Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 We went to new student orientation and registration at ISD (IL School for the Deaf) today. Aubrie will begin classes tomorrow! She's incredibly excited! She was so excited that she puked mid-day as we were visiting her classroom :-) After that, she was much better so I'm fairly certain it was nerves. There are 2 kids in her class whom she went to Early Intervention playgroup with at age 2. She still has the photo album from that time and looks at it a lot so she remembers the kids. There are actually 3, but one is trying the public school this year so she may be in and out. Anyway - Aubrie is drawn to boys - I think because of her big brother and his friends being around all her life. So she considers the one boy as one of her best friends. Luckily, he was there at registration and took to her just as she's taken to him! He was interested and friendly. He has very mild CP so he uses a computer for written work, has some modified seating, etc. They will be the 2 kids with the most in common. On this last IEP, as a result of the MO CHARGE Workshop, we put in something about Aubrie taking " sensory breaks " . But we hadn't figured out where these would occur, how they'd happen, etc. Get this - the room next to her classroom is " The Sensory Room " !!!! It wasn't totally set up for the year so I don't even know what all they have in there - but I'm sure it'll awesome! In any case, it's better than the nearest closet or empty hallway we would have used here in town. As we were visiting the classroom with the teacher and the vision specialist, Aubrie was rocking, they noticed, and we discussed sensory needs. These folks " get it " !!! There is also an OT swing in the building that she can go to if it's helpful. In her classroom, they have a " smartboard " . These are the coolest technology! We have one or 2 in the entire building at PCS. It's basically a computerized white board. It also can project PowerPoint presentations, websites, etc from the computer and can project other materials - like the book the teacher is reading from can be projected on the screen! I am still really hopeful that this will be an awesome year. She's off tomorrow at 7am (which is an hour earlier than she left for local school) but she'll be home at about the same time or bit earlier. She and her aide will be driving the district's new van. We had a fire in the bus barn last year and lost a few of the smaller vehicles. She can do either Girl Scouts or K-Kids (related to the Kiwanis). Girl Scouts meets after school but K-Kids meets on Saturdays which is a huge challenge for us since I work many Saturdays. However, I did get the IEP to say she'd have her aide and transportation to extracurriculars - I just don't know if it's too much to ask of the aide to do one Sat a month. We'll figure it out - don't have to decide right now. And the audiologist is prepared with an FM to work with her regular aides and one on order for the BAHA. The audiologist's room is right across from Aubrie's classroom so she'll be handy when they have questions about her hearing. The teacher already had daily communication notebooks ready for each child to take back and forth. So we added my checklist for each day as well. Since everyone has one, I can be reasonably sure it'll really get used. At our local school, it was a chore getting people to record their visits etc in the book. Also - the teacher understands our issues about homework. Aubrie can't keep up with the regular amount of homework because her day is shorter than most kids. She's ready for bed by 7:30 on school nights - and that was when she got the bus at 8am. She could be ready for bed right after supper now! That barely leaves time and energy for after school activities. And if she's too tired for homework, there's not amount of forcing that's going to make it happen. Another plus with this teacher is that her own daughter has Down Syndrome. She attended a CHARGE training I did last year so she's heard Aubrie's whole history. After that session, she sent me info on TouchMath which our school then began using with her very successfully. After just one night, I could go on and on. I can't wait to see how her day goes tomorrow. and then her first week. I hope she and her aide get the signing thing figured out so they can communicate well with the other kids and staff. Aubrie's trying so hard that I expect her to flourish. On Wednesday, her big brother starts high school. What a weird year for us with one kid heading out of town and the other off to high school! Thanks for listening. Michele W Aubrie's mom 8 yrs old CHaRgE 3rd grade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 wow sounds like a great day for you i love it when people get it i remember we got this new head teacher in our support unit the toehr year and i showed her a charge speach i had done think was eather for the confrence or soemthing she jus tread it looked up at me and said with great understanding oh so you have charge and then she understood soem of the probs i have and when it came to tryign to get in for funding she said to mum on paper it looks worse coz its charge ad all these things add up but we no that you cope great i was lie thanks miss lol and none of myother teachers knew so much espciealy main school ones but this oenjust looked at that speach said ok then we really have to say thatits possible you could be this this this and we r like yes thats right lol > > We went to new student orientation and registration at ISD (IL School > for > the Deaf) today. Aubrie will begin classes tomorrow! She's incredibly > excited! She was so excited that she puked mid-day as we were visiting her > classroom :-) After that, she was much better so I'm fairly certain it was > nerves. > > There are 2 kids in her class whom she went to Early Intervention > playgroup > with at age 2. She still has the photo album from that time and looks at > it > a lot so she remembers the kids. There are actually 3, but one is trying > the public school this year so she may be in and out. Anyway - Aubrie is > drawn to boys - I think because of her big brother and his friends being > around all her life. So she considers the one boy as one of her best > friends. Luckily, he was there at registration and took to her just as > she's taken to him! He was interested and friendly. He has very mild CP so > he uses a computer for written work, has some modified seating, etc. They > will be the 2 kids with the most in common. > > On this last IEP, as a result of the MO CHARGE Workshop, we put in > something > about Aubrie taking " sensory breaks " . But we hadn't figured out where > these > would occur, how they'd happen, etc. Get this - the room next to her > classroom is " The Sensory Room " !!!! It wasn't totally set up for the year > so I don't even know what all they have in there - but I'm sure it'll > awesome! In any case, it's better than the nearest closet or empty hallway > we would have used here in town. As we were visiting the classroom with > the > teacher and the vision specialist, Aubrie was rocking, they noticed, and > we > discussed sensory needs. These folks " get it " !!! There is also an OT swing > in the building that she can go to if it's helpful. > > In her classroom, they have a " smartboard " . These are the coolest > technology! We have one or 2 in the entire building at PCS. It's basically > a computerized white board. It also can project PowerPoint presentations, > websites, etc from the