve....It's not about that sometimes. I think an

open and frank discussion is missing sometimes. And, people have entitlement

issues at other times.

My kid learns much differently than typical kids. I

like that he gets exposed to language arts and reading and math using the

typical general ed. curriculum and the mainstream way of teaching. But I

equally like that he receives the accomodations and modifications to the

teaching he needs such as the computer programs Edmark, TouchMath and SRA,

which target his particular learning style. And, he has

opportunities to engage with typical kids and watch and learn from them.

One parent told me once he felt all of our kids should be

spread out amongst the classrooms with support staff so that essentially, there

would be one of ours mixed in with the general ed. kids. Only one asd kid

per class. In cluster programs that does not occur b/c several of our

kids go out with a para to a classroom according to their grade. That

would be a lot more paras and schools don't appear to have the funding for

that. Assigning one-to-ones and paras opens up an entirely other issue

for our kids to be discussed at another point in time.

It appears to be an individual preference based on the

parents and based on the needs of the child. Some kids do well in a

" cluster " or self-contained classroom for a period of the day and

then can go to another mainstream classroom and then come back to their safe

zone. I see nothing wrong with that.

We cannot pigeon hole our kids as they are all different

with different needs and challenges and strengths. It's a journey, that's

for sure...

From: Lizzie

Berg

Sent: Saturday,

September 12, 2009 7:51 PM

To: sList

Subject: RE:

Re: Clusters

Hi,

all the schools with autism clusters in Hollywood are good. The

older the cluster is at the school, the better (this is the reason why I

think there have been so many problems associated with the clusters in

Weston, they are too new).

However, just like in gen ed classes, it all depends

on the child's teacher. Telling us that you, the parent, do not like your

kid's cluster, does not tell us anything. What specifically is it that you

don't like? Moving your child to another school may not at all be what is

best for you kid. Who, so far, have you addressed your concerns to? See, this

is where people on this list can be helpful: sharing experiences that

can help you deal more effectively with your problems, or overcome them.

I have seen again and again that parents avoid

discussing their problems with the classroom teacher, the autism coach and

the schools administration. In order for us to help each other, we need

to coach one another through the courageous process called

parent-teacher conference, parent-coach conference and parent- adm. process.

I can guarantee you it will work. Until then, we will continue to be looking

for another cluster or another private school where the grass seems to be

greener.

Liz

>

> Hi:

> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as

baby sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to

kindergarden is because he is able to see other children.

> Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood,

City, etc.

> Thank You,

> Jeannette

>

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Windows Live: Make it easier for your friends to

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ratings and reviews on digital tv's. Click

here.

No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 8.5.409 / Virus Database: 270.13.93/2365 - Release Date: 09/13/09 05:50:00

September 13, 2009

I really appreciate all your inputs.

Thank You,

jeannette

To: deniseslist Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2009 10:50:09 AMSubject: RE: Re: Clusters

The cluster may be ideal for high functioning autistic child. But as you move closer to the middle it becomes more useless.

To: sList@ yahoogroups. comFrom: tallyb303comcast (DOT) netDate: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:34:25 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

My son did very well at Lake Forest Elementary, which is just a few blocks south of Hollywood Hills. He was both in the cluster and mainstreamed, depending on what we were trying to achieve that month or year. Working together with the teachers, and school personnel, we found a lot of collaboration and support to help him catch up with his peers. Good luck,

Hilda

Re: Clusters

--WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD LUCK!- In sList@ yahoogroups. com, jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:>> Hi:> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is because he is able to see other children. > Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood, City, etc.> Thank You,> Jeannette>

HotmailÂ® is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. Try it now.

The

Windows Live: Make it easier for your friends to see what youâ€™re up to on Facebook. Find out more.

Ready for Fall shows? Use Bing to find helpful ratings and reviews on digital tv's. Click here.

Bing brings you health info from trusted sources. Try it now!

September 13, 2009

The most important thing is obviously to give each unique child

the opportunity to maximize his potential. For each of our kids the aim should

be the least restrictive environment that he can benefit from. In an

ideal world the school system will provide 1 to 1 ABA for where it is needed

and full inclusion where it is beneficial. I do realize the world is far from

ideal…..We as parents and even more often school personal do not give

enough credit for the abilities that kids with autism posses and with the low

expectations come unsatisfactory outcomes. This makes me very sad.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral Therapy and then some.

