aides

[Guest guest]

I can only tell you what I was told here in Hawaii...I don't know if it varies

from state to state. We " fought " to get a therapist for intensive home therapy.

I put that in quotes because it was actually less of a fight than I expected.

We were asked to decide as quickly as possible if the personalities would mesh

good, and if there was a conflict they would need to know as quick as possible

so they could get another person. In my opinion, it's your child and it's who

the child and you are comfortable with. If there's a personality conflict, no

progress will be made any way, and the person will be paid with no benefit to

your son. Make them change aides.

Loriann

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I am in a situation at school that I have never been in before. Hope someone

here has a solution for me. I went to observe Seth and his new aide today

and told the teacher I did not want that girl working with Seth anymore. I

first noticed she seemed to have a chip on her shoulder and never once in

three hours did that girl smile at Seth. She did at the other, older kids

though. When she took him to the sandbox, he naturally put it right in his

mouth. She grabbed his arm and said " NO " (only word said to him in a three

hour time span) and the rest of the sand play time was spent with her holding

onto Seth's arm and laying her head on the table! Teacher agreed with me

that this was not the right person to be working with Seth, BUT, she had

seniority and she had to be hired before they could hire anyone new. Seth's

teacher is a saint and goes above and beyond what she needs to do for him.

She told me she has no power and the only way to get changes is for the

parents to fight for it.(like we did to get him an aide in the first place).

Now to my question. Can I refuse this aide and request a new one, or legally

can they say that it's her or nothing because of her seniority? His teacher

said she is only summer help and would keep her busy with other things and

away from Seth as much as possible. Do you think that is acceptable and I am

being a bitch about the whole thing? My instincts tell me to call the head

of the program and demand a change or pull him out for the summer. Any one

have an opinion on this?

Oh Leah, glad to see you survived! LOL

Gail, Mom to; Seth-4, jo-7, Becky-9, -23, Jen-24, Grandma to Errick-4

and wife to -my hero

[Guest guest]

Gail:

GEt out your pen and write a letter. Be very tactful and stay away from

comments about personality.

Hone in on:

1. Her lack of interaction with Seth

2. Her negative attitude

3. Whether or not she is facilitating interactions with other kids

4. etc.

Do a personnel review.

You might want to start with something good you saw and end with a

compliment also.

Make certain you list the things that Seth needs to be successful. Find out

who is the aide's " direct supervisor " not to complain so much as to express

your concerns. Go directly to the aide and the supervisor (if you don't go

to the aide, they may do the old, " take it up with her and let me know how

it goes " line).

But do it right away. Negative people like that will bring out behaviors.

YOu might want to find some info on positive behavior support and express

your concern about the lack of positives you saw in the interactions.

Get the teacher to tell you the hierarchy to complain through and always,

always tell them what you DO want. Don't just point out what isn't working,

tell them what will fix it.

Good luck.

been there......

j

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/14/00 9:12:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

smilinggail@... writes:

<< Do you think that is acceptable and I am

being a bitch about the whole thing? >>

NO WAY Gail!!!! I didn't even see this and I feel like smacking that woman!!

I think you absolutely have to do something about this. I read Joan's reply

to you and it sounds like Great advice (as usual ..........Let us know how

you make out!! {{{{hugs}}}}

Donna

[Guest guest]

gail,

ouch.....my first instinct would have been to pull on the aide's arm and tell

her " no dont grab seth again " ....i dont like noone touching my kids like

that....if anyone gets to grab them it will be me.....lmao i think joans

suggestions are good.....you have more control than me.......i hope somethign

positive happens......take care and hang in there....leah

ps yes i am still surviving

[Guest guest]

Gail,

I'd call the district and have her removed immediately. Seth is better off

with a substitute aide until they could hire a new one for this position.

They'll probably tell you that they need to find another position for her

first , before they can move her, but I would insist on a substitute in there

to work with him and refuse to have her work with him. If they resist, I

would threaten fair hearing which usually pushes their buttons. If you feel

like your getting the run around, I would call an immediate IEP to get it

changed. An aide like this can cause many problems. You want him to have

support, not a leash.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/16/00 7:33:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

egroups writes:

<< You betcha you have the right to request another aid! >>

Thanks for all the advice everyone. Seth's teacher called and I was not

home, so we have been playing phone tag all weekend. I am waiting to hear

what she has to say before I proceed. She told me Friday when I called her

that all the staff was meeting after school and she would bring it up and see

what everyone has been noticing. I do have my letters ready to mail if need

be. Since he is in preschool, I don't have to deal with our district (which

his school isn't in anyway) and I am friends with the lady that is the head

of the program for special needs preschoolers. She is definitely pro-child,

but everything has to go before the board. Love that red tape! I do hope

that it can be resolved without any friction, but, that is up to them.

Thanks all and I will let you know how we make out.

Gail, Mom to; Seth-4, jo-7, Becky-9, -23, Jen-24, Grandma to Errick-4

and wife to -my hero

[Guest guest]

good luck gail......hopeall turns out well for both y our sakes........

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/2/00 7:31:47 AM Eastern Standard Time,

vainclusion4all@... writes:

<< o all those with personal aides or paraprof's assigned to your kids, how

did

you accomplish that????? my school district no child has a one on one

>>

Leah, Seth's teacher, for the first time ever, requested a full time aide for

him. She told them it was because of his lack of understanding any type of

dangerous situation and is in need of constant supervision.

Gail

[Guest guest]

thanks ck for the info and gail and michelle too..... ashton is getting worse

at school,,,,,i think its environment not getting her needs met and sensory

fulfilled....but i am JUST HER MOM......

[Guest guest]

mary s.,

thanks for your help and suggestions and the big prayer....... wish me tons

of luck.....leah

[Guest guest]

> to all those with personal aides or paraprof's assigned to your kids, how

did

> you accomplish that????? my school district no child has a one on one

Get it written into the IEP. Establish a need for it. For instance,

without personal attention, Ian would most likely run off somewhere. An

aide helps him stay focused and keeps him safe. Safety is a really good

reason for an aide, by the way.

CK,

Mom to Ian (2/89),

(9/90),

and Rose (6/94)

[Guest guest]

At 09:20 AM 11/2/00 EST, you wrote:

but i am JUST HER MOM......

>

Yes...the ONLY person who has known Ashton for her *entire life* on the

team. And the ONLY one who has a vested interest in the outcome of their

ability to educate.

It doesn't hurt to remind them of that. I do all the time in various ways.

" Andy is doing so well being around lots of people, which is a very

important skill in the real world. I'm unwilling to lose that by placing

him in a smaller, coccooned classroom. Then we wouldn't be able to go to

the mall...just like a few years ago. "

Tie things to the end result of her 21 years of education. Let them know

that their ability or inability has a direct outcome on a person years from

now rather than just this immediate moment.

j

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 2 Nov 2000 07:30:59 EST vainclusion4all@... writes:

> to all those with personal aides or paraprof's assigned to your kids,

> how did

> you accomplish that????? my school district no child has a one on

> one

>

Leah,

First of all, you don't care what other kids do or dont' have, and

neither does the law. What they do or dont' have has absolutely NO

BEARING whatsoever on what YOUR child needs. Remember this, write it

down, practice saying it, calmly but forcefully. The law doesnt' say

they only provide what all the other kids get, but what she needs.

Next is to establish the need. We had 3 key phrases included in the

" statement of present level of functioning " part.

The first one is about distractibiliy: it says:

Matt has difficulty remaining focused and seated while working on the

task at hand. He requires constant adult assistance and prompting to

initiat and attenp academic tasks in the classroom and the resource

room.-Matt requires constant adult supervision.

Then we talked about self-help; They noted that he can use the bathroom

by himself, but needs adult help to make sure he exits the bathroom with

all clothing adjusted appropriately and hands washed adequately. They

also talked about difficulty he had in the lunch room with opening

packages, managing his food, not throwing or smearing, or dumping food.

This required constant adult one on one supervision and assistance.

Next is social: They noted that Matt frequently was aggressive with the

other children unless constant adult one on one supervision was provided.

