Does anyone know about montessori special ed programs?

Question

what is yout opinion on montessori school special ed or a public school 12-1-1- program...for a 5 year old who has O.D.D,

Answer 1

We had a student in my Montessori class that had ODD.  It was very helpful since Montessori focuses a lot on problem solving/conflict resolution and where the classroom carries the simple rule of respect, as opposed to a whole list of rules that many traditional programs use.

Montessori is also more flexible in its environment.  If a child is extremely upset, whether it is in the preschool, kindergarten, or elementary years, they always have the option to walk away to sit and do something quietly.  This helped with this student a lot.  We taught him breathing exercises that he could sit down and do.  We had a signal worked out that, if he saw us doing it, he had agreed to stop and walk away.  He usually did it angrily, but usually did it without any arguing.  He would go over to a table, maybe grab a book or activity on the way, and sit down there until he felt in control.  Imagine doing that in a traditional 1st grade class where the student is confined to a desk.  It would never happen.

Matt

Answer 2

I have to disagree with Matt. I work in several public schools in several districts, and conflict resolution is taught there as well. Of course, it's always easier to spend more time if the classes are small, as Montessori classes usually are. Also, a student is never 'confined to their desk'. Students that need to seperate themselves in order to calm down can be taught to do the same in a regular classroom.

If you do choose to put your child in a Montessori school, please do your homework. While the Montessori school concept is a great one, it is often not implemented fully in the schools, and the results are that very little conceptual information is actually learned. This is not to say that there are not good Montessori schools out there, however. Just make sure you are aware of what actually goes on in the classroom. Best of luck!!

Answer 3

I would like to add to what Matt has provided and clarify why the child with ODD can function better in a Montessori classroom.

It may be that the traditional classroom allows children to sit aside until they are calmer, but that process will more likely be obvious to every other child in the class. In Montessori, with the free movement among the children and the high levels of focused activity, other students may not be all that aware of the immediate issue. This is an important factor.

I have worked with ODD students in my classroom. One of the things that really helps them is that high level of community compassion within the Montessori environment. If the other children ARE aware of the oppositional incidents, they are also aware of the need to help the ODD student learn to cope and fit in. They don't tend to be voyeurs of the flareups. That aspect of the classroom really helps the ODD student maintain personal dignity and self esteem. It is easier to work together to overcome the symptoms of this disorder by keeping that sense of self-worth intact.

A really good book to read in order to get a feel for how this process takes place is "Children Who are not yet Peaceful" by Donna Bryant Goertz. She outlines quite eloquently how children with a many different issues are integrated into the Montessori community.

Of course, your child will improve most with your close collaboration with whatever school setting you decide to enroll him in.

Best wishes.