Question for teachers and Special Ed teachers (long)

[SeaSpray]

Hi everyone!

DS11 just started 6th grade a week and a half ago. Yesterday he brought home his first spelling test. This test consisted of 25 words that he had to spell correctly (obviously.lol), and on the back of the paper he had to make up 5 sentences, using 5 of the words from the spelling list.

He got a "100" on the spelling test. He made up 5 good sentences. He used correct punctuation, he had capital letters where necessary, and the sentences were grammatically correct. He got a "40" on this test because of his handwriting. Out of 5 sentences, she circled one word in each of 3 sentences that appear to be spelled incorrectly. The words she circled for being spelled wrong are: new, color (both in one sentence), and around and can. Robby has been on the honor roll his entire life. Consistently. I do understand that since this was on a spelling test, all of the words, even those in the sentence, should be spelled correctly. The problem is, he KNOWS how to spell those simple words. He has a big problem with handwriting.

Now here's the catch. If he was just a sloppy kid or if he had rushed through this test and wrote those words incorrectly because of rushing, then I could understand her marking those words wrong. This test paper he showed me was beautiful! Anyone who has seen his handwriting before would never think my son wrote this, it is so obvious he painstakingly tried his best on this test, to be neat and legible.

But Robby has some issues which I and others feel contribute to his handwriting problem. Last year his speech teacher recommended to me, and his 5th grade teacher agreed, that Robby should become proficient in using a computer keyboard because of his handwriting problems. At the time I didn't think much of it, but I thought it odd that they would recommend this, rather than try to get him to write better, you know??? But then this summer while in NJ, a very good friend of mine is a Special Ed teacher, and while she was observing Robby, and I was mentioning some "quirks" that Robby has, she asked me if he'd ever been evaluated for something called "Aspergers Syndrome". When she described this to me, it was like a lightbulb went on! I could never understand why Robby was like the way he is (shyness beyond what is normal, a low monotone voice, he usually doesn't look others in the eye unless he knows them very well and is comfortable about them, he holds his pen and pencil very awkwardly and even when he tries, he can't hold it correctly, he has a funny gait to his walk, etc). From what she told me, this syndrome falls under the category of Austism, but it can come in many forms and degrees of severity. My son obviously has a mild form, if he does indeed have this.

So my question is... rather, it's not a question because I AM going to do this... but am I right to seek an evaluation for him because of this? He's an honor roll student, plays trumpet in the school band, takes piano lessons privately, he has close friends, etc so other than this problem now in school with this teacher marking him wrong for handwriting, is this enough of a reason to put him through an evaluation? I called my Special Ed teacher friend yesterday afternoon and she recommended that I do call the school and ask for an "OT evaluation". OT means Occupational Therapy, she said they would work with him on his handwriting. So I'm thinking that getting a 40 on these sentence tests are going to be worse for him than going through an evaluation. Since he's so bright, of course I worry about him being labeled. But even just taking speech lessons is making him part of Special Ed anyway.

Even though Robby has the other issues with his low voice, his funny gait (which I've had checked my several pediatric orthopedic doctors, my next move is to have him checked by a neurologist), this problem with handwriting appears to now be affecting his grades, and I don't want that to happen.

Any comments or advice? Thanks!

 

[luvdzny]

First of I all I think it is great that you are involved with your child and care about his schooling!!! I think an evaluation may be a good thing. My 13 year old DD has OCD, and numerous other medical problems. She has always been an honor student, is very outgoing and well liked, and to look at her you would never know she has any problems. At school she is given a few extra considerations when doing work (i.e. - longer time to take tests if needed.) She is elegible for a "504 Plan" which is a legal way to make sure the school is giving her what she needs to get a good education. So far we have not needed it because the teachers are willing to work with her. I would think that your school district would have something similar to this and it could certainly help you DS. You hate to see him get frustrated by getting undeserved poor grades and then quit trying. Good luck, if you have any further questions PM me, maybe I can help.

 

[bananiem]

I guess I feel it couldn't hurt, could it? I mean just to have the OT test. I feel teachers have so many things to look out for these days, and sometimes have so many kids with other problems that smaller behaviors tend to get overlooked. Perhaps up until now the teachers felt he was just a sloppy writer and it would come with time. I'd listen to your friend and talk to the school district.

 

[Jeafl]

Some very close friends of ours have a daughter with Aspergers. She is also an honor roll student, and is incredibly shy. She does have several of the same symptoms you described, so it may be a good idea to get him evaluated. It certainly can't hurt, and may help him tremendously. If you want more info, please feel free to PM or email me. Good luck, and hopefully everything will be fine.

 

[mamajoan]

Hi, First off sorry to hear of your problem, second.. GOOD FOR YOU you sound as if you are on top of this,
third.. my ds 15 has HORRID handwriting and his fine motor skills were iffy in 5th gr. . I am serious when I say it is almost impossible to read something he works hard on writing. Since 6th grade he has completed 80% of his homework on the computer. However his class notes -Yikes!.... We tried everything to improve handwriting, my OT associates worked with him to little avail.. He is honor roll etc., no dx of any thing that would affect his motor skills. Point being, don't give up on using the computer.. think of it as a tool for him to use to express himself to be fully understood. Please discuss the situation with current teacher. Maybe btwn the two of you, you can come up with a remedy so that she will be able to decipher his writing in order to know that he does know the material..

As far as involving the school system in diagnosing the problem.. I vote for seeking a private doctor's/OT evaluation first. I have had better results with the CA. school system when having an evaluation in hand prior to requesting school assistance. This is jmho.. I feel that you are on the right track in following thru to find the best solution for your son.
Joan

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks for the encouraging replies, everyone!

luvdzny: Our school does have a Special Education department and Advisory Board, so I'm sure they will be willing to look into this. I don't want him to get frustrated either, he's actually very conscientous of his school work so far.

bananiem: His teachers so far did overlook his sloppy handwriting. I think they could see that he was trying and not just being careless, kwim?? Last year his teacher would circle the words she had trouble reading but didn't take off any points for them.

Jeafl: It's funny how many kids who have this syndrome, or some form of it, are very bright honor roll students. I just don't want this to interfere with his self esteem or how he feels about school because right now he loves school and loves to learn.

mamajoan: I AM very on top of this. LOL I carefully monitor both of my sons' school work. I have no problem with DS using a keyboard, but to tell the truth, his handwriting can be read, and especially when he takes the time, he can write neatly. But I think for certain letters, the connection between his brain and his hand gets messed up on paper. Both of my sons have their own computers and have been using a keyboard practically from birth. LOL So he is already quite proficient when he wants to type something. In fact, he has taught himself how to use Excel to create spreadsheets, I can't even do that. lol I fully expect the school's Special Ed department to cooperate with me, as far as an evaluation goes, but if they don't, I will definitely have it done privately.

I have a phone call in to his spelling/language arts teacher. I am hoping she will be willing to overlook his occasional handwriting problems, and that I won't have to take this matter too far. DS has a vocabulary test today which I KNOW he knows those words inside out and backwards, so I am hoping she doesn't go over that test with a microscope and mark things wrong simply for handwriting.

None of his other teachers have had a problem decyphering his handwriting. He has had comments about it, but no problems, kwim?? Maybe I should've looked into this sooner But until now it was not a problem.

mamajoan: You mentioned your DSs fine motor skills. I know that handwriting comes under this, but what else would? DS loves to draw and is quite creative. He creates his own comic books, story books, etc, but then again, when he's creating something from his own imagination, it doesn't *have* to look a certain way.

I hope to hear back from his teacher and from the Special Ed department today. I want this handled as soon as possible so that he doesn't continue to be marked wrong for his handwriting by this one teacher.

 

[Talking Hands]

You are right in having your son evaluated. Kids who are very bright can sometimes fall through the cracks when it comes to these evaluations. They end up labelled lazy and weird or worse.
My oldest is ADHD, LD, Gifted and physically impaired, but because she was able to compenstate due to her high IQ she was never given help. She had to do it all herself. She has suceeded but it has been a real struggle.

 

[kendall]

Hi SeaSpray,

I was a high school teacher for many years - now finishing my PhD. Here is what I would recommend (long response).

Testing. Only you have an idea of how efficient/effective your local school's special ed testing is - I would recommend private testing as well as school testing. There are SO many types of classifications and accomodations out there right now - the typical classroom teacher is not even aware of them all - so it is VERY important to the classroom teacher too to have an accurate diagnosis. Aspergers can be dealt with in the classroom - but first is has to be diagnosed and on record. As a classroom teacher I can follow my instinct and try various things with struggling learners, but my time is limited and trial and error is not necessarily the most efficient. Also, your son now has multiple teachers - so consistency across classrooms and teachers in dealing with him (what to expect, how to grade) will become even more important in grades 6-12.

Why test? Here are some reasons, not in particular order.
- our nation is entering a testing craze for the next 10 years in education. Many of the tests are going incorporate narrative written responses - and that writing will be hand written because of computer inequities, so no chance of testing being done online in the truly immediate future. If the scorer can't read your DS's writing, the result will be lower. By having a diagnosis, your DS can receive accomodation during all testing situations - that could mean having a computer keyboard for word processing, or the option to dictate responses. This reason alone is worth it! And not only for the "big" tests, but this would apply to classroom testing as well! If you DS struggles with writing on tests this is a must.

-the caseload of the teacher - middle school and high school teachers see many more students during a typical day - many more papers to correct. This could result in the teacher not taking as much time to try and decipher writing - quite frankly as a high school teacher I often had kids rewrite or preferably type if I couldn't read it. And on tests? Spelling counts (if not overtly, is certainly influences subconsciously).

-increased expectation for accuracy. I know it is not fair to receive such a low score on the spelling test - after all, the material upon which your DS was being tested he indeed had correct - but there may be an expectation on his teacher's part that all grade-level appropriate work is to be correct. I would definitely negotiate now with this teacher for your son to use a word processing program when submitting work. Sell it to the teacher by indicating how much time it will save the teacher in trying to read and correct - so much easier to read than handwriting. Printers are cheap - if your son can word process and print at the same time/place that would be terrific! Or, perhaps the school is wired that he could electronically send his work to his teacher.

-the 504 plan isn't a terrible thing. in the past, there was a stigma associated with learning disabilities - not now - you may be surprised how many kids have a reading disability, or an information processing disability. The 504 will provide the documentation and ensure that a plan is developed to address your DS's needs - frequent meetings with the staff will help with updating you and helping your DS see progress in his learning. This will also help your DS understand his challenges and learn how to work with them. Your school/school district may receive additional funding for 504 students in order to offset the cost of accomodations - varies from state to state.

Well, that is all that comes to mind at the moment. Definitely get him tested. While occupational therapy may help improve his writing, it may not address living with Aspergers. Go for the diagnosis from a professional - you may be correct or he/she may find something different and suggest future direction.

Good luck!

 

[kejoda]

I would have him evaluated the worst they can say is no thats not it. I hear it quite often with John.

Here are a couple of wessites that I found

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

Also it might take a few weeks to a few months to get your appointments. Good lluck let us know what happens.

 

[gemmie214]

kendall, excellent post. There is really nothing I could add to it

SeaSpray, I agreee that testing should be done ASAP. The accomidations that may be recommended may make a world of difference to your son.
I work in a private school for children on the Autism spectrum. We even have a seperate Aspergers program. Feel free to Pm me with any questions. I will do my best to help out.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I have 2 wonderful kids. Both have Sensory Integration Disorder. My son is 15 and wasn't identified until he was in the 4th grade. My daughter is 11 and wasn't identified until she was in the 2nd grade. Both made good grades. DD is gifted and her test scores are off the chart! They both compensated well, but they were miserable and we didn't even know it.

Both had terrible handwriting skills. You could hardly read what they were writing. At first I thought they were lazy or didn't put much effort into their work, but their OT showed me how much they were struggling.

If you suspect your son might have a problem, don't hesitate to have him tested. We didn't even wait for the school to test them. I took them to an educational psychologist for the testing so we wouldn't have to wait. My kids have improved so much the last few years. Their confidence is so much better. They aren't cured, but they know when they are having trouble what they need to do to get back on track. Having coping skills makes a world of difference.

I also put them both in a handwriting workshop. Their OT taught it one summer for several weeks. She worked with them in a small group setting and their handwriting (while it still isn't great) improved. My daughter has learned not to grip her pencil so tightly and she attempts not to press so hard on the paper. She learned to loosen up and let the pencil flow on the paper. It's much better. If you'd like I could send you a before and after scan of some of their work. Amazing difference in just a few weeks.

Good luck to you. He's lucky that you are tuned in and willing to help him.