This should be fun

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
This should be fun
7
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 12:21am

Well, I have informed the school that I intend to tape and that I am not satisfied with thier testing. That it was inadequate and they need to either redo it or pay for an IEE.

Still have the meeting on Tuesday. I am as prepared as I can be (we are talking full color graphs and charts here). I know I am going to have to prove that there are educational concerns that go beyond Cait being lazy.

My big fear is that they are going to take these educational concerns and just want to stick her into RSP academics for those areas rather than try to figure out how to teach her. In middle school, RSP classes are just like mainstream classes only the material is lower level and goes slower. It isn't that she can't do it, it is that she wasn't taught in a way that makes sense to her but with school schedules, classes and them I just don't know how to get that for her. EIther I just accept that her academics are going to go into the gutter and plan on her getting a certificate or attendance rather than a diploma or I homeschool but she has friends and is doing well socially.

UGH.

Got her BRIEF (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions) report from our private psych. OMG, both her teacher and I rated her as clinically significant in every area. Cait did a self report where she rated herself clinically significant in 3 of the 8 areas (with my help explaining what the questions meant). I guess her not having a self understanding in those areas is not only common for Aspies but a huge concern. Since she doesn't have the self realization she really can't learn skills how to cope with it until she she gains self realization. ie we have to know the beast to conquer it. I have to know that I am a visual learner and need a schedule to be able to effectively create and utilize one. Until then she is going to need outside supports and programs (aide, reinforcer programs, lots of support) to help her and in the mean time have to teach her how to self monitor.

Wish me luck.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 9:46am

Good Luck!!!! full color graphs and charts, I'm impressed. I'll be thinking of you. Those meetings are so stressful. Remember to take good care of yourself so you don't get sick.

Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 10:58am

Good luck,

It sound like they made a pig's ear of the testing, so give 'em hell. It is hard goign into these things not knowing the solution, because you feel at their mercy to provide one.

An IEE may be the only way to go.

-Paula

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2001
In reply to: rbear4
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 12:15pm
Good Luck Renee!!

 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
In reply to: rbear4
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 1:38pm

Good Luck Renee...I'll be thinking of you. Cait's a lucky girl....you're a great, supportive mom!!!

michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
In reply to: rbear4
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 5:34pm
Good Luck Renee and Give em Hell!!!!
Teresa
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: rbear4
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 5:50pm

Good luck!

OOOH, visual aides.....Maybe you'll hear, "oh, she's so organized!" which really means, "boy this woman's a pain in the @55" I've heard that one and consider it a compliment! LOL;)

Chrystee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
In reply to: rbear4
Mon, 04-24-2006 - 9:24pm

Dear Renee,

Thinking of you, tomorrow Tues meeting, right? I am crossing my fingers, willing those morons to "see the light"...

So, of course, this whole thing is just crazy. The social element is really key, probably more important to her well being and success in life than how well she writes papers, takes exams or follows a schedule in middle school. When the academic demands are too high and even inappropriate for our kids, they don't progress. The demands must be within their grasp, then the bar lifted slowly and within reason. well thought out and then rethought when tactics aren't producing results. As you have put it before, she won't just suddenly "wake up and get it" one day. or you said something like that, if it's not an exact quote.

So, they plan to keep doing what isn't working. I don't know what her own personal goals are right now, or exactly what you personally want her to learn next, but I would maybe spend some time just focusing on Cait as a person and what is the next thing/area(s) she needs to address in her development as a person and someday adult,and see how best to get the appropriate learning situation for that! Which may indeed have nothing to do with success grade- and otherwise as decreed by this (new?) ASD middle school program that somehow doesn't seem to understand how an ASD kid learns...

Several younger kids I know are in ASD programs where they are learning socialization and appropriate interaction, then also in lots of one-on-one tutoring to really get the academic skills. There doesn't really have to be a timeframe on academics or learning... Many very successful people go to college, if indeed they go to college, later than age 18. Or do college online or in absentia. Or blow off college even.

If those graphs don't work, maybe it's time to get much more creative? Just because these teachers can't see the child in front of them doesn't mean Cait should be taught that she "can't cut it", not useful...

Just my rambling thoughts, because my thoughts are always roaming about in this arena somewhere... I just keep going back to that different drummer quote, remembering that just because there is a system/structure in place does not mean we have to accept their definition of success.

Wishing you and the charts good luck,

Sara