[QUOTE=Rhosyn]
They would not put NT K in the same class as NT 7th graders so they should not do it with special need kids either
Do you mind if I use that for the basis of calling this meeting?
[/QUOTE]
Not at all! I have a few more words you could say to them
Our sons have always sounded really similar, so I hope I don;t sound like a know it all. If ds only got a few hours of sleep, I definately would send him to school. That way, he would be busy all day and more likely to sleep the following night. The trick is to keep busy after school, until 7 or 8 pm so he would sleep through the night. Also, you mentioned allergies. My son can't sleep if he is at ALL sniffing. I have him on Zyrtec and Flonase most of the year. It even works with colds. The zyrtec also can make them a little drowsy, so my ds sleeps well through the night.
Now for school, being in a rural area doesn't excuse your child from getting the best education possible. I'd definately call a meeting to discuss the problems. My son had a horrible time in my school district. He now has an hour and a half bus ride there AND back ,but it is SOOOOO worth it. He doesn't even have a behavior plan anymore. He is making leaps and bounds, and the staff there is really great.
I wish I didn't waste my time with excuses like maybe he neeeds time to adjust or the teacher will get it together after a few weeks. It just doesn't happen. Either they are on the ball or they're not plain and simple. I hope you get some sleep soon, and if you need to PM me or anything, I am always here.
Hi,Hey Mary,
I think if his behavior is affecting his learning, they have to figure something out. Maybe an aide that can keep an eye on him and take him out for a short walk if he needs to "decompress". Also, what kind of class is that. I am thinking that it is more of a "learning center"where they bunch everyone together. From what I have heard people say, it is not great by all means. Can u ask if u can go observe, or see session notes etc... Poor little guy!!! It takes a while for our kids to adjust, but if this is affecting other aspects of his life, I would reconsider.
I've been in there to observe. I live about 3 minutes from the school and have permission from the principal and classroom teacher to come watch through the big window anytime I want to. I observed a severe meltdown yesterday afternoon.
He has a 1:1 in there with him. She shadows him all day.
The word that I got on why he's in there with much older kids is, "That's how it's done in the rural districts."
So should I call the coordinator first or just send them a letter requesting a new meeting?
I understand that this is a small, rural school. I understand that they only have one special ed teacher for the whole school...that's how small it is. He has 15 kids in and out throughout the day, and one other self contained.
Even small schools can be creative. Is your school a k through 8th ---Sorry it's been a rough transition for him.
As far as the melatonin we bought 3 mg tablets and cut them in half for Mason...this was when he was about 50 lbs. It was plenty for him to fall asleep, but I did notice that it didn't seem to last more than 3 or 4 hours...but this was the recommended dosage from his neuro. Also it seemed like we would go 3 or 4 weeks with it working fine and then it would seem to stop working...instead of raising the doseage we would not give it to him for 2 or 3 days and then it seemed to work fine again...but we went through that routine while he was taking it. He doesn't use it anymore, because it was a med that he was taking for seizures that was causing the insomnia, and we don't use that anymore.
As far as the school...I don't really know what's legal or not...but it does seem odd that they would want that big of an age range in the same class! Did they give you a reason for the move? I might just ask and see if they won't put him back in the other room. I might not be the best advice though, because I'm one of those people who have had some bad experiences with the wait and see game, so I HATE doing it when my children are involved!!
Good luck and wishing you all some pleasant dreams!! 3 hours is definitely hard to go on--kids or adults!!
My son is six and I certainly would not want him in a class with kids 12-13 year old. My son takes 3 mg but that is what the Dr. reccomended for him. His Dr. told us to start at 1mg and increase up to 3 mg until it worked. I'd go with asking his Dr. for dosage just to be on the safe side.
This is just my personal opinion but if he was my son I would call an IEP and get him out of there and in with his own peers.
Hey guys. I haven't been posting much lately becasue...well....Brendon won't sleep. I know that melatonin is the next thing I'm going to try. For those who use melatonin, any ideas on what the correct dosage would be for a 5 year old who weighs almost 50 pounds? And is it available in liquid form? There's no way Brendon will swallow a tablet.
The sleep issues are here because of the adjustment to school. I know that's what's going on with him. Well that on top of some allergies that hit hard last week and messed up his "internal clock".
The school situation needs to change because he's so overstimulated. I found out today that instead of being in a classroom that only goes up to 2nd grade, he's in there with kids all the way up to 7th grade during the day. Is that legal? Isn't there some kind of waiver I have to sign for this to be allowed to happen? Should I call another IEP meeting and say that the placement isn't working because he's so overstimulated by all the noise and activity that he's melting down more than he's learning? He's fine once he leaves the environment. Well he's fine except for the lack of sleep. I'm so tired, my bags have bags.
I don't want him to be moved to a different school because he is learning in the environment he's in now. He held a little boys hand on the playground yesterday, and that's big. He usually fights me when I try to hold his hand. He let this little boy lead him to the swings. I just think he could learn so much more in a quieter and more sedate environment. Is this something that's worth calling a meeting over? Should I try the melatonin first and see if when the sleep patterns get better, the school day gets better?
I'm at my wits end. I know I can research all this stuff probably, but that would take hours and I'm hoping there's someone on here who's been in this situation and can offer up some "golden advice".
I posted this here for some advice first, because what I wanted to do was call the head of the "autism team" and just tell her like it is. The first three weeks of school he had his own classroom and things were great. This week they moved him into the room with all of these other kids, and things aren't so great. He still has the quiet classroom to escape to when it's needed, but the "autism team" wants him in the room with all the other kids. Should I just try to give it more time and give him a chance to adjust?
Please helpOne more thing....I kept him home today becasue how can a child learn when he's only had 3 hours of sleep?So many well-said posts. The SD has to be what's best for the child, not
what's most convenient for them.
Cyber-hug to you...hang in there.I also think that this is appalling. I don't CARE if they only have one teacher - then they need to HIRE another one because he needs a free and APPROPRIATE education! I would say that this is not appropriate. A kindergartener among 7th graders - absolutely not appropriate!
The school system should have a continum of placements as kids age through the system. They would not put NT K in the same class as NT 7th graders so they should not do it with special need kids either. In our school district 6th-8th grade go to a seperate school.
You could call your State Department of Education and see what they have to say about this. I would put the request for an IEP in the mail today. Frankly this shocks me.
They would not put NT K in the same class as NT 7th graders so they should not do it with special need kids either
Do you mind if I use that for the basis of calling this meeting?
You have the right to call a meeting anytime you want and I would say you have a VERY good reason here! That is definately NOT appropriate for all those kids to be lumped together. I can imagine B would be very overwhelmed by that.......Seems like they are pushing it, doing that.
How large a group is it? How does his IEP describe his placement?
The potential for bullying seems huge there. And I totally understnad the overstimulation. Ugh.
About the melatonin-I give C 3 mg and thats what I started him on. He just turned 4 and weighs 48 pounds. I dont give it to him every night, just if their is a no sleep issue. It has helped. Goodluck....I know it sucks having no sleep!
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