Re: Newbie with an AS daughter

[Guest guest]

Rechelle,

Hi there! I'm new to the grop too. We are in the Bay area too. East Bay.

We have a son who is in second grade, and I can feel for you.

He was diagnosed with AS in the summer. He had been diagnoised with a

fine motor/gross motor delay, and sensory integration dysfunciton prior. He

has had OT services both school, and private since Kindergarten. He made it

through Kindergarten, and first(mid to end of first to got to be VERY difficult

for

him) He had a GREAT teacher, who is up on AS(her son also has AS) and she

just got our son--knew how to handle him. THis year, however has been a VERy

different story!!!!!!!!He just could not handle all that was expected of

him--bolted from

class, hid under desk, terrible melt downs after school at home. Our son was

on a downhill spiral...he fell off a playstructure at the park, and broke his

arm. We then

did a home and hospital program, and saw what he was capable of doing. He told

us

that he " wasn't dumb " . It broke my heart to see and hear all that he was going

through.

We were in the process of changing his 504 plan over to and IEP, and well, it

has not

gone as we planned. WE did get to keep his OT, vision, and add speech. We

wanted

an aide with him, rather than a pull in(they had tried that off and on, and it

was not enough)

We are still at battle, shall we say with the district. WE have meeting number

3 tomorrow.

Our son is home through all of this. We are doing a homestudy program through

the

district, and it has been wonderfull for him. Alot ot work for me, but our

family dynamics

are so much better. He is learning, and thriving. If we can get an aide for

him fulltime,

we hope to try the mainstream school that he was at again after spring break,

or most likely

next school year, with a different teacher. He goes to schoo site for his

special ed

services, and is trying to attend an art class (with first graders-with his

teacher from last yr) to

keep him in the loop. Our daughter is also in that class this year, so it makes

it a comfortable

place for him. We are also going to look at special day classes to see how they

are. We

are keeping all possibilities open. Right now, we are going to stay with the

homestudy program.

Keep your chin up...hope I did not ramble too much, and that I made some sense.

Kristy

( ) Newbie with an AS daughter

Hi Everyone,

So glad I stumbled upon your group. I have a daughter in 1st grade

who was just diagnosed with aspergers, sensory integration disorder

and dysgraphia. I see a lot of boys on this group are there any of

you that have daughters with this problem?

She is currently in a regular 1st grade classroom and doing

terribly. She is not able to do any of the same assignments that

the regular kids do. She has been on lots of different meds for

ADHD for the last 2 years. Ritalin seems to help a little but

nothing is enough for her to function like other children and she is

teased horribly and doesn't have any friends, she just is so

different, especially from the girls.

We just started the IEP process, and won't meet until mid-April.

I'm so worried about my little girl in the meanwhile in that

classroom.

What have you all done as a result of your IEP's, have your children

been moved into special classrooms for all of the day, some of the

day, etc.? Have any of you found private schools that are better

than public? (We're in the bay area, california) What types of

extra activiites do your kids do well at, sports, girlscouts, etc?

Thanks for any info, this is all so overwelming.

Rechelle

[Guest guest]

Kristy: What school district are you in ? Your situation omwhar similar to

ours. Our son is now in 9th grade and independent study in WCCSD. Brad

Kristy Caldwell <kcaldwell@...> wrote: Rechelle,

Hi there! I'm new to the grop too. We are in the Bay area too. East Bay.

We have a son who is in second grade, and I can feel for you.

He was diagnosed with AS in the summer. He had been diagnoised with a

fine motor/gross motor delay, and sensory integration dysfunciton prior. He

has had OT services both school, and private since Kindergarten. He made it

through Kindergarten, and first(mid to end of first to got to be VERY

difficult for

him) He had a GREAT teacher, who is up on AS(her son also has AS) and she

just got our son--knew how to handle him. THis year, however has been a VERy

different story!!!!!!!!He just could not handle all that was expected of

him--bolted from

class, hid under desk, terrible melt downs after school at home. Our son was

on a downhill spiral...he fell off a playstructure at the park, and broke his

arm. We then

did a home and hospital program, and saw what he was capable of doing. He

told us

that he " wasn't dumb " . It broke my heart to see and hear all that he was

going through.

We were in the process of changing his 504 plan over to and IEP, and well, it

has not

gone as we planned. WE did get to keep his OT, vision, and add speech. We

wanted

an aide with him, rather than a pull in(they had tried that off and on, and it

was not enough)

We are still at battle, shall we say with the district. WE have meeting

number 3 tomorrow.

Our son is home through all of this. We are doing a homestudy program through

the

district, and it has been wonderfull for him. Alot ot work for me, but our

family dynamics

are so much better. He is learning, and thriving. If we can get an aide for

him fulltime,

we hope to try the mainstream school that he was at again after spring break,

or most likely

next school year, with a different teacher. He goes to schoo site for his

special ed

services, and is trying to attend an art class (with first graders-with his

teacher from last yr) to

keep him in the loop. Our daughter is also in that class this year, so it

makes it a comfortable

place for him. We are also going to look at special day classes to see how

they are. We

are keeping all possibilities open. Right now, we are going to stay with the

homestudy program.

Keep your chin up...hope I did not ramble too much, and that I made some

sense.

Kristy

( ) Newbie with an AS daughter

Hi Everyone,

So glad I stumbled upon your group. I have a daughter in 1st grade

who was just diagnosed with aspergers, sensory integration disorder

and dysgraphia. I see a lot of boys on this group are there any of

you that have daughters with this problem?

She is currently in a regular 1st grade classroom and doing

terribly. She is not able to do any of the same assignments that

the regular kids do. She has been on lots of different meds for

ADHD for the last 2 years. Ritalin seems to help a little but

nothing is enough for her to function like other children and she is

teased horribly and doesn't have any friends, she just is so

different, especially from the girls.

We just started the IEP process, and won't meet until mid-April.

I'm so worried about my little girl in the meanwhile in that

classroom.

What have you all done as a result of your IEP's, have your children

been moved into special classrooms for all of the day, some of the

day, etc.? Have any of you found private schools that are better

than public? (We're in the bay area, california) What types of

extra activiites do your kids do well at, sports, girlscouts, etc?

Thanks for any info, this is all so overwelming.

Rechelle

[Guest guest]

Rechelle,

> Hi there! I'm new to the grop too. We are in the Bay area

too. East Bay.

> We have a son who is in second grade, and I can feel for you.

> He was diagnosed with AS in the summer. He had been diagnoised

with a

> fine motor/gross motor delay, and sensory integration dysfunciton

prior. He

> has had OT services both school, and private since Kindergarten.

He made it

> through Kindergarten, and first(mid to end of first to got to be

VERY difficult for

> him) He had a GREAT teacher, who is up on AS(her son also has

AS) and she

> just got our son--knew how to handle him. THis year, however has

been a VERy

> different story!!!!!!!!He just could not handle all that was

expected of him--bolted from

> class, hid under desk, terrible melt downs after school at home.

Our son was

> on a downhill spiral...he fell off a playstructure at the park,

and broke his arm. We then

> did a home and hospital program, and saw what he was capable of

doing. He told us

> that he " wasn't dumb " . It broke my heart to see and hear all

that he was going through.

> We were in the process of changing his 504 plan over to and IEP,

and well, it has not

> gone as we planned. WE did get to keep his OT, vision, and add

speech. We wanted

> an aide with him, rather than a pull in(they had tried that off

and on, and it was not enough)

> We are still at battle, shall we say with the district. WE have

meeting number 3 tomorrow.

> Our son is home through all of this. We are doing a homestudy

program through the

> district, and it has been wonderfull for him. Alot ot work for

me, but our family dynamics

> are so much better. He is learning, and thriving. If we can get

an aide for him fulltime,

> we hope to try the mainstream school that he was at again after

spring break, or most likely

> next school year, with a different teacher. He goes to schoo

site for his special ed

> services, and is trying to attend an art class (with first

graders-with his teacher from last yr) to

> keep him in the loop. Our daughter is also in that class this

year, so it makes it a comfortable

> place for him. We are also going to look at special day classes

to see how they are. We

> are keeping all possibilities open. Right now, we are going to

stay with the homestudy program.

> Keep your chin up...hope I did not ramble too much, and that I

made some sense.

>

> Kristy

>

> ( ) Newbie with an AS daughter

>

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> So glad I stumbled upon your group. I have a daughter in 1st

grade

> who was just diagnosed with aspergers, sensory integration

disorder

> and dysgraphia. I see a lot of boys on this group are there

any of

> you that have daughters with this problem?

>

> She is currently in a regular 1st grade classroom and doing

> terribly. She is not able to do any of the same assignments

that

> the regular kids do. She has been on lots of different meds

for

> ADHD for the last 2 years. Ritalin seems to help a little but

> nothing is enough for her to function like other children and

she is

> teased horribly and doesn't have any friends, she just is so

> different, especially from the girls.

>

> We just started the IEP process, and won't meet until mid-

April.

> I'm so worried about my little girl in the meanwhile in that

> classroom.

>

> What have you all done as a result of your IEP's, have your

children

> been moved into special classrooms for all of the day, some of

the

> day, etc.? Have any of you found private schools that are

better

> than public? (We're in the bay area, california) What types of

> extra activiites do your kids do well at, sports, girlscouts,

etc?

>

> Thanks for any info, this is all so overwelming.

>

> Rechelle

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Brad,

I am a lurker on this list with a 7th grade AS daughter in the San Ramon

School District (but recently moved from Mt Diablo). I would be interested in

your experiences with independent study, as we have considered doing it also.

My daughter has been in a regular ed classroom with an IEP and services since

preschool--and although there have been struggles, it has generally worked ok.

Luckily she can do the work, but, I've considered independent study later on

because the social aspects of school have always been her biggest problem.

What techniques do you use to keep your son on track at home and how much

interaction is there with other high schoolers? Although the social

interactions are the hardest parts for my daughter at school, she seems to have

some gains by being around others and seeing their behavior. And, importantly,

she isn't bullied--her school environment is very accepting. I'm concerned that

if she were home more, it would be even more difficult for her to meet others.

She is in a social group in San Ramon run by a psychologist that has helped

tremendously but I'm not sure that's enough.

Anyway, thanks for any insight you can provide!

Anne

Bradford <foodchem@...> wrote:

Kristy: What school district are you in ? Your situation omwhar similar to

ours. Our son is now in 9th grade and independent study in WCCSD. Brad

Kristy Caldwell <kcaldwell@...> wrote: Rechelle,

Hi there! I'm new to the grop too. We are in the Bay area too. East Bay.

We have a son who is in second grade, and I can feel for you.

He was diagnosed with AS in the summer. He had been diagnoised with a

fine motor/gross motor delay, and sensory integration dysfunciton prior. He

has had OT services both school, and private since Kindergarten. He made it

through Kindergarten, and first(mid to end of first to got to be VERY

difficult for

him) He had a GREAT teacher, who is up on AS(her son also has AS) and she

just got our son--knew how to handle him. THis year, however has been a VERy

different story!!!!!!!!He just could not handle all that was expected of

him--bolted from

class, hid under desk, terrible melt downs after school at home. Our son was

on a downhill spiral...he fell off a playstructure at the park, and broke his

arm. We then

did a home and hospital program, and saw what he was capable of doing. He

told us

that he " wasn't dumb " . It broke my heart to see and hear all that he was

going through.

We were in the process of changing his 504 plan over to and IEP, and well, it

has not

gone as we planned. WE did get to keep his OT, vision, and add speech. We

wanted

an aide with him, rather than a pull in(they had tried that off and on, and it

was not enough)

We are still at battle, shall we say with the district. WE have meeting

number 3 tomorrow.

Our son is home through all of this. We are doing a homestudy program through

the

district, and it has been wonderfull for him. Alot ot work for me, but our

family dynamics

are so much better. He is learning, and thriving. If we can get an aide for

him fulltime,

we hope to try the mainstream school that he was at again after spring break,

or most likely

next school year, with a different teacher. He goes to schoo site for his

special ed

services, and is trying to attend an art class (with first graders-with his

teacher from last yr) to

keep him in the loop. Our daughter is also in that class this year, so it

makes it a comfortable

place for him. We are also going to look at special day classes to see how

they are. We

are keeping all possibilities open. Right now, we are going to stay with the

homestudy program.

