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bette/tx - wizzlewolf you teach special ed?
sharon - indiana bette, we've chatted before but its been a long time since i've been in the chatrooms
wizzlewolf - yes, I teach SED
bette/tx - wizzlewolf what grade?
bette/tx - sharon we are getting ready for a ARD and three yr testing and a new school for 5th grade
sharon - bette, what is ARD
bette/tx - sharon maybe a texas word..addmission , reveiw and dismissle meeting...have one every yr or when services change
bette/tx - sharon what happens for summer birth days?
bette/tx - sharon ours are done yearly or when services change
sharon - good question! ha ha, haven't thought of that but we must do them in May!
bette/tx - sharon as my daughter has a july birthday...
naneb - middle school LD resource
bette/tx - naneb what disabilities do your students have?
naneb - learning disabilities
bette/tx - naneb my daughter will be moving to a new school and 5 & 6 grade campus next yur
bette/tx - naneb like what?
wizzlewolf - On our old network at school, we were unable to "trace" the path of printed material. However, our new network has every computer linked with an ID number within the guts of the network. All activity is now logged.
sharon - bette, the sp. ed. teachers always scedule them and i would bet they are done either in May or Aug
bette/tx - naneb my daughter has developmental delays
naneb - I teach 6th grade reading, english and math
naneb - I taught life skills for 7 years
bette/tx - naneb those are were her delays are..she is in 4 th grade but on a 1-2 grade level
bette/tx - naneb your views on lifeskills?
sharon - Sp Ed teachers and parents, how do you feel about inclusion?
naneb - I think life skills is great for some students we have a really good middle and high school program
wizzlewolf - It depends on the child being included.
bette/tx - sharon inclusion has given my daughter anxiety to preform like the normal children in science and social studies and now on medication and couseling
sharon - we have 2 life skills classes in our building, both are primary
naneb - my view of inclusion is: must be individualized for each student. I would not make a blanket statement
wizzlewolf - Bette, I understand completely. It think is inclusion is great for some, not so great for others.
hazy - I think it depends on the teachers who are teaching it.
bette/tx - naneb ..reason i ask is her doctors not the school gave IQ testing and told us we would have to fight the district to keep her in resource as the IQ was so low but her skills i reading and math are higher than normal with teh IQ
naneb - bette, our middle school program focuses on functional academics and the high school focuses on jobs, job skills and entrepreneurship
wizzlewolf - Hazy, YES!! That is incredibly important!
sharon - bette, thanks for sharing that, i have often wondered if it there was another side to the story. all we are hearing is how great it is for the kids. I have two LD kids full time this year and it is working. But I can see how it might not work for them when they get older.
bette/tx - naneb not sure what our lifeskills forcus on in our district
naneb - I think you have to think about what you think her future will be and then fight for what program you think she needs
bette/tx - sharon she loves her resource and is a very mouth normal child but in regular classroom she does not say a word
bette/tx - naneb her doctors want her in resource with some life skills but not all life skills
wizzlewolf - Sharon, for those two LD kids it may be fine. However, it wouldn't be all right if they sent two of my SED kids to you. That would be totally different.
bette/tx - sharon that is the parent view i gave..lol
naneb - bette, why didn't the district do IQ test?
bette/tx - wizzlwolf what are your students disabilities
sharon - ok, tell me what is SED
bette/tx - naneb the district has not done thier testing yet....this is done at a private doctor that our HMO paid for..
bette/tx - naneb her doctors don;t want the same test repeat as they say that she will test higher as she has seen the test before
wizzlewolf - They are SED (severely emotionally disturbed). That is their MAIN label. However, besides severe emotional handicaps, most are bunches of other things too. (SLD, ADHD, ADD, Autistic...you name it)
bette/tx - naneb i am sure they would test her IQ if we asked but they take thier time on testing were our insurance was ready to do the testing
naneb - Bette, see if you can visit the life skills class at the new school and visit the resource classes that may help you to decide what to do for next year
bette/tx - naneb no life skills in 5-6 in our district just a self containted and also a class with resource and regular teacher
bette/tx - wizzlewolf at one time they wanted to say my daughter had PDD but still not sure
bette/tx - 5-6 grade
bette/tx - naneb i guess i want the best for her
sharon - there is a new term being thrown around and i am not sure of the spelling....augsbergers has anyone heard of it?
naneb - Aspergers syndrome
bette/tx - sharon yes i have it is lumped in with PDD i think
Addie/mo - aspergers and yes, i had a student with it several years ago
bette/tx - sharon what my daughter has is a genetic disorder
naneb - It is like a mild form of autism
sharon - thanks naneb, what exactly is it?
