books for teachers

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

Hi! Has anyone ever purchased a book for their child's teacher on autism or whatever condition the child has? How do you think this would come across to the teacher? (helpful/insulting/"man, now I've gotta read this book"/whatever? TIA!

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

I haven't purchased a book, but I think I'm going to set up a meeting with my DD4's teacher before the first day of preschool just to explain some things.

 

[eblondie]

I'm a teacher and I wouldn't find it at all insulting. I think it might be best if you arrange a meeting with the teacher before you give the book, then they would realise that you have the best intentions.

 

[samkj]

We did for my daughter's kindergarten class. My DD was in kindy last year and although she does have any SN, her older sister has moderate/severe cerebral palsy. So I brought in a couple books and my older daughter visited class one day as a special guest. It was a wonderful way to increase awareness in the kids and showed them that kids with SNs are still regular kids despite the wheelchair.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I have just found some books on color vision deficiency that are (self-proclaimed) said to be great for school nurses and teachers as well.

I want to look the books over myself, but I would definitely consider getting one for the school (nurse, library, whatever, for teachers' reference material.) For all I know, they already have something like that, but I've been hard-pressed to find anything myself, so maybe not. I think donating something like that to the school is a great idea.

I also am planning to discuss DS5's color vision deficiency (and our September DL vacation!) with his new teacher at the first opportunity. I think a one-on-one meeting with the teacher is the best approach for discussing more important or pressing topics like this. (I mean the colorblindness, not the Disney vacation, LOL!)

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I have lent my books on Aspergers to my son's teachers...his home worker took it with her and never gave it back so I need to buy a new one this year.

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! Has anyone ever purchased a book for their child's teacher on autism or whatever condition the child has? How do you think this would come across to the teacher? (helpful/insulting/"man, now I've gotta read this book"/whatever? TIA!

Hi!! Teacher here. I'll be honest with you. If a parent gave me a book on her child's condition. I would think, "Oh, that's very nice" but I would never have a chance to read it. The ony time I ever have any time for books like that is over the summer, sitting poolside.

Now, if a parent wants to give me a one-page article to read, yes, I'll find time for that. But trying to weed thru an entire book...I wouldn't even try. I can ask the special ed. teacher for any important info. related to daily instruction in the classroom & I wouldn't have to read thru irrelevant info. An above poster stated that a teacher never returned her book. I would bet that's because the teacher put it aside somewhere & never saw it again.

I was honest. I hope you don't mind.

 

[Debbiebee68]

I have been a teacher for many years and it has been my experience that meeting with a parent regarding the specific needs of their child is often the best way to start. Make sure that you also have early conferences with the child's additional service providers. I often confer with these colleagues as to the particular needs of my students. Parental honesty is also a big one. I have had parents who are less than forthcoming about issues surrounding their child. I think some have been embarrassed, some have just been in denial I guess. I am very pleased with parents who want to share information with me, just as long as they are not condescending. Teacher-Parent teamwork is the best approach for all involved. Hope this helps!!

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

thanks to everyone for the replies!
I appreciate the input!

The book I was thinking of was the 10 things your child wishes you knew about autism....and I found the original article online (that led to the book) as well as a similar article for teachers. They both look good....

(and daisyduck, of course I don't mind your being honest!!)

 

[MN Dis Fans]

I once loaned a book on Asperger's to the Environmental Education specialist (park ranger) at our local wetlands center. She asked for info. Not sure if she read it all but....

 

[playwright]

Daisy,
At the risk of maybe offending you, I think that you should read books that the parents give you. You are a teacher and part of your job is to learn as much as you can about educating children. It's all well and good to ask the special ed teacher for info, but the parent knows the child and the child's health issues best. By giving you a book, the parent is trying to work cooperatively with you as a partner in educating their child. By reading the info in the book, you may be able to help other children as well, not just their child.

 

[tmli]

The problem I have had with just explaining things to his teachers is that they don't always believe me. Perhaps reading about symptoms from another source would give it more merit.

 

[FutureMrsC]

As a brand new Interrelated Resource teacher (FINALLY graduated, yea! ), I would be thrilled to receive extra information (books, websites, articles, logs on their child's specific behaviors, what to expect from them, what to expect of them, etc). I can't guarantee that I would read the articles/books word for word so that I could write a thesis on that particular exceptionality, but the way that I see things is that you can always learn more! I wish that I had some of you all on this board as parents of kids in my classes... unfortunately, from what I've heard it's like pulling teeth to get parents to show up to IEP meetings or conferences... maybe I'm just biased, but I'd be tickled to have any positive parent contact... and I wouldn't at all be offended, as long as it wasn't "this is how I think you need to go about doing your job"... and giving a book/resource about a particular disability ISN'T doing that!

You sound like a wonderful mom!