He also spit water from the drinking fountain at others, and they made it

sound like the likelihood for him running off the playground was real. (I

dont' think it is, but I let them put it in so that it assured the need

for all day aide.

Last year we filled out a functional behavior checklist, listing all the

things he does (wrong!) and what has been tried to correct it. Then we

had to do a behavior plan. We had documentation (I had it, I kept every

paper they sent home with all the " bad " things Matt was doing. When they

doubted the need, I pulled them out and said " Here, we can sit here and

count, on average, he did this in a week, or in a day! " They didnt' want

to sit and do that! IT was fairly easy to get this past the teachers and

principal (she is an idiot!), but then they said it was being held up at

the district. The district still had to " approve " it, until I reminded

them that a qualified district representative already signed for the need

for it, and the district cannot deny it now! That is breaking a contract.

On on of the papers the teacher had to fill out was the question: " What

will happen if this child doesn't get the aid " and she put in there;

" Parents will sue the district! " Part of what worked well for us is that

the principal complained a lot about all of Matt's behavior. She wants

him out of her school, so I got to hear about EVERY little thing that he

did. (He has never spit water before, only spits it at school-now, where

did he learn that? Did the children who demonstrated that lovely behavior

get a phone call from the principal to let their parents know what they

did? I think not!) I wrote them down, and they added fuel to the fire of

why he needed an aid.

Now she is trying to get him out based on the fact that he gets sick!

HOpe this is helpful. Go and get them. Dont' let them push you around! It

doesnt' matter what every other child has or does not have, you are there

to discuss your child. It doesnt' matter if they can afford it or not.

And if they try to cry poormouth, one effective stategy is to remind them

that they are in violation of a FEDERAL law. give a brief civics lesson,

on how Federal laws always superceed state and local laws, and the state

and local laws CANNOT be in opposition to the federal laws. And since

they obviously have enough money for things NOT mandated by FEDERAL laws,

(I'll bet they have a library-that is not mandated by federal law) they

have to find the money somewhere for what you child needs. If they try to

bring up money before you even decide she needs an aide (Officicially in

the meeting), remind them they are obligated to provide what is neeeded

to provide an education in the least restrictive environment. I have even

heard of people taking out their checkbook and offering to go over their

expenses-mortgage, utilities, food, etc..... When it was noted that that

had nothing at all to do with the discussion at hand, she replied, " just

as the school finances have nothing at all to do with whether my child

needs an aid or not! "

I'm going to a special First Friday Mass tomorrow (Catholic) and I will

definately be praying for you!

S

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[Guest guest]

nathan got his aide since he was in school at age three, it has something to

do with his rating, he is a 3-6 rating which means he is required to have an

one-one aid at all times. shawna.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/02/2000 6:31:45 AM Central Standard Time,

vainclusion4all@... writes:

<< to all those with personal aides or paraprof's assigned to your kids, how

did

you accomplish that????? my school district no child has a one on one

>>

I live in an inclusion district, so aides for students with 's level of

challenges is standard.

Maureen

[Guest guest]

maureen,

what state are you in?????

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 11/05/2000 7:50:39 PM Central Standard Time,

vainclusion4all@... writes:

<< what state are you in????? >>

Illinois! But there are huge variations from district to district.

[Guest guest]

Aides are supposed to help if confusion arises with instruction, when behaviors

need help and just as added assistance for the teacher....right?

I'm pretty new to all of this regular school stuff and want to make sure I'm on

the same page....

I think I will request regular K with an aide or maybe a shared aide? But, I

may have to have him try out their idea first to see how well it works. All of

this will be in writing of course!

You guys have taught me well!!!

Johanna

[Guest guest]

Hi Johanna,

Msg 64678 tells how to find an article that gives a very good summary

of what an aide should do.

[Guest guest]

The aides duties should be whatever the child needs and whatever the

team decides the aide should be doing. So you can list the things

you feel he will need an aide to help with. Sometimes it is not

enough to just slap a warm body in the room. It should be spelled

out what his needs are.

Roxanna

> Aides are supposed to help if confusion arises with instruction,

when behaviors need help and just as added assistance for the

teacher....right?

