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	Teacher Aides/Kindergarten/Special Ed Hello, My son (dx'd with Autism in 9/2005) just started Kindergarten last week, so I just now joined this forum to learn all I can to better his schooling. Everyone here seems so nice and very informative; thank you all very much for the wonderful comfort zone! My son will be six this December. They have him (for now) in a typical kindergarten class until they evaluate him. He does not take very well to the concept of responding to any of the staff, no matter what they do. All he says is, "NOOO" to everything that is said to him. He is a completely different child while in school; it's like night and day. He does not want to talk to the other kids or join in, and I can see him regressing as the days pass. Thankfully, they've allowed me to stay with him and we can leave when we want. When my son is pushed, he shuts down and then does not want anything at all to do with learning. I'm still trying though ;~) In the special needs classroom this afternoon (which is where I wanted him to be this school year-I've been popping in for a couple of years now), I noticed an aide who was not very patient with the three children that were in her group. I witnessed a little girl acting out towards this aide because of the aide's lack of understanding, unfriendliness, and lack of patience. The little girl was reprimanded for her behavior, but I CLEARLY saw the REAL problem (I've been around this little girl quite a bit and have NEVER seen her act this way). Now I am nervous about how the children are treated while with the aide in this class that I felt SO comfortable with before. The teacher is just WONDERFUL; it's this aide that now has me concerned. The children in this class are ALL SO ADORABLE and very sweet; I HATED seeing that today. What is required to become a special needs teacher aide?? At home, my son really enjoys learning and responds to me extremely well. He is exposed to other kids (I also have a nine-year-old daughter who is a social butterfly and does well in this same school). I'm on the fence whether to continue homeschooling him, or to just hang in there and see what happens. I refuse to leave him with anyone who does not relate to him the way he deserves. I also know that he does not belong in the kindergarten class they still have us going into until further notice. Anyone's expertise would be greatly appreciated...I am just confused about what to do. How are your relationships with the other special ed teacher, school psychologist and principal? If they know you, I would point out your concerns to them and ask if they could observe the teacher or ask the students about her. It is worrying to have someone not cut out for teaching in that classroom since many of the the students may not be comfortable, or know how, to voice their complaints. It varies state to state what is required to become an aid. Try googling your state and either teacher's assistant or aid. Welcome to the forum.  I have a collection of aide resources that might be useful to you, including an item or two on the difference between an aide and a "paraeducator."  My kids have never had trained aides, and it's actually gone well because the chemistry has been good (both between the aide and the child, and between the aide and the parents). http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24328&am p;KW=shadow As far as homeschooling goes, I personally think that it's good to have more people on your child's team.  It demands a lot of a parent to be both educator and caregiver, especially when the child has a disability.  I'm not saying that homeschooling is never a good choice, but your child does have a right to a free and appropriate public education. Good luck, whatever you decide. I work for an agency that only requires a HS diploma. But honestly, I've worked with aides who have their degrees in education who have sucked at what they do. It's one thing to have gone through a program, and another to actually be good with children. It is frustrating to make sure that all of the aides are not only qualified, but good. Thanks for your input. I am really hoping she was just having 'a moment' but I still feel for the kids if she is that way a lot. I'm just too concerned for their well-being I suppose; I'm more of a complimentary type rather than stern. Thanks again!
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