Resource Room, an Aide, or both?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Resource Room, an Aide, or both?
7
Sun, 09-09-2007 - 5:01pm

Chris's IEP meeting is on the 13th next week. He has previously been denied an IEP until recently the Regional Center dx-d him with Autistic Disorder along with a slew of other dx's.

I want him to have an Aide. But do I ask for a full time one, or do you think a part time one would be good to start? I don't think he needs a full time one, but I don't want to deny him something that would help.

Another thing is, do I also ask for time in a Resource Room, or does the aide do the same thing? I know he needs support with academics, writing, organization skills, homework, and warnings on things that are going to change. He especially needs to be warned about fire drills.

Anyway, I'm so new to all of this with the IEP. What did you guys do starting out?

Thanks,
Lainie

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-28-2004
Sun, 09-09-2007 - 7:51pm

Hello, Lainie,

That's a tough one.

My (completely uncredentialed, unprofessional) understanding is that the aide can support what is ordinarily done in the classrooms. The resource room is more likely to cover material that is not ordinarily done in the classroom.

If you think he has some too much catching up to do because he has not had the appropriate support, maybe he could have an aide part time in regular classrooms, and go to the resource room for areas in which he has lost too much ground.

In general, find it is better to ask for more support. It is easier to reduce the support than to add it later.

-Sidney

APOV on Autism
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2001
Sun, 09-09-2007 - 8:00pm
I was goign to say it is easier to get more than you need now than to find out you need more later and go back and ask for more.

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Sun, 09-09-2007 - 8:16pm

You both brought up very good points. I do know there is a girl in chris's class that does have an aide. I know chris said that sometimes the aide helps him, but what do I say if they suggest he share's the aide? Can that happen? I'm kinda confused and want to have answer's prepared before I walk in the IEP.

I do suspect tho that this girl might have a full time aide as chris said she doesn't speak so well.

Now I could be wrong with that aide helping chris in class because one day he will tell me one thing, and then the other day it's the exact opposite.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2005
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 4:32am

Oh ISH! You know I'm not very good with IEPs and such (being a homeschooler and all), but I was thinking that you might go ahead and ask for the full time aide ~his own aide~ and some time in the RSP room. Like the others said, it's easier to reduce services if you feel they're not needed than it is to go find out thehard way that you didn't get enough.


Geez, trying to think back to when Jade was in pubic school. Lemme see, have you thought of outlining that he needs help making sure his assignments and homework are not only writen down but explained in writing? This could be designated as a task that the aide is responsible for. make sure there's an open line of communication between you and his teacher, and set up a weekly progress report that can either be carried home by him or emailed to you. It doesn't have to be a big thing. Teh one we had going for Jade was just a single sheet of paper with each subject listed with boxes for notations by the teacher. Jade's first year teacher, a woman with 20+ years experience had no idea what to do with it, and regularly ignored the whole thing. But the second year teacher, brand squeaky new out of college, knew exactly how to handle it and really turned it into a powerful tool for helping us stay on track with Jade.


Other than that I'm not sure. This is probably a stupid question, but have you tried over on the IEP board? You probably did, and even said you did... but right now my brain's not working.


Anyway, love you girl! Hope you get this all squared away.


~Candes



APOV on Autism




Edited 9/10/2007 4:34 am ET by sg_1niner

APOV on Autism

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 9:50am

Lainie,


Sorry to chime in so late.


It

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 11:24am

Okay, thank you all. I have a much better, more clear understanding of what Chris needs and what to ask for. I think he needs both an Aide AND resource, but I think in this school, they don't pull out for resource, resource comes in.

But I will go from here. I don't want him going downhill like last year to where he just stopped doing his work in class.

Thanks again :)

Lainie

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2004
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 12:47pm

HI Lainie,
I tried this resource business for 2 yrs now. We have to constantly remind the school about this, it is a struggle. My suggestion is to go with an aide and see what happens. You can tell the aid as to what you expect and also get the exact feedback regarding the class situation. Since he is in 6th grade, she/he can slowly teach the skills he needs in next 3 yrs. We have our IEP too tomorrow. My husband and I are going to give in writing that he needs an aide in the classroom.

Good luck,
Anandhi