computer and can project other materials - like the > book the teacher is reading from can be projected on the screen! > > I am still really hopeful that this will be an awesome year. She's off > tomorrow at 7am (which is an hour earlier than she left for local school) > but she'll be home at about the same time or bit earlier. She and her aide > will be driving the district's new van. We had a fire in the bus barn last > year and lost a few of the smaller vehicles. > > She can do either Girl Scouts or K-Kids (related to the Kiwanis). Girl > Scouts meets after school but K-Kids meets on Saturdays which is a huge > challenge for us since I work many Saturdays. However, I did get the IEP > to > say she'd have her aide and transportation to extracurriculars - I just > don't know if it's too much to ask of the aide to do one Sat a month. > We'll > figure it out - don't have to decide right now. > > And the audiologist is prepared with an FM to work with her regular aides > and one on order for the BAHA. The audiologist's room is right across from > Aubrie's classroom so she'll be handy when they have questions about her > hearing. > > The teacher already had daily communication notebooks ready for each child > to take back and forth. So we added my checklist for each day as well. > Since everyone has one, I can be reasonably sure it'll really get used. At > our local school, it was a chore getting people to record their visits etc > in the book. > > Also - the teacher understands our issues about homework. Aubrie can't > keep > up with the regular amount of homework because her day is shorter than > most > kids. She's ready for bed by 7:30 on school nights - and that was when she > got the bus at 8am. She could be ready for bed right after supper now! > That barely leaves time and energy for after school activities. And if > she's too tired for homework, there's not amount of forcing that's going > to > make it happen. > > Another plus with this teacher is that her own daughter has Down Syndrome. > She attended a CHARGE training I did last year so she's heard Aubrie's > whole > history. After that session, she sent me info on TouchMath which our > school > then began using with her very successfully. > > After just one night, I could go on and on. I can't wait to see how her > day > goes tomorrow. and then her first week. I hope she and her aide get the > signing thing figured out so they can communicate well with the other kids > and staff. Aubrie's trying so hard that I expect her to flourish. > > On Wednesday, her big brother starts high school. What a weird year for us > with one kid heading out of town and the other off to high school! > > Thanks for listening. > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom 8 yrs old CHaRgE 3rd grade > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Michele, This is all such good news. I hope Aubrie has a wonderful first day and can't wait to read about her school year. Sounds like a perfect fit. Bonnie, Mom to a 23, Patty CHARGE 21, and wife to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Michele, Thats' so sweet that her brother got up to see her off. I'm glad that you and she are going to have this experience. Rather than having to search, study and guess as to what might be helpful for Aubrie, then try to sell it to and create it within the system, which isn't set up to provide it, either experientially or monitarily, you'll have a model from which to speak, and a chance to experiment with some things while she's there. Incredibly, not everything will probably be perfect in this experience either-which can be surprising the first time you encounter it. But you know well how relative " perfect " is. I hope she has a great day, and isn't too tired from it. in Ma. (, 21 yrs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Michele, That sounds like a great setting for Aubrie - I wish there were some level of " in between-ness " here. It's all inclusion-all the time - no alternate settings, no other choices, EVERYONE goes to the same classes all the time. I am happy she's doing so well but I think this year will be a challenge to keep up with the work. Homework became an issue last year for us, too and she just can't do as much as the other kids but then she gets upset because she doesn't " get her work done " . This will be a year of change for us when I will be much more demanding of modifications based on what she can do, not what the teacher has time for. I am so happy for Aubrie; it sounds like she is going to have a wonderful year. I look forward to the updates! Mom to Kennedy 8 (CHARGE), 17, 15, and wife to Graeme New Brunswick, Canada http://www.chargesyndrome.info > > We went to new student orientation and registration at ISD (IL School > for > the Deaf) today. Aubrie will begin classes tomorrow! She's incredibly > excited! She was so excited that she puked mid-day as we were visiting her > classroom :-) After that, she was much better so I'm fairly certain it was > nerves. > > There are 2 kids in her class whom she went to Early Intervention > playgroup > with at age 2. She still has the photo album from that time and looks at > it > a lot so she remembers the kids. There are actually 3, but one is trying > the public school this year so she may be in and out. Anyway - Aubrie is > drawn to boys - I think because of her big brother and his friends being > around all her life. So she considers the one boy as one of her best > friends. Luckily, he was there at registration and took to her just as > she's taken to him! He was interested and friendly. He has very mild CP so > he uses a computer for written work, has some modified seating, etc. They > will be the 2 kids with the most in common. > > On this last IEP, as a result of the MO CHARGE Workshop, we put in > something > about Aubrie taking " sensory breaks " . But we hadn't figured out where > these > would occur, how they'd happen, etc. Get this - the room next to her > classroom is " The Sensory Room " !!!! It wasn't totally set up for the year > so I don't even know what all they have in there - but I'm sure it'll > awesome! In any case, it's better than the nearest closet or empty hallway > we would have used here in town. As we were visiting the classroom with > the > teacher and the vision specialist, Aubrie was rocking, they noticed, and > we > discussed sensory needs. These folks " get it " !!! There is also an OT swing > in the building that she can go to if it's helpful. > > In her classroom, they have a " smartboard " . These are the coolest > technology! We have one or 2 in the entire building at PCS. It's basically > a computerized white board. It also can project PowerPoint presentations, > websites, etc from the computer and can project other materials - like the > book the teacher is reading from can be projected on the screen! > > I am still really hopeful that this will be an awesome year. She's off > tomorrow at 7am (which is an hour earlier than she left for local school) > but she'll be home at about the same time or bit earlier. She and her aide > will be driving the district's new van. We had a fire in the bus barn last > year and lost a few of the smaller vehicles. > > She can do either Girl Scouts or K-Kids (related to the Kiwanis). Girl > Scouts meets after school but K-Kids meets on Saturdays which is a huge > challenge for us since I work many Saturdays. However, I did get the IEP > to > say she'd have her aide and transportation to extracurriculars - I just > don't know if it's too