Work:

Fax:

shirly@...

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Carroll

Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2009 9:16 AM

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

So just like everything else about autism, this dicussion has varying

points of view. Should every kid on the spectrum in our schools receive 1

on 1 ABA therapy for their entire school day (most restrictive)?? or should

every kid on the spectrum in our schools go into a general education

classroom with every other kid in a much larger class all day(least restrictive

)??

Is there a definitive answer here? To say that all spectrum kids

should be in this setting or that setting is not going to dissolve the

issue.

Personally, my kid would not do well in either of these settings all school day

long and that is why he is in a cluster (and gen ed. for reading) where he

is doing well.

To: sList

From: shirlygilad@...

Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:38:37 -0400

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

Clusters are

a restrictive environment. They are the extreme opposite to inclusion. IDEA

states that children should be in a least restrictive environment. The argument

is that in the cluster our kids can receive more intense therapy and services.

The reality should be that they get all that they need but in an inclusive

setting.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad

BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral

Therapy and then some.

Work: 561 504

6669

Fax: 561 338

5613

shirly@...

From: sList [mailto:sList ]

On Behalf Of Nila Benito

Sent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 12:00 AM

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

The research says that clusters do not result in optimal outcomes for our

kids.

From: gary00001@...

Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:28:20 -0400

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

I once heard a Behaviorist sat that he has never seen a

cluster he liked.

To: sList

From: janvanoy@...

Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:33:21 -0700

Subject: Re: Re: Clusters

Thank You. If anyone has more suggestions they are welcome

Jeannette

To: sList

Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 2:09:42 PM

Subject: Re: Clusters

--

WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A

GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION

IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE

ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD LUCK!

- In sList@ yahoogroups. com,

jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:

>

> Hi:

> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby

sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is

because he is able to see other children.

> Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood,

City, etc.

> Thank You,

> Jeannette

>

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September 13, 2009

The typical classroom is the ideal for the high functioning

autistic child with the appropriate support.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral Therapy and then some.

Work:

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shirly@...

From:

sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf

Of Heifferon

Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2009 10:50 AM

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

The cluster may be ideal for high functioning autistic child. But as you

move closer to the middle it becomes more useless.

To: sList

From: tallyb303@...

Date: Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:34:25 -0400

Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

My son did very well at Lake Forest Elementary, which is

just a few blocks south of Hollywood Hills. He was both in the cluster and

mainstreamed, depending on what we were trying to achieve that month or year.

Working together with the teachers, and school personnel, we found a lot of

collaboration and support to help him catch up with his peers. Good luck,

Hilda

Re: Clusters

--

WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A

GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION

IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE

ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD LUCK!

- In sList@ yahoogroups. com,

jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:

>

> Hi:

> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby

sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is

because he is able to see other children.

> Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood,

City, etc.

> Thank You,

> Jeannette

>

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September 14, 2009

I have been reading the posts. My son is in a cluster and is mainstreamed for lunch and recess. He is doing good.

To: deniseslist Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2009 10:25:32 AMSubject: RE: Re: Clusters

Shirley, I'm not really concerned about the restrictive environment in reference to clusters because just by being in Special class, they are in a restrictive environment. Since they are in one, let's make the best of it. The cluster instruction is not the answer.

To: sList@ yahoogroups. comFrom: shirlygilad@ yahoo.comDate: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:38:37 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

Clusters are a restrictive environment. They are the extreme opposite to inclusion. IDEA states that children should be in a least restrictive environment. The argument is that in the cluster our kids can receive more intense therapy and services. The reality should be that they get all that they need but in an inclusive setting.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral Therapy and then some.

Work:

Fax:

shirlyshirlygilad (DOT) com

www.shirlygilad. com

From: sList@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:sList @yahoogroups. com] On Behalf Of Nila BenitoSent: Saturday, September 12, 2009 12:00 AMTo: deniseslist@ yahoogroups. comSubject: RE: Re: Clusters

The research says that clusters do not result in optimal outcomes for our kids.

To: deniseslist@ yahoogroups. comFrom: gary00001msn (DOT) comDate: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:28:20 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

I once heard a Behaviorist sat that he has never seen a cluster he liked.