Keep your chin up...hope I did not ramble too much, and that I made some

sense.

Kristy

( ) Newbie with an AS daughter

Hi Everyone,

So glad I stumbled upon your group. I have a daughter in 1st grade

who was just diagnosed with aspergers, sensory integration disorder

and dysgraphia. I see a lot of boys on this group are there any of

you that have daughters with this problem?

She is currently in a regular 1st grade classroom and doing

terribly. She is not able to do any of the same assignments that

the regular kids do. She has been on lots of different meds for

ADHD for the last 2 years. Ritalin seems to help a little but

nothing is enough for her to function like other children and she is

teased horribly and doesn't have any friends, she just is so

different, especially from the girls.

We just started the IEP process, and won't meet until mid-April.

I'm so worried about my little girl in the meanwhile in that

classroom.

What have you all done as a result of your IEP's, have your children

been moved into special classrooms for all of the day, some of the

day, etc.? Have any of you found private schools that are better

than public? (We're in the bay area, california) What types of

extra activiites do your kids do well at, sports, girlscouts, etc?

Thanks for any info, this is all so overwelming.

Rechelle

[Guest guest]

I also think that my daughter would not do well at home, or being

singled out, she likes to be around others.

Rechelle,

> Hi there! I'm new to the grop too. We are in the Bay area

too. East Bay.

> We have a son who is in second grade, and I can feel for you.

> He was diagnosed with AS in the summer. He had been diagnoised

with a

> fine motor/gross motor delay, and sensory integration dysfunciton

prior. He

> has had OT services both school, and private since Kindergarten.

He made it

> through Kindergarten, and first(mid to end of first to got to be

VERY difficult for

> him) He had a GREAT teacher, who is up on AS(her son also has

AS) and she

> just got our son--knew how to handle him. THis year, however has

been a VERy

> different story!!!!!!!!He just could not handle all that was

expected of him--bolted from

> class, hid under desk, terrible melt downs after school at home.

Our son was

> on a downhill spiral...he fell off a playstructure at the park,

and broke his arm. We then

> did a home and hospital program, and saw what he was capable of

doing. He told us

> that he " wasn't dumb " . It broke my heart to see and hear all

that he was going through.

> We were in the process of changing his 504 plan over to and IEP,

and well, it has not

> gone as we planned. WE did get to keep his OT, vision, and add

speech. We wanted

> an aide with him, rather than a pull in(they had tried that off

and on, and it was not enough)

> We are still at battle, shall we say with the district. WE have

meeting number 3 tomorrow.

> Our son is home through all of this. We are doing a homestudy

program through the

> district, and it has been wonderfull for him. Alot ot work for

me, but our family dynamics

> are so much better. He is learning, and thriving. If we can get

an aide for him fulltime,

> we hope to try the mainstream school that he was at again after

spring break, or most likely

> next school year, with a different teacher. He goes to schoo

site for his special ed

> services, and is trying to attend an art class (with first

graders-with his teacher from last yr) to

> keep him in the loop. Our daughter is also in that class this

year, so it makes it a comfortable

> place for him. We are also going to look at special day classes

to see how they are. We

> are keeping all possibilities open. Right now, we are going to

stay with the homestudy program.

> Keep your chin up...hope I did not ramble too much, and that I

made some sense.

>

> Kristy

>

> ( ) Newbie with an AS daughter

>

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> So glad I stumbled upon your group. I have a daughter in 1st

grade

> who was just diagnosed with aspergers, sensory integration

disorder

> and dysgraphia. I see a lot of boys on this group are there

any of

> you that have daughters with this problem?

>

> She is currently in a regular 1st grade classroom and doing

> terribly. She is not able to do any of the same assignments

that

> the regular kids do. She has been on lots of different meds

for

> ADHD for the last 2 years. Ritalin seems to help a little but

> nothing is enough for her to function like other children and

she is

> teased horribly and doesn't have any friends, she just is so

> different, especially from the girls.

>

> We just started the IEP process, and won't meet until mid-

April.

> I'm so worried about my little girl in the meanwhile in that

> classroom.