much to ask of the aide to do one Sat a month. > We'll > figure it out - don't have to decide right now. > > And the audiologist is prepared with an FM to work with her regular aides > and one on order for the BAHA. The audiologist's room is right across from > Aubrie's classroom so she'll be handy when they have questions about her > hearing. > > The teacher already had daily communication notebooks ready for each child > to take back and forth. So we added my checklist for each day as well. > Since everyone has one, I can be reasonably sure it'll really get used. At > our local school, it was a chore getting people to record their visits etc > in the book. > > Also - the teacher understands our issues about homework. Aubrie can't > keep > up with the regular amount of homework because her day is shorter than > most > kids. She's ready for bed by 7:30 on school nights - and that was when she > got the bus at 8am. She could be ready for bed right after supper now! > That barely leaves time and energy for after school activities. And if > she's too tired for homework, there's not amount of forcing that's going > to > make it happen. > > Another plus with this teacher is that her own daughter has Down Syndrome. > She attended a CHARGE training I did last year so she's heard Aubrie's > whole > history. After that session, she sent me info on TouchMath which our > school > then began using with her very successfully. > > After just one night, I could go on and on. I can't wait to see how her > day > goes tomorrow. and then her first week. I hope she and her aide get the > signing thing figured out so they can communicate well with the other kids > and staff. Aubrie's trying so hard that I expect her to flourish. > > On Wednesday, her big brother starts high school. What a weird year for us > with one kid heading out of town and the other off to high school! > > Thanks for listening. > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom 8 yrs old CHaRgE 3rd grade > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 i used to have trouble with hw to thats y i never fully was in the mainschool the work load was to much in eyar eight i had to drop a class in mainstream coz i jsut couldnt keep up so they dropped the hardest subject for me to keep up with > > Michele, > That sounds like a great setting for Aubrie - I wish there were some level > of " in between-ness " here. It's all inclusion-all the time - no alternate > settings, no other choices, EVERYONE goes to the same classes all the > time. > I am happy she's doing so well but I think this year will be a challenge > to > keep up with the work. Homework became an issue last year for us, too and > she just can't do as much as the other kids but then she gets upset > because > she doesn't " get her work done " . This will be a year of change for us when > I will be much more demanding of modifications based on what she can do, > not > what the teacher has time for. I am so happy for Aubrie; it sounds like > she > is going to have a wonderful year. I look forward to the updates! > > Mom to Kennedy 8 (CHARGE), 17, 15, and wife to Graeme > New Brunswick, Canada > http://www.chargesyndrome.info > > > On 8/21/06, Michele Westmaas <momonamission@...<momonamission%40verizon.net>> > wrote: > > > > We went to new student orientation and registration at ISD (IL School > > for > > the Deaf) today. Aubrie will begin classes tomorrow! She's incredibly > > excited! She was so excited that she puked mid-day as we were visiting > her > > classroom :-) After that, she was much better so I'm fairly certain it > was > > nerves. > > > > There are 2 kids in her class whom she went to Early Intervention > > playgroup > > with at age 2. She still has the photo album from that time and looks at > > it > > a lot so she remembers the kids. There are actually 3, but one is trying > > the public school this year so she may be in and out. Anyway - Aubrie is > > drawn to boys - I think because of her big brother and his friends being > > around all her life. So she considers the one boy as one of her best > > friends. Luckily, he was there at registration and took to her just as > > she's taken to him! He was interested and friendly. He has very mild CP > so > > he uses a computer for written work, has some modified seating, etc. > They > > will be the 2 kids with the most in common. > > > > On this last IEP, as a result of the MO CHARGE Workshop, we put in > > something > > about Aubrie taking " sensory breaks " . But we hadn't figured out where > > these > > would occur, how they'd happen, etc. Get this - the room next to her > > classroom is " The Sensory Room " !!!! It wasn't totally set up for the > year > > so I don't even know what all they have in there - but I'm sure it'll > > awesome! In any case, it's better than the nearest closet or empty > hallway > > we would have used here in town. As we were visiting the classroom with > > the > > teacher and the vision specialist, Aubrie was rocking, they noticed, and > > we > > discussed sensory needs. These folks " get it " !!! There is also an OT > swing > > in the building that she can go to if it's helpful. > > > > In her classroom, they have a " smartboard " . These are the coolest > > technology! We have one or 2 in the entire building at PCS. It's > basically > > a computerized white board. It also can project PowerPoint > presentations, > > websites, etc from the computer and can project other materials - like > the > > book the teacher is reading from can be projected on the screen! > > > > I am still really hopeful that this will be an awesome year. She's off > > tomorrow at 7am (which is an hour earlier than she left for local > school) > > but she'll be home at about the same time or bit earlier. She and her > aide > > will be driving the district's new van. We had a fire in the bus barn > last > > year and lost a few of the smaller vehicles. > > > > She can do either Girl Scouts or K-Kids (related to the Kiwanis). Girl > > Scouts meets after school but K-Kids meets on Saturdays which is a huge > > challenge for us since I work many Saturdays. However, I did get the IEP > > to > > say she'd have her aide and transportation to extracurriculars - I just > > don't know if it's too much to ask of the aide to do one Sat a month. > > We'll > > figure it out - don't have to decide right now. > > > > And the audiologist is prepared with an FM to work with her regular > aides > > and one on order for the BAHA. The audiologist's room is right across > from > > Aubrie's classroom so she'll be handy when they have questions about her > > hearing. > > > > The teacher already had daily communication notebooks ready for each > child > > to take back and forth. So we added my checklist for each day as well. > > Since everyone has one, I can be reasonably sure it'll really get used. > At > > our local school, it was a chore getting people to record their visits > etc > > in the book. > > > > Also - the teacher understands our issues about homework. Aubrie can't > > keep > > up with the regular amount of homework because her day is shorter than > > most > > kids. She's ready for bed by 7:30 on school nights - and that was when > she > > got the bus at 8am. She could be ready for bed right after supper now! > > That barely leaves time and energy for after school activities. And if > > she's too tired for homework, there's not amount of forcing that's going > > to > > make it happen. > > > > Another plus with this teacher is that her own daughter has Down > Syndrome. > > She attended a CHARGE training I did last year so she's heard Aubrie's > > whole > > history. After that session, she sent me info on TouchMath which our > > school > > then began using with her very successfully. > > > > After just one night, I could go on and on. I can't wait to see how her > > day > > goes tomorrow. and then her first week. I hope she and her aide get the > > signing thing figured out so they can communicate well with the other > kids > > and staff. Aubrie's trying so hard that I expect her to flourish. > > > > On Wednesday, her big brother starts high school. What a weird year for > us > > with one kid heading out of town and the other off to high school! > > > > Thanks for listening. > > > > Michele W > > Aubrie's mom 8 yrs old CHaRgE 3rd grade > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Ellen- I hadn't thought about it that. But understanding that on paper CHARGE looks much worse than the person actually is in real life - that's a pretty big thing. I find it really hard when I'm describing Aubrie to people who don't know her. When I say she has vision impairment, hearing impairment, fine and gross motor issues, speech problems, hip issues, etc - gosh - they are picturing someone who can't see or hear or move! Aubrie can do all those things - just with limitations and differences. So then I have to clarify that she's got lots of areas affected but each is affected in a relatively small way. But that's not even accurate because it depends on who you're being relative to. Compared to the CHARGE continuum, her stuff is mostly mild. But, for example, her hip issues are extreme. And compared to having no impairment, some of her stuff is pretty significant. I guess it's all significant. Heck, I don't know. I just find it very difficult for strangers to understand the complexities and still appreciate the " wholeness " of her. She's off to her first day at the new school this morning. I can't wait to see how her day goes! And her big brother even got up to say goodbye. Remember he's 14 and sleeps til noon or later - so to get up at 7am was a huge deal! Michele W Aubrie's mom _____ From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of ellen howe Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 12:23 AM To: CHARGE Subject: Re: Orientation at ISD wow sounds like a great day for you i love it when people get it i remember we got this new head teacher in our support unit the toehr year and i showed her a charge speach i had done think was eather for the confrence or soemthing she jus tread it looked up at me and said with great understanding oh so you have charge and then she understood soem of the probs i have and when it came to tryign to get in for funding she said to mum on paper it looks worse coz its charge ad all these things add up but we no that you cope great i was lie thanks miss lol and none of myother teachers knew so much espciealy main school ones but this oenjust looked at that speach said ok then we really have to say thatits possible you could be this this this and we r like yes thats right lol On 21/08/06, Michele Westmaas <momonamission@ <mailto:momonamission%40verizon.net> verizon.net> wrote: > > We went to new student orientation and registration at ISD (IL School > for > the Deaf) today. Aubrie will begin classes tomorrow! She's incredibly > excited! She was so excited that she puked mid-day as we were visiting her > classroom :-) After that, she was much better so I'm fairly certain it was > nerves. > > There are 2 kids in her class whom she went to Early Intervention > playgroup > with at age 2. She still has the photo album from that time and looks at > it > a lot so she remembers the kids. There are actually 3, but one is trying > the public school this year so she may be in and out. Anyway - Aubrie is > drawn to boys - I think because of her big brother and his friends being > around all her life. So she considers the one boy as one of her best > friends. Luckily, he was there at registration and took to her just as > she's taken to him! He was interested and friendly. He has very mild CP so > he uses a computer for written work, has some modified seating, etc. They > will be the 2 kids with the most in common. > > On this last IEP, as a result of the MO CHARGE Workshop, we put in > something > about Aubrie taking " sensory breaks " . But we hadn't figured out where > these > would occur, how they'd happen, etc. Get this - the room next to her > classroom is " The Sensory Room " !!!! It wasn't totally set up for the year > so I don't even know what all they have in there - but I'm sure it'll > awesome! In any case, it's better than the nearest closet or empty hallway > we would have used here in town. As we were visiting the classroom with > the > teacher and the vision specialist, Aubrie was rocking, they noticed, and > we > discussed sensory needs. These folks " get it " !!! There is also an OT swing > in the building that she can go to if it's helpful. > > In her classroom, they have a " smartboard " . These are the coolest > technology! We have one or 2 in the entire building at PCS. It's basically > a computerized white board. It also can project PowerPoint presentations, > websites, etc from the computer and can project other materials - like the > book the teacher is reading from can be projected on the screen! > > I am still really hopeful that this will be an awesome year. She's off > tomorrow at 7am (which is an hour earlier than she left for local school) > but she'll be home at about the same time or bit earlier. She and her aide > will be driving the district's new van. We had a fire in the bus barn last > year and lost a few of the smaller vehicles. > > She can do either Girl Scouts or K-Kids (related to the Kiwanis). Girl > Scouts meets after school but K-Kids meets on Saturdays which is a huge > challenge for us since I work many Saturdays. However, I did get the IEP > to > say she'd have her aide and transportation to extracurriculars - I just > don't know if it's too much to ask of the aide to do one Sat a month. > We'll > figure it out - don't have to decide right now. > > And the audiologist is prepared with an FM to work with her regular aides > and one on order for the BAHA. The audiologist's room is right across from > Aubrie's classroom so she'll be handy when they have questions about her > hearing. > > The teacher already had daily communication notebooks ready for each child > to take back and forth. So we added my checklist for each day as well. > Since everyone has one, I can be reasonably sure it'll really get used. At > our local school, it was a chore getting people to record their visits etc > in the book. > > Also - the teacher understands our issues about homework. Aubrie can't > keep > up with the regular amount of homework because her day is shorter than > most > kids. She's ready for bed by 7:30 on school nights - and that was when she > got the bus at 8am. She could be ready for bed right after supper now! > That barely leaves time and energy for after school activities. And if > she's too tired for homework, there's not amount of forcing that's going > to > make it happen. > > Another plus with this teacher is that her own daughter has Down Syndrome. > She attended a CHARGE training I did last year so she's heard Aubrie's > whole > history. After that session, she sent me info on TouchMath which our > school > then began using with her very successfully. > > After just one night, I could go on and on. I can't wait to see