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radar - Elementary and Pre-school. (My daughter is handicapped, so she's in Head Start.)
spedtchr68 - cool I used to teach Head Start
lildixegirl - I think that is great that as a parent you are taking your own time to find out what teachers really want
radar - My daughter is adopted from Russia. First 18 months in a crib. She will catch up, but it's taking time.
spedtchr68 - What is your child's disability
trmsmiddle - good luck my friend is waiting to adopt a girl form Russia she is also 19 months and not here yet
radar - Arthrogryposis. Hips completely displaced, club feet. (Walking, running and jumping today.) And no biceps, locked elbows, rotated hands.
spedtchr68 - Interesting. I teach the physically impaired
spedtchr68 - Does she get a lot of technology?
radar - Trmsmiddle: I never regretted one minute and Russia was a beautiful country. I wish them luck and joy.
radar - She gets technology at home. I'm in PG county. They didn't believe me when I told them she knows the alphabet, can count, etc. Last year's IEP meeting was fun.
spedtchr68 - that is too bad. But can she write?
lildixegirl - hang in there and stand your ground when it comes to the meetings, find out all the legalities and requirements in your state and stay on top of it
radar - I had her use sign language to answer questions. Then I had her talk to them in Spanish. They have higher expectations this year. We pay for private therapy twice a week.
spedtchr68 - I know writing is difficult for kids with that diagnosis.
radar - She can write very well.
radar - Her private OT has her writing simple words. In school, they're still working on shapes.
spedtchr68 - How is her fatigue and endurance
radar - Her teacher is very nice, but over-whelmed and under-funded.
radar - Fatigue and endurance - she wears herself out in therapy, but she can go further and further. I protected her too much at the beginning. Now I push her.
spedtchr68 - I meant in regards to the writing demands. I have learned that some kids can write very well, but they tire easily.
radar - Yes, she tires easily when writing, or doing anything that taxes her brain or her body, but again, getting better as she ages, and as she works and practices.
spedtchr68 - I come from the philosophy that they should always have a backup in place
spedtchr68 - meaning some sort of assertive technology.
radar - Typing?
spedtchr68 - anyway it is the law
spedtchr68 - yes, and or cutting back the amount of writing.
spedtchr68 - all of my students have keyboarding skills, even my most mild kids.
radar - She has many programs on her home computer, Reader Rabbit, et.al., She's great with the mouse. The only thing she can type is her brother's name, CJ.
spedtchr68 - cool. Does she use a regular mouse?
spedtchr68 - or a trackball?
radar - What age group do you work with? And where are you teaching now?
radar - Regular mouse.
spedtchr68 - I teach middle school
radar - I have to go now. I wish I could pick your brain, maybe I'll see you here again. I'm trying to get a feel for what teachers really want from the PTA, so I'll be back.
