failing PE! | Autism PDD
Here kids are not graded in PE until 4th grade. K-3 the are only expected to participate. If she can't keep up and they can't address her issues in class they should have her evaluated for PT. Ask them about adaptave PE. My son gets both.
fred,
I think this varies from school to school. Our ASD teacher had an individual meeting with each "specials" teacher and informed them which of the kids in their class were on an autism IEP. All of ds' teachers were surprised except for the computer lab teacher. This was about the 3rd week of school. I don't think the specials teachers get informed of the IEP/diagnosis unless a teacher takes it upon themselves to share that knowledge! I thought everyone would be informed, but apparently they are not. But, this ASD teacher really wanted the specials teachers to know for all her kids. She is awesome!
Have you thought of getting Evie into adaptive Phy Ed? And if she's failing PE, would she qualify for PT? Probably not, but it might be worth it to ask! Poor kid - I know what it's like to be poorly coordinated. I walk into walls on occasion!
Gosh, poor Evie - she's so far behind with her gross motor development. We got a note home saying, basically, that she's failing (kindergarten) P.E.
The note said that it would be helfpul if we could work with her on the things taht they are working on in PE (locomotion, ball skills, striking, etc.). Yeah, with all my free time.
Geesh, poor kid. I wonder if the gym teacher knows she's autistic? Do peripheral teachers usually get apprised of that sort of information, or are the DXs shared on a need-to-know basis?
On the plus side, the gym teacher said taht Evie usually behaves and tries her best.
I would check to see if the teacher even knows of her autism. LOL, in all of your free time, I'm sure your priorities are teaching her to be the next Barry Bonds! I would say the most important thing is that she behaves and tries...that's more important at this point than any grade.My sentiments, too. I would think that the teacher would think that something was up with her, but who knows - unless you're watching her specifically she might just melt in with the other 22 kids in her class - until they have to do whatever skill they are practicing and she can't - the teacher might just assume she's uber-uncoordinated or something... Have to check... I am curious if all the 'specials' teacher know of the DX or if they try to keep that private with her classroom teacher. Anyone know if typically the music, art, PE teacher, etc. are typically informed about the kids disabilities that are in their class?
I wonder if the gym teacher knows she's autistic? Do peripheral teachers usually get apprised of that sort of information, or are the DXs shared on a need-to-know basis?
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That's a good question. I have no idea, but I should ask.
We have a meeting with Abbie's teacher, tommorrow, she should know. I'm amazed that Abbie didn't get home a similar note but then again, she is much stronger and faster than her sis and might be doing a bit better.I got the "you gotta give him motor stimulation" lecture at the 4 year old check-up. Even though we aren't a ball-play family, he had a normal level of activity, and we had more than enough to deal with! But we took the advice and signed him up for a mommy-n-me gymnastics class which didn't help ONE WHIT because the environment was too overwhelming for his senses.
What did help was an activity group run by the physical therapist. The activities were similar to gymnastics class, but the noise level and chaos was less since there was only a handful of other kids. He made a lot of progress on just one session a week for few months.
Knocking the sensory issues out of the equation was totally necessary for his progress.
Bike riding without training wheels came late, at age 9. Visual and gravitational insecurity issues were a big problem, and he needed a lot of experience and encouragement to build his confidence.
School gym is also overwhelming for his senses, but he can handle it better now than when he was 6. Sometimes an adult will play catch with him during recess to give him some extra help.
Good luck with everything. Try to use that gym teacher's observations and help for all their worth.
Thanks all - I think "failing PE" might be overstating it - I was kind of chuckling about it when I wrote it, though I do think it is something that needs to be addressed. Basically, we got a note home saying that Evie is not meeting the performance requirements that are layed out in whatever curricumul they follow, and that the note was an interim report so that we'd have a chance to work with her before the grades come out. We're putting in a call to the PE teacher to make sure that he knows about her dx.