how her > day > goes tomorrow. and then her first week. I hope she and her aide get the > signing thing figured out so they can communicate well with the other kids > and staff. Aubrie's trying so hard that I expect her to flourish. > > On Wednesday, her big brother starts high school. What a weird year for us > with one kid heading out of town and the other off to high school! > > Thanks for listening. > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom 8 yrs old CHaRgE 3rd grade > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 - This was a hard decision for me. In my heart, I totally believe in inclusion. However, I have seen that it doesn't work unless the system is set up for it with all the right supports in place. Aubrie could do fine at our public school if the professionals around her knew how to support her properly. Already, I can see that the people at ISD know what to do and how to do it. And they are equipped to do it. Even if someone knew what to do at our school, they may or may not have the resources to do it. Gosh, I hope I'm right - I'll be darn mad and frustrated if ISD doesn't live up to my expectations! In my perfect world, every child would be included in their neighborhood schools with their peers. But all the class sizes would be smaller. Everyone's program would be individualized - even the kids without disabilities. No special educator would be confined within 4 walls. They'd be out co-teaching and supporting the regular ed teachers who have kids with disabilities in their classes. And all those regular educators would have training and knowledge and awareness of disability issues. If a deaf child is in a school district, all of the student body and staff would learn sign. If a blind student was in a school, all the staff and students would learn enough to understand how that child uses Braille, the cane, and other technology. It has felt really weird to put that very " disabled looking " brace on her hips and send her to a totally segregated school! And on top of it, now she has the goofy teddy bear headband on her head! But she doesn't mind any of it. And those around her don't either. It's just me and my hang-ups. I'll work through it. And it'll help me understand others who have to work through their issues as well. I hope Kennedy has a successful year. It sounds like you will have to be diligent and vigilant in keeping on top of things for her. Do you have time and energy for that will your own work and classes? Do you work at the same school? That'd be so helpful! Michele W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 - Thanks for putting words to my thoughts. You captured it all so eloquently!!! I know things won't be perfect here. I'm trying to brace myself for that first disappointment. I have such high expectations and I know there are bound to be issues - so I'm trying to be ready with an open mind. These are the folks that have been Aubrie's greatest advocacy support since infancy. The particular people may not be with her every day, but they are accessible and they are part of her system now - so it really should be good! Michele W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Wow Michele, I have missed a lot this summer with you making the decision for ISD. Sounds like you are happy with the decision. Yeah for all of you, It does sound like quite the transition year. Kim > > > > > > > We went to new student orientation and registration at ISD (IL School for > the Deaf) today. Aubrie will begin classes tomorrow! She's incredibly > excited! She was so excited that she puked mid-day as we were visiting her > classroom :-) After that, she was much better so I'm fairly certain it was > nerves. > > There are 2 kids in her class whom she went to Early Intervention playgroup > with at age 2. She still has the photo album from that time and looks at it > a lot so she remembers the kids. There are actually 3, but one is trying > the public school this year so she may be in and out. Anyway - Aubrie is > drawn to boys - I think because of her big brother and his friends being > around all her life. So she considers the one boy as one of her best > friends. Luckily, he was there at registration and took to her just as > she's taken to him! He was interested and friendly. He has very mild CP so > he uses a computer for written work, has some modified seating, etc. They > will be the 2 kids with the most in common. > > On this last IEP, as a result of the MO CHARGE Workshop, we put in > something > about Aubrie taking " sensory breaks " . But we hadn't figured out where these > would occur, how they'd happen, etc. Get this - the room next to her > classroom is " The Sensory Room " !!!! It wasn't totally set up for the year > so I don't even know what all they have in there - but I'm sure it'll > awesome! In any case, it's better than the nearest closet or empty hallway > we would have used here in town. As we were visiting the classroom with the > teacher and the vision specialist, Aubrie was rocking, they noticed, and we > discussed sensory needs. These folks " get it " !!! There is also an OT swing > in the building that she can go to if it's helpful. > > In her classroom, they have a " smartboard " . These are the coolest > technology! We have one or 2 in the entire building at PCS. It's basically > a computerized white board. It also can project PowerPoint presentations, > websites, etc from the computer and can project other materials - like the > book the teacher is reading from can be projected on the screen! > > I am still really hopeful that this will be an awesome year. She's off > tomorrow at 7am (which is an hour earlier than she left for local school) > but she'll be home at about the same time or bit earlier. She and her aide > will be driving the district's new van. We had a fire in the bus barn last > year and lost a few of the smaller vehicles. > > She can do either Girl Scouts or K-Kids (related to the Kiwanis). Girl > Scouts meets after school but K-Kids meets on Saturdays which is a huge > challenge for us since I work many Saturdays. However, I did get the IEP to > say she'd have her aide and transportation to extracurriculars - I just > don't know if it's too much to ask of the aide to do one Sat a month. We'll > figure it out - don't have to decide right now. > > And the audiologist is prepared with an FM to work with her regular aides > and one on order for the BAHA. The audiologist's room is right across from > Aubrie's classroom so she'll be handy when they have questions about her > hearing. > > The teacher already had daily communication notebooks ready for each child > to take back and forth. So we added my checklist for each day as well. > Since everyone has one, I can be reasonably sure it'll really get used. At > our local school, it was a chore getting people to record their visits etc > in the book. > > Also - the teacher understands our issues about homework. Aubrie can't keep > up with the regular amount of homework because her day is shorter than most > kids. She's ready for bed by 7:30 on school nights - and that was when she > got the bus at 8am. She could be ready for bed right after supper now! > That barely leaves time and energy for after school activities. And if > she's too tired for homework, there's not amount of forcing that's going to > make it happen. > > Another plus with this teacher is that her own daughter has Down Syndrome. > She attended a CHARGE training I did last year so she's heard Aubrie's > whole > history. After that session, she sent me info on TouchMath which our school > then began using with her very successfully. > > After just one night, I could go on and on. I can't wait to see how her day > goes tomorrow. and then her first week. I hope she and her aide get the > signing thing figured out so they can communicate well with the other kids > and staff. Aubrie's trying so hard that I expect her to flourish. > > On Wednesday, her big brother starts high school. What a weird year for us > with one kid heading out of town and the other off to high school! > > Thanks for listening. > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom 8 yrs old CHaRgE 3rd grade > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 awesome - be forewarned you may discover hidden caveats in the phrase " least restrictive environment " this schoolyear <smiles crypticly> tell me more about touchmath Cole > > We went to new student orientation and registration at ISD (IL School > for > the Deaf) today. Aubrie will begin classes tomorrow! She's incredibly > excited! She was so excited that she puked mid-day as we were visiting her > classroom :-) After that, she was much better so I'm fairly certain it was > nerves. > > There are 2 kids in her class whom she went to Early Intervention > playgroup > with at age 2. She still has the photo album from that time and looks at > it > a lot so she remembers the kids. There are actually 3, but one is trying > the public school this year so she may be in and out. Anyway - Aubrie is > drawn to boys - I think because of her big brother and his friends being > around all her life. So she considers the one boy as one of her best > friends. Luckily, he was there at registration and took to her just as > she's taken to him! He was interested and friendly. He has very mild CP so > he uses a computer for written work, has some modified seating, etc. They > will be the 2 kids with the most in common. > > On this last IEP, as a result of the MO CHARGE Workshop, we put in > something > about Aubrie taking " sensory breaks " . But we hadn't figured out where > these > would occur, how they'd happen, etc. Get this - the room next to her > classroom is " The Sensory Room " !!!! It wasn't totally set up for the year > so I don't even know what all they have in there - but I'm sure it'll > awesome! In any case, it's better than the nearest closet or empty hallway > we would have used here in town. As we were visiting the classroom with > the > teacher and the vision specialist, Aubrie was rocking, they noticed, and > we > discussed sensory needs. These folks " get it " !!! There is also an OT swing > in the building that she can go to if it's helpful. > > In her classroom, they have a " smartboard " . These are the coolest > technology! We have one or 2 in the entire building at PCS. It's basically > a computerized white board. It also can project PowerPoint presentations, > websites, etc from the computer and can project other materials - like the > book the teacher is reading from can be projected on the screen! > > I am still really hopeful that this will be an awesome year. She's off > tomorrow at 7am (which is an hour earlier than she left for local school) > but she'll be home at about the same time or bit earlier. She and her aide > will be driving the district's new van. We had a fire in the bus barn last > year and lost a few of the smaller vehicles. > > She can do either Girl Scouts or K-Kids (related to the Kiwanis). Girl > Scouts meets after school but K-Kids meets on Saturdays which is a huge > challenge for us since I work many Saturdays. However, I did get the IEP > to > say she'd have her aide and transportation to extracurriculars - I just > don't know if it's too much to ask of the aide to do one Sat a month. > We'll > figure it out - don't have to decide right now. > > And the audiologist is prepared with an FM to work with her regular aides > and one on order for the BAHA. The audiologist's room is right across from > Aubrie's classroom so she'll be handy when they have questions about her > hearing. > > The teacher already had daily communication notebooks ready for each child > to take back and forth. So we added my checklist for each day as well. > Since everyone has one, I can be reasonably sure it'll really get used. At > our local school, it was a chore getting people to record their visits etc > in the book. > > Also - the teacher understands our issues about homework. Aubrie can't > keep > up with the regular amount of homework because her day is shorter than > most > kids. She's ready for bed by 7:30 on school nights - and that was when she > got the bus at 8am. She could be ready for bed right after supper now! > That barely leaves time and energy for after school activities. And if > she's too tired for homework, there's not amount of forcing that's going > to > make it happen. > > Another plus with this teacher is that her own daughter has Down Syndrome. > She attended a CHARGE training I did last year so she's heard Aubrie's > whole > history. After that session, she sent me info on TouchMath which our > school > then began using with her very successfully. > > After just one night, I could go on and on. I can't wait to see how her > day > goes tomorrow. and then her first week. I hope she and her aide get the > signing thing figured out so they can communicate well with the other kids > and staff. Aubrie's trying so hard that I expect her to flourish. > > On Wednesday, her big brother starts high school. What a weird year for us > with one kid heading out of town and the other off to high school! > > Thanks for listening. > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom 8 yrs old CHaRgE 3rd grade > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Touchmath info is at - are you ready for this? - www.touchmath.com <http://www.touchmath.com/> . :-) I must have learned it as a kid, cuz I still use the method when I'm adding and subtracting. The website says: TouchMath is the leading multi-sensory teaching approach that bridges manipulation and memorization. You can use the approach without buying the special materials. It's basically a system of dots on each numeral -- #1 has one dot, #2 has two dots, etc. Then you add by touching the dots on each numeral. And subtract - well, you get the idea. For Aubrie, it helps her get the right answer every time she adds or subtracts 2 numbers. Without it, she would guess wrong and then reinforce that wrong answer by repeating it through the entire page. So if today she thought 2+3=6, she'd write that over and over. So now 2+3=6 is firmly implanted in her memory. Until tomorrow, when she may think its 7 and then reinforce that all through the page. But with TouchMath, she will get 2+3=5 over and over - and hopefully begin to remember the right answer because it's the same every time and every day. There's also a TouchMoney program that they use at ISD. Money is a huge problem for Aubrie. At age 8.5, and 3rd grade, she still can't reliably tell you the names and values of the coins. I think could do that in kindergarten. I think a lot of it has to do with vision. Michele W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 wow im gonna look at that site... it's embarrassing but i was asking for myself... 