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Learning Disorders Chatboard

Dissertation request

by Charlotte Louise Harris

Apr 16, 2016

I am conducting research examining professional attitudes/values of the teaching of sex education to students with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The research that is being conducted is part of an undergraduate (degree) level program within the School of Education at the University of Birmingham. The research aims to find out professional attitudes to...See More

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New Special Ed Teacher

by Johanna

Mar 19, 2013

What are the basic things a new Special Ed Teacher should know upon entering school?

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Beth Special Needs It is going to harder than you ever imagined and in ways you never imagined.

You will laugh and cry about things no one else will understand.

You are going to be SO tired.

There will be moments you want to quit, get in your car and never stop driving and moments that you feel like Anne Sullivan's teacher. Don't succumb to...See More

Jun 25, 2014

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Margaret Joanna, that answer was beautiful! Reading and responding to posts is new to me, but as I have read through several over the last few weeks, it is easy to see that you are a true teacher with a real gift. You gave good information, caring ideas for the author of the question, and there was no ridicule in your helpful information. Every teacher shou...See MoreJoanna, that answer was beautiful! Reading and responding to posts is new to me, but as I have read through several over the last few weeks, it is easy to see that you are a true teacher with a real gift. You gave good information, caring ideas for the author of the question, and there was no ridicule in your helpful information. Every teacher should still be a learner and should be able to ask questions without fear. Way to go! On 6/25/14, Beth Special Needs wrote: > It is going to harder than you ever imagined and in ways > you never imagined. > > You will laugh and cry about things no one else will > understand. > > You are going to be SO tired. > > There will be moments you want to quit, get in your car > and never stop driving and moments that you feel like > Anne Sullivan's teacher. Don't succumb to either feeling. > > You are to look at a kid and wonder, "Did he/she really > just say/do that?" Yes, He/she probably did. > > You will love the crayon pictures stuck on your file cabinet > better than any work of any master artist and a crushed > dandelion better than a dozen roses. > > If you asked to fill out a new form that looks just like the > old form.... Don't ask why. Just fill out the form. > > If you plan to use technology for your lesson, always have > a back up plan. > > Some general ed teachers will respect you and some > won't. That's the way it is and it's not about you and them > anyway. > > You need to know where they keep the IEPs and you > really do need to read them. > > Know where the teacher bathroom is. > > > That old teacher next door? She knows stuff and she > used to be young like you. Be nice to her. > > When your kids look at you on that first day they are > wondering, "Do you believe in me? Do you see me as > smart? Are you going to let me slack or hold my feet to > the fire? I've been bullied (or I am a bully) are you going > to let it happen this year?" > > Know what you going to do with your first pay check. You > can not afford not save, plan for it. > > Weekends are there for a reason. Enjoy them. Don't let > what you do become who you are. > > > > > On 3/19/13, Johanna wrote: >> What are the basic things a new Special Ed Teacher > should >> know upon entering school?

Jul 14, 2014

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Welcome to the Learning Disorders Chatboard!

by Bob Reap (Teachers.Net)

Jun 19, 2011

Welcome to the Learning Disorders Chatboard. This chatboard is for teachers to discuss learning disorders and special education, teaching students with learning disorders, mainstreaming, and issues related to teaching classroom settings affected by learning disorders.

Bookmark this resource and contribute often!

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G Wow, CJ, I hadn't thought of it like this. gintexas > Interesting comment. I started my teaching career (I'm almost ready > for retirement, now) as a Learning Disabilities teacher - the first > one in our district. At that time, there was a stipend-a given > percent above the pay schedule-for special education teachers. Seems > funny...See More

Jun 20, 2011

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Janice 4NC On 6/20/11, G wrote: > Wow, CJ, I hadn't thought of it like this. > gintexas >> Interesting comment. I started my teaching career (I'm almost ready >> for retirement, now) as a Learning Disabilities teacher - the first >> one in our district. At that time, there was a stipend-a given >> percent above the pay schedule-f...See More

Jun 20, 2011

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New ADHD meds

by pksped

Jun 20, 2011

Every once in a few years, I get a student who has been prescribed ADHD meds. I realize that prescribing it for younger students is highly controversial; I'm just curious what the newest names in ADHD medications are right now.

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SDteacher I'm glad to hear that the medication did help you. It's true that every child is different, but it sounds like you were doing everything you could to help him. I'm amazed that your doctor was so reluctant even with all of your evidence!

