Guest guest Posted November 18, 2000 Report Share Posted November 18, 2000 Amen! I also am a stay at home mom, and when I think ahead to the future years, and what needs to learn, I get a little weak. -- Sharon, Mom to (9, DS) and (5) > Looks like and yourself did a spendid job. By the way, I was a > stay-at-home mom and still didn't have the time to do the things I wanted to > do with as far as life skills goes!!!! What's my problem??? : ) > > Jackie, Mom to 13ds > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2000 Report Share Posted November 19, 2000 In a message dated 11/19/2000 9:51:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, bspyle@... writes: << One of the things I'm teaching is this: When she gets one of those credit card " acceptance " mass mailouts (and she gets four or five a week!), she is to tear the insides into tiny pieces, place the whole thing in the return, postage paid envelope and mail it back to them! I do the same with those I receive. Let them deal with their own trash, say I! :^) >> lol..somewhere years ago I heard someone talk about sticking that SASE on a cinder block and then mailing it. I would never do that to a postal person, but the thought amuzed me. I like how handles her trash/junk mail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2000 Report Share Posted November 19, 2000 was very lucky in the teachers and programs available to her. Only one bad year, really, but that's another story. As I've said on this list many times, " trust your instincts. " No one knows what's best for your child except you. granny --- God loves everyone, but probably prefers " fruits of the spirit " over " religious nuts " . http://home.earthlink.net/~bspyle Re: lifeskills > Thanks very much for your response. It sounds like > was in a wonderful situation. > I agree, life skills classes must be different from area > to area. The ones that I have heard about locally do > not come close to measuring up to what the responses I > have received on my question have shown. > Again, thanks for responding. And don't worry, I don't > question other parents choices. This thing called > parenting is hard enough as it is, and I personally am > looking for all the help I can get!!! > Thanks > -- > Sharon, Mom to (9, DS) and (5) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2000 Report Share Posted November 19, 2000 One of the things I'm teaching is this: When she gets one of those credit card " acceptance " mass mailouts (and she gets four or five a week!), she is to tear the insides into tiny pieces, place the whole thing in the return, postage paid envelope and mail it back to them! I do the same with those I receive. Let them deal with their own trash, say I! :^) granny --- God loves everyone, but probably prefers " fruits of the spirit " over " religious nuts " . http://home.earthlink.net/~bspyle Re: lifeskills > In a message dated 11/18/00 5:04:57 PM Central Standard Time, > sharonhughes@... writes: > > << I needed mine way back when, and the only > thing I wished they had talked about more was those evil > credit cards. Took me awhile to get the hang of those. >> > > hehe, this life skill I taught my kids....before they got any they were told > explicitly that whatever the charged they would have to pay for so they'd > better make sure they didn't charge more then they could pay for in any given > month. tHe oldest had the hardest time, got up to like 8 cards (that > included a bunch of those store cards) she cut most of them up about 2 yrs. > ago. not because she owed alot of money, but because she decided to close > the accounts since she didn't need them...and it was less tempting. hehe > > Joy > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2000 Report Share Posted November 19, 2000 I myself do not like this curriculum because they begin so young. I don't think a five year old should be cooking under any circumstances (helping in the kitchen maybe but not cooking). That is just my opinion. My objection is the timing. It's not " normal. " They don't expect typical kids to do this in school. I want to have these skills but when he's older. I want them to stress strictly academics, like they do with typical kids, until he is 16 and must do transition goals. I still want academics even then. Elaine Re: lifeskills > My son has always spent some portion of his day in a life skills class room. > He has ALWAYS received academic instruction there! It is used as a > classification, I suppose when they abolished the use of TMR and EMR and > special ed class room. My son is classified as a life skills student which > with this classification entitles him to a whole gamate of services and more > individualized attention. > > I know some parents choose to have their children classified as learning > support, which would be the other option for us, and learning support, the > children are generally at grade level academically but need assistance in > certain areas of the curriculum. We also have learning support classrooms > which they can be pulled into for certain things. It has been my experience > in our district that the learning support rooms are overflowing with children > and not enough individual attention is given to them. This