2+3 is hard for me and i'm fixin to be 27 years old. Cole > > Touchmath info is at - are you ready for this? - www.touchmath.com > <http://www.touchmath.com/> . :-) I must have learned it as a kid, cuz I > still use the method when I'm adding and subtracting. The website says: > TouchMath is the leading multi-sensory teaching approach that bridges > manipulation and memorization. > > You can use the approach without buying the special materials. It's > basically a system of dots on each numeral -- #1 has one dot, #2 has two > dots, etc. Then you add by touching the dots on each numeral. And subtract > - well, you get the idea. > > For Aubrie, it helps her get the right answer every time she adds or > subtracts 2 numbers. Without it, she would guess wrong and then reinforce > that wrong answer by repeating it through the entire page. So if today she > thought 2+3=6, she'd write that over and over. So now 2+3=6 is firmly > implanted in her memory. Until tomorrow, when she may think its 7 and then > reinforce that all through the page. But with TouchMath, she will get > 2+3=5 over and over - and hopefully begin to remember the right answer > because it's the same every time and every day. > > There's also a TouchMoney program that they use at ISD. Money is a huge > problem for Aubrie. At age 8.5, and 3rd grade, she still can't reliably > tell you the names and values of the coins. I think could do that > in > kindergarten. I think a lot of it has to do with vision. > > Michele W > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 I still add by using the touchpoints! It's funny, because I was never taught how to use touch points in school. My mom used to teach remedial math and reading, and when I was in middle school she brought home a video instructing her how to teach touchpoints to her students. I watched the video along with her...and have been using touchpoints ever since. (mom to Evan, 13 months) Michele Westmaas wrote: Touchmath info is at - are you ready for this? - www.touchmath.com <http://www.touchmath.com/> . :-) I must have learned it as a kid, cuz I still use the method when I'm adding and subtracting. The website says: TouchMath is the leading multi-sensory teaching approach that bridges manipulation and memorization. You can use the approach without buying the special materials. It's basically a system of dots on each numeral -- #1 has one dot, #2 has two dots, etc. Then you add by touching the dots on each numeral. And subtract - well, you get the idea. For Aubrie, it helps her get the right answer every time she adds or subtracts 2 numbers. Without it, she would guess wrong and then reinforce that wrong answer by repeating it through the entire page. So if today she thought 2+3=6, she'd write that over and over. So now 2+3=6 is firmly implanted in her memory. Until tomorrow, when she may think its 7 and then reinforce that all through the page. But with TouchMath, she will get 2+3=5 over and over - and hopefully begin to remember the right answer because it's the same every time and every day. There's also a TouchMoney program that they use at ISD. Money is a huge problem for Aubrie. At age 8.5, and 3rd grade, she still can't reliably tell you the names and values of the coins. I think could do that in kindergarten. I think a lot of it has to do with vision. Michele W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 but what if you forget how many times you've touched one of the points? > > I still add by using the touchpoints! It's funny, because I was never > taught how to use touch points in school. My mom used to teach remedial math > and reading, and when I was in middle school she brought home a video > instructing her how to teach touchpoints to her students. I watched the > video along with her...and have been using touchpoints ever since. > > (mom to Evan, 13 months) > > > Michele Westmaas <momonamission@... <momonamission%40verizon.net>> > wrote: > Touchmath info is at - are you ready for this? - www.touchmath.com > <http://www.touchmath.com/> . :-) I must have learned it as a kid, cuz I > still use the method when I'm adding and subtracting. The website says: > TouchMath is the leading multi-sensory teaching approach that bridges > manipulation and memorization. > > You can use the approach without buying the special materials. It's > basically a system of dots on each numeral -- #1 has one dot, #2 has two > dots, etc. Then you add by touching the dots on each numeral. And subtract > - well, you get the idea. > > For Aubrie, it helps her get the right answer every time she adds or > subtracts 2 numbers. Without it, she would guess wrong and then reinforce > that wrong answer by repeating it through the entire page. So if today she > thought 2+3=6, she'd write that over and over. So now 2+3=6 is firmly > implanted in her memory. Until tomorrow, when she may think its 7 and then > reinforce that all through the page. But with TouchMath, she will get > 2+3=5 over and over - and hopefully begin to remember the right answer > because it's the same every time and every day. > > There's also a TouchMoney program that they use at ISD. Money is a huge > problem for Aubrie. At age 8.5, and 3rd grade, she still can't reliably > tell you the names and values of the coins. I think could do that > in > kindergarten. I think a lot of it has to do with vision. > > Michele W > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 You know, I still count on my fingers sometimes - and I was the teacher once! Michele _____ From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of Angelcole Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 10:06 PM To: CHARGE Subject: Re: Orientation at ISD wow im gonna look at that site... it's embarrassing but i was asking for myself... 2+3 is hard for me and i'm fixin to be 27 years old. Cole On 8/21/06, Michele Westmaas <momonamission@ <mailto:momonamission%40verizon.net> verizon.net> wrote: > > Touchmath info is at - are you ready for this? - www.touchmath.com > <http://www.touchmat <http://www.touchmath.com/> h.com/> . :-) I must have learned it as a kid, cuz I > still use the method when I'm adding and subtracting. The website says: > TouchMath is the leading multi-sensory teaching approach that bridges > manipulation and memorization. > > You can use the approach without buying the special materials. It's > basically a system of dots on each numeral -- #1 has one dot, #2 has two > dots, etc. Then you add by touching the dots on each numeral. And subtract > - well, you get the idea. > > For Aubrie, it helps her get the right answer every time she adds or > subtracts 2 numbers. Without it, she would guess wrong and then reinforce > that wrong answer by repeating it through the entire page. So if today she > thought 2+3=6, she'd write that over and over. So now 2+3=6 is firmly > implanted in her memory. Until tomorrow, when she may think its 7 and then > reinforce that all through the page. But with TouchMath, she will get > 2+3=5 over and over - and hopefully begin to remember the right answer > because it's the same every time and every day. > > There's also a TouchMoney program that they use at ISD. Money is a huge > problem for Aubrie. At age 8.5, and 3rd grade, she still can't reliably > tell you the names and values of the coins. I think could do that > in > kindergarten. I think a lot of it has to do with vision. > > Michele W > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Cole- You don't forget or lose count of the points because of their position on the numeral. trust me. you won't get messed up! _____ From: CHARGE [mailto:CHARGE ] On Behalf Of Angelcole Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 12:10 AM To: CHARGE Subject: Re: Orientation at ISD but what if you forget how many times you've touched