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anne22 - Is this where the SPED meeting is supposed to be?
Toni_1123 - are you a teacher?
anne22 - I am a regular ed. teacher with a SPED child. Are you a teacher?
Toni_1123 - no going to become one
Toni_1123 - what grade you teach?
anne22 - What grade or subjects?
Toni_1123 - you sound perfect
Toni_1123 - grade?
anne22 - I teach high school math.
Toni_1123 - hmm are you on alot?
anne22 - This is my first time.
Toni_1123 - i need to interview someone with a child with speical needs
anne22 - Is this for a class you are taking?
Toni_1123 - yes
anne22 - Are you on this chatroom alot?
Toni_1123 - first time
Toni_1123 - searched for a chat room and what got
anne22 - I was hoping to get some updates about what is happening in SPED.
anne22 - Are you SPED teachers?
Toni_1123 - fran what garde?
brteach - yes anne
Topcat - Right---I am Special Ed.
msdtchr - I teach sped-- physical and visual impairments
msdtchr - all grades
fran - K this year ungrade deve next year
fran - oops dev
Toni_1123 - fran are you on alot?
brteach - msd, what do you mean all grades?
fran - me ....????
Topcat - I work with MR-Lifeskills and Job Skills Program. (grades 7-12)
msdtchr - I teach all grades.
Toni_1123 - yes
fran - I go in chatroom a few times right br
brteach - k-12?
Toni_1123 - yes
msdtchr - yes.
brteach - fran, every now and then LOL
anne22 - Have any of you worked with autistic children?
Toni_1123 - i need to intewrview a teacher
fran - just when they are integrated anne
Sandie - We have a number of autistic children at our school.
berlee - Hi this is my first time here. I know this is the special ed chat ...but I have question for you. Can we see info that was discussed on previous nights. I missed the 4 blocks one last night.
anne22 - What do you mean when they are integrated (into a regular class)?
Topcat - Yes---but not much experience. I had one that graduated with MR/autistic this year. He was 22.
fran - berlee am not sure but I think you can check archives
fran - yep anne
berlee - thank you!
anne22 - My son is almost nine and high functioning autistic.
fran - okay anne every district is different in mine sp ed kids are integrated into classroom with their aides if needed
anne22 - He is in some regular and some SPED classes at this time.
Sandie - How is he doing Anne?
fran - I've been out of contained sp ed for a long time am here to learn and listen
msdtchr - I taught self contained/resource, but am switching back to itinerant.
linda - hi, alguien habla espanol?
anne22 - We are hoping he will have an aide this next school year. I am supposed to hear from the SPED director next week. SHe is out of town this week. He is doing fine academically. He is on grade level (according to the DAB 3Test) in everything although he wasn't taught on grade level on everything. WE hope this will also improve this next year.
Topcat - Does anyone know of any materials relating to job programs that might be good for MR kids?
fran - anne that sounds great!!!!
Sandie - That's great that he is on grade level
brteach - sorry topcat
msdtchr - top cat, have you checked the catalog from PCI-- they have some good stuff.
Topcat - I have a few that I use,but would like to know of some different ones.
msdtchr - Anne, what would be your hope with a full-time paraprofessional?
Topcat - Yes-we ordered some things from PCI. THey are good. Thanks.
anne22 - He needs to be redirected during class so he can stay on task and also when he has behavior issues, this person could be trained to deal with them.
msdtchr - how severe are the behavior issues?
msdtchr - how does he need to be redirected?
Sandie - When he has behavior issues, does any of the sensory diet help?
msdtchr - Top cat, I like the edmark program and the basic menu stuff from PCI
Topcat - Hey-thanks-I'll look back in my catalog-msdtchr.
msdtchr - also there is a part in there for job skills.
anne22 - He did fine in the regular classroom (only one day with an outburst) but had many problems in the SPED classroom. I think there were too many things going on at one time (sensory problems). To be redirected, he only needs to be told to get back on task. His attention span is very short and he is easily distracted.
anne22 - What are you calling a sensory diet?