To: sList@ yahoogroups. comFrom: janvanoyyahoo (DOT) comDate: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:33:21 -0700Subject: Re: Re: Clusters

Thank You. If anyone has more suggestions they are welcome

Jeannette

From: mytoothaches2003 <mytoothaches2003@ yahoo.com>To: sList@ yahoogroups. comSent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 2:09:42 PMSubject: Re: Clusters

--WE CAN GIVE YOU 2 GREAT OPTIONS THAT WORKED FOR US. CHALLENGER ELEM. HAS A GREAT PRE-K PROGRAM MS. BARBARA IS AN ANGEL WITHOUT THE WINGS. THE OTHER OPTION IS SANDPIPER IN SUNRISE WHERE OUR SON NIKOLAS GOES SINCE KINDERGARTEN AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY THERE. GOOD LUCK!- In sList@ yahoogroups. com, jeannette vanoy <janvanoy@.. .> wrote:>> Hi:> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is because he is able to see other children. > Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood, City, etc.> Thank You,> Jeannette>

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September 14, 2009

I echo Hilda's sentiments. My son went to Lake Forest since he was completely non-verbal at 3 years old and was there for 9 years until he graduated 5th grade. The clusters were excellent, the teachers and aides compassionate, and we moved back and forth between mainstreaming and the cluster depending on what his needs were for that particular year.

In my opinion, sometimes the least restrictive environment is not always necessarily the best thing. In certain cases, being in a cluster protects the child from the harshness and cruelty of the outside world which they cannot handle. I know of some middle school age children who prefer being in the cluster so they don't get picked on, etc. It depends on you and your child's set of circumstances. Lake Forest's clusters were remarkable.

Joyce

>> Hi:> A little frustrated with the cluster class for Autism. They work as baby sitters more than anything, main reason my son is going to kindergarden is because he is able to see other children. > Does anyone know a good school for autistic child around Hollywood, City, etc.> Thank You,> Jeannette>

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September 14, 2009

Everyone's opinion of the cluster or self-contained classroom will differ because their experience with it is different mainly because their children are in spectrum and like the finger print, there are no two children the same.

My argument with the Broward School District is they attempt to place as many as these children into a specific program with as little program variation as possible. In doing so they require conformity for children who are very much different. The Program fails to recognize the differences. There may be some very good teachers that are able to work around the Program but the Program itself doesn't encourage it. The Program encourages conformity. And why is it?

It is this way because the school district prefers to have it this way. Look at your IEP and count the number of specific goals that are actually measurable. I sometimes think they would prefer to have an IEP with only one sentence: "We will help your child." Try and measure that!

No doubt there are children who benefit from the cluster and many who don't. My objection is they put children in a cluster whether or not it's going to help. They make the process to easy for themselves and our children suffer.

To: sList From: shirlygilad@...Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:54:39 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

The most important thing is obviously to give each unique child the opportunity to maximize his potential. For each of our kids the aim should be the least restrictive environment that he can benefit from. In an ideal world the school system will provide 1 to 1 ABA for where it is needed and full inclusion where it is beneficial. I do realize the world is far from ideal…..We as parents and even more often school personal do not give enough credit for the abilities that kids with autism posses and with the low expectations come unsatisfactory outcomes. This makes me very sad.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral Therapy and then some.

Work:

Fax:

From: sList [mailto:sList ] On Behalf Of CarrollSent: Sunday, September 13, 2009 9:16 AMTo: deniseslist Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

So just like everything else about autism, this dicussion has varying points of view. Should every kid on the spectrum in our schools receive 1 on 1 ABA therapy for their entire school day (most restrictive)?? or should every kid on the spectrum in our schools go into a general education classroom with every other kid in a much larger class all day(least restrictive )?? Is there a definitive answer here? To say that all spectrum kids should be in this setting or that setting is not going to dissolve the issue. Personally, my kid would not do well in either of these settings all school day long and that is why he is in a cluster (and gen ed. for reading) where he is doing well.

To: sList From: shirlygiladDate: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:38:37 -0400Subject: RE: Re: Clusters

Clusters are a restrictive environment. They are the extreme opposite to inclusion. IDEA states that children should be in a least restrictive environment. The argument is that in the cluster our kids can receive more intense therapy and services. The reality should be that they get all that they need but in an inclusive setting.

Shirly

Shirly Gilad BCBA,RN, FNP, MS

Behavioral Therapy and then some.

Work:

Fax: