This is where I have a HUGE problem. I strongly feel that what he "needs" is what is appropriate for him. He deserves to be educated to the fullest extent as my two able bodied/mind children. He just has to be educated differently. This thinking by the school systems or powers that be that say appropriate is not what they need but rather what they deem appropriate is why I elected to homeschool him. Now that said, I'm not asking he be given his own teacher and never have homework and not have much classroom work. At this time, if they will keep him in the pull out special ed program, I will not request an aide for him. He has some mobility issues but if they will continue to give us a set of text books for use at home and allow him to travel the halls before the bell rings and all the kids are out, then he doesn't need an aide. BUT, if they make him start lugging around 10 pounds+ of books and try to maneuver the hallways when they are full, then I'll have a huge problem as I don't want him to fall down the stairs. They just turned him down for PT so when I go in for the IEP this week, I'll have to ask why they felt he doesn't need it when he needs the extra help with maneuverabilty at school. But if they continue to allow things to go they way they are, then no PT and I'm ok with it. But if they can't accomodate him to his needs, then we have a problem.
As far as the "they", the system wide special ed coordinator stated that they would write his homework down everyday and send it for me. The principal, and his teachers all agreed to this procedure and it lasted all of 5 days. So now, I am having to chase people down or hope it's posted on the website. If I wanted to be teacher, he'd still be at home.
They are suppose to do a full re-eval on him including IQ. We had one done thru the school almost 3 yrs ago so they said they would do another one now rather than next September. And I guess the other tests are more like placement tests to see what level his skills are on. With the new WISCIV IQ test, I am hoping he falls below the 70 mark so that it will open up more avenues for him. We are also trying to get the autistic traits diagnosis for him as well. When their IQ falls just about the 70 mark, they get screwed all the way around. He doesn't fall into the MR category but clearly will never function like my other children will. He's been tested many many times by his educational therapist, and a developmental neuropsych and the school. We have a very clear picture about what his problems are the only thing is the experts (doctors) have never seen a kid with all the issues together. So no one really knows how to teach him or can predict how far he will go. I know he can learn but it takes him many days or weeks to learn a simple concept that most kids get in 1 - 3 days. I just want him to get a diploma so he can get a decent job and be an independent adult. I don't think that's an unrealistic goal for us to expect out of a school system.
As far as the "they", the system wide special ed coordinator stated that they would write his homework down everyday and send it for me. The principal, and his teachers all agreed to this procedure and it lasted all of 5 days. So now, I am having to chase people down or hope it's posted on the website. If I wanted to be teacher, he'd still be at home.
They are suppose to do a full re-eval on him including IQ. We had one done thru the school almost 3 yrs ago so they said they would do another one now rather than next September. And I guess the other tests are more like placement tests to see what level his skills are on. With the new WISCIV IQ test, I am hoping he falls below the 70 mark so that it will open up more avenues for him. We are also trying to get the autistic traits diagnosis for him as well. When their IQ falls just about the 70 mark, they get screwed all the way around. He doesn't fall into the MR category but clearly will never function like my other children will. He's been tested many many times by his educational therapist, and a developmental neuropsych and the school. We have a very clear picture about what his problems are the only thing is the experts (doctors) have never seen a kid with all the issues together. So no one really knows how to teach him or can predict how far he will go. I know he can learn but it takes him many days or weeks to learn a simple concept that most kids get in 1 - 3 days. I just want him to get a diploma so he can get a decent job and be an independent adult. I don't think that's an unrealistic goal for us to expect out of a school system.
joanchris said:
