Those teachers sound wonderful. I had a similar experience last term in Kindergarten. I am a public school teacher. It is really really hard to come in half-way. I think that dear lady wanted to ease your fears with the suggestion.I would start him at the beginning when the routine is being is being taught to all of the kids. It is so hard to figure out where you fit in that late. All fo the little Kindergarteners are having the same transitional issues at the same time. My Benjamin turned into a leader of the class. I still am amazed. He's still PDD-NOS, but the only 1st grader to make the gifted program. Give the teacher the benefit of your confidence and trust. Work closely with the staff, and watch the miracles happen.
janet Nita, I think its great the teacher and therapists want to prepare for when Nick will enter school there but I'm worried about a few things.... If you try to mainstream Nick into kindergarten 1/2 way through the school year in January how is that going to help him? He will have missed the first 1/2 of the year and unless he is being taught that at his private school, he will be behind and unable to move ahead to first grade. Also how will he do to transition to a new school and new rules that all the other kids know and he doesn't? Just some things to consider thinking about is all I am saying - maybe you already have thought through them
Although I think its great the teacher and therapists want to observe Nick so they will be prepared for him when the time comes.... I feel something isn't right. Maybe its me and my distrust of the public schools LOL
Keep us updated how things go.... I hope things work out to your advantage and the school isnt trying to pull one over.... Good Luck I'm happy they sound concerned Yes Michelle I agree with you about mainstreaming him in January I would rather he start out at the beginning of the year so he will be used to the routine like the other kids will be, and going into it 1/2 way he will be unfamiliar as the other kids will be into the groove of things. There is sooo much to consider it is driving me nuts!!!!!! He is technically going to be with kids his age in his private school getting a whole year of ABA to get him ready for public school....but they don't consider it Kindergarden they just class the kids by age. So I am worried that next year he is going to have to be placed in Kindergarden which is ok but.... I so do not want him and little sis in the same class #1 they are a handfull together!!#2 She is more advanced than him now as far as her speech knowing her colors her letters her numbers etc.and she is 3 1/2. #3 She acts as his protector alot she is always answering questions for him, like when people ask what his name is or if I ask him why he is crying if something has happend. I am just worried that she will end up as they get older if they are in the same grade every year that she will hold herself back to spare his feelings. I know that with them only being one year apart in school grades we risk them ending up together anyhow if he ever gets held back but I really want to avoid having them together if I can..but you are right if he goes in half way through the year it could make things worse and he will end up failing and having to repeat and end up with his sister any ways!!! I am also thinking that we could hold her back a year but I don't feel that is fair to her because she is ready now!! I know I am driving myself nuts over this even loosing sleep!!! Thanks for the input Nita Michelle I never thought of it that way, I am just so worried that they are both going to spend a majority of time in the thinking chair
Nita Nita, I agree with Michelle. When the time comes and it's time for him to be placed and he ends up in the same grade as his sister I think thats ok. If they were fraternal twins they would be in the same class wouldn't they? And like you said..maybe he will be ready after another year of ABA to go on directly to 1st grade. If he's not...that's ok too. I certainly wouldn't hold your daughter back though. Take care, Karrie Hi all I have been really worried about Nick being mainstreamed into public school lately which is one of the reasons I fought so hard to keep him in the private school for one more year, well it just dawned on me last night while I was laying in bed that if he stays in his private school this year he may risk being placed in Kindergarden next year instead of First grade at the public school depending on where he is at....which I had no problem with except his little sisters b-day is in the beginning of November before the cuttoff date so she will also be entering Kindergarden next year too!!!!! I really don't like the idea of them being in together and our school is so small they only have one class per grade. I called the Kindergarden teacher here at our public school and talked to her about it she suggested seeing if he was ready to be mainstreamed in January of this coming school year. She also told me that her and the Speech teacher and the Special ed teacher at the school are planning to go to his private school that is an hour away next week to spend an entire day observing him and how they are teaching him, so that they can prepare for him and his needs for when he comes to them!! I could not belive that they are taking a day from there summer vacation to do this, I was very touched that they cared this much about my son and his needs. The Kindergarden teacher even has signed up for a workshop on teaching kids on the spectrum to prepare for him.She told me that she feels ignorant being a teacher for 25 yrs and she has never learned about autism, so is this common for public school teachers to do this or should I consider myself very lucky?? Just wanted to know if anyone else has had a teacher this caring and concerned? Thanks, Nita You should consider yourself very lucky for sure!!! I'm thrilled to hear that those kinds of teachers are still out there! Moreover, you are also lucky that the 3 people who will be so involved with your son already know that they are "in this together". I would consider this a golden opportunity...if your son is to be mainstreamed, it is with people like this that you want to make this transition! They will surely help him along. It also sounds like they are open to whatever information you can provide that will make their jobs easier! I want to live where you live!
Congrats and Good Luck! This is GREAT news for Nick!! Hooray for you both!
~Lesley
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