Why does he not have an IEP or at LEAST a 504? If he has a diagnosis, you should be getting some kind of communication log and there should be services in place! I would really monitor what is going on and make sure he gets at least a 504 (I would personally push for the IEP).Sarah had show & tell in Kinderkids for 2 years but not in kindergarten...I thought it was wonderful for her...she hates to express herself and this gave her the opportunity to watch other kids modeling it for her...the teacher only let her do it if she chose to:) She sometimes would just show it but not talk about it..towards the second year she was pretty good at it..I wished they did it in kindergarten last year and no clue why not?? He will do great as long as the teacher doesnt put too much pressure on him:) Keep us posted:)
In kindergarten this year each child had to do an "express yourself project." Children could either A) Get up in front of the class and tell a story, B) Get up in front of the class and provide instruction how to do something, C) Sing a song or D) Present an art project and explain how they made it.
When I first say this come home I thought holy *&#%! What happened to plain old show and tell? This is show and tell on steriods!!!
Thank heavens for option D! Anyway, R sewed a pillowcase and C made a birdhouse. He explained that he "nailed woods together" and "painted colors" and "daddy will hang it in the tree." The "presentation" lasted all of about 20 seconds. Interestingly enough, C does a great job with stuff like this. The challenge for us comes with C having to sit through all of the other kids presentations. Sitting and listening without interacting for periods of time is harder for him than getting up an talking in front of the group.
He doesn't qualify educationally for an IEP anymore. He does not qualify for speech...OT or itenerant instruction. They said that socially he is fine with his peers at school. Most of his issues are truly at home now. They just did extensive testing educationally and he doesn't qualify for ANY special education services at this time. I told them in the last case study meeting that I was concerned that he will have issues in school once there are more demands and what they told me is that they will watch him the way they do all of their students and if it is needed in the future then it will be addressed but that they can't make an IEP on something that doesn't exist educationally with him. Educationally he just doesn't qualify and I can't make them give him anything if he is not having educational issues at school. They did mention a 504 plan but honestly I have no idea what that is so if you could elaborate on that one for me I would appreciate it. I feel the same way you do and before we lost services I posted about this over and over how worried I was and what to do...And now here we are...He lost all services educationally and I feel like my baby is being thrown to the wolves...
HE obviously still qualifies for a diagnosis but somehow it's not effecting his school learning...but is still affecting him at home or I wouldn't be here posting. I still think he has social issues beyond what they deal with or are able to help in this district but those issues have nothing to do with school and are more life skill things.
Karrie
If he still qualifies for a diagnosis, I just don't see how he can't qualify for services. But, I have fought battles and I know how sometimes you just can't fight anymore. Have you thought about getting an advocate?
A 504 is basically a "gentlemen's agreement" and it is kind of like an IEP, but not legally binding. The school agrees to make certain accommodations as they see fit, but again - it's not a legal document and you can't hold them to it. I don't like those, but if they have mentioned that - I would at least pursue it.
I assume he is going into kindergarten (I forget from other posts, sorry!)? Kindergarten might not be too bad, but once he goes all day in 1st grade (unless his kindergarten is all day like ours) - he may have more issues. Kindergarten is a LOT more intense, even in the last few years. On our school supply list, a few of the things ds needs are: 2 pocket folders, one composition book (yes, you read that right!) and a spiral notebook. EXCUSE ME? Composition book? Kindergarteners are now supposed to be writing compositions? I am guessing it's for journaling. To me, it is just frightening how quickly they expect our kids to grow up now - they just don't get to be kids for very long anymore. I am thankful we have worked so hard with ds. He isn't really reading yet, but he is on the brink and I think school will push him over (I hope at least!). He knows all the letters and the sounds they make. If I push him, he can sound out a word - but he doesn't really like to.
Anyway, off topic...
I would look at www.wrightslaw.com and see what they have to say about 504s vs. IEPs and I would also look at getting an advocate. I understand Adam is mild (as is my ds) but it seems to me that they ARE throwing him to the wolves. We aren't due for an eval for another 2 years and the last one that was done - well, ds was in a phase of having some of the most autistic symptoms he has ever had. So, he easily qualified. I'd be terrified if they evaluated him now - I think he wouldn't qualify either.
You have a VERY frustrating situation. It seems to me that they are taking away services because they can't justify having them, but as soon as they do - what will happen? Will Adam regress and have issues because it is a new environment and more pressure? And THEN what happens? Do they put the services back into place? Do they have to re-evaluate him? And how long does THAT take? I'm sorry, but this seems like they are setting him up to fail (not that he will - he may do great!). Keep us posted and the best of luck to you!
Thank you Snoopy...I always do enjoy getting advice from you.
Adam has been in preschool since he was 3. Before that he was in early intervenrtion and all day developmental daycare. Inbetween the two I did ABA with him for a few months in the summer before preschool. He has been to 4 different preschools in 2 different states..(Military brat). He started out in a self contained classroom for children with Autism and they soon after transfered him and the district payed for private regular ed preschool. he was the only child in the class with any kind of diagnosis. He thrived there but still had speech, OT and itenerant instruction. He then started in the next fall in yet another pre-K class that was Regular Ed. (again...only child in the class with an IEP). Before leaving south carolina they tried to take services away there also and I wouldnt' let them because it wasn't time for re-evaluation and I knew we were moving so I told them to let the new district decide. (deep down hoping the new state and district would just let him keep services) When we got here to Fort Campbell I never even mentioned that in south carolina they wanted to take services away. They went ahead and scheduled all the testing that was necessary for accepting a new special Ed student and we went from there. I knew it was comming because the last district said the same thing.....and don't get me wrong...I AM THANKFUL that my son is so high functioning....But I also know that especially first and third grades can be tough on ANY child...especially a child with social deficits and a diagnosis. ANyway.....I'm not too worried about Kindergarden other than little social things like this show and tell stuff...But I do worry especially about 1st grade and whether he will need services again.
Funny but the sensory issues that Adam has are pretty much at home and they dont' effect his education. FOr instance...he might have a problem with the sunlight but he has never complained about it on the playgroud to where it effects his socialization apparently. Or he is a VERY picky eater but I pack his lunch with things I know he will eat. HE is also a sensory seeker so I would imagine that he looks like a typical rough and tumble boy on the playground. :)
I questioned about pragmatic language but they said and it showed that he tested within age levels. But I KNOW he is not where my NT children were at his age. HE still doesn't always effectively communicate with me. HE shuts down a lot.
HE has huge behavioral issues but they are only at home..thankfully.
As far as educationally...because he has been in school already all day for 2 years...He's above where his peers are expected to be and he transitions REALLY well after being in 4 different pre-schools. He really loves school...I'm sure because of the structure.
Anyway...I'm rambling now..Gonna go and read some stuff on 504....Thanks so much for the response
Karrie
Here is an article I just found on another website that you might find informative:
It talks about a girl with AS who was denied services by her school district and a judge ruled that she should receive them, even though she was doing fine academically. I know Adam is doing okay socially now - but in case that starts to change, you may want to pull out this ruling!
I wonder if Adam is shutting down at school and they just don't notice it? Because when a lot of our kids do that, they just kind of withdraw into themselves and kind of blend into the sidewalk. Because they aren't talking or doing anything, the teacher might not notice. I would definitely mention that to them. He may not be effectively communicating at school either - they just don't realize when he needs help because he's not asking for it.
It's hard - my ds behaves a thousandfold better at school than he does at home. Although home is getting better. I always have said that I would rather deal with it at home than have them have to deal with it at school. And, I'm glad he is able to learn and that behaviors aren't getting in the way of the learning process. But, I do worry as more stress is put on him and there are higher expectations - well, we shall see!
My ds has always loved school too, but he is not looking forward to this year because of the all-day. He went to school all-day 2 days a week last year - but it was different. He would go half-day to one school and then either be bused or I would take him to the next one. That was very wearing on him. I have tried explaining that this will be different. We are just trying to take him there several times before school starts and hoping that will help. We are supposed to find out who his teachers are next week, I think. School doesn't start until after Labor Day here. So, we will have a little bit of time to get used to it and find out more about his teacher as well.
Good luck to all of us as we start a new school year!
My son's class had circle time every Monday where the kids would talk about what they did over the weekend. I just sent a note to the teacher giving her some information so she could help him express himself.
Other times they've had "bring a toy from home day", and show the toy during circle time and get to play with the toys at some point during the day. This really boosted my son's social interest, and helped him connect with his classmates -- not just on that day but for weeks afterwards. (Then Christmas vacation came and we had to start from scratch after that).
Good luck with everything.
Just an update....His teacher said he did great!! Thanks for all the support.
Karrie
Any of your kids have to do this? Tomorrow Adam has this for the first time. HE is suppose to bring something in the shape of a circle and then talk about it.
OMG!! I am a nervous wreck here. THis is something that I would have needed a week to prepare for. And even then I can't guarantee that he will perform the way the other children do. Ok So i've picked a spiderman ball...his favorite super hero....NOW WHAT?
Any idea's on how to coach him through this or even idea's to email his teacher to explain that he might not do so well??
Gosh anything from him clamming up to complete meltdown could happen here.
Please help!!