Addie/mo - i think that the easiest way to describe aspergers is "extremely high functioning autism"
bette/tx - tell me what the term Mentally retard excatly means??? please
bette/tx - addie so would they have a high IQ?
naneb - I have had two autistic students, one some people said may have aspergers
sharon - that's what i thought...naneb
Addie/mo - but, not all people put it in the catagory of autism...sometimes it is referred to as in the "austistic spectrum" and sometimes as its own disorder
Sped sis - Bette my county just told me today that Wed. I am going to another school to teach TMD.
naneb - bette, it means a significant delay in all areas, academic, social, emotional etc
bette/tx - addie it's own disorder?
Addie/mo - it is one of the characteristics, high iq...the student i had in kindergarten was reading on a third or fourth grade level and could spout off amazing factual knowledge
bette/tx - naneb cause that is what they are referring to my daughter because of her low IQ ..but she is normal in other ways...likes boys, fights has friends
Addie/mo - it depends on where you are reading about it
bette/tx - sped sis TMD?
naneb - The girl I had could read anything but had a hard time with Why? and How? and could not subtract or do any abstract reasoning
Sped sis - Bette, she could have very mild retardation.
Sped sis - Bette, Trainable Mental Disorder
bette/tx - sped sis.i know but we had genetic testing and gene testing and doctor never came up with that term ..now just cause of the low IQn
Addie/mo - the student i had took everything very literally. and you had to be very consistent with him. he liked schedules and routine. he would put all his crayons back in the box in the same order everytime for example. but this was a compulsive thing
cecesc - have you taught TMD before Sped sis?
bette/tx - sped sis ..that sounds like my daughter TMD
naneb - did you fill out a questionnaire about different things that she can do One kind is a Vineland Adaptive Behavior
bette/tx - addie that sounds like OCD too
Sped sis - Bette, she may be EMH, educable Mental Disorder
Addie/mo - comprehension usually is a weakness...especially things that require inference. they dont make those connections
bette/tx - naneb no what is vineland adeaptive behavoir..all the testing done now has been with doctors not school yet
naneb - Addie, my autistic girl was like that too. We could not vary the schedule at all or she would scream
Addie/mo - it has some characteristics in common with ocd
wizzlewolf - I have OCD kids too. They are very interesting.
Sped sis - No I have never taught TMD before. I just passed my specialty area in BED
bette/tx - sped sis i guess after 9yrs of doctors and testing some one has finally named it something...i guess that is my hardest part
cecesc - I teach TMD/PMD with autistic-like behaviors thrown in
bette/tx - wizzlewolf i have ocd and this daughter and my oldest have it and so does my exhubby
Addie/mo - socially the student has to be directly taught things that other students learn naturally. for instance they have a hard time reading facial expressions
naneb - You can have a low IQ and not be ruled retarded, that is only one area. To be retarded you have to be retarded in all areas, socially, emotionally and intellectually
bette/tx - naneb i think with the IQ testing with the doctors that is what they came up she is developentally delayed i all areas about 2 yrs behind
Sped sis - cecesc, what type of things do you teach for english these are 14-21 yrs.
bette/tx - naneb she is doing 1-2 grade work and nearly 11 yr old
naneb - When the school does their testing Bette, ask them to do a Vineland
bette/tx - naneb i sure will tell them to do it...lol
wizzlewolf - I think OCD is facinating, but it seems so exhausting. I feel sorry for those students.
bette/tx - i guess i am still in shock and wonder what the future holds for my daughter?? the doctor said she is great with computers
hazy - sped sis what is their classification?
Addie/mo - i had a student that they the parents thought had ocd. i am not sure if she was ever officially diagnosed, but she displayed many more of the characteristics at home than at school. she hated restrictive clothing, so she often wore shoes that were too big and didnt want to fasten buttons.
bette/tx - wizzlewolf it is hard but medication helps alot ...this daughter is on Zoloft and makes a big difference at home and school..when not on it she would for hours ask us what to wear to school
wizzlewolf - Bette, then go with that..Let her do computers!
bette/tx - wizzlewolf it is a chemical inbalancement in the brain
bette/tx - wizzlewolf we have been in special computer class's and her resource teacher lets her type and use the computer as part of her EIP
bette/tx - addie that is my middle daugther who has some traits but not all
wizzlewolf - Yes, bette I know. I have worked with those with similar conditions for many years. I have had door checkers, pencil sharpeners, hand washers, compulsive cleaners, etc. etc.
Addie/mo - she displayed a lot more symptoms at home, though. it has been several years, but offhand i cant remember exactly what else
bette/tx - wizzlewolf in the hand washers have it hard
hazy - sped sis what is the classification of your students
bette/tx - sorry but i keep getting some wierd message that bumps me off
sharon - thanks for sharing everyone, I need to go get my rest to be ready to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday tomorrow! Good night.
bette/tx - addie if i forget to take my medication the next day i get a headache the doctor said that is brain trying to go back to the old ways
hazy - goodnight sharon
wizzlewolf - Bette, in the classroom all of the OCD behaviors are hard. I have this one student who wants to sharpen pencils all day long.
Addie/mo - interesting, bette, i had never heard of that
bette/tx - wizzlewolf i would be checking all day long ...i undestand but medication and therepy helped me alot
wizzlewolf - Well, I teach art and those OCD hand washers just about have a fit when they have to do art.
bette/tx - addie i am on luvox and boy does it make a different ..when my daughter got married i was so non stressed that my older sister thought i was so stressed out and every one told me how calm i was but she was stressed i am also an like organization
Susan - i have a student who won't stop talking aloud and singing..half of the time he does not know he is doing it...any ideas??? he's 6
bette/tx - susan been to the doctor?
wizzlewolf - Susan, you and he should have some kind of secret code.
Addie/mo - what is he saying or singing? is it related to the task he is trying to complete or off the subject
Susan - parents do not think it is a problem..only apparent at school
Susan - totally off subject..always moving...
Addie/mo - the student may be a very auditory learner and needs to hear himself talk through his work
naneb - bette, when the school does the testing you will probably see a big difference in the way the report reads. Schools look for strengths and the Doctors focus on the weaknesses.
Addie/mo - okay, susan, scratch that theory...can you get him to sing or talk more quietly?
bette/tx - cecesc that has happened to me seveveral times tonight
Susan - he has no phonemic awareness, no rythmn
bette/tx - naneb yes i agree...i want the best for her and i want her to be an independent person in life....but she is having a hard time right now..t
Addie/mo - develop a quiet signal when he is talking or singing to remind him to stop?
Susan - i've tried everything...will try a signal...
bette/tx - naneb scarey thing is this is genetic and my daughter is pregnant and scared her child will have the same disorder...i have LD but was considered a young learner..i had big problems in school
naneb - Susan, try letting that be a reward, maybe let him record himself and listen if he can stay quiet for a set number of minutes
Addie/mo - totally never mind first theory...an auditory learner would typically have strengths in the areas of phonemic awareness and rhythm...although rhythm also involves the kinesthetic learning too
Susan - will try naneb...
wizzlewolf - How about discreetly touching his desk or shoulder. Start to chart the times it happens each day. Then work out a behavior plan with him to try to reduce the number of times each day.
bette/tx - susan is he learning?
Susan - no he is not learning much...still does not know most of letter names and sounds
bette/tx - susan i guess to busy talking and makign noises to learn?
Addie/mo - bette, what do you mean a young learner? i have never heard this term
Susan - he says he understands,,but copies others
bette/tx - susan is there to many students in the room and not understanding ?
Addie/mo - susan, is he young? maybe he is immature?
Susan - i am a resource teacher..he's in a group of 6
bette/tx - addie i was the youngest we moved from out of the country from Australia and i was in kindergarten there so when we moved her my folks paid the district for 1st grade the cut off in Texas is sept 1 and i have a late novermeber birthday..they thought going to school would help me fit in..was the worst mistake the youngest in my class for 12 yrs
Addie/mo - oh, i see.
bette/tx - susan so if he is in resource what is his disabilty??it
bette/tx - addie my parents should have held me back till i was old enough to attend the school right
Susan - not identified...the classroom teacher asked me to pull out those that were struggling with letter sounds and phonemic awareness
Addie/mo - on your daughter, since it is genetic and you realize that this is a possibility, then it will be possible to watch for signs and do some early interventions
bette/tx - susan you can pull out with out testing and an EIP?
naneb - Susan, how about numbers can he do the math?
bette/tx - addie i told her that now i know what to do ..and we will be watching for early signs of anything...
