DS's conference last night...need to vent.

[Hasil72]

While this is NOTHING compared to what some of you deal with on a daily basis, I have to vent.

DS (HFA, ADHD, SID, hypotonia, and general anxiety) is in a mainstream 3rd grade class with a 1-on-1 para. He's pulled outof class three times per month for social skills therapy with one of the school psychologists in addition to the weekly classes we take him to at the local "autism school". At DS's conference last night his teacher and para were discussing his IEP goals, what was working and what was not, etc. when they brought to my attention their concern regarding the current area of focus during these "therapy" sessions. Ready for this....saying thank you. You have GOT to be kidding me! If nothing else, DS has always had fabulous manners. (Luckily,verbal articulation has never been a concern.) The teacher said that he is even polite when he's interrupting the class, calling out "Excuse me! I have a question, please." Pulling him out of class to work on a skill that has already been mastered? Hello! Have I missed something? Not to mention, manners are nowhere in his IEP objectives.

So I sent off an email requesting to discuss the matter and questionning if they could have picked a topic that was more closely aligned to his IEP objectives. I threw in a few ideas like maintining eye contact during a conversation, controling the tone of his voice during difficult interactions, or calming methods to handle frustration, etc. I just don't see how they can justify such a blatant waste of time. We'll see what happens next. I realize that it's the day before a holiday but I'm hoping to at least be acknowledged by Monday.

Any words of wisdom on how I should present my case? Bookwormde?

On a positive note, DS received all A's on his first letter grade report card.

Everyone have a great holiday weekend!

Lisa

 

[Talking Hands]

Congratulations to your son on a great report card.

 

[koolaidmoms]

So I sent off an email requesting to discuss the matter and questionning if they could have picked a topic that was more closely aligned to his IEP objectives. I threw in a few ideas like maintining eye contact during a conversation, controling the tone of his voice during difficult interactions, or calming methods to handle frustration, etc. I just don't see how they can justify such a blatant waste of time.

Any words of wisdom on how I should present my case? Bookwormde?

You perfectly presented your case.

Good luck!

 

[bookwormde]

Yup sounds like you stated the issue great, they need to work on issues that are of significant need. I am not a big one on working on “eye contact” since in many cases this can raise anxiety severely; I use looking at some part of the face since reading “eyes” is probably not something that will ever really work well and be truly comfortable with. I try to keep them after big issues like friendship/teamwork skills or something like that, which really have a big impact.

Maybe they were just looking for something easy to do.

bookwormde

 

[Hasil72]

Thanks!

I'm really proud about the report card. Last year we really struggled with writers workshop so I was concerned about the increase of required written responses thoughout the curriculum.

Just heard back from the psychologist. She says she is following the skillstreaming curriculum in order and although DS has "exemplary" manners, she likes to reinforce the things he does well. So basically, as bookwormde stated, she is doing what is easy. My reply..."While I do encourage positive reinforcement of skills achieved, I think that other social aspects are of a greater concern at this time."

Anyway, she said that she will send me home a checklist of the skills covered in the curriculum to highlight the areas I feel are the greatest in need. I guess I'm disappointed that these areas weren't discussed at IEP time nor were they addressed when both the para and mainstream teacher expressed concern.