having a very down day

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Registered: 03-26-2003
having a very down day
7
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 8:58am

I was already stressed over several PTO issues and lots of family stress due to the holidays and then....

I open my email today to find one from Weston's LA teacher. He's had LOTS of problems with this class from the beginning. This is the class he has the most meltdowns in and the one he has to leave because he's overwhelmed so often. We've changed it so he takes all the tests from this class in the resource room (often sits in the bean bag chair w/ a lap weight and the whole shebang). This is an honor's level class, which we weren't sure he could handle anyway and it's a LARGE class of all boys at the end of the day. He has been heckled in the class and had to have to OT come and observe to help him find ways to cope w/ the sensory issues. The email tells me basically that 1. he's in danger of failing the class (which I knew cause I read the interim report) 2. the teacher doesn't think he's studying enough for his tests. 3. she's making all the accomidations she can and yet he doesn't produce quality work or tests. 4. she thinks we need to push him to study more. (like i can make that happen w/o him losing it all together)

Weston has been doing so well, at least that's how we have perceived things in the last month. His resource teacher emailed me to say that his melt downs have diminished and he's only using his "get out of class free card" for Language Arts and occasionally computer/keyboarding class a couple of times a week. He's been doing his homework and showing us everything w/o a fuss. He's stimming at home much less noticably. He was able to participate in our church's Living Christmas Story and seem much like an NT kid.

What is it with this teacher???? She seems to get it but then just doesn't.

Thanks for letting me vent. I'm just so overwhelmed today I want to just quit!

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 9:56am

Unfortunately it has been my experience in middle school that some teachers really just don't get it. It is worlds different than elementary. They don't understand accommodations, special needs, autism, etc.

You are before the 1/2 way mark of the school year. Is there any chance of changing his LA class without totally messing up his schedule and all the progress he has made?

It is very frustrating when he has made that kind of progress and is working that hard and the teacher is still negative. It makes one concerned if she may ruin the end of the year by pushing him in ways he can't respond.

The one that always gets me is the assumption that our kids aren't trying hard enough and it is because we don't push them enough at home. (make him study more). That just speaks volumes of someone who just isn't going to get it in my experience.

I am sorry. It just sucks but it is what I have experienced in middle school as well. It is a heck of a transition for our kids. It took 3 years for cait to finally settle in somewhat and have her special ed teacher GET it and get lucky enough to get general ed teachers who seem to get it. I hope it doesn't take that long for you.

Renee

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Avatar for betz67
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 1:40pm

man, it got worse. Not the same teacher, tho. I just got a call from school. Weston's resource teacher isn't there today, so he got the special ed secretary to handle his meltdown today. His interim report card envelope was due today in this homeroom (which is at lunch time), every other day they have recess. The teacher said that today if they didn't have the envelope turned in w/ a signature they wouldn't get recess (I signed and put it next to Weston's binder last night). He didn't have his (still sitting where I laid it last night), then he got all upset because he could remember me telling him to put it in his binder but couldn't remember not doing it. He had a meltdown, full crying, unable to talk, rocking in a ball. So, teacher only knows to call resource teacher-- who isn't there, so he gets the secretary. She doesn't know what to do to calm him and he just keeps it up for a long time. So, she called me to find out if I knew where the envelope was and to help calm Weston-- I found the envelope but when she put him on he couldn't talk, absolutely broke my heart. Then I asked him to give the phone back to her, and she said, "ok, I'll send him out to recess now", to which I replied "are you sure he's able to go to recess? he can't even talk to me" She said, "I'll only send him out if he wants to go" Geez, no wonder he's having issues w/ peers. And he hasn't gone to lunch yet, so he'll probably not eat which will cause him to have more issues this afternoon and he hasn't even had LA yet.

is it too early just to wish for the school year to be over?

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Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 1:44pm

Hugs to you.

                                

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Registered: 11-28-2006
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 2:31pm

Oh man I feel so bad for both of you!

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Registered: 06-02-2004
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 3:04pm

My heart goes out to you and Weston. We haven't even started kindergarten yet with Lily, so I can't even imagine how scary middle school must be for children on the spectrum. Heck, I hated middle school and I don't even have autism! I hope that things can get worked out soon for Weston.

Amy~Natalie & Lily's mom

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Registered: 06-25-2003
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 3:47pm

(((((((((Betsy))))))),


My heart is just breaking for both you guys.


Can you get any push-in resource time for Weston during this particular class? It might be the best solution for all concerned.

-Paula

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Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-12-2007 - 4:20pm

Oh, I like the idea of push-in resource here.