Susan - yes, especially grade 1 students... older students would naturally be on modified program i.e.p.
Addie/mo - sure, bette, and early intervention can make a big difference with most learning problems
bette/tx - addie doctors told me 5 yrs ago with the genetic testing that my children and sister children have a 50% chance to pass it on
Susan - math is a bit stronger...many reversals and difficulty following directions
bette/tx - susan so he has an EIP?
Addie/mo - but, at 6 reversals are still normal
Susan - no, not yet....probably next Sept.
bette/tx - addie we have been doing intervention since 15 months with my daughter i would hate to wonder if we waited till kindergarten
Addie/mo - that is great. early intervention can make a big difference
bette/tx - susan ..here you would not be able to pull out without an EIP and testing we had an EIP in early childhood class at 3yr old
Susan - addie, he has many REVERSALS.not just b and d ...m,n,p,d,q,r,etc....
bette/tx - susan maybe an eye problem?
Susan - bette, really??? can't the problem just be developmental and not warrant an i.e..p
bette/tx - susan but my daughter is a developmental learner and always id as that...
naneb - could be developmental, could be ADD or dyslexia or visual perception problem Hard to say without testing
bette/tx - susan so maybe needs to be retainned a grade?
bette/tx - naneb that is my thoughts with out testing
bette/tx - susan so they put him in your class cause the regular teacher could not teach him?? with out testing??
Susan - within our new curriculum, we have cycles..grade 1 and 2 are cycle 1..no retention
naneb - I think they should initiate an intervention, why wait until he fails completely
Susan - our school psychologist gives the wi.sc...that is not what you are suggesting?
naneb - What kind of program do they use to teach reading skills
Susan - yes,bette
bette/tx - susan you are in canda maybe things are done differently there
Susan - whole language..no specific teaching of reading mechanics in the classrooms...
naneb - there are lots of tests, the wisc is probably not appropriate
bette/tx - susan ..that must be hard on you then
naneb - Susan, he probably needs a multisensory approach
bette/tx - gee folks need to put on 10yr to bed..thanks so much for your advice and help makes me feel so much better that i am not alone in this
Susan - like the orton-gillingham?
bette/tx - night all
naneb - that's what I was thinking susan, GMTA!!
Susan - what do you teach?
naneb - mostly 6th grade, reading, english and math and then 3 classes of Instrumental Enrichment, critical thinking skills
Susan - sounds very interesting...what great networking this internet is..my first time on a chat like this...
naneb - I love it. It helps to network and brainstorm problems and ideas
naneb - I was an assistant teacher in an elementary special ed class for 6 years before i got my degree
Susan - as the o nly resource teacher in the school, it is nice to chat with others dealing with similiar students
naneb - you do all grades 1-6
Susan - we only have assistants here for students with physical handicaps
naneb - are you the only special ed. teacher?
Susan - no, only grades 1-3...there are so many students that are not reading and wriitng at level
naneb - I blame whole language for that
Susan - yes, there is only 1 spec.ed.teacher per 15 teachers
naneb - How many students do you see every day
Susan - i also am beginning to wonder about the whole language...many new teachers have no ideas as to how to teach reading and writing
naneb - What program do you use? I use Reading mastery for reading
Susan - i see about 30 students... from sept. to dec. i was trying inclusion...but it was difficult to work on specific remediation
naneb - I see 42 students per day, but some I have more than once
Susan - am not familiar with that program..i use many many programs.. i take out of each program what i feel the student needs
naneb - Reading Mastery is by SRA , direct instruction
Susan - is it appropriate for grades 1-2 or only 5-6
naneb - begins with letters and sounds and goes through 6th grade and then there is Corrective Reading for older students
naneb - go to McGrawHill website. I am sure they have one and look for SRA material
Susan - i will look into it..i was at high school level for 12 years working with behavior and learning problems..
naneb - another good program is Open Court. It is multisensory like Orton
naneb - I love what i do now. I got really burnt out of teaching Life Skills
Susan - I love the primary too.....i am just so surprised and overwhelmed by the low literacy levels level
Susan - thanks for the suggestions..i will look into them
naneb - I loved those little ones too. I like the big difference that you can make in their lives
Susan - yes, it is very rewarding at the end of the day..even on bad days!
naneb - I better go. i am working for National Board Certification
Susan - nice chatting with you...
naneb - I should be writing my portfolio
naneb - bye, Good Luck!