On 6/20/11, I was the doctor's worst nightmare wrote: > I was the special education teacher, and beha...See MoreI'm glad to hear that the medication did help you. It's true that every child is different, but it sounds like you were doing everything you could to help him. I'm amazed that your doctor was so reluctant even with all of your evidence!

On 6/20/11, I was the doctor's worst nightmare wrote: > I was the special education teacher, and behavior modification > supervisor. I suspected in kindergarten that there was something off. I > had the school psych write up an observation. Started behavior > modification techniques including changing diet, sticker charts cubes > etc. In 1st grade continued with the charts, cubes etc since they > worked well with him (much to the teachers dismay). All while the dr > told me "he will grow out of it." Finally pressured the dr to look at > all of the evidence (2 1/2 inch binder) full of rewards, consequences, > observations, and behavior charts. She did not want him to put him on > any medication because "there are no educational side effects" in other > words he wasn't failing. Bothering everyone around him wasn't good > enough for her. Finally put him on medication half way through 2nd > grade and everyone is finally able to see how amazing of a child he can > be. > On 6/20/11, judy5ca wrote: >> I, too, am torn on the medication issue. Philosophically, I dislike >> long-term medication for children. However, like Teri, I've had a >> student who simply could not function without medication. He was ADD >> and sat as if in a coma. While other students wrote for 30 minutes, >> he maybe got a couple of letters of his first name on his paper. And >> it wasn't that he didn't want to do it. Thankfully, his parents >> trusted me as I'd had his 2 big sisters. I called them in after the >> first week of school and said, "I have never said this to a parent >> before, but please, take this child to the doctor right now." With >> medication, he was a new student: productive and capable. >> >> Now, he was clearly ADD. I do wonder why the parents of ADHD kids >> (and I had one last year who, as a 5th grader, had zero impulse >> control) are the most resistant to medication. What do you think? >> >> Judy >> >> >> >> On 6/20/11, Teri wrote: >>> On 6/20/11, Janine Spiess wrote: >>>> On 6/20/11, pksped wrote: >>>>> Every once in a few years, I get a student who has been >>>>> prescribed ADHD meds. I realize that prescribing it for >>>>> younger students is highly controversial; I'm just curious >>>>> what the newest names in ADHD medications are right now. >>>> >>>> >>>> The newest medication that I am aware of in called Intunive. >>>> Other than that one, most are the same as they have been. >>>> >>>> Yes, medicating is controversial but as a parent of an ADHD >>>> son medicating was necessary. The constant class disruption >>>> was affecting all the students. We resisted at first but the >>>> pediatrician explained that without the medicaiton he wouldn't >>>> be able to control his actions enough to learn appropriate >>>> behavior. Many kids want to do better but can't do it >>>> themselves and this leads to even more behavior issues. >>>> >>>> Each situation is different and parents have to make the >>>> choices. Hope this helps. >>> >>> This is a very controversial subject. I've heard compelling >>> arguments for both sides. I've had students in my classroom who >>> literally could not function without medication (ADD--spent the >>> class time staring at the ceiling tiles unless I stood right next >>> to him all the time). On the other hand, I've known a couple of >>> families with ADHD students who totally changed how their family >>> ate--eliminating ALL artificial preservatives from their diet. >>> They even went so far as to bake their own bread. Their children >>> stopped showing any symptoms of ADHD.

Jun 20, 2011

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Dr worst nightmare My son is on focalin and has also been on metadate. Feel free to email me if you have questions. My son has been able to do an amazing job articulating how he feels and what it does for him. On 6/20/11, pksped (OP) wrote: > Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I will read up on some > of the new meds available.

Jun 23, 2011

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Is it federal mandate to use RTI for identifying learning

by Tallytchr

Jun 20, 2011

disabilities?

To be very honest, I don't understand the RTI process. It may be just my school or district, but the process seems arbitrary and very cumbersome.

Now...it could very well be that my school or district isn't administering it correctly, so I'm asking for input from others.

What does the RTI process look like i...See More

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mrsd In my district (or at least my middle school), RTI isn't used to identify learning disorders for special ed. It's used to identify non-special ed students who need interventions for specific learning problems. For example, a student may not qualify for special ed, but needs more help in using inference in reading. A portion of reading class or AR c...See More

Jun 23, 2011

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Re: New ADHD meds

by Heather Berkley

Jun 20, 2011

I am a teacher that has a child of her own taking ADHD meds. It was a difficult decision to medicate my son, but finally decided to do it (he started them at the age of 6.) There are side effects to any medicine. The biggest side effect that I see is lack of appetite.

