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New here - TraceyJ - 11-08-2012
I am so glad I found this board. I am the mom of a wonderful 7 year old boy.
He had Kawasaki disease when he was 2. I think this may have exacerbated his issues. I suspect he has had issues since preschool and he has always seemed to be a sensory seeker. He would run into other kids, always want to wrestle, seem impervious to pain, and much more. Overall from what I have been reading, he seems like he has proprioception, auditory, and vestibular issues. For a long time, we thought it may be ADHD. We have been going to a pediatrician who treats our son with biomedical approach-diet and also supplements. But despite this, I as the mom can tell there are other issues.
He did fantastic in 1st grade but also had a wonderful teacher. He would sit in the front, be a helper, etc. At the end of the school year he was reading well above grade level and off the charts in math. This year he is struggling a bit more in reading, reading comprehension, and overall the noise in the class is distracting him a lot. He never complained of this in the 1st grade. My husband has been able to sit in on 2 classes and he has observed the teacher has little control over the kids who are making noise and she is easily distracted when the kids fidget, make noise, etc. herself. My son wears headphones when he is doing quiet work in the class. He stills continues to have trouble with calling out answers in class, fidgeting, auditory issues, etc.
I talked to his director because I felt at this point the school can point me to some resources. I was not getting much response. So I wrote to my school district and actually a psychologist called me within a few days! She is assigned to the school and will send me assessment forms. Also she told me the director is in the process of hiring a special ed teacher. This is a charter school. Is it unusual for schools to not have a special ed teacher at all?
Also on our own we find a private OT who did an assessment and will send us reports soon. She works in the schools and she has been an OT for over 30 years and is certified in SIPT. I was very happy to find her as some private centers had a wait list of 2-6 months.
So currently I am waiting on the OT report, going to schedule an SST meeting for next week, and then hopefully the district will do their own assessment soon. I need help understanding what the SST process will be like. Also I really feel like the teacher needs some help as she cannot handle the class and seems burnt out-not related to my son. I offered to help be the room parent as I want to support her. But her personality overall is very critical. She wants the kids to just focus and sit still but that does not mean they are learning. It is a small school so only one 2nd grade. My husband and I feel that if things don't change we want to go to a local private school that we know has resources for special needs and a lot of experience. But it will be a big financial burden.
I am hopeful about the whole process though and feel that with the district psychologist and new special ed teacher, we can make some progress.
Some about my son-he is very athletic and plays all sports, super social and lots of friends, he loves to draw, build Legos. He is very creative and loves dancing too. He goes to a music school so he loves singing and music. I am proud of him and don't want his special needs to be interpreted as bad behavior. He has told me that he tries and it does not work and I feel so heartbroken.
What do I like to do? I love reading, following medical and social research about ASD, kickboxing and exercising
RE: New here - heather40 - 11-09-2012
WOw! YOu have done a great job! First for me personally, I would not go to a private school. My older son is in one now and it is the biggest mistake I ever made in my life! They are all are different, but if I could turn back time this is one thing I would change! KIckboxing is awesome ( I do it myself) I used to teach Muay THai to kids and the majority of my class was special needs kids!! The response from the parents was awesome, how it built their self esteem, they LOVED coming, and of course at night slowed them down a bit. lol Oh, probably should say... my son is 8 and has SPD. My son can't stand sports, he likes to swim and fish. He cannot tolerate a group sport. He is highly intelligent, but impulsive outbursts, are something else! I am so glad to see you say about not wanting hm labeled as a behavior issue! That is so important to me! THese kids cannot control their behaviors!!!!!
It seems as though his classroom issue pertain to his teaches methods. It makes such a big difference if the teacher can maintain her classroom. They cannot change her teaching nor will they get rid of her, you might want to deceide to look into something different. Unless you want to hold out and check out the 3rd grade teacher's room . I just learned that there is a HUGE difference from 2nd to 3rd and I have been told by the teachers, principal, and social worker that it is the most dramatic change for kids. My son has regressed this school year, I personally think it is from transitioning faster, more going on in class, etc. So be prepared for that. Everything you are doing is great! Wait and see how your meetings go, if an SST is the same as an IEP, you will sit around a table with all the team and review your child and make decisions based ontheir findings to set up a plan for him. It can be intimidating so educate yourself on your parental rights and do not sign anything there take it home and go over it. Fight for what you feel he needs. Hopefully you won't have those problems. Good luck!!!!!!! Let us know what happens!
RE: New here - TraceyJ - 11-09-2012
Yay! So glad to find someone who likes things I do! If you do not mind me asking, why do you not like private school? Do they have the resources your son needs? Good idea to take all the information home to read and then sign off. The director, district psychologist, and I will be at the meeting.