Karrie
Theres one day a month that the mothers rotate and bring a snack in for all the kids in class and whatevr day that is your child will be the helper that day and also have a show and tell. I never really thought about it and how it might be too stressful for him. Now im getting nervous thinking about it!
My son was supposed to do this in pre-school. He sometimes would, sometimes wouldn't - it was optional. One time he did it (when he brought something he was REALLY excited about) the teacher said he did really well and she actually had to cut him off!
I wouldn't sweat it - they aren't expecting the moon and, especially the first time, most of the kindergarteners will have a hard time with it (unless they did it in pre-school). I assume you have an IEP and the teachers are aware of his issues - so they will probably take extra care with him and make sure he is doing okay.
Let us know how it goes!
OMG, i at first did not understand what the problem was, show in tell i thought was just something fun for the kids, never did i think about it actually being a way for kids to learn how to speak in front of a group, it really is their first opperunity to 'take the floor'.Ok, now that I'm done panicking, maybe it'll be ok. I mean, the little NT five year old down the street that I know would do something like, upon prompting, hold out whatever she brought in and then try to be invisible. She's very shy. The teacher would have to pull any comments about her thing out of her - and this is a very typically developing (albeit shy) child. My guess is that the teacher will be well versed at directing the 'show and tell' and keeping the little ones moving in the right direction. I would have a talk with him, perhaps just telling him that he's bringing his ball in to show the other kids, and let the teacher handle it. I'm sure they'll be kids all over the place in their ability to actually do the whole show-and-tell thing.
When I think about it, I can imagine Abigail bringing in her stuffed Ladybug. The teacher would ask her to show the circle what she brought in, and she would whip out that thing and just laugh and laugh and say "it's Deigo the baby ladybug", and the teacher, being a senstive, intuitive, esperienced person, would ask Abigail some simple questions (what's it's name, do you sleep with it, etc.) and that would be it.
I can see it working. I don't think he'll be thrown to the wolves, Karrie - but I can understand your apprehensions!
Can he rehearse it for you?
He's not home yet and I just got done finding the ball...LOL The paper came home yesterday and I've been looking for the ball ever since. And panicking of course. lol (nervous laughter) Took me a while to post (always does) because I hold things in until i'm ready to explode. Now i'm feeling just a bit kuckoo and like a chicken with it 's head cut off. I will have to compose myself before he gets off the bus and I start drilling him about what to say...Keep it simple right??
Karrie
Edited to add....I HATE KINDERGARDEN..lol
Yes, keep it simple and don't show him you have any anxiety about this. Keep it up beat and explain how fun this will be to show off his cool toy to his classmates. You can demonstrate for him what you would say and ask him to do it for you. If you can get him to rehearse it more than once great. If he's not interested, I wouldn't push it.
As Fred said, the kids will be at all different levels for this kind of thing anyway. Don't worry about it (so much easier said than done!)
I am an old pro at this..daughter did kindergarten 2x..the kids basically all say the same thing.. this is my____, I got it from _____, I like it a lot. Any Questions? and then the kids ask questions which she already said. I kid you not, all the kids sounded the same and basically said that script. It is just an introduction to speaking infront of a group. See if Adam can go after a couple of kids.Yeah, Karrie, I wouldn't even rehearse it - just give him the facts - tell him that he's bringing his ball to show his freinds at school - and let the teacher handle it. Easy for me to say - the girls don't start kindy for another three weeks (gulp! one more year of preschool is sounding good, knowing that this sort of expectation is looming!).
Shelley, how did Sarah do with show and tell?
oh, thanks nene :) That makes me feel better, and I wasn't even the one worried in the first place!Thank you all for your responses.
Snoopywoman...No he doesn't have an IEP anymore. I told her on the phone that he has a diagnosis when she called about open house or orientation or what ever it was we went to and then again on the first day of school but it was hectic so I don't know if she remembers that it's him. He just started this week. On the phone she did say that she would keep an eye on him.
I am more relaxed now after he got home and I showed him the ball. I got up and demonstrated what I would do if "I WERE HIM" and then asked him to show me how he will do it tomorrow. He didn't stand up but he took most of my phrases and repeated them as I did. He grimiced a bit and figited while talking but he did seem to understand what I expected of him. I plan on emailing his teacher and telling her again about his diagnosis and requesting that we know what shape to bring in on Monday so that I will be able to better prepare him by friday and I will ask if she can let me know how he did. Right now there is no daily communication and it's driving me nuts but no one else is getting any either. Hopfully something will come home tomorrow like a weekly thing. My older kids had at least that in kindergarden.
He has already just this first week improved on his name writing skills!! Amazing.
Anything else you guys can think of for me to tell the teacher in email would be great. Thanks you guys...as always...I feel much better talking to all of you.
Karrie