teacher question

[daughtersrus]

The Aide pulls him out of the classroom for extra help? That's allowed in your school?

Why wouldn't it be allowed?

 

[ez]

My son has a below average iq but has a lot of strong points and a bit of a photographic memory. Like right now he has the day off for teacher duty day. They are doing number rounding of large numbers and the teachers were telling me he could t get it at all. So I made a list and broke the process down into manageable steps and after just a half hour of doing this he is getting it. He is actually probably at one of the best elementary schools in the county, and probably the only kid with his level of disability that has been included. Believe me I have been fighting since he was 3!! We have some amazing people on our team within this school system that have helped get him where he is, but its definitely countered by the naysayers. And it's hard for people working for the same organization to call each other out. I have to balance his school stuff with my sanity. i feel like I cant make my life about it cause it is so draining and at times puts me in a very foul mood and I feel tremendously beaten down and it effects everyone. Fortunately my older two kids are adults and doing fantastic so I do have a lot of time to focus on my youngest. Thanks for your well wishes.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Why wouldn't it be allowed?

Aides are not qualified to pull children from a classroom and instruct or assist them by themselves. The OP answers very briefly with no clarification so these comments are concerning. I would hope this child is being pulled into a resource Room with a Special Education Teacher and is not simply being pulled by an "aid".

There's an entire list of things I can ask based on comments made here that really concern me but I'll refrain. Just wondering what the response will be.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

My son has a below average iq but has a lot of strong points and a bit of a photographic memory. Like right now he has the day off for teacher duty day. They are doing number rounding of large numbers and the teachers were telling me he could t get it at all. So I made a list and broke the process down into manageable steps and after just a half hour of doing this he is getting it. He is actually probably at one of the best elementary schools in the county, and probably the only kid with his level of disability that has been included. Believe me I have been fighting since he was 3!! We have some amazing people on our team within this school system that have helped get him where he is, but its definitely countered by the naysayers. And it's hard for people working for the same organization to call each other out. I have to balance his school stuff with my sanity. i feel like I cant make my life about it cause it is so draining and at times puts me in a very foul mood and I feel tremendously beaten down and it effects everyone. Fortunately my older two kids are adults and doing fantastic so I do have a lot of time to focus on my youngest. Thanks for your well wishes.

(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))) When was the last time he was tested?

I know you have been fighting, I don't want you to take my comments the wrong way because it's not judging you etc. You just have to fight a tiny bit harder - they must follow the IEP. Otherwise they're just "letting" him be in that room without thriving. I don't get why they're not retesting if retesting is in the IEP. They at some point agreed to it and thought it was a good idea so WTH changed that they now think it's not going to help? Any effort will always help as long as it's more than doing nothing at all You said it's hard for people working for the same orginization to call each other out. Do you work there? If so- ouch!!! I can't imagine having to go head to head with people I work around or with.

In any case- I understand... unfortunately. It's hard enough being a mom, it's even harder when you have a child that struggles and you feel like everything is a fight.

 

[daughtersrus]

Aides are not qualified to pull children from a classroom and instruct or assist them by themselves. The OP answers very briefly with no clarification so these comments are concerning. I would hope this child is being pulled into a resource Room with a Special Education Teacher and is not simply being pulled by an "aid".

There's an entire list of things I can ask based on comments made here that really concern me but I'll refrain. Just wondering what the response will be.

I don't believe that is the case in Illinois. A teacher must do the initial instruction but a paraprofessional can pull the students out for individual work.

 

[Gracie09]

I don't believe that is the case in Illinois. A teacher must do the initial instruction but a paraprofessional can pull the students out for individual work.

that's how it works for our DD2. She has pull out for individual and small group learning for reading and literacy and some math. She spends most of her time in the main class but gets additional supports to help her achieve to the best of her ability. DD has an aide who brings her to her special education class/teacher

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I don't believe that is the case in Illinois. A teacher must do the initial instruction but a paraprofessional can pull the students out for individual work.

There's a huge difference between an Aide, which only requires a High School Diploma and a Paraprofessional/Teaching Assistant which requires special certification.

 

[daughtersrus]

There's a huge difference between an Aide, which only requires a High School Diploma and a Paraprofessional/Teaching Assistant which requires special certification.

NCLB changed the requirements about 10 years ago. Are there still schools in your area that are not complying with the change?
http://www.isbe.net/news/2003/jan16-03.htm

The terms paraprofessional and aide are often used interchangeably although they are technically different.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I have to balance his school stuff with my sanity. i feel like I cant make my life about it cause it is so draining and at times puts me in a very foul mood and I feel tremendously beaten down and it effects everyone. Fortunately my older two kids are adults and doing fantastic so I do have a lot of time to focus on my youngest. Thanks for your well wishes.

I completely understand where you are coming from, and I hope you did not feel any judgment at all from my post! There was none intended! DD has been getting early intervention services since she was 10 months..she just turned 3 over the summer and is now in the local school district's special education preschool setting. We've only been doing this IEP thing since last February, and it is absolutely draining. They just sent home another "Family Report" for us to fill out...many pages of "does your child do this - Yes, Sometimes, or No"...it is depressing and draining to answer no to so many of those questions and be continually reminded that she's not doing what 3 year olds should be doing Our first IEP meeting last May was so frustrating...really having to push our case and fight for DD just to get evaluations so she can get related services! She's not walking yet, so yes, she does need a PT eval. This really shouldn't be something we have to fight for! Anyway, all that's to say I absolutely hear you about needing to find a balance and how draining and frustrating it is and how it affects the entire family. I am very thankful for the family members I have close to me who are special education teachers and principals who have helped me navigate the system so far - they've been a godsend.

However you choose to proceed, I really hope that the school starts following through on his IEP. It sounds like he would benefit a lot from the gen ed classroom if he had the proper assistance in place! I hope his teacher this year can see that and work with you to advocate for him!

 

[daughtersrus]

I completely understand where you are coming from, and I hope you did not feel any judgment at all from my post! There was none intended! DD has been getting early intervention services since she was 10 months..she just turned 3 over the summer and is now in the local school district's special education preschool setting. We've only been doing this IEP thing since last February, and it is absolutely draining. They just sent home another "Family Report" for us to fill out...many pages of "does your child do this - Yes, Sometimes, or No"...it is depressing and draining to answer no to so many of those questions and be continually reminded that she's not doing what 3 year olds should be doing Our first IEP meeting last May was so frustrating...really having to push our case and fight for DD just to get evaluations so she can get related services! She's not walking yet, so yes, she does need a PT eval. This really shouldn't be something we have to fight for! Anyway, all that's to say I absolutely hear you about needing to find a balance and how draining and frustrating it is and how it affects the entire family. I am very thankful for the family members I have close to me who are special education teachers and principals who have helped me navigate the system so far - they've been a godsend.

However you choose to proceed, I really hope that the school starts following through on his IEP. It sounds like he would benefit a lot from the gen ed classroom if he had the proper assistance in place! I hope his teacher this year can see that and work with you to advocate for him!

I agree. My youngest DD will age out of school services next summer. I also had to fight for a PT eval at one of her 3 evals although she is unable to walk or sit by herself. They said it was "no longer educationally necessary" . At the time, the law was that if a parent refused to sigh permission to do the evals they wanted, the school district was required to file for Due Process. So, I told them if they wouldn't do the PT eval, we weren't giving them permission to do any of the evals. Of course their evals said DD didn't need PT. Needless to say, they ended up breaking DD's femur shortly after they discontinued PT costing the school district more money in the long run.

My 2 older DD chose to become SpEd teachers. Both teach self contained elementary classrooms. They saw the struggles we had and are great advocates for their students and parents. Hopefully they don't become jaded as the years go on. Some of the things they deal with daily most would not even imagine (One has been to immediate care for 2 different incidents already and needs to go back a few more times for follow up blood tests) but even after a bad day they know it's not the fault of the student.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

NCLB changed the requirements about 10 years ago. Are there still schools in your area that are not complying with the change?
http://www.isbe.net/news/2003/jan16-03.htm

The terms paraprofessional and aide are often used interchangeably although they are technically different.

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/career/tavsta.html

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I completely understand where you are coming from, and I hope you did not feel any judgment at all from my post! There was none intended! DD has been getting early intervention services since she was 10 months..she just turned 3 over the summer and is now in the local school district's special education preschool setting. We've only been doing this IEP thing since last February, and it is absolutely draining. They just sent home another "Family Report" for us to fill out...many pages of "does your child do this - Yes, Sometimes, or No"...it is depressing and draining to answer no to so many of those questions and be continually reminded that she's not doing what 3 year olds should be doing Our first IEP meeting last May was so frustrating...really having to push our case and fight for DD just to get evaluations so she can get related services! She's not walking yet, so yes, she does need a PT eval. This really shouldn't be something we have to fight for! Anyway, all that's to say I absolutely hear you about needing to find a balance and how draining and frustrating it is and how it affects the entire family. I am very thankful for the family members I have close to me who are special education teachers and principals who have helped me navigate the system so far - they've been a godsend.

However you choose to proceed, I really hope that the school starts following through on his IEP. It sounds like he would benefit a lot from the gen ed classroom if he had the proper assistance in place! I hope his teacher this year can see that and work with you to advocate for him!

(((((((((((((((hugs))))))))) I have been doing this with my oldest since 2001, my 14 yo since 2009, my 12 yo since 2011. If my math is correct I have been through 24 IEP meetings and I have 14 more to go. It sucks every year even if it's an easy meeting because it's a reminder of all the ways my kids are struggling and how useless I am as a parent when it comes to these struggles.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I agree. My youngest DD will age out of school services next summer. I also had to fight for a PT eval at one of her 3 evals although she is unable to walk or sit by herself. They said it was "no longer educationally necessary" . At the time, the law was that if a parent refused to sigh permission to do the evals they wanted, the school district was required to file for Due Process. So, I told them if they wouldn't do the PT eval, we weren't giving them permission to do any of the evals. Of course their evals said DD didn't need PT. Needless to say, they ended up breaking DD's femur shortly after they discontinued PT costing the school district more money in the long run.

My 2 older DD chose to become SpEd teachers. Both teach self contained elementary classrooms. They saw the struggles we had and are great advocates for their students and parents. Hopefully they don't become jaded as the years go on. Some of the things they deal with daily most would not even imagine (One has been to immediate care for 2 different incidents already and needs to go back a few more times for follow up blood tests) but even after a bad day they know it's not the fault of the student.

 

[daughtersrus]

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/career/tavsta.html

Apparently each state is different. In IL, the terms parapro and aide are interchangeable. The job requires more than a HS diploma and does allow working individually with students after the initial instruction from a certified staff member. IL law also allows non certified volunteers to work with students as long as the teacher checks in.

I'm not sure what state the person that made the post lives in.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I agree. My youngest DD will age out of school services next summer. I also had to fight for a PT eval at one of her 3 evals although she is unable to walk or sit by herself. They said it was "no longer educationally necessary" . At the time, the law was that if a parent refused to sigh permission to do the evals they wanted, the school district was required to file for Due Process. So, I told them if they wouldn't do the PT eval, we weren't giving them permission to do any of the evals. Of course their evals said DD didn't need PT. Needless to say, they ended up breaking DD's femur shortly after they discontinued PT costing the school district more money in the long run.

My 2 older DD chose to become SpEd teachers. Both teach self contained elementary classrooms. They saw the struggles we had and are great advocates for their students and parents. Hopefully they don't become jaded as the years go on. Some of the things they deal with daily most would not even imagine (One has been to immediate care for 2 different incidents already and needs to go back a few more times for follow up blood tests) but even after a bad day they know it's not the fault of the student.

They broke her femur!? How in the world did they do that?!

On the plus side, I think putting up the "fight" did help us (I put in quotes b/c we weren't rude or anything, just adamant about what she needed). The forms they needed to complete the OT and PT evals and speech consult were sent home the first day or two of school. I heard from the PT today that her PT eval should be completed today, and she will be recommending PT services. This is only the second full week of school. They also told me they will continue working with her as the eval process is completed/IEP updated, even though the related services aren't in her IEP yet. So that's all good. I'm sure OT will end up similarly.

Speech is the last one I'm really worried about, b/c I was straight out told by a preschool teacher in an observation setting w/other preschool parents that "none of your kids will get speech. Don't expect it.". Well, DD isn't talking at all. She has motor planning problems that can't be solved by just immersion in the classroom. It was a fight to even get them to give her a consult to determine if an eval is required. Here's hoping the consult comes back with "yes, an eval is needed" and that the eval then comes back w/services..

 

[Angel Ariel]

(((((((((((((((hugs))))))))) I have been doing this with my oldest since 2001, my 14 yo since 2009, my 12 yo since 2011. If my math is correct I have been through 24 IEP meetings and I have 14 more to go. It sucks every year even if it's an easy meeting because it's a reminder of all the ways my kids are struggling and how useless I am as a parent when it comes to these struggles.

Thanks And {{{{hugs}}}}} to you as well. You summed up really well how it all feels..that's why I need my Disney escapes! A place where we can all go and just enjoy being together without having to think about or deal with all the struggles!

 

[TheIncredibles!]

They broke her femur!? How in the world did they do that?!

On the plus side, I think putting up the "fight" did help us (I put in quotes b/c we weren't rude or anything, just adamant about what she needed). The forms they needed to complete the OT and PT evals and speech consult were sent home the first day or two of school. I heard from the PT today that her PT eval should be completed today, and she will be recommending PT services. This is only the second full week of school. They also told me they will continue working with her as the eval process is completed/IEP updated, even though the related services aren't in her IEP yet. So that's all good. I'm sure OT will end up similarly.

Speech is the last one I'm really worried about, b/c I was straight out told by a preschool teacher in an observation setting w/other preschool parents that "none of your kids will get speech. Don't expect it.". Well, DD isn't talking at all. She has motor planning problems that can't be solved by just immersion in the classroom. It was a fight to even get them to give her a consult to determine if an eval is required. Here's hoping the consult comes back with "yes, an eval is needed" and that the eval then comes back w/services..

Among being cognitively impaired my oldest also has Apraxia of Speech but he's been getting ST since he was 2.5 so we're really far down that road. He was completely non-verbal until he was 4. Not even making animal sounds or grunting to communicate. Multi-syllable works and multi word sentences were such a huge struggle. He was over 4, probably darn close to being 5 till he called me Mommy and even then it came out sounding like Monny.

If you know ST services are going to be a fight get your own independant evaluations done on the side so you have your ammo ready. Make sure you go for a hearing evaluation first as they will more than likely ask for that to be done at some point. Things will be so much easier for her down the road if she is getting the services she needs as early as possible. have you potty trained yet? That's a nightmare with a kid with a motor planning disorder. My son was close to 5 before we had success there too.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Among being cognitively impaired my oldest also has Apraxia of Speech but he's been getting ST since he was 2.5 so we're really far down that road. He was completely non-verbal until he was 4. Not even making animal sounds or grunting to communicate. Multi-syllable works and multi word sentences were such a huge struggle. He was over 4, probably darn close to being 5 till he called me Mommy and even then it came out sounding like Monny.

If you know ST services are going to be a fight get your own independant evaluations done on the side so you have your ammo ready. Make sure you go for a hearing evaluation first as they will more than likely ask for that to be done at some point. Things will be so much easier for her down the road if she is getting the services she needs as early as possible. have you potty trained yet? That's a nightmare with a kid with a motor planning disorder. My son was close to 5 before we had success there too.

DD got speech therapy from her early intervention services starting around probably 20 months or so. We had hearing evals done last spring b/c she had tubes put in her ears in March. Those have all been filed with the district (and were before the IEP meeting). She's been getting private speech therapy since she was 2, so she's already got independent evals from there as well, and they will be updated for the speech consult. She'll continue receiving private speech and PT for as long as we need to

Her private ST and developmental ped have suspected Apraxia for a while, and have been treating her as such, but they have been hesitant to put it on paper as a diagnosis because of her age. Her dev. ped did officially diagnose it at her last visit, though, after hearing about the issues with the school district. The district will be getting that information as well. She is babbling now, and she does coo/grunt type sounds.the tubes really seemed to help that. She had had 4 ear infections in less than 6 months, which prompted the tubes. It's just babbling though, no real meaning to any of it (though she may be getting close to "ma" and "ba" with meaning!). No animal sounds or anything close to words. She'll sign for "milk," but that's the only sign she's learned so far. Sometimes I think she claps for "more" because she can't do the actual "more" sign, but it's hard to tell. We switched STs in April, and she's been having a lot more success with her new ST than before..it's a lot more encouraging all around! (She's getting P.R.O.M.P.T. speech therapy, per her dev. ped's request)

We have not even thought about potty training yet. She does very clearly indicate when she's going #2 (facial expressions), so we're going to start introducing her to sitting on the toilet when we can get her to one quickly, but we have no expectations for that beyond just exposure at this point. The communication level just isn't there.

The day that I hear "ma" or "mama" for the first time..or anything even remotely similar, will be a very tear-filled happy day

 

[msjprincess]

Apparently each state is different. In IL, the terms parapro and aide are interchangeable. The job requires more than a HS diploma and does allow working individually with students after the initial instruction from a certified staff member. IL law also allows non certified volunteers to work with students as long as the teacher checks in.

I'm not sure what state the person that made the post lives in.

The OP lives in NY.

 

[daughtersrus]

They broke her femur!? How in the world did they do that?!

On the plus side, I think putting up the "fight" did help us (I put in quotes b/c we weren't rude or anything, just adamant about what she needed). The forms they needed to complete the OT and PT evals and speech consult were sent home the first day or two of school. I heard from the PT today that her PT eval should be completed today, and she will be recommending PT services. This is only the second full week of school. They also told me they will continue working with her as the eval process is completed/IEP updated, even though the related services aren't in her IEP yet. So that's all good. I'm sure OT will end up similarly.

Speech is the last one I'm really worried about, b/c I was straight out told by a preschool teacher in an observation setting w/other preschool parents that "none of your kids will get speech. Don't expect it.". Well, DD isn't talking at all. She has motor planning problems that can't be solved by just immersion in the classroom. It was a fight to even get them to give her a consult to determine if an eval is required. Here's hoping the consult comes back with "yes, an eval is needed" and that the eval then comes back w/services..

Long story. This was about 12 years ago. The PT assured us that everyone working with DD would be properly trained. She did not train anyone! They put DD in a ring sit position without prior stretching. They had orders from DD's Ortho saying stretching was needed. DD is also nonverbal so we had to go by their reports. We were told that DD started to lean to one side. When she did, her knee lifts off the floor because she was tight from not stretching. Instead of righting DD from the torso like most would do, the person working with her kept pushing on DD's knee. This caused a spiral break in the femur that required surgery to insert two rods. The Ortho said the bones were so splintered it was like they were wringing out a rag

Insurance wouldn't pay the medical bills because they said someone was negligent and caused the injury. School district wouldnt pay becaue they are immune to liability. In the end our insurance agreed to pay as long as we sued. We were able to prove that they knew an injury could happen if they didn't follow doctor orders. Ever since, dd has been in a private school at the expense of the district.

One thing that I found helpful is to put everything in writing(email). When they refuse a service I say something like "we understated that xyz is expensive and finances for the district are tight ..." And then they will usually give us what we are asking for. They know that they can't deny a service based on money. If they don't agree, get it in writing. If you choose to ask for a private eval at the school district's expense, make sure to put that in writing. You can also ask them for an assistive technology evaluation since your DD is nonverbal and has processing delays.

Again, situations like these are part of the reasons my DDs became SpEd teachers m