Thing is, with her, is that she doesn't really like activities that involve lots of full body coordination, so it's hard to practice these tings. She does like to ride a 'big wheel', but doesn't like to try to ride a regular bike (with training wheels). She likes to run around, but she actually can't run - she shuffles (has no heel lift, doesn't bend knees much). I think she's probably pretty fit and healthy -her problems are neurolgoical, not due lack of practice or whatever, so I'm not sure there's much we can really do for her.
I'm kind of concerned about it, actually. She doesn't seem to have progressed much in some areas compared to her sister, and remember, she's always been the one considered to be less affected. Abigail is still way behind typical kids with her gross motor development, but she is at least twice as fast as her sister at this point. It makes me wonder what's going on - something actually making things worse or something. We see the developmental ped. next week, so hopefully she can shed some light.
I don't know, it feels weird to have all of these coordination issues in addition to the autistic symptoms. Of course, it's always just chocked up to the disorder, but I don't hear about other people having this level of gross motor problems. I mean, what would they do if a kid who was not autistic had these sorts of problems? What sort of things would they suspect? What would they do?
Hi Fred,
I have been having issues with my son “specials” since school started in August. These classes and the teachers are angst in my son’s life. He literally does not want to go to school because of certain bad experiences that occurred. He is traumatized to the point that he was making himself ill until I had a meeting with his teacher. At the meeting I asked her what the hell is going on in these classes and mentioned some of the things that Christian has told me some of these teachers have said to him. They tell him to “shut up”, “just get on with your work” and “stop wasting my time”. These words are very hurtful for my son as he just cannot do a lot of thing by himself.
She told me that these teachers were not aware of Christian’s dx and she said that she spoke to each of them and has sat with him many times in each of these classes. I was very upset that Christian was needlessly chastised, when all he wanted was some help. I was furious that the entire staff, including para-professionals, office and even cafeteria staff where not informed.
I keep telling the school that Christian feels inadequate and embarrassed that he can’t do what the other kids do so easily. Based on his eval last year, OT should have been on the top of the list and it wasn’t. Now that the school has a script from his pediatrician stating that OT is mandatory, they are now bringing in a specialist to evaluate him. If he can’t catch a ball, throw a ball, hold a pencil, cut paper with scissors, color without using two hands, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that he will not progress academically if he doesn’t get the help he needs.
As a result of me voicing my concerns, Christian has now been assigned a “buddy” for all his classes where his form room teacher is not able be. She’s with him even in recess. Not sure that I’m happy about this situation either as a little girl should not be burdened with my son’s issues, but was told she was assigned by “administration” , whatever that means..
Send a note or meet with Evie’s teacher and ask if these “specials” teacher are aware of her Dx and if not, why not. Tell her to make sure that all faculty and staff that comes into contact with Evie know about her Dx. Our children shouldn’t have to feel isolated and afraid.
Sorry it’s so long…
Fred,
I think you should use the "failing PE" to make your case for the need for OT and PT services.
For outside of school, you can look at a tumbling/gynastics class.
Or is there an athletic teen in your neighborhood that you can hire (at babysitting wages) as a "gym tutor" to come over and work on sports / coordination activities with the girls? Simple stuff like holding a bat and hitting a ball off of a tee and then running to first base. Or playing catch? Or kicking a ball into a soccer goal? Or doing simple tumbling on a mat? If you can get the professional help at school, I think that you can augment with some cheap non-professional help after school and get quite a bang for your buck. When I was a teen I would have LOVED a part-time job as a "gym tutor."
fred,
A lot of our kids have coordination problems. I don't know if Evie's regressing or just not making the progress she should. Is she actually pedaling a big wheel - because that is good! My ds had no interest in a bike until a little over a year ago.
I would strongly suggest PT - it helped my ds gain interest/motivation as well as also forcing him to do stuff he needed in order to gain strength. He has low muscle tone in his upper body and we are constantly having him do stuff that works on this.