Sandie - A choice of sensory activities that help calm the sensory system so he can settle back down.
fran - sandie this sound s interesting wher can I find more info
Sandie - Our occupational therapist provided us with the information. There is also a book "The Out of Sync Child".
anne22 - Our district behavior specialist has observed and worked with him and came up with a behavior plan that seems to be effective. He also will have a Hug Vest this next year. This seems to calm him. On the plan, it calls for a person to bring him to a quiet room when he is having problems to calm himself.
msdtchr - if he is doing well in reg ed, why the need of a para. I would try picture prompting and go from there for the behaviors and on-task behaviors. I have had some success with that.
fran - thanks sandie
Sandie - The hug vest - will he wear it all the time or just when he needs it?
Sandie - no problem, Fran
anne22 - The reg. ed teacher said that she had two other SPED students who had to have the questions read to them and she didn't have the time to redirect my child, too.
Topcat - Hey-I have a student who is in a wheel chair. We had problems cause I had a group of teachers whom I work with that refused to watch this student when I took the other students on jobsites. But, what a headache----I took care of that problem real fast like since I got assigned Team Leader. Wow---I am learning a lot about the diet and hug vest.
Sandie - If the regular ed teacher has two other special ed students why isn't there a shared aide on the three IEPs?
msdtchr - Does this para have to be exclusive to your child?
fran - sorry guys but what is hug vest
msdtchr - my question exactly Sandie
anne22 - He will wear the vest when he is stimming for no more than 20 minutes at a time. He took off the borrowed one himself after he was calm (about 10 to 15 minutes). It is held together with velcro.
anne22 - A hug vest is a snug vest held together with velcro. My son likes hard pressure and this seems to give it to him. It is like a hug.
Sandie - If I understand it correctly, the hug vest is very tight around his body so the hard pressure will help his sensory system calm.
Sandie - Did he ever have to have the brushing program?
anne22 - The para would need to be available when behavior issues arose.
anne22 - No, we haven't used the brushing program. We never tried it.
Sandie - If the para was on three shared IEPs then he/she would or should be in that classroom only for availabilty for all three students.
msdtchr - I have a student with the brushing program. She has moderate CP-- I am not sure I support it.
Sandie - The brushing program works for some children and not for others.
Sandie - We have a student at school with sensory issues - major behavioral problems and focusing problems. She is brushed every two hours for a couple of minutes. Mom also does it at home. She is completely settled and learning now. Night and day difference.
Sandie - Why don't you support it msdtchr?
Sandie - Why would a CP have a brushing program? I wasn't aware that there are sensory issues with CP. Are there?
msdtchr - I am not so sure that it is effective. I think that kids when they get to middle school need to be taught strategies to self calm and focus. You can use picture prompting.
Sandie - Don't you think that it depends on the disability and severity of the disability, msdtchr?
Sandie - It doesn't sound like the brushing is working for this student?
msdtchr - yes, there are sensory issues with CP. It has been my experience with students with cerebral palsy that they get upset with loud noises( i.e. fire alarms). This is very much the case with kids who have shunts. I had a student this past year who had a shunt and cerebral palsy and we had to take him out of the school before the fire drill and he would get upset with thunder and stuff. He is at the age that he needs to calm himself.
Sandie - I didn't know that - thanks
msdtchr - My student with moderate cerebral palsy had similar problems, but she did not have a shunt. I have worked with several kids with CP with sensory issues.
anne22 - I have a friend who has a child with CP and autism. Perhaps this child also has more than one problem.
msdtchr - no, I don't. I have successfully used picture prompting and I feel that when kids get into middle and high school the brush is not as appropriate. I had a student last year( moderate CP) and used a rocking chair to calm, I th ink that was very inappropriate.
msdtchr - no, it is very common for kids with CP and CP/ and Spina Bifida with shunts to have difficulies with loud noises. I had another student who could not eat in the school cafeteria for that reason.
fran - ty everyone
anne22 - Thanks for the input. Bye.
Sandie - Thanks for the information everyone. Have a great evening
Topcat - I have one student that is in a wheel chair who does not go with us on the jobsites.
msdtchr - why not?
Topcat - He cannot feed himself--very severe. He is in pain most of the time.
msdtchr - but why can't he go out? Community Instruction is so important tho them?
msdtchr - I have students who cannot feed themselves--we have a para with the m or if they need it pureed or something we get them a milk shake or mashed potatoes
Topcat - He requires a lot of one on one and the parent does not want him transported in a bus.
Teachermom - how does he get to school?
msdtchr - how does he get to and from school?
msdtchr - How old is this student?
Claire - Are there any good ways to integrate technology into the kindergarten classroom?
msdtchr - How is he ever going to become as independent as he or she is able.
msdtchr - Claire, I use a lot of different programs at that age level.
Topcat - I understand what you mean----but also, the parent needs to fight for her child. I have asked for another para and nothing. His mother takes and picks him up.
msdtchr - you can give free choice activities with various problems.
msdtchr - I would fight for another para.
msdtchr - is it possible for the parent to come along?
Topcat - I have and am still fighting for one.
msdtchr - it is really important that this student have some community experiences.
Teachermom - Do you have a van that accommodates his chair?
msdtchr - the school should have a lift bus
Topcat - I don't think the parent would come along. She uses the school as a babysitting service at her convenience. We never know when or if he is coming.
msdtchr - May I ask how is that issue addressed on the IEP
Teachermom - How old is the student?
msdtchr - sped transportation is supposed to be provided for.
msdtchr - and addressed in the IEP.
msdtchr - I have had parents who said that their child could only be the bus for a specific time period because the parent was concerned about skin breakdown.
Topcat - The mother has transportation addressed on the IEP,but doesn't want to use it.
msdtchr - what are her reasons?
Topcat - Because of his health problems--with Cp, shunt, and etc.
msdtchr - Do fire alarms and loud noises bother him?
Topcat - Yes----they do.
Topcat - But--not all the time.
msdtchr - I guess you need to respect the parents wishes.
msdtchr - I have learned that over time parents do come around.
Topcat - He also knows how to use his pain to get your attention.
msdtchr - I guess you have arrangements made with your principal to inform you of a potential fire drill
msdtchr - that is what I do.
msdtchr - is he able to speak?
Topcat - Yes---but sometimes I am not notified.
msdtchr - that happens to me too.
Topcat - He can only say mama.
msdtchr - does he have an augmentative communication device?
Topcat - No-the only thing we have for him are the switches.
msdtchr - he needs another way to communicate
msdtchr - can he access a switch?
Topcat - Yes--with his left hand. He is blind,also.
msdtchr - cortically??
msdtchr - if he can access a switch you can have a device for him that provides auditory scanning
msdtchr - I have a student like that.
Topcat - WHat kind of device would you use?
msdtchr - it would depende on the students needs and cognitive level. I would have an assistive technology evaluation done
msdtchr - to see what would work best and try various devices.
msdtchr - what is this student's cognitive level?
cecesc - I have used yes/no rocker switch w/ this level but depends on the child
msdtchr - yes and no is very crucial
Topcat - He is approx. 6mos.
msdtchr - do you work with a speech pathologist?
cecesc - does he have concept of cause/effect?
Topcat - our technology team went to bed or something. They didn't help me much.
msdtchr - that was my next question about cause or effect
Topcat - No---he doesn't have the concept of cause and effect.
msdtchr - personally I would be working on that with the switches.
msdtchr - Do you have a power link?
msdtchr - If so, you would hook the swithc to that and to a tape player
msdtchr - he would learn when he hits it it plays music and when he doesnot it doesnet.
cecesc - makes communication hard till he gets cause/effect, I've used noisy toys, music, fans to work on that w/ switches
msdtchr - I have a student who does that.
Topcat - Yes-I have a power link that I checked out from the region center.
cecesc - how old is this student?
Topcat - He is 16.
msdtchr - I would keep trying with the power link.
msdtchr - I would also consult with the speech teacher.
cecesc - does he seem to prefer certain music , or actions like fans?