Please don't be upset with parents that aren't sure about giving their ...See More

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parents talk On 6/20/11, Heather Berkley wrote: > I am a teacher that has a child of her own taking ADHD > meds. It was a difficult decision to medicate my son, but > finally decided to do it (he started them at the age of 6.) > There are side effects to any medicine. The biggest side > effect that I see is lack of appetite. > > Please don'...See More

Jun 20, 2011

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Melissa I was the special education teacher, and behavior modification supervisor. I suspected in kindergarten that there was something off. I had the school psych write up an observation. Started behavior modification techniques including changing diet, sticker charts cubes etc. In 1st grade continued with the charts, cubes etc since they worked well with...See MoreI was the special education teacher, and behavior modification supervisor. I suspected in kindergarten that there was something off. I had the school psych write up an observation. Started behavior modification techniques including changing diet, sticker charts cubes etc. In 1st grade continued with the charts, cubes etc since they worked well with him (much to the teachers dismay). All while the dr told me "he will grow out of it." Finally pressured the dr to look at all of the evidence (2 1/2 inch binder) full of rewards, consequences, observations, and behavior charts. She did not want him to put him on any medication because "there are no educational side effects" in other words he wasn't failing. Bothering everyone around him wasn't good enough for her. Finally put him on medication half way through 2nd grade and everyone is finally able to see how amazing of a child he can be.

On 6/20/11, parents talk wrote: > On 6/20/11, Heather Berkley wrote: >> I am a teacher that has a child of her own taking ADHD >> meds. It was a difficult decision to medicate my son, but >> finally decided to do it (he started them at the age of 6.) >> There are side effects to any medicine. The biggest side >> effect that I see is lack of appetite. >> >> Please don't be upset with parents that aren't sure about >> giving their children meds. It's a hard decision. Each >> person has to wiegh the pros and cons. For my child it has >> worked and I work with his loss of appetite. >> >> I know it's can be challenging having an unmedicated ADHD >> child in your classroom as I have these students as well. >> Just remember that they bring a new level of energy to the >> room and give them activities to do that help them with >> this energy. > > It is a hard decision. I too am a teacher/parent of an ADD > child. I started in the first grade to find out what was going > on with my son. It was not until the seventh grade that he was > finally diagnosed with ADD. I will be working to get him a 504 > plan, but will have to look towards meds if this does not > help. Until that time it is very frustrating and constant > reminder to myself that he behaves the way he does because of > his ADD. We implament small steps at home to help him. As a > teacher without all the tools needed because regular classroom > teachers may only have a class or two on learning > disabilities, it is very challenging to remember in the > hurried pace of the classroom to help these children. I have > been lucky to teach small classes, 12 - 22, and have been able > to really give individual attention to each student

Jun 20, 2011

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Teaching Students with LD

by Wonderwoman

Jun 20, 2011

Each student is so different and each learning disability is so different. There are similarities but the differences are pronounced. I think, as a teacher, I can come into the classroom with a "toolbox" and spend some time assessing how the student's mind works and then play to his/her strengths. I tend to jump right in to produce results but spen...See More

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Pat That's okay if the state testing doesn't occur in October..

Jun 20, 2011

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parents talk On 6/20/11, Pat wrote: > That's okay if the state testing doesn't occur in October..

State testing does occur in October and when it does it is based on what the student learned last year. By taking the time the first week to assess my student I can easily get them refreshed or teach what they are missing and get them ready for state ...See More

Jun 20, 2011

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Autism

by judy5ca

Jun 20, 2011

We're seeing more and more cases of autism. Are you?

Did anyone watch Lehrer's (sp?) report on autism? It was fascinating.

I have a terrible time gauging my expectations with autistic kids, do you?

Judy

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meep We have an autism unit at my school. This year, I had an undiagnosed student in my ESL K class (parents are in pretty strong denial) and it was an interesting year. He was very auditory and visual in his learning styles. Not only was he autistic, but he also didn't speak English except for the echolalia (sp?)He could repeat anything anyone said and...See More

Jun 23, 2011

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daniella We are also seeing a great increase in the number of cases and they are spanning a great range. I have had a lot of training about autistic children. One thing that really impresses me is that many of them do very well in the long run. Just as some dyslexic students learn differently and at a different pace, so do autistic children. It is fascinati...See More

Jun 28, 2011

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new

by darla

Jun 20, 2011

hi,

new. hope to learn a lot from all of you.

darla

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What extent of classroom support

by in the form of note-taking middle school

Jun 20, 2011

I'm not a special ed teacher, but I'm curious about the level of support there is for students needing outlines/teacher notes. Does this need to be in the IEP? Is that dependent on state requirements?

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