is not > appropriate for my child. > > does his math, language arts, and reading in his life skills classroom. > They do cook once a week and go to the grocery store once a week (usually the > same day they cook, to buy what they'll need). Some people on this list say > they don't want the school to do things like going out into the community, > that that isn't their job, it's our job as parents to do this. Let me tell > you one thing about that. > > I have put myself on many a guilt trip for not making every trip out into the > community a " learning experience " for . Not anymore. I have 3 children > that I have to take with me most places and I barely have time to get my mind > together to get the things done that I set out to do, let alone " teach " > something about it. I am thankful for teachers who do teach how to make > a list for the store, choose coupons, go shopping, and figure the money out. > When I'm rushing to get dinner together (which is basically every night, when > we all go in 3 diffferent directions) I have no time to " teach " how to > cook. I am thankful, again, for teachers who teach this. > Why is it so criminal for teachers to do this? I know I can't be the only > one on this list with a hectic life and who can't find the time (and I wish I > could) to teach some of these skills. But I am glad it is in his > curriculum. > > So, I know I sorta drifted here, but the point was to say " yes " , is in a > life skills classroom, and " NO " , he is not just learning how to shop, and > cook, but gets hammered with academics which are then laced through things he > will need to know to survive independently. > > Jackie, Mom to 13ds (sixth grade) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 19, 2000 Report Share Posted November 19, 2000 has not been cooking since age 5. He only started doing that this year in 6th grade, at the middle school. Up to that point the life skills classroom was where he got individualized help in Edmark reading, Touch Math, and eventually language arts, when the other grade level children didn't do calander anymore and he still hadn't grasped the concept. These more " life skills " activities just started this year. Jackie, Mom to 13ds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 Re: lifeskills > lol..somewhere years ago I heard someone talk about sticking that SASE on a > cinder block and then mailing it. I would never do that to a postal person, > but the thought amuzed me. I like how handles her trash/junk mail. > > Oh that would be funny! But, you're right. It would be hard on the postal carriers. What and I do makes the envelope heavy enough as it is. We even send back the envelope the whole thing came in. granny --- God loves everyone, but probably prefers " fruits of the spirit " over " religious nuts " . http://home.earthlink.net/~bspyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 Hi, I am enjoying this thread. I my school district my daughter who is 10 is in the life skills class. She is with 5 other kids, one who is 8 and has severe autism, 4 w/ DS, 2 who are 5 yr old, 1 who is 7yr, and one who is 11 yr. They do personal care every morning for about 30 " , brushing teeth, doing hair, etc. Then they do a group time w/ is pledge, day of week, colors, shapes. Then they have a snack and recess. They have 1 to 1 1/2 hr for lunch, then recess, story time, puzzles, work w/ OT or ST in a group, occ use computer, then have PE and snack and finish school at 3, they start school at 8:20 and have one hr for breakfast, those who do not eat breakfast have a snack or recess time. I push for inclusion, I have gotten the school to allow to go to music and library once a week w/ a reg class, and 3 times a week w/ reg class at PE, and every day for a group story time in a reg class. She has 1 teacher, and 2 aides. I push and push for reading and math, they have no programs and do not welcome parent input. I have contact the state PRO group, which are advocates and have an advocate coming to help me challange/work and redo IEP for my daughter. I want more academics and less life skills and more interaction w/ kids her age. Joyce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 When was in life skills, it was pure academics until middle school. It wasn't until then that the other stuff was added. granny --- God loves everyone, but probably prefers " fruits of the spirit " over " religious nuts " . http://home.earthlink.net/~bspyle Re: lifeskills > > > > My son has always spent some portion of his day in a life skills class > room. > > He has ALWAYS received academic instruction there! It is used as a > > classification, I suppose when they abolished the use of TMR and EMR and > > special ed class room. My son is classified as a life skills student > which > > with this classification entitles him to a whole gamate of services and > more > > individualized attention. > > > > I know some parents choose to have their children classified as learning > > support, which would be the other option for us, and learning support, the > > children are generally at grade level academically but need assistance in > > certain areas of the curriculum. We also have learning support classrooms > > which they can be