Teacher suggests new placement

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Registered: 01-19-2005
Teacher suggests new placement
3
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 4:18pm

Eric's teacher has informed us that Eric has not only already met all the iep goals, but has also already met all the academic goals the county requires to move from pre-k to kindy. He also feels Eric has made a lot of progress with socialization and working/playing with the role model kids in his class.

So, his teacher wants us to consider moving Eric to a different setting in Feb/March. Currently, Eric is in a class with 4 ASD boys, 8 typical role models, 1 SPED teacher, 1 para, 1 aide. The new class would be in a different school, a "co-teaching" pre-k class with 12 SPED kids (mixed disability but all HF) 12 typical children, 1 SPED teacher, 1 gen ed teacher, 2 paras. So this would be a much busier, bigger environment.

Alex (Eric's teacher) feels this class would be a good transition to see if Eric might be able to ease into a mainstream situation next year. The options for kindy are mainstream (with whatever supports you can get in the IEP), all ASD (mixed ability levels together), or a class like this one, co-teaching.

My instincts say Eric might be ready for this, but I hesitate to change mid-year. However, I think Alex feels by doing it now, since Eric is so far ahead academically, he wouldn't lose anything, academically-speaking, while he adjusts. He also says we could bring Eric back to Alex's pre-k if it just turned out to be a disaster, to finish the year.

Two of Eric's pals from last year "graduated" to this class, one of whom Eric liked a lot and I know he would enjoy being in the same class with him. That might make the transition easier. We have visited the class and liked it and the teachers. We had even considered it as a possible placement for Eric last year for pre-k (when Eric was 3), but at that time thought Eric needed a smaller, more ASD-oriented setting.

I guess change is always hard. At the very least, we have to do a new IEP for Eric, which I wasn't exactly prepared to do. We would have another IEP to switch him, if we decide to do that, in January. Then his transitional "big deal" IEP where the county-level people came would be in April.

I know you all don't really know Eric or us, but I am just curious about your thoughts. Eric is very comfortable in the current class, he's been there with the same teacher for 2 years, but I think he could stretch a bit. Maybe he'll fly, maybe he'll crash, but it seems Alex has ideas for a safety net. It does seem like a good way to "preview" if this environment would be a good kindy placement.

I welcome any thoughts. DH and I are leaning towards trying, but afraid to rock the boat when things are going fine, you know?

Katherine

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Registered: 02-24-2004
Sun, 10-15-2006 - 7:54pm

Katherine,

It looks like a good move. At least from what you posted it does sound like it would be good for Eric. It would be a great experience to learn if mainstreaming would be something to look for in the future. And as you stated, if it doesn't go well, he can always come back to his old class. Knowing someone in the new class is a huge plus too. And you said that you have visited the class and liked it.

If I had to make the choice, I would do it. Sometimes its hard to tell what Nathan is able to handle until we take the leap. And he has surprised me on many occasions. I know how uncomfortable it is trying to make the right decision and hoping it doesn't fail. Good luck.

michelle

Avatar for betz67
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 12:55pm

I think if he's already met all his goals and is already doing all he needs to to start kindy, then challenging him with a little bit more activity and more kids would be a great transition to kindergarten. Feb. is long enough before next fall to get him good and comfortable with more activity and a faster pace. It's also long enough to change him back and get him comfortable if he falls apart. You'll never know if you don't try it. It may be just what he needs to move to the next level of inculsion and mainstreaming.

best wishes for a smooth transition.
Betsy

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Registered: 06-25-2003
Mon, 10-16-2006 - 2:11pm

Katherine,


Decision s like this one are always tough, because you are always torn between the fear of pushing too hard on one hand, against cosseting too much on the other.


I think it is great that Eric has some buddies there already. That will help a lot. And if you instincts say he might be ready; well, you know my opinion there!


I would hear all Alex's ideas for the safety nets and "plan B, C, D and E". I would also check out the surrounding 'stuff": Will it be a longer bus ride, and will this cause a problem?

-Paula

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