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MY SON IS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND HE ALSO HAS