pulled into for certain things. It has been my > experience > > in our district that the learning support rooms are overflowing with > children > > and not enough individual attention is given to them. This is not > > appropriate for my child. > > > > does his math, language arts, and reading in his life skills > classroom. > > They do cook once a week and go to the grocery store once a week (usually > the > > same day they cook, to buy what they'll need). Some people on this list > say > > they don't want the school to do things like going out into the community, > > that that isn't their job, it's our job as parents to do this. Let me > tell > > you one thing about that. > > > > I have put myself on many a guilt trip for not making every trip out into > the > > community a " learning experience " for . Not anymore. I have 3 > children > > that I have to take with me most places and I barely have time to get my > mind > > together to get the things done that I set out to do, let alone " teach " > > > something about it. I am thankful for teachers who do teach how to > make > > a list for the store, choose coupons, go shopping, and figure the money > out. > > When I'm rushing to get dinner together (which is basically every night, > when > > we all go in 3 diffferent directions) I have no time to " teach " how > to > > cook. I am thankful, again, for teachers who teach this. > > Why is it so criminal for teachers to do this? I know I can't be the only > > one on this list with a hectic life and who can't find the time (and I > wish I > > could) to teach some of these skills. But I am glad it is in his > > curriculum. > > > > So, I know I sorta drifted here, but the point was to say " yes " , is > in a > > life skills classroom, and " NO " , he is not just learning how to shop, and > > cook, but gets hammered with academics which are then laced through things > he > > will need to know to survive independently. > > > > Jackie, Mom to 13ds (sixth grade) > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 You are on the right track, Joyce. I'd push to have her included more too. has a good mixture in our school. He is included in science, art, music, clubs, lunch, library, and homeroom. He is in the life skills room about 1/2 the day. Jackie, Mom to 13ds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 In a message dated 11/20/00 9:03:08 PM Central Standard Time, dsmom22@... writes: > Jena - this is (was?) fairly common in our area also - when my son was in > the lifeskills program the students ranged from 5 to 11. The curriculum > was a little better - some reading and number skills and writing in the > morning. The afternoon involved watching Blue's Clues, puzzles, fine motor > work. probably some art, music. No science or social studies at all. He > hasn't been in that program for over 2 years so things could have changed a > bit. > > a > Mom of 3, HI Jena Same thing here, from what Ive seen. Kids are put together ages 6-10 or 11 Sad huh???? Kathy mom to Sara 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 In Alaska and some places in Missouri 5 year olds do cook and do laundry in life skills class. In high school, they watched videos and played cards. You can see why some of us who have had different experiences with these classes might be a little negative. They are NOT the same everywhere. Elaine Re: lifeskills > has not been cooking since age 5. He only started doing that this year > in 6th grade, at the middle school. Up to that point the life skills > classroom was where he got individualized help in Edmark reading, Touch Math, > and eventually language arts, when the other grade level children didn't do > calander anymore and he still hadn't grasped the concept. These more " life > skills " activities just started this year. > > Jackie, Mom to 13ds > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 My school address isn't recognized, so I had to wait until I got home to put in my 2 cents on this. First of all, why is your 10 year old in a class with younger children? And the so-called curriculum is really nothing but baby-sitting, it sounds like to me. Keep pushing for more regular classes. Use due process if you have to. Is there an advocate available for you? Get tough with these guys! Jena, Full Moon Warrior Princess Re: lifeskills >Hi, I am enjoying this thread. I my school district my daughter who is >10 is in the life skills class. She is with 5 other kids, one who is 8 >and has severe autism, 4 w/ DS, 2 who are 5 yr old, 1 who is 7yr, and >one who is 11 yr. They do personal care every morning for about 30 " , >brushing teeth, doing hair, etc. Then they do a group time w/ is >pledge, day of week, colors, shapes. Then they have a snack and recess. >They have 1 to 1 1/2 hr for lunch, then recess, story time, puzzles, >work w/ OT or ST in a group, occ use computer, then have PE and snack >and finish school at 3, they start school at 8:20 and have one hr for >breakfast, those who do not eat breakfast have a snack or recess time. >I push for inclusion, I have gotten the school to allow to go to >music and library once a week w/ a reg class, and 3 times a week w/ reg >class at PE, and every day for a group story time in a reg class. She >has 1 teacher, and 2 aides. I push and push for reading and math, they >have no programs and do not welcome parent input. I have contact the >state PRO group, which are advocates and have an advocate coming to help >me challange/work and redo IEP for my daughter. I want more academics >and less life skills and more interaction w/ kids her age. >Joyce > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 Jena - this is (was?) fairly common in our area also - when my son was in the lifeskills program the students ranged from 5 to 11. The curriculum was a little better - some reading and number skills and writing in the morning. The afternoon involved watching Blue's Clues, puzzles, fine motor work. probably some art, music. No science or social studies at all. He hasn't been in that program for over 2 years so things could have changed a bit. a Mom of 3, including Nicky, 9 years old, DS, Hirschsprungs Disease Grandma of Zoe, 3 years, and Christian, 14 months http://www.geocities.com/eureka/7926/nicky.html work: http://www.cumberlink.com <snip> >First of all, why is your 10 year old in a class with > younger children? And the so-called curriculum is really nothing but > baby-sitting, it sounds like to me. > </snip> > Jena, Full Moon Warrior Princess > -----Original Message----- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2000 Report Share Posted November 20, 2000 In a message dated 11/20/00 10:03:22 PM Eastern Standard Time, dsmom22@... writes: << lifeskills program the students ranged from 5 to 11 >> That is also common here. Age is not a consideration when placed in the segregated classes, just labels. Cheryl in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2000 Report Share Posted November 21, 2000 << lifeskills program the students ranged from 5 to 11 >> This is illegal in PA. Schools try to get around it by having parents sign a waiver. NOT THIS PARENT! Jackie, Mom to 13ds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2000 Report Share Posted November 21, 2000 Keep pushing, Joyce. This is not good. Sounds more like babysitting than life skills. Hugs, granny --- God loves everyone, but probably prefers " fruits of the spirit " over " religious nuts " . http://home.earthlink.net/~bspyle Re: lifeskills > Hi, I am enjoying this thread. I my school district my daughter who is > 10 is in the life skills class. She is with 5 other kids, one who is 8 > and has severe autism, 4 w/ DS, 2 who are 5 yr old, 1 who is 7yr, and > one who is 11 yr. They do personal care every morning for about 30 " , > brushing teeth, doing hair, etc. Then they do a group time w/ is > pledge, day of week, colors, shapes. Then they have a snack and recess. > They have 1 to 1 1/2 hr for lunch, then recess, story time, puzzles, > work w/ OT or ST in a group, occ use computer, then have PE and snack > and finish school at 3, they start school at 8:20 and have one hr for > breakfast, those who do not eat breakfast have a snack or recess time. > I push for inclusion, I have gotten the school to allow to go to > music and library once a week w/ a reg class, and 3 times a week w/ reg > class at PE, and every day for a group story time in a reg class. She > has 1 teacher, and 2 aides. I push and push for reading and math, they > have no programs and do not welcome parent input. I have contact the > state PRO group, which are advocates and have an advocate coming to help > me challange/work and redo IEP for my daughter. I want more academics > and less life skills and more interaction w/ kids her age. > Joyce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2000 Report Share Posted November 21, 2000 I believe in teaching life skills, but not without academics. While there are some children whose level of functioning is such that academics are not possible, these children are in the minority. Academics can be taught in the context of life skills. I know I never really understood fractions until I learned to cook! Even though my classes are self-contained, I teach life skills in the context of the classes. In U.S. History, we talk about the Bill of Rights. That's a chance to talk about their rights and responsibilities. In English, we learn to write and speak correctly, so we can take messages and get them to the recipient correctly. Even the games I play are academic! We play Brain Quest trivia games and Sight Word Bingo, both favorites. Every child should at least have the chance to do academics, to see how far they can go. The elementary school years are the time for this. The secondary years are for looking toward the future and individualizing learning and settings for each child's needs and strengths with that in mind. Jena, Full Moon Warrior Princess Re: lifeskills > >Jena - this is (was?) fairly common in our area also - when my son was in >the lifeskills program the students ranged from 5 to 11. The curriculum >was a little better - some reading and number skills and writing in the >morning. The afternoon involved watching Blue's Clues, puzzles, fine motor >work. probably some art, music. No science or social studies at all. He >hasn't been in that program for over 2 years so things could have changed a >bit. > >a >Mom of 3, >including Nicky, 9 years old, DS, Hirschsprungs Disease >Grandma of Zoe, 3 years, and Christian, 14 months > >http://www.geocities.com/eureka/7926/nicky.html >work: http://www.cumberlink.com > ><snip> > >>First of all, why is your 10 year old in a class with >> younger children? And the so-called curriculum is really nothing but >> baby-sitting, it sounds like to me. >> ></snip> >> Jena, Full Moon Warrior Princess >> -----Original Message----- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2006 Report Share Posted April 24, 2006 Hi: Generally here in Illinois, life skills classes focus on self-help skills like you described. I would investigate quite a bit more before I accepted that recommendation if I were you. It may be the right placement for your son but from what you have said, it seems like he could manage quite well in a regular ed kindergarten with proper support and even if he needed a smaller environment, there ought to be something between regular ed and " lifeskills " type programs. It is the responsibility of the school district to meet the needs of your child regardless of what programs exist in the district. If he needs something that they don't have, then they need to provide it, and it needs to be in the Least Restrictive Environment. My son has had an aide since kindergarten - he is now a freshman in High School. He managed in regular ed up until 6th grade but at that point we felt the social studies stuff was getting too complicated for him so we placed him in a smaller class for most of his day but he still had regular ed Science and Gym. He also did Tech Lab as his elective and was a big favorite of the Tech lab teacher. Good Luck with Everything. Trish > > Does anyone know what the curriculum is for a life > skills class? The teacher at my son's pre-K is now > recommending a life skills class. It is my > understanding that this is for kids who are > moderate-to-severe. > > My son who is 4.5 is pretty self-sufficient when it > comes to drinking water, eating his food, going to the > bathroom (he still asks us to wipe him), he is very > friendly and knows all his alphabet. His language is > still behind but he pretty much asks for anything he > needs (in sentences and not just words), he knows his > numbers and is fairly intelligent. He has no > aggressive behavior, no rituals or routines or > obsessions. Just delayed cognivitely and in terms of > language. > > We were under the impression that he was doing fairly > well in school until his pre-K/special education > teacher came out with this stunning verdict. > > The problem is that I know that he is fairly smart and > although he has delayed language I still want him to > stay on the academic track. > > We are thinking of not accepting their recommendation > for the life skills class and asking for a regular > pre-K and/or kindergarten with an aide. > > First of all, do we have the right to ask the school > district to provide us with an aide (doesn't have to > be full time)? > > Secondly, if they do not agree what legal recourse do > we have to make it happen? > > We live in Dallas, Texas by the way. > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 24, 2006 Report Share Posted April 24, 2006 Thanks for your input. In an earlier email, you mentioned that my son sounds a lot like yours. If you don't mind, is it okay for me to ask how your son is doing now vis-a-vis his diagnosis. Moreover, are you fairly satisfied with his potential future direction, e.g. college, employment opportunities? i know its too early to know as he is only 10 (?), but at least do you see some light at the end of the tunnel (right now we're just seeing complete darkness.) --- <cmcintosh5@...> wrote: > http://www.aboutautismlaw.com/ > Sorry just doing some searches. I know the managers > here have GREAT Info.. > Specifically for your state.. But start here.. > > -- ( ) Lifeskills > > Does anyone know what the curriculum is for a life > skills class? The teacher at my son's pre-K is now > recommending a life skills class. It is my > understanding that this is for kids who are > moderate-to-severe. > > My son who is 4.5 is pretty self-sufficient when it > comes to drinking water, eating his food, going to > the > bathroom (he still asks us to wipe him), he is very > friendly and knows all his alphabet. His language is > still behind but he pretty much asks for anything he > needs (in sentences and not just words), he knows > his > numbers and is fairly intelligent. He has no > aggressive behavior, no rituals or routines or > obsessions. Just delayed cognivitely and in terms of > language. > > We were under the impression that he was doing > fairly > well in school until his pre-K/special education > teacher came out with this stunning verdict. > > The problem is that I know that he is fairly smart > and > although he has delayed language I still want him to > stay on the academic track. > > We are thinking of not accepting their > recommendation > for the life skills class and asking for a regular > pre-K and/or kindergarten with an aide. > > First of all, do we have the right to ask the school > district to provide us with an aide (doesn't have to > be full time)? > > Secondly, if they do not agree what legal recourse > do > we have to make it