> I'm pretty new to all of this regular school stuff and want to make

sure I'm on the same page....

>

> I think I will request regular K with an aide or maybe a shared

aide? But, I may have to have him try out their idea first to see

how well it works. All of this will be in writing of course!

> You guys have taught me well!!!

> Johanna

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

How would you handle this one???

Matt (8 yr old AS) has an aid for his inclusion classes. Last week he

had a math test. They are doing word problems. He also has a

learning disabiity and can't read. His aid read the problems to him

and he did the math. The teacher got mad and said he was cheating.

Needless to say it caused a very bad day. The same teacher corrected

me for writing his answers for him. He is already stressed because

of the reading and getting him to do his homework is almost

impossible. He did the work he just wouldn't do the writing.

Should I talk to his math teacher directly of let his AS Support

Teacher do it?

> > Aides are supposed to help if confusion arises with instruction,

> when behaviors need help and just as added assistance for the

> teacher....right?

> > I'm pretty new to all of this regular school stuff and want to

make

> sure I'm on the same page....

> >

> > I think I will request regular K with an aide or maybe a shared

> aide? But, I may have to have him try out their idea first to see

> how well it works. All of this will be in writing of course!

> > You guys have taught me well!!!

> > Johanna

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm still pretty new at this, but my background in special ed suggests that both

of you approach the math teacher together - you because you are concerned, and

the AS support teacher because they know the reality of AS.

laura

haleykaren0615 <haleyk@...> wrote:

How would you handle this one???

Matt (8 yr old AS) has an aid for his inclusion classes. Last week he

had a math test. They are doing word problems. He also has a

learning disabiity and can't read. His aid read the problems to him

and he did the math. The teacher got mad and said he was cheating.

Needless to say it caused a very bad day. The same teacher corrected

me for writing his answers for him. He is already stressed because

of the reading and getting him to do his homework is almost

impossible. He did the work he just wouldn't do the writing.

Should I talk to his math teacher directly of let his AS Support

Teacher do it?

> > Aides are supposed to help if confusion arises with instruction,

> when behaviors need help and just as added assistance for the

> teacher....right?

> > I'm pretty new to all of this regular school stuff and want to

make

> sure I'm on the same page....

> >

> > I think I will request regular K with an aide or maybe a shared

> aide? But, I may have to have him try out their idea first to see

> how well it works. All of this will be in writing of course!

> > You guys have taught me well!!!

> > Johanna

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I know is our state that if a child is special ed. he has an IEP and they have

to have a behavior plan written up and that is the law. That is why he has an

aide to help him out. That aide I suppose depending on the state has the right

to modify tests work, etc.

Check with your special education laws in your state. They have to provide you

with a copy of them.

madassmom <kneeleee@...> wrote:

The aides duties should be whatever the child needs and whatever the

team decides the aide should be doing. So you can list the things

you feel he will need an aide to help with. Sometimes it is not

enough to just slap a warm body in the room. It should be spelled

out what his needs are.

Roxanna

> Aides are supposed to help if confusion arises with instruction,

when behaviors need help and just as added assistance for the

teacher....right?

> I'm pretty new to all of this regular school stuff and want to make

sure I'm on the same page....

>

> I think I will request regular K with an aide or maybe a shared

aide? But, I may have to have him try out their idea first to see

how well it works. All of this will be in writing of course!

> You guys have taught me well!!!

> Johanna

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would talk to the sped teacher first and see if she can handle it.

It doesn't sound like the teacher is going to be that receptive. Can

he be moved to another teacher in that grade who is more available to

learn about learning disabilities?

Roxanna

> > > Aides are supposed to help if confusion arises with

instruction,

> > when behaviors need help and just as added assistance for the

> > teacher....right?

> > > I'm pretty new to all of this regular school stuff and want to

> make

> > sure I'm on the same page....

> > >

> > > I think I will request regular K with an aide or maybe a shared

> > aide? But, I may have to have him try out their idea first to

see

> > how well it works. All of this will be in writing of course!

> > > You guys have taught me well!!!

> > > Johanna

> > >

> > >

> > >