I'm impressed with Cassian's new teacher
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| Thu, 09-01-2005 - 6:58pm |
Cassian has been in school for only 4 days, and I can already see a huge difference this year in his school experience. He is going to an autism class with 4 other kids of similar age (3 boys, 1 girl). One of the boys is very verbal and the teachers say he has been engaging Cassian in play occasionally. There is 1 teacher, 1 aide, and 1 substitute (brought in because they originally thought they would have only 2 kids).
Mostly, I have been very impressed with the teacher and aide. The aide is a mother of an autistic 3rd grade boy. The teacher has worked in residential schools with autistic kids. Both are fantastic at engaging the kids and taking their signals. I packed a snack for him and some extra clothes (those things you have to do when you anticipate all the crazy stuff that might happen and set your autistic kid off). Yesterday, he came home with his extra shirt on because they saw that he was upset about having spilled water on the one he was wearing. Today, the teacher told me she had put his snack out when she noticed he was becoming inattentive, and he had eaten it and become more alert and engaging.
These teachers are so much more prepared to work with autistic kids. It is a huge difference from last year's teachers who sent home notes every day about Cassian's tantruming. And guess what? Cassian is tantruming much less. Maybe 1 or 2 outbursts per day! He seems much happier in this class.
Another thing that impressed me is that they are actually challenging him academically. Cassian is supposed to be in Kindergarten, but the autism teachers aren't afraid to let him work on fractions, addition, subtraction, spelling, advanced reading, etc., as well as social skills and his other deficit areas. Anyway, I just feel so much better about this year than I did last year.
Suzi

Suzi,
That's great news!! I'm glad Cassian is enjoying school. It really helps when you have great teachers....who can read your child!! It also let's us moms relax a little too!
Michelle
Suzi,
That sounds like an awesome environment for Cassian, and what wonderful teachers! I am paticularly impressed that they are open to challenging him academically. Sometimes the "nice" ones don't challenge too hard.
-Paula
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
That is great suzi. A good teacher means the world to our kids. The difference between a good teacher and a mediocre one can mean the difference between a fantastic year and a horrible one.
WTG Cassian. Have a fun year.
Renee