Re: What would you do? (slightly OT....regards education)

[Guest guest]

My nephew attended an integrated class with a para throughout grade school. It

appeared to be the best fit for him and his classmates took it in stride for the

most part. They had to fight to keep his para hours each year because with the

para he appeared to do well, and the newer ones in the meetings hadn't seen him

without the para. I lived in a different state and only visited the class once

so this is all info from my brother and sister-in-law.

S S

What would you do? (slightly OT....regards education)

Posted by: " maggie_orourke " maggie_orourke@... maggie_orourke

Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:05 pm (PDT)

Listmates,

I am faced with a problem regarding my son's education. He has been in a Special

Day Class since he was 3 1/2. He is now in Kindergarten. I had a meeting with my

son's ABA therapist and her supervisor and they really feel that my son should

be in the regular class with an aide. They feel that Dylan mimicks bad behavior

as well as good and that alot of good would come out of him being fully

intergrated.

My son's current teacher was his pre school teacher as well, and I love her. She

knows her stuff, takes an active role, and I really feel she loves my son and

wants the best for him. In previous conversations with her about intergration

she seemed hesitant, stating that she felt my son might become super aware of

his differences and it may effect his self esteem. However, she also said that

if it were her son she would push for intergration.

Dylan has come so far. He has made soooo many gains, but I still feel that he

can clearly be " different " and he still has a specific stim he does when overly

excited (bites on his thumb while making a gutteral sound). But he does talk

now, and can write and read simple words (which is fairly good for 5 years old,

right?)

Here is the other issue. I don't feel (academically speaking) Dylan can go into

the 1st grade with what he's learned in the special day class. Although the

teacher says it's the same format, I know Dylan's class is not doing what the

regular K class is. So, would it be wise to have him repeat Kindergarten

intergrated with the regular class? He is still 5, and he won't be the oldest

kid in class or anything.

I care deeply about the other kids in Dylan's class, but they are moderate to

low functioning and I know keeping him there is probably slowing him down. But,

I also am scared that I'll be feeding him to the wolves in a regular class and

that he may get picked on or get a teacher that resents having a special needs

kid in her class.

If you have some thoughts or experiences, I'd sure appreciate it. Feel free to

e-mail me off line if you'd like.

Maggie

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[Guest guest]

I cant comment from personal experience, I home school mine. But I worked

in a kindergarten class for awhile and children at that age tend to be much

more open and accepting of differences. If he would do well in an

integrated environment I would consider starting him in K rather than 1st

grade. The older ones are still ok but they are starting to really sow

their social oats. I would speak to potential K teacher and try to get a

feel for her. I would make sure the option of going back to special needs

class is open if you feel the integrated class isn't going well. Just as

precautions, but what the heck try it he is so young and you could pull him

out of that class so fast I can't imagine it having long term consequences.

On the other hand you know your kid better than anyone else and this is your

decision.

Tressie

On 4/27/09, Shepard Salzer <_Shepard@...> wrote:

>

>

>

> My nephew attended an integrated class with a para throughout grade school.

> It appeared to be the best fit for him and his classmates took it in stride

> for the most part. They had to fight to keep his para hours each year

> because with the para he appeared to do well, and the newer ones in the

> meetings hadn't seen him without the para. I lived in a different state and

> only visited the class once so this is all info from my brother and

> sister-in-law.

> S S

>

> What would you do? (slightly OT....regards education)

> Posted by: " maggie_orourke "

maggie_orourke@...<maggie_orourke%40>maggie_orourke

> Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:05 pm (PDT)

>

> Listmates,

>

> I am faced with a problem regarding my son's education. He has been in a

> Special Day Class since he was 3 1/2. He is now in Kindergarten. I had a

> meeting with my son's ABA therapist and her supervisor and they really feel

> that my son should be in the regular class with an aide. They feel that

> Dylan mimicks bad behavior as well as good and that alot of good would come

> out of him being fully intergrated.

>

> My son's current teacher was his pre school teacher as well, and I love

> her. She knows her stuff, takes an active role, and I really feel she loves

> my son and wants the best for him. In previous conversations with her about

> intergration she seemed hesitant, stating that she felt my son might become

> super aware of his differences and it may effect his self esteem. However,

> she also said that if it were her son she would push for intergration.

>

> Dylan has come so far. He has made soooo many gains, but I still feel that

> he can clearly be " different " and he still has a specific stim he does when

> overly excited (bites on his thumb while making a gutteral sound). But he

> does talk now, and can write and read simple words (which is fairly good for

> 5 years old, right?)

>

> Here is the other issue. I don't feel (academically speaking) Dylan can go

> into the 1st grade with what he's learned in the special day class. Although

> the teacher says it's the same format, I know Dylan's class is not doing

> what the regular K class is. So, would it be wise to have him repeat

> Kindergarten intergrated with the regular class? He is still 5, and he won't

> be the oldest kid in class or anything.

>

> I care deeply about the other kids in Dylan's class, but they are moderate

> to low functioning and I know keeping him there is probably slowing him

> down. But, I also am scared that I'll be feeding him to the wolves in a

> regular class and that he may get picked on or get a teacher that resents

> having a special needs kid in her class.

>

> If you have some thoughts or experiences, I'd sure appreciate it. Feel free

> to e-mail me off line if you'd like.

>

> Maggie

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------

> Auto Accessories

> Click for the best auto accessories at great prices.

>

>

http://tagline.excite.com/fc/FgElN1g1oYT6igUycAEMgnB6HkzicicaP6C7ZanaDrZOSZxnQLo\

9Uk0M0BS/

>

>

[Guest guest]

I would hold him back and integrate him. Honestly, kids that young from my

experience, they don't see the differences all that much. They are used to

people coming and going and just busy little people. Being a boy, young,

holding him back will only give him an edge. And yes, sounds like he's doing

very well academically. JMO.

Tammy

[ ] What would you do? (slightly OT....regards

education)

Listmates,

I am faced with a problem regarding my son's education. He has been in a

Special Day Class since he was 3 1/2. He is now in Kindergarten. I had a meeting

with my son's ABA therapist and her supervisor and they really feel that my son

should be in the regular class with an aide. They feel that Dylan mimicks bad

behavior as well as good and that alot of good would come out of him being fully

intergrated.

My son's current teacher was his pre school teacher as well, and I love her.

She knows her stuff, takes an active role, and I really feel she loves my son

and wants the best for him. In previous conversations with her about

intergration she seemed hesitant, stating that she felt my son might become

super aware of his differences and it may effect his self esteem. However, she

also said that if it were her son she would push for intergration.

Dylan has come so far. He has made soooo many gains, but I still feel that he

can clearly be " different " and he still has a specific stim he does when overly

excited (bites on his thumb while making a gutteral sound). But he does talk

now, and can write and read simple words (which is fairly good for 5 years old,

right?)

Here is the other issue. I don't feel (academically speaking) Dylan can go

into the 1st grade with what he's learned in the special day class. Although the

teacher says it's the same format, I know Dylan's class is not doing what the

regular K class is. So, would it be wise to have him repeat Kindergarten

intergrated with the regular class? He is still 5, and he won't be the oldest

kid in class or anything.

I care deeply about the other kids in Dylan's class, but they are moderate to

low functioning and I know keeping him there is probably slowing him down. But,

I also am scared that I'll be feeding him to the wolves in a regular class and

that he may get picked on or get a teacher that resents having a special needs

kid in her class.

If you have some thoughts or experiences, I'd sure appreciate it. Feel free to

e-mail me off line if you'd like.

Maggie

[Guest guest]

I agree with Tammy. Sounds like he's doing good. It might be better for

him to be in this environment - I do think a lot of good would come from it.

You never know, he may surprise you!

Hope this helps,

http://www.recoveringnicholas.com

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1566597819 & ref=profile

From: [mailto: ]

On Behalf Of Tammy Kuhn

Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 4:44 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] What would you do? (slightly OT....regards

education)

I would hold him back and integrate him. Honestly, kids that young from my

experience, they don't see the differences all that much. They are used to

people coming and going and just busy little people. Being a boy, young,

holding him back will only give him an edge. And yes, sounds like he's doing

very well academically. JMO.

Tammy

[ ] What would you do? (slightly OT....regards

education)

Listmates,

I am faced with a problem regarding my son's education. He has been in a

Special Day Class since he was 3 1/2. He is now in Kindergarten. I had a

meeting with my son's ABA therapist and her supervisor and they really feel

that my son should be in the regular class with an aide. They feel that

Dylan mimicks bad behavior as well as good and that alot of good would come

out of him being fully intergrated.

My son's current teacher was his pre school teacher as well, and I love her.

She knows her stuff, takes an active role, and I really feel she loves my

son and wants the best for him. In previous conversations with her about

intergration she seemed hesitant, stating that she felt my son might become

super aware of his differences and it may effect his self esteem. However,

she also said that if it were her son she would push for intergration.

Dylan has come so far. He has made soooo many gains, but I still feel that

he can clearly be " different " and he still has a specific stim he does when

overly excited (bites on his thumb while making a gutteral sound). But he

does talk now, and can write and read simple words (which is fairly good for

5 years old, right?)

Here is the other issue. I don't feel (academically speaking) Dylan can go

into the 1st grade with what he's learned in the special day class. Although

the teacher says it's the same format, I know Dylan's class is not doing

what the regular K class is. So, would it be wise to have him repeat

Kindergarten intergrated with the regular class? He is still 5, and he won't

be the oldest kid in class or anything.

I care deeply about the other kids in Dylan's class, but they are moderate

to low functioning and I know keeping him there is probably slowing him

down. But, I also am scared that I'll be feeding him to the wolves in a

regular class and that he may get picked on or get a teacher that resents

having a special needs kid in her class.

If you have some thoughts or experiences, I'd sure appreciate it. Feel free

to e-mail me off line if you'd like.

Maggie

[Guest guest]

Hi Maggie, if your son can write and read simple words then maybe he is ready

for first grade. My son is in first grade and they still do a lot of sight

words and simple writing. The way I see it, unless the Kindergarten he would go

into is more advanced than a normal K class, he may just shut down because

everything is too easy for him. I mean, who wants to learn their alphabet and

counting over and over and over...

I know that's not all they do in Kindergarten, but I know for my son at least

that going to Kindergarten again would bore him (and he is very limited verbal,

and very much a goofball). He went to first grade this year and started picking

up on sight words (although he doesn't pronounce them correctly, we know he

knows them). He is also young for his grade, so we decided to let him repeat

first grade because next year, he will be able to get integrated more and will

be able to participate more.

So both my boys will have been held back, but the older was held back in

Kindergarten and the next year went to a private Kindergarten that was much more

advanced (he was writing in cursive and reading). I think the only importance,

really, is that they are able to challenge him and that he is on the same

education level as the grade you want to integrate him into.

In my experience, the teacher has a lot to do with the child's differences being

accepted in the regular class. My older son's first kindergarten teacher was a

" b " , she let the kids call him the " bad boy " or " naughty boy " , and resisted

letting him into her class. My younger son's teacher is excellent, she reads

the story, " My Friend with Autism " and tells the kids all about the kids that

will be in their class at the beginning of the year. The kids were very nice to

my son this year, I remember getting teary-eyed a couple times watching him or

when a child came up to me and proudly announced that they were 's

friend.

>

> Listmates,

>

> I am faced with a problem regarding my son's education. He has been in a

Special Day Class since he was 3 1/2. He is now in Kindergarten. I had a meeting

with my son's ABA therapist and her supervisor and they really feel that my son

should be in the regular class with an aide. They feel that Dylan mimicks bad

behavior as well as good and that alot of good would come out of him being fully

intergrated.

>

> My son's current teacher was his pre school teacher as well, and I love her.

She knows her stuff, takes an active role, and I really feel she loves my son

and wants the best for him. In previous conversations with her about

intergration she seemed hesitant, stating that she felt my son might become

super aware of his differences and it may effect his self esteem. However, she

also said that if it were her son she would push for intergration.

>

> Dylan has come so far. He has made soooo many gains, but I still feel that he

can clearly be " different " and he still has a specific stim he does when overly

excited (bites on his thumb while making a gutteral sound). But he does talk

now, and can write and read simple words (which is fairly good for 5 years old,

right?)

>

> Here is the other issue. I don't feel (academically speaking) Dylan can go

into the 1st grade with what he's learned in the special day class. Although the

teacher says it's the same format, I know Dylan's class is not doing what the

regular K class is. So, would it be wise to have him repeat Kindergarten

intergrated with the regular class? He is still 5, and he won't be the oldest

kid in class or anything.

>

> I care deeply about the other kids in Dylan's class, but they are moderate to

low functioning and I know keeping him there is probably slowing him down. But,

I also am scared that I'll be feeding him to the wolves in a regular class and

that he may get picked on or get a teacher that resents having a special needs

kid in her class.

>

> If you have some thoughts or experiences, I'd sure appreciate it. Feel free to

e-mail me off line if you'd like.

>

> Maggie

>