Topcat - I use the radio, a lamp. a fan----which he loves.
msdtchr - does the studetnt'ss vision fluctuate?
Topcat - He likes country music and the fan---both.
msdtchr - very good.
cecesc - I had 1 student who would only play Bobby Vinton on Tape player w/ switch , drove me and assistants nuts but he learned to use the switch for other things too eventually
msdtchr - could he not wear headphones?
Topcat - What is so strange is that you know those small balls in toys? He will pick the toy up and follow those balls to his heart content.
cecesc - no, this was cp child w/ autistic tendancies, did NOT tolerate anything on his head
Topcat - I tried headphones and he hates it after 5 minutes.
msdtchr - mine did ok with them.
msdtchr - but would put them in the mouth sometimes
cecesc - could your student make choices using 2 switches and music or fan and non preferred item?
Topcat - Yeah---this is another problem? How do I keep his head up when in the wheel chair?
msdtchr - Have you talked to the OT or PT?
Topcat - No---he can't make two choices.
cecesc - my kids learned fairly quickly which switch gave them prefered choice
jaime - this is hard to follow... LOL
msdtchr - Topcat, you may want to start with Want and No
Topcat - Oh---yes--they are not much help and only come like 30 minutes a month. I am doing all the thinking and so is my aide.
msdtchr - give him a pleasurable item and shows that is want
msdtchr - and unpleasurable is no.
cecesc - lots of lag between send and post tonite
msdtchr - that is horrible topcat. This sounds like an OT/PT issue.
jaime - I am teaching inclusion for the first time and thought Id join in to see what you all are talking about
msdtchr - Have you cued him to keep his head up?
msdtchr - what is his head control like?
Topcat - Hey---thanks---I will try the want and no. I put a hanging mobile that has objects in one area of the room. He grabs the objects with his one good hand.
msdtchr - Unfortunately, the lower kids dont seem to get as much OT and PT
msdtchr - does he work with the vision teacher?
Topcat - The head control is awful. When we put him in the bean bag chair---I will hold his head up for a short period of time.
cecesc - thats good, that he grabs at mobile
cecesc - Is he able to hold head up short periods?
msdtchr - I would ask for a OT/PT eval.
msdtchr - they should at least be providing you with suggestions.
cecesc - beanbag chairs aren't great for head control
msdtchr - I always ask questions.
Topcat - Yes---but then again--she wasn't much help. The only thing she got us was one of those lighted screens.
msdtchr - a light box.
Topcat - Yes----the light box.
msdtchr - Does the student have a cortical visual impairment?
cecesc - I agree msd teacher but sometimes the OT PTs aren't much help
Topcat - He has started to hold his head up for very short periods.
msdtchr - I have been very lucky and had very good OTs and PTs.
cecesc - Our OTs have sometimes been helpful w/ switches along w/ Speech
Topcat - Since---I started to hold his head.
cecesc - Head control switch w/ music or other reinforcer may help
msdtchr - what about giving him something to focus on visually.
cecesc - what is you8r access to switches and adaptive devices?
msdtchr - high contrast( i.e. reds, blues, and yellows) and objects moving tend to work with kids with multiple disabilities
Topcat - We are poor---only through the region center.
msdtchr - change of positioning also helps.
cecesc - good idea msd, espec since he like mobile
Topcat - He loves all those colors.
Topcat - Yes---we do a lot of changing positions.
msdtchr - I have worked with kids with cortical visual impairments and it has been my experience that a lot of kids who are lower functioning have those problems.
msdtchr - do you know how often his vision fluctuates?
cecesc - There are kits available from APH for the blind for visual stim, My kids loved the flourescent and black light materials
msdtchr - You may want to pair the visual with the auditory-- for example ask him to look for soemthing.
msdtchr - yeah the light box.
msdtchr - he will need to be taught to use his remaining vision, but also know when it fluctuates
Topcat - Wow---you are really helping me.-Thanks Hey---when we put him down on one side--
cecesc - the one I'm thinking of was designed for early childhood visual impaired but worked well in my Multi disabled class
Topcat - He has an arm that is not functional.
msdtchr - does he see better there?
Topcat - We noticed that his circulation goes bad---when we do this.
msdtchr - my student with CVI if we presented things on the left visual field that worked best.
Topcat - He doesn't seemed to be bothered by it.
msdtchr - you need to figure that out-- actually the vision teacher should do a fucntional vision evaluation and she should be able to tell you that.
Topcat - I have asked the ot/pt for some advice and they don't seem to know about this arm.
msdtchr - is there someone else you can ask-- like another OT/PT
cecesc - PT also should be able to help w/ functional postioning
cecesc - so he can use good arm as well as possible
Topcat - No--these are the only ones in the district.
msdtchr - that is too bad.
msdtchr - where are you topcat?
cecesc - sounds like the therapists in your district aren't worth much for lower functioning kids
Topcat - I told them that I wanted to be sent to the assistive technology meetings/trainings next year.
msdtchr - good for you.
cecesc - think they will send you?
msdtchr - closing the gap has some great stuff.
Topcat - THe Special Ed. DIrector is sending me next year and putting me on the assistive technology team.
msdtchr - I am very involved with AT at my school.
msdtchr - But I am the only teacher in my system with my population
msdtchr - Where do you live Topcat?
cecesc - It's hard when you have to find all the answers w/out help from those who should have them
msdtchr - amen to that.
Topcat - I am in a small district near the Houston area.
Topcat - And boy are we poor!
cecesc - I teach PMD young adults now but did multidisabled for over 10 yrs
msdtchr - wow.
msdtchr - I am pretty much the only person in my system who knows anything about assistive tech
cecesc - where are you msd?
msdtchr - in Georgia, a small system in Atlanta
cecesc - I've learned a lot about assistive tech in 19 yrs w/ severe profound population
msdtchr - I recommend what needs to be bought by the special ed director
cecesc - I'm in SC, the Upstate in a self-contained school for severe Behavior disorders and TMD-PMD and Multi disabled kids from 7 districts in the county
msdtchr - are either of you dong the National Board Cert?
Topcat - No---I thought about it.
msdtchr - I wont do self contained again EVER!
msdtchr - I am planning on doing it next year.
Topcat - I checked it out and it is a lengthy process.
msdtchr - yes, it is. But I think it is worth it.
cecesc - I enjoy self-contained but spend lots of time community training w/ my students
msdtchr - I got burned out. I prefer to help other teachers
Topcat - I might do it one day.
msdtchr - I am also considering getting my leadership certificate.
cecesc - I end up being a resource for other teachers here though I've only been at this school 2 yrs
msdtchr - same here.
cecesc - needs to work on Masters, then may work towards NBCert
msdtchr - just got my masters
Topcat - I know that I can retire in 7 years and I really don't know what I'll be doing. I have a 10 year old and she keeps me busy.
cecesc - what's sad is several of the Multi disabled teachers here don't use technology which is in the school and available
msdtchr - how many years do you need to retire?
Topcat - I use anything that I thinkcan be beneficial.
cecesc - since I transferred from another state but can't afford to transfer yrs to SC it'll be many yrs b4 I can retire here...I'll hit social security retirement age here first
msdtchr - that is typical cece-- some teachers are lazy or unfamilar and do not want to learn.
cecesc - I jump in and demo and sometimes they try technol9ogy and keep using it
msdtchr - how many years do you need to retire, topcat?
Topcat - I can retire in 7 years.
cecesc - I have a progfressive disability and may have to go on disability b4 I can retire based on yrs here
msdtchr - How many years total?
Topcat - I feel old-I have been teaching for 24 years.
msdtchr - you will have in 31 years good for you.
msdtchr - why not become an administrator
Topcat - No---way. I don't want the hassle. I thought about it---but it is not for me.
msdtchr - oic
Topcat - I prefer helping my students in the classroom.
msdtchr - oic
cecesc - nite guys
msdtchr - I think in about 5-6 years I will be ready for an administrative job.
msdtchr - good night.
Topcat - Nite-CECESC.