>

> What have you all done as a result of your IEP's, have your

children

> been moved into special classrooms for all of the day, some of

the

> day, etc.? Have any of you found private schools that are

better

> than public? (We're in the bay area, california) What types of

> extra activiites do your kids do well at, sports, girlscouts,

etc?

>

> Thanks for any info, this is all so overwelming.

>

> Rechelle

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Anne,

I know the area well, having worked in Dublin for many years. Our experience

started in 4th grade when he was unable to go to school due to migraine

headaches. Now, 5 years later we recognize this was probably school refusal.

He missed 3/4 of 4th grade. At the time we got an independent diagnosis from

Children's Hospital of NLD. Accommodations were made and part of the

accommodation was to have him work in the classroom at his own pace. This

worked up to 8th grade, although he had his ups and downs. Half-way thru 8th

grade he stopped going to school. He had totally shutdown. This was the wall

he hit that we had heard happens sooner or later. We suspect that the

increased workload around writing , as well the social aspect of middle school

was the trigger. We worked with a great educational therapist, Kathy , at

the Ability Resource Center in Walnut Creek. There, he was able to work on

and complete some of his assignments. Fortunately, he was so

far advanced, that he still came out of 8th grade near the top of the classs.

He was accepted into Middle College High, a 5 year program that combines high

school and junior college. However, he was never able to attend a single

class. During the summer between 8th and 9Th grade, we had him re-assessed.

This time it was clear he has AS. We asked for and received independent

study. This worked for the first month of school. He stayed at home and

completed his assignments there and went to school once a week to meet with the

teacher. However, this arrangement fell apart as his school refusal (phobia)

increased. We are now in the process of arranging a teacher to come to the

home. My wife has flexible hours and has been able to provide additional

enrichment thru other activities. The school district has been very supportive

and given us everything we have asked for. I believe that he will never enter

a real high school , but will finish high school thru the

independent study. For him, this will work, as socially, he would never make

it a traditional high school. Our goal is to get him to be able to take at

least one class and do the rest on his own. He has one close friend he sees

often and still maintains contact with a few of his middle school friends and

gets together on the weekends with them and is using myspace to talk to some of

them. His psychologist is encouraged that he is able to reach out like this ,

even though he is not sharing their school experience. We are also encouraging

him to join the high school robotics team with his friends. This may put him

in an awkward situation with his friends, but we are hopeful. We have heard

that things do get better. He is such a great kid. By the way, which

psychologist are you seeing? Brad

Anne Shoppell <randrmom_99@...> wrote: Brad,

I am a lurker on this list with a 7th grade AS daughter in the San Ramon

School District (but recently moved from Mt Diablo). I would be interested in

your experiences with independent study, as we have considered doing it also.

My daughter has been in a regular ed classroom with an IEP and services since

preschool--and although there have been struggles, it has generally worked ok.

Luckily she can do the work, but, I've considered independent study later on

because the social aspects of school have always been her biggest problem.

What techniques do you use to keep your son on track at home and how much

interaction is there with other high schoolers? Although the social

interactions are the hardest parts for my daughter at school, she seems to have

some gains by being around others and seeing their behavior. And,

importantly, she isn't bullied--her school environment is very accepting. I'm

concerned that if she were home more, it would be even more difficult for her

to meet others. She is in a social group in San Ramon run by a psychologist

that has helped tremendously but I'm not sure that's enough.

Anyway, thanks for any insight you can provide!

Anne

Bradford <foodchem@...> wrote:

Kristy: What school district are you in ? Your situation omwhar similar

to ours. Our son is now in 9th grade and independent study in WCCSD. Brad

Kristy Caldwell <kcaldwell@...> wrote: Rechelle,

Hi there! I'm new to the grop too. We are in the Bay area too. East

Bay.

We have a son who is in second grade, and I can feel for you.

He was diagnosed with AS in the summer. He had been diagnoised with a

fine motor/gross motor delay, and sensory integration dysfunciton prior. He

has had OT services both school, and private since Kindergarten. He made it

through Kindergarten, and first(mid to end of first to got to be VERY

difficult for

him) He had a GREAT teacher, who is up on AS(her son also has AS) and she

just got our son--knew how to handle him. THis year, however has been a

VERy

different story!!!!!!!!He just could not handle all that was expected of

him--bolted from

class, hid under desk, terrible melt downs after school at home. Our son

was

on a downhill spiral...he fell off a playstructure at the park, and broke

his arm. We then

did a home and hospital program, and saw what he was capable of doing. He

told us

that he " wasn't dumb " . It broke my heart to see and hear all that he was

going through.