For Christmas last year, he got a grow-to-pro pogo stick from grandma and grandpa (I bought it) and moon shoes and roller skates from Santa. I have him help lift any heavy items and carry them, to push open doors for me (this REALLY works his upper body), carry the milk jug over to the table, carry in groceries (he often balks at that one), etc.
I think that even though it may be neurological, the muscles can be trained and if you get them going in PT and tumbling, Evie may start catching up. My ds definitely did - except for catching and throwing. Our neighbor was shocked that ds beat his son in a scooter race (hands down, in fact) because his son is such an athlete (and it's pretty obvious ds is NOT). Ds is a year older than this boy, and so has a height advantage, but this boy is really a very good athlete.
Anyway, don't give up! But in order for her to make progress, she really needs to be in some kind of PT to help with her gross motor skills. If they are noticing it in school and saying something about it - it's time to do something...
I think snoopywoman is right. I think a lot of kids on the spectrum have the coordination problems. I know Mason does.
And it's not just with the gross motor things, even just the way he positions his body while sitting, or that he can't bend his legs and raise them to put pants on. He can only fold them outward and trying to put pants on that way is VERY difficult for him.
I do think it's kind of wrong that the school is the one to notice there is a problem and then not offer any PT, but snoopywoman was right there too. It seems the child needs to be in a wheelchair to qualify under school regulations.
Lots of good suggestions though, besides private PT. Good luck!
Thanks Snoop - she's really pretty good with the big wheel. She can get going pretty fast - go up and down inclines, etc. She freezes on a big bike - it scares her. I admit, I should just let her stay on her big wheel - I just feel self concious, I guess, I worry that she's too old to be in a big wheel, but that's dumb, I know. She likes it, enjoys it, and it's good exercise, so who cares, right? I also take her on long walks on the weekend (up to and over a mile, on trails) and she's always running around the hosue, so it's not lack of stimulation, that, at least, I know for sure.
We did to physical therapy over the summer, but the therapist for whatever reason kind of said or implied that she really didn't need it. DW was driving that program, so I'm not sure, exactly, what went down, but the gist of it was that she was doing as well as could be expected and there really wasn't much more that they could do - just make sure she's active. We have them in swim lessons at the 'Y', but she's really nervous in the water, so it's not really excercize, yet. She's making a little progress, though, and lieks to play in the kiddy pool after lessons, but I don't see her doing the 'crawl' anytime soon.
We'll try to ask the school again, but we did before, and it's like someone else posted, unless they're like unable to get around at all, the won't provide PT.
Besides, they're in school from 8:00 to 2:45 every day and at the 'Y' after school program until 5:30-6:00. Their bed time is 7:00 (and she needs all that sleep - we have to wake her up in the mroning). I just don't know where I'd fit it in. We're considering discontinuing private OT and languag etherapy simply because those days are just too taxing for them and I don't think they get much out of the private sessions.
Fred, I think that you have a case for getting PT or OT services.Fred
She shouldnt be failing..they should be helping her and not grading her for something she cant help.
I have a meeting with Sarah's teacher today and bringing all my reports and evals with me to show where she started and where she is now..I feel I am seeing a miracle child where they see nt child not up to par or zoned out at times and look at me like "why??" uh..well she has autism dumb a**!
...I was told from kindy teacher last year that the teachers get the IEP but it is so complicated in its wording that most dont read it...I feel we as parents have to educated them properly. I found several things on Sarah's IEP that was not being done & one of them was OT 3x a week~she hasnt had any so far!
It is not fair that our kids get punished for things they just cant help and it should be unlawful when tools are in place to help them like OT/Resource Teacher..and they dont even bother to read the IEP or utilize what is written.
I am going to have to be the confrontational neurotic mom and it shouldnt be this way! I was told by other parents to call an emergency IEP meeting to address any issues not being helped at school..maybe you should do the same:)
Stay strong and go get em!
I know in our old school district we tried to get ds qualified for PT. He definitely qualified privately, but the school basically wouldn't provide PT unless he was basically in a wheelchair and couldn't walk. Seriously. I think this is not uncommon in school districts. So, you may want to look into private PT - I know you've talked about it on here before. Wasn't your wife against it though?
If nothing else, maybe tumbling/gymnastics classes? That helped my ds TREMENDOUSLY - maybe even more than PT. But we had an instructor who had worked with kids on the spectrum a lot and was just awesome at integrating my ds into the class. She did this with several kids and was very successful. We started out doing one-on-one lessons and then gradually, ds was incorporated into the class (this was when he was 3 1/2 or so).
But, if they are FAILING her, then obviously she is in need of some kind of intervention! So you could try using this to push a case for PT provided by the school district!
Is there an autism specialist in your school district fred or shelley? Perhaps you can call them in on a meeting so that they can assist you in helping educate the teachers. That being said, it does vary from district to district. Our old school had ONE autism specialist for a school district where the population of our city was about 95,000 people. AND it has the 2nd highest rate of Asperger's Syndrome in the nation (just behind Silicon Valley). However, our new school district has an autism specialist AND two autism teachers just for the elementary school (there are 16 kids on the spectrum in ds' elem school)! Ds' autism teacher is the one who went over his old IEP with a fine tooth comb. They decided to keep it in place until conferences in November when we will re-do it. They are doing other accommodations in the meantime - it just isn't in writing. Normally, I would be having a fit that it isn't in writing - but I have been to the school numerous times and they are doing what they are supposed to and ds is doing well. If that changed, we would be calling an emergency IEP meeting in a heartbeat, but I fully trust this won't happen as I have daily contact with someone at his school (the para, the ASD teacher, the principal who is a former autism teacher, or his mainstream teacher) and I am in the school at least 3 times a week and I see what's going on.
Anyway, if you have an autism specialist or autism teacher - s/he might be a very good resource to use in order to help the teachers "get it". Unfortunately, it often comes better from a professional than from a parent. This is particularly frustrating for me, since I am (was) both and KNOW what I'm talking about. But, I'm biased because it's my kid, I guess!
Failing a kid in PE in kindergarten is just insane! I don't think I have heard of kindergarteners getting grades in PE before. In addition, you would think if the child is having issues in PE, the PE teacher might ASK someone if there is something going on? Or if the mainstream teacher heard that Evie is failing PE that she might say something to the PE teacher about Evie's diagnosis? There doesn't seem to be very good communication going on here fred - I think what Shelley said is wise - call an emergency IEP meeting and insist that the PE teacher be there as well. This is not acceptable!
Yes I was told last year too that all the teachers are "supposed" to be aware of the IEP. However for secondary classes such as art, music or PE the teacher's don't necessarily read the IEP unless there is something stated in it regarding that class.
With that said, I'm wondering too about the "grading" part of it. Here too they aren't graded, just expected to participate (so based on that Evie should be doing just fine.) We do get a little report showing a plus or minus regarding if they have met goals in that area. Mason got many minuses last year and when I asked about it (way back at first quarter report cards) they told me this was more of a goal sheet, but not to worry if he wasn't meeting them, they just want him to at least participate and try. I asked once again about PT, because his neuro is always recommending it, and even with all the minuses he received he still didn't qualify for PT through the school.
Unfortunately, it seems the only way most of our kids can get PT is privately. If they feel it needs to be addressed, I might push them for PT. Either they will back off or start services.
I don't know all of the laws, but I can tell you what worked for us. My son tested above the minimum percentile required to receive PT services at school. However, they managed to qualify him based on OBSERVATION at PE. Usually his PT session at school involves practicing what will be done at PE that particular week. It sort of gives him a headstart. It also gives him a chance to learn the rules of the activity without the distraction of the other kids, sensory stuff, etc.And he is graded on his effort; not on how well he does in PE.
As far as non-school activities go, you have to find something that she will like. The only sport/physical activity that my son likes is Tae Kwon Do. It has helped his coordination and balance tremendously.
Hope this helps.
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