one of the points? On 8/22/06, Key Storrs <evansmomndad@ <mailto:evansmomndad%40yahoo.com> yahoo.com> wrote: > > I still add by using the touchpoints! It's funny, because I was never > taught how to use touch points in school. My mom used to teach remedial math > and reading, and when I was in middle school she brought home a video > instructing her how to teach touchpoints to her students. I watched the > video along with her...and have been using touchpoints ever since. > > (mom to Evan, 13 months) > > > Michele Westmaas <momonamission@ <mailto:momonamission%40verizon.net> verizon.net <momonamission%40verizon.net>> > wrote: > Touchmath info is at - are you ready for this? - www.touchmath.com > <http://www.touchmat <http://www.touchmath.com/> h.com/> . :-) I must have learned it as a kid, cuz I > still use the method when I'm adding and subtracting. The website says: > TouchMath is the leading multi-sensory teaching approach that bridges > manipulation and memorization. > > You can use the approach without buying the special materials. It's > basically a system of dots on each numeral -- #1 has one dot, #2 has two > dots, etc. Then you add by touching the dots on each numeral. And subtract > - well, you get the idea. > > For Aubrie, it helps her get the right answer every time she adds or > subtracts 2 numbers. Without it, she would guess wrong and then reinforce > that wrong answer by repeating it through the entire page. So if today she > thought 2+3=6, she'd write that over and over. So now 2+3=6 is firmly > implanted in her memory. Until tomorrow, when she may think its 7 and then > reinforce that all through the page. But with TouchMath, she will get > 2+3=5 over and over - and hopefully begin to remember the right answer > because it's the same every time and every day. > > There's also a TouchMoney program that they use at ISD. Money is a huge > problem for Aubrie. At age 8.5, and 3rd grade, she still can't reliably > tell you the names and values of the coins. I think could do that > in > kindergarten. I think a lot of it has to do with vision. > > Michele W > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 Michele, I've read your posts about Aubrie since I've joined this list 2 years ago. It's so exciting to see how you have ended up with her education. This certainly seems to be a fabulous program, and one where Aubrie can thrive. I so look forward to hearing how she does in school and the difference you will feel as a parent in a supportive environment. I sincerely pray with all my heart that this goes as beautifully as it sounds it will. All the best! mom to Zachary 5 years and Carmen 2 years (CHARGE) > > We went to new student orientation and registration at ISD (IL School for > the Deaf) today. Aubrie will begin classes tomorrow! She's incredibly > excited! She was so excited that she puked mid-day as we were visiting her > classroom :-) After that, she was much better so I'm fairly certain it was > nerves. > > > > There are 2 kids in her class whom she went to Early Intervention playgroup > with at age 2. She still has the photo album from that time and looks at it > a lot so she remembers the kids. There are actually 3, but one is trying > the public school this year so she may be in and out. Anyway - Aubrie is > drawn to boys - I think because of her big brother and his friends being > around all her life. So she considers the one boy as one of her best > friends. Luckily, he was there at registration and took to her just as > she's taken to him! He was interested and friendly. He has very mild CP so > he uses a computer for written work, has some modified seating, etc. They > will be the 2 kids with the most in common. > > > > On this last IEP, as a result of the MO CHARGE Workshop, we put in something > about Aubrie taking " sensory breaks " . But we hadn't figured out where these > would occur, how they'd happen, etc. Get this - the room next to her > classroom is " The Sensory Room " !!!! It wasn't totally set up for the year > so I don't even know what all they have in there - but I'm sure it'll > awesome! In any case, it's better than the nearest closet or empty hallway > we would have used here in town. As we were visiting the classroom with the > teacher and the vision specialist, Aubrie was rocking, they noticed, and we > discussed sensory needs. These folks " get it " !!! There is also an OT swing > in the building that she can go to if it's helpful. > > > > In her classroom, they have a " smartboard " . These are the coolest > technology! We have one or 2 in the entire building at PCS. It's basically > a computerized white board. It also can project PowerPoint presentations, > websites, etc from the computer and can project other materials - like the > book the teacher is reading from can be projected on the screen! > > > > I am still really hopeful that this will be an awesome year. She's off > tomorrow at 7am (which is an hour earlier than she left for local school) > but she'll be home at about the same time or bit earlier. She and her aide > will be driving the district's new van. We had a fire in the bus barn last > year and lost a few of the smaller vehicles. > > > > She can do either Girl Scouts or K-Kids (related to the Kiwanis). Girl > Scouts meets after school but K-Kids meets on Saturdays which is a huge > challenge for us since I work many Saturdays. However, I did get the IEP to > say she'd have her aide and transportation to extracurriculars - I just > don't know if it's too much to ask of the aide to do one Sat a month. We'll > figure it out - don't have to decide right now. > > > > And the audiologist is prepared with an FM to work with her regular aides > and one on order for the BAHA. The audiologist's room is right across from > Aubrie's classroom so she'll be handy when they have questions about her > hearing. > > > > The teacher already had daily communication notebooks ready for each child > to take back and forth. So we added my checklist for each day as well. > Since everyone has one, I can be reasonably sure it'll really get used. At > our local school, it was a chore getting people to record their visits etc > in the book. > > > > Also - the teacher understands our issues about homework. Aubrie can't keep > up with the regular amount of homework because her day is shorter than most > kids. She's ready for bed by 7:30 on school nights - and that was when she > got the bus at 8am. She could be ready for bed right after supper now! > That barely leaves time and energy for after school activities. And if > she's too tired for homework, there's not amount of forcing that's going to > make it happen. > > > > Another plus with this teacher is that her own daughter has Down Syndrome. > She attended a CHARGE training I did last year so she's heard Aubrie's whole > history. After that session, she sent me info on TouchMath which our school > then began using with her very successfully. > > > > After just one night, I could go on and on. I can't wait to see how her day > goes tomorrow. and then her first week. I hope she and her aide get the > signing thing figured out so they can communicate well with the other kids > and staff. Aubrie's trying so hard that I expect her to flourish. > > > > On Wednesday, her big brother starts high school. What a weird year for us > with one kid heading out of town and the other off to high school! > > > > Thanks for listening. > > > > Michele W > Aubrie's mom 8 yrs old CHaRgE 3rd grade > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.