We were in the process of changing his 504 plan over to and IEP, and well,

it has not

gone as we planned. WE did get to keep his OT, vision, and add speech. We

wanted

an aide with him, rather than a pull in(they had tried that off and on, and

it was not enough)

We are still at battle, shall we say with the district. WE have meeting

number 3 tomorrow.

Our son is home through all of this. We are doing a homestudy program

through the

district, and it has been wonderfull for him. Alot ot work for me, but our

family dynamics

are so much better. He is learning, and thriving. If we can get an aide

for him fulltime,

we hope to try the mainstream school that he was at again after spring

break, or most likely

next school year, with a different teacher. He goes to schoo site for

his special ed

services, and is trying to attend an art class (with first graders-with his

teacher from last yr) to

keep him in the loop. Our daughter is also in that class this year, so it

makes it a comfortable

place for him. We are also going to look at special day classes to see how

they are. We

are keeping all possibilities open. Right now, we are going to stay with

the homestudy program.

Keep your chin up...hope I did not ramble too much, and that I made some

sense.

Kristy

( ) Newbie with an AS daughter

Hi Everyone,

So glad I stumbled upon your group. I have a daughter in 1st grade

who was just diagnosed with aspergers, sensory integration disorder

and dysgraphia. I see a lot of boys on this group are there any of

you that have daughters with this problem?

She is currently in a regular 1st grade classroom and doing

terribly. She is not able to do any of the same assignments that

the regular kids do. She has been on lots of different meds for

ADHD for the last 2 years. Ritalin seems to help a little but

nothing is enough for her to function like other children and she is

teased horribly and doesn't have any friends, she just is so

different, especially from the girls.

We just started the IEP process, and won't meet until mid-April.

I'm so worried about my little girl in the meanwhile in that

classroom.

What have you all done as a result of your IEP's, have your children

been moved into special classrooms for all of the day, some of the

day, etc.? Have any of you found private schools that are better

than public? (We're in the bay area, california) What types of

extra activiites do your kids do well at, sports, girlscouts, etc?

Thanks for any info, this is all so overwelming.

Rechelle

[Guest guest]

Brad,

Our son is in the MDUSD. We are in Walnut Creek. Where are you located? Is

WCCSD Walnut Creek's district?

I have read on to hear that it does seem that our son's situations are very

similar. Our son's phobia of school, and

not being able to deal with the transitional issues, and noise levels due to his

sensory intergration issues seemed

to happen earlier for our son. We understand that it is not uncommon with AS

children to start to have a lot of difficulty

with adjusting to and trying to fit in to the everything at school and all that

is expected of

children at second grade level . SEcond Grade is a year of a lot of

transitions. Lots is expected of the children all of a

sudden, and there are a lot of transitions, and more responsibilites. It can

also it can happen at the middle school years, again an area where there are BIG

transitions. Why some can't adapt in elementary years, and then some latter is

really a mystery.

Is the independent study through your son's school itself? We did a

home/hospital program for awhile in the begining,(our son fell and broke his arm

at the park) then, when we could not get any where with the school itself (we

are still battling it out) IEP, we switched him to a home

study (homeschool program) It is a lot of work, but I'm home now working with

him. He seems a lot happier, but there are days

where he just isn't " feeling right " as he says, and it can be a battle. I just

switch gears,and try to real him in with things I think will

fit the mood of the day, and then we seem to get on a good path. Lots of work,

but I guess you do what you have too, right? Our

kids are so bright, it's just getting them to go in that area, and help to limit

their frustrations, meltdowns, etc. so they can learn!

I am interested to hear more about what you are doing for your son. What

other things is

your son participating in? Our son does OT, and speech privately, and then

through the school district, and has vision therapy with

the district too.