happen? > > We live in Dallas, Texas by the way. > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Personally I think it is too young an age.. To recommend life skills.. Based on his actions now.. I would say he is much like my son at that age.. (mine is now 10) My son is also now in a self contained special Ed class.. But almost at par with most grade 4-5 curriculum with accommodation. Meaning with help he is almost at his full grade level educationally. Life skills I am teaching at home.. And via a babysitting course he just took this past Saturday.. ( he wont be babysitting any time soon.. But it taught great skills!) -- ( ) Lifeskills Does anyone know what the curriculum is for a life skills class? The teacher at my son's pre-K is now recommending a life skills class. It is my understanding that this is for kids who are moderate-to-severe. My son who is 4.5 is pretty self-sufficient when it comes to drinking water, eating his food, going to the bathroom (he still asks us to wipe him), he is very friendly and knows all his alphabet. His language is still behind but he pretty much asks for anything he needs (in sentences and not just words), he knows his numbers and is fairly intelligent. He has no aggressive behavior, no rituals or routines or obsessions. Just delayed cognivitely and in terms of language. We were under the impression that he was doing fairly well in school until his pre-K/special education teacher came out with this stunning verdict. The problem is that I know that he is fairly smart and although he has delayed language I still want him to stay on the academic track. We are thinking of not accepting their recommendation for the life skills class and asking for a regular pre-K and/or kindergarten with an aide. First of all, do we have the right to ask the school district to provide us with an aide (doesn't have to be full time)? Secondly, if they do not agree what legal recourse do we have to make it happen? We live in Dallas, Texas by the way. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 http://www.aboutautismlaw.com/ Sorry just doing some searches. I know the managers here have GREAT Info.. Specifically for your state.. But start here.. -- ( ) Lifeskills Does anyone know what the curriculum is for a life skills class? The teacher at my son's pre-K is now recommending a life skills class. It is my understanding that this is for kids who are moderate-to-severe. My son who is 4.5 is pretty self-sufficient when it comes to drinking water, eating his food, going to the bathroom (he still asks us to wipe him), he is very friendly and knows all his alphabet. His language is still behind but he pretty much asks for anything he needs (in sentences and not just words), he knows his numbers and is fairly intelligent. He has no aggressive behavior, no rituals or routines or obsessions. Just delayed cognivitely and in terms of language. We were under the impression that he was doing fairly well in school until his pre-K/special education teacher came out with this stunning verdict. The problem is that I know that he is fairly smart and although he has delayed language I still want him to stay on the academic track. We are thinking of not accepting their recommendation for the life skills class and asking for a regular pre-K and/or kindergarten with an aide. First of all, do we have the right to ask the school district to provide us with an aide (doesn't have to be full time)? Secondly, if they do not agree what legal recourse do we have to make it happen? We live in Dallas, Texas by the way. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 Placement should be based on the child's needs. The IEP team needs to discuss " options " for placement...this means more than one possibility of placement. I would recommend that you go and visit this life skills classroom. If your child can function in the regular education environment then that is his/her LRE (least restrictive environment). If he/she needs the support of an 1:1 assistant or classroom room assistant, you would need to have data to back that up or be able to cite instances where and how an assistant would have helped your child be successful in his/her placement. If you do not agree with the district's recommendation you can file for mediation. A non partial mediator would hear both sides and help the parties come to a mutually agreed upon decision. You may want to contact your local parent information network for more information and possibly a mentor or advocate to help you understand what your rights are as a parent navigating the special education system. Pam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 this was not posted for me, but wanted to let you know this is great information to keep. never know when I might need it. thanks! <cmcintosh5@...> wrote: http://www.aboutautismlaw.com/ Sorry just doing some searches. I know the managers here have GREAT Info.. Specifically for your state.. But start here.. -- ( ) Lifeskills Does anyone know what the curriculum is for a life skills class? The teacher at my son's pre-K is now recommending a life skills class. It is my understanding that this is for kids who are moderate-to-severe. My son who is 4.5 is pretty self-sufficient when it comes to drinking water, eating his food, going to the bathroom (he still asks us to wipe him), he is very friendly and knows all his alphabet. His language is still behind but he pretty much asks for anything he needs (in sentences and not just words), he knows his numbers and is fairly intelligent. He has no aggressive behavior, no rituals or routines or obsessions. Just delayed cognivitely and in terms of language. We were under the impression that he was doing fairly well in school until his pre-K/special education teacher came out with this stunning verdict. The problem is that I know that he is fairly smart and although he has delayed language I still want him to stay on the academic track. We are thinking of not accepting their recommendation for the life skills class and asking for a regular pre-K and/or kindergarten with an aide. First of all, do we have the right to ask the school district to provide us with an aide (doesn't have to be full time)? Secondly, if they do not agree what legal recourse do we have to make it happen? We live in Dallas, Texas by the way. __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2006 Report Share Posted April 25, 2006 i would like to thank, once again, for everyone's input. this site is wonderful! one thing that i notice with my son is that if he doesn't warm up to anyone, he simply shows no desire to interact with that person or acknowledge them in any way. but, if he likes you --- he would play his piano for you, bring his ABC blocks to you to play with, would ask you to read a book and bunch of other things. unfortunately, for whatever reasons, he never warmed up to his pre-K/PPCD teacher. while everyone in our family and friends has commented that he seems more mature and they can understand his language better than few months ago, his preK teacher claims that she does not understand a word of what he says. his swimming instructor has commented several times that she has seen huge improvements not just in language but his overall demeanor and body language, yet his school teacher sees him as someone who is severely autistic and needs lifeskills class. has anyone else come across this situation where your child does so much more at home and with friends and family, church, grocery stores, etc. but doesn't want to interact with his teacher? --- Trish <trish459@...> wrote: > Hi: > Generally here in Illinois, life skills classes > focus on self-help > skills like you described. I would investigate quite > a bit more > before I accepted that recommendation if I were you. > It may be the > right placement for your son but from what you have > said, it seems > like he could manage quite well in a regular ed > kindergarten with > proper support and even if he needed a smaller > environment, there > ought to be something between regular ed and > " lifeskills " type > programs. It is the responsibility of the school > district to meet the > needs of your child regardless of what programs > exist in the > district. If he needs something that they don't > have, then they need > to provide it, and it needs to be in the Least > Restrictive > Environment. > > My son has had an aide since kindergarten - he is > now a freshman in > High School. He managed in regular ed up until 6th > grade but at that > point we felt the social studies stuff was getting > too complicated > for him so we placed him in a smaller class for most > of his day but > he still had regular ed Science and Gym. He also did > Tech Lab as his > elective and was a big favorite of the Tech lab > teacher. > > Good Luck with Everything. > > Trish > > > > > > Does anyone know what the curriculum is for a life > > skills class? The teacher at my son's pre-K is now > > recommending a life skills class. It is my > > understanding that this is for kids who are > > moderate-to-severe. > > > > My son who is 4.5 is pretty self-sufficient when > it > > comes to drinking water, eating his food, going to > the > > bathroom (he still asks us to wipe him), he is > very > > friendly and knows all his alphabet. His language > is > > still behind but he pretty much asks for anything > he > > needs (in sentences and not just words), he knows > his > > numbers and is fairly intelligent. He has no > > aggressive behavior, no rituals or routines or > > obsessions. Just delayed cognivitely and in terms > of > > language. > > > > We were under the impression that he was doing > fairly > > well in school until his pre-K/special education > > teacher came out with this stunning verdict. > > > > The problem is that I know that he is fairly smart > and > > although he has delayed language I still want him > to > > stay on the academic track. > > > > We are thinking of not accepting their > recommendation > > for the life skills class and asking for a regular > > pre-K and/or kindergarten with an aide. > > > > First of all, do we have the right to ask the > school > > district to provide us with an aide (doesn't have > to > > be full time)? > > > > Secondly, if they do not agree what legal recourse > do > > we have to make it happen? > > > > We live in Dallas, Texas by the way. > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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