Am i fighting a loosing battle?

Question

my son is statemented and has special needs in learning, he is 9 years old and is doing work for a 6 year old, reading and writing, his maths he is at his age group with, the problem is we fought to get him help and no he goes 2 a specialist centre in the morning, then we fought for help in the afternoon, and he has a one 2 one, but i always thought that the one 2 one would support him in the classroom, but the one 2 one takes him out of the classroom and does stuff like,cooking, puzzles, k'nex, and stuff he likes, when i said about hiom maybe doing the same work as his class they said that he couldnt because he was so far behind that he wouldnt understand what the rest of the class were doing. but thats the point hes still missing out and will therefore get even further behind. i dont no what to do about this matter, i mean in 2 years he will be going to secondary achool and there will be no playing there, it will be hard work and stuff that he wont be able to do.help

Answer 1

You're right--he is getting further behind.  They should be teaching him at whatever level he's at.  He's missing the valuable last few weeks of his grade.  

At the same time if he's cooking, doing puzzles and Kinex he can be learning.  Ask the person working with him if they talk about measurement and geometry while he's working.  

Have you spoken with anyone at the school besides the SPE teacher?  Be firm yet *tactful.*  Maybe talk to your LEA representative.  If that doesn't work go to the district Special Ed coordinator.  If that doesn't work get a lawyer.  Most states have some kind of Special Education advocacy agency that will work for free.  However this should be the LAST thing you do---it makes it hard for the school to not judge your child.  

About my "tactful" comment.  When I taught Special Ed I had a non-tactful parent in my face screaming at me in a meeting.  Please don't be that parent (I'm sure you aren't.)  She had called in an advocacy agency without even telling me there was a problem.  She was hateful but they were very kind and helpful.  In the next meeting they had pulled her off the side and told her we were right and she needed to back off.  Then she even hugged me!

Answer 2

Has your child had an Annual Review so that you can discuss what's happening with the school, the Educational Psychologist and/or any other professionals involved with your child including a representative from the special unit?  Make an appointment to meet with the SENCO to discuss how the support is currently being allocated to your child & if it hasn't been arranged already, arrange an Annual Review of the Statement.    

The Authority is also there to support you & your child, not just the school, you should feel free to contact them at any time to discuss any concerns you may have.  

Ring your Local Authority & ask to speak to the Educational Psychologist attached to your school - they should have a grasp of what support has been allocated to your child & how it's being used.  The EP usually attends the Annual Review as  the representative of the Authority.  

Also ask to speak to the Special Needs section & speak to your special needs officer about the support allocated in your child's Statement - they will probably tell you that the funding has been allocated to the school & they are the ones who decide how best to use it.

For independent support & advice on your child's special needs contact the parent partnership in your area:

http://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/

Answer 3

Hi Claire

Obviously I don't know what kind of specialist centre your son goes to, but as he already has a statement I think you may need to get back in touch with the Education Authority.

As you have had to fight so hard to get the 1-1 help that he needs, it seems ridiculous that he is being taken out of the classroom to do puzzles and that type of thing!

My daughter had a statement from the age of 6, with both LSA (full-time) support and individual support from a Learning Support Teacher, both of these took place within the classroom. To be honest, it sounds like the LEA or the school he attends are trying to avoid their responsibility and I think you're right to be concerned about his transition to Secondary School.

If I remember rightly, most Education Authorities have got a Special Needs Parent Advocate who can help you, I think you also need to check exactly what his statement says his needs are and what should be provided for him.

If his needs as set out in the statement are not being met then get in touch with the SENCO and ask for a meeting with all concerned parties. It IS your right to do so and if you don't fight for your son, you know that no-one else will!

The whole point of a statement is to ensure that your lad has the support he needs to achieve the curriculum, for the school to say he is too far behind is ridiculous.

Good luck and keep fighting!

Answer 4

You will Never be pushing it too much for the welfare of your child and Do Not let anyone tell you otherwise, Especially those in the school system. You'r child is young and cannot stand for him/herself, you Must stand up for Him.!!! ya ever wanna chat with someone about it just email me.

Never give up or let someone else make you feel inadequate to know what is best for your child, fight for him until he is able to fight for himself!!!!!!!!!!! thats just my opinion.

Answer 5

Does his IEP sate that modifications be made to his work?  If not tell them you want an addendum to his IEP.  Modification  could be as little of giving him two choices like a word bank or doing half of the assignment so he has extra time (every other problem) ect...  Pulling him out is not the least restrictive environment and it is their job to teach him not play.

For some great info check this web site.  I just took their training and I loved it.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/

Answer 6

I am not sure what country or school type that you are in but there are some things that are universal.

You need to know the following.  What is your child's IQ?  There had to have been a test that shows just was his intellectual capacity is.  These are administered everywhere.  If your child has a lower IQ it is likely that he is getting programing that is where he is.  He may be getting some play time as a reward, to increase positive behavior etc.

What are the goals of his special programming - and how are they meeting those goals?

It's hard to provide more than that without understanding the terms that your country or area uses.  

Keep asking questions and listen to the answers - if you don't understand the answers - ask them to explain again.  You could also look into having someone come with you to help figure it out - 2 heads are better than one.

Answer 7

Hi Clair,

             Well why are you relying on other people to teach your children,start by inviting one or two of his freinds with their mams and teach your own children, and make it fun,to learn.

        Iron side.