You mentioned a group that he goes to...what kind of group?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kristy

( ) Newbie with an AS daughter

Hi Everyone,

So glad I stumbled upon your group. I have a daughter in 1st grade

who was just diagnosed with aspergers, sensory integration disorder

and dysgraphia. I see a lot of boys on this group are there any of

you that have daughters with this problem?

She is currently in a regular 1st grade classroom and doing

terribly. She is not able to do any of the same assignments that

the regular kids do. She has been on lots of different meds for

ADHD for the last 2 years. Ritalin seems to help a little but

nothing is enough for her to function like other children and she is

teased horribly and doesn't have any friends, she just is so

different, especially from the girls.

We just started the IEP process, and won't meet until mid-April.

I'm so worried about my little girl in the meanwhile in that

classroom.

What have you all done as a result of your IEP's, have your children

been moved into special classrooms for all of the day, some of the

day, etc.? Have any of you found private schools that are better

than public? (We're in the bay area, california) What types of

extra activiites do your kids do well at, sports, girlscouts, etc?

Thanks for any info, this is all so overwelming.

Rechelle

[Guest guest]

On Mar 7, 2006, at 10:27 AM, Kristy Caldwell wrote:

> We understand that it is not uncommon with AS children to start

> to have a lot of difficulty

> with adjusting to and trying to fit in to the everything at school

> and all that is expected of

> children at second grade level . SEcond Grade is a year of a lot

> of transitions. Lots is expected of the children all of a

> sudden, and there are a lot of transitions, and more

> responsibilites. It can also it can happen at the middle school

> years, again an area where there are BIG transitions.

>

And let's hear from the group--4th grade is a time of big change,

too, isn't it? At our old school, 3rd to 4th was a big change.

For one, class size went from 20 to 30-32. Homework doubled.

Newsletters from teachers stopped coming.

I don't know what they expected to happen to these kids that summer

that made them so much more mature and responsible.

But it sure didn't happen to *my* kids.

Jackie (, 12, PDD-NOS/ADHD and ph, 9, AS/ADHD)

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

I hope that I did not offend you. I was not saying that there are NOT other

years in school

that will not be hard just as difficult with adjustments, and transitions...I

was just talking

to Brad with what he and I are experiencing(our children's ages specificly) My

note was

not meant to belittle anyone, or anything else anyone is going through.

We are just as concerned as to what will happen in the 3rd and 4th grades as

well, as of

all the issues that you just mentioned going through. This is why we are in

such a turmoil

and working so hard to obtain what we feel our son will need to make it in a

mainsteam

school. (I'm sure that you have or are in a very similar role)

We have yet to be able to get what we feel are all the servies he would need,

and

that is why he is in a homestudy program.

It is so true that the schools in general expect so much from children...it

is hard on children who do not have any issues like AS, and it just magnified

for our children with special needs. Our jobs as parents of children with AS

is a difficult one, and we

are always in a role of being advocates(never can let our guard down)

Thanks for sharing what you have gone through, and that we are not alone in

this.

What school district are you in, and what has been your experience in obtaining

any/or

additional help for you child.

Kristy

Re: ( ) Newbie with an AS daughter

On Mar 7, 2006, at 10:27 AM, Kristy Caldwell wrote:

> We understand that it is not uncommon with AS children to start

> to have a lot of difficulty

> with adjusting to and trying to fit in to the everything at school

> and all that is expected of

> children at second grade level . SEcond Grade is a year of a lot

> of transitions. Lots is expected of the children all of a

> sudden, and there are a lot of transitions, and more

> responsibilites. It can also it can happen at the middle school

> years, again an area where there are BIG transitions.

>

And let's hear from the group--4th grade is a time of big change,

too, isn't it? At our old school, 3rd to 4th was a big change.

For one, class size went from 20 to 30-32. Homework doubled.

Newsletters from teachers stopped coming.

I don't know what they expected to happen to these kids that summer

that made them so much more mature and responsible.

But it sure didn't happen to *my* kids.

Jackie (, 12, PDD-NOS/ADHD and ph, 9, AS/ADHD)

[Guest guest]

On Mar 7, 2006, at 2:32 PM, Kristy Caldwell wrote:

> Jackie,

> I hope that I did not offend you.

>

Oh, not at all! I think the key is to knowing what might happen.

One of the things I miss(?) about our new school is that, technically,

the kids take the bus. We actually drive them to school. It gives my

middle schooler 45 more minutes to sleep. And it takes away the

possibility

that someone on the bus will tick off my 4th grader and start his day

off poorly.

But they both take the bus home. Our old school has no busses, so I

picked them

up every day for 5 years. I didn't realize how much information I

got from talking

to other moms when I picked them

up from school! Which teachers did what, what project I didn't get

instructions for,

what spirit day was coming up...

I was so not prepared for the 3rd-4th transition, though. It was

also the time

that they stop having classroom parent volunteers. In the lower

grades,

that would a terrific source of information. I got to get a handle

on the flow

of the class, how different my kids really were, the teacher's

personality, etc.

I knew the jr. high transition would be difficult. In our old

district that was

7th grade, here it's 6th.

I think I was just being pessimistic in thinking there's always

something

lurking around the corner, so don't let your guard down. LOL

Jackie

[Guest guest]

For my son, 6th, 7th and 8th were the hardest years in regards to behavioral

challenges. He is at the high school now and does well behaviorally but is

very unmotivated to do any of the schoolwork. Pam

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/6/2006 9:55:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, pharm_tech_

pam@... writes:

I'm still trying to deal with her temper tantrums in the best way

that I can. I sometimes just want to jump out my window (it's only a

mobile home, so don't be scared for me, lol). Too bad you can't buy

patience at the grocery store.

Don't jump! Hang in there! lol. And welcome!

Roxanna ô¿ô

Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/7/2006 11:45:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jackie@... writes:

And let's hear from the group--4th grade is a time of big change,

too, isn't it? At our old school, 3rd to 4th was a big change.

For one, class size went from 20 to 30-32. Homework doubled.

Newsletters from teachers stopped coming.

I don't know what they expected to happen to these kids that summer

that made them so much more mature and responsible.

But it sure didn't happen to *my* kids.

Jackie (, 12, PDD-NOS/ADHD and ph, 9, AS/ADHD)

I believe it is something that is supposed to fall from the sky and land on

their heads at any moment. But as yet, still waiting here also!

Roxanna ô¿ö

Autism Happens

[Guest guest]

If you could buy patience at the store, my local ones would be ALL sold

out LOL

My 5 yos has horrific temper tantrums that can range from screaming,

crying, maniacal laughter, self-injurious behavior and hurting others.

You never know what each day can bring, and I just pray that we learn to

help him now before he gets bigger and stronger!

kneeleee@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 3/6/2006 9:55:59 PM Eastern Standard Time, pharm_tech_

> pam@... writes:

>

> I'm still trying to deal with her temper tantrums in the best way

> that I can. I sometimes just want to jump out my window (it's only a

> mobile home, so don't be scared for me, lol). Too bad you can't buy

> patience at the grocery store.

>

>

>

> Don't jump! Hang in there! lol. And welcome!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We have had good luck with meditation - for my son AND for me. It gives

me

more patience, and if my son can catch his moods early, it is very

helpful

to him as well. He is meditating right now, to help with a panic

attack. (For

which he is staying home on contract from school today. He is also VERY

depressed.) Later, we will go to the zoo to research his English paper

(about the book Next of Kin, which is about teaching the chimps Lucy

and Washoe sign language). But first, he will do math with his dad,

once we de-panic him.

I realize that meditation won't help a child in the middle of a tantrum.

But it has helped me stay calm while my child is in the middle of a

tantrum. Just some deep breaths in through the nose and out through

the nose, pick a focal point and pay attention to your breathing. It's

" meditation on the go " == not as good as the real thing, but it sure

has helped me through many a tantrum. My neighbors have always

commented on how patient I seem. What is it about fooling some of

the people some of the time??? LOL

Gotta go supervise homework.

Liz

On Mar 8, 2006, at 5:05 AM, kneeleee@... wrote:

>

> In a message dated 3/6/2006 9:55:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> pharm_tech_

> pam@... writes:

>

> I'm still trying to deal with her temper tantrums in the best way

> that I can. I sometimes just want to jump out my window (it's only a

> mobile home, so don't be scared for me, lol). Too bad you can't buy

> patience at the grocery store.

>