Re: Lifeskills

[Guest guest]

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

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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)

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

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-----

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

<< 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

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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-----

>

>

[Guest guest]

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.

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

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.

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

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.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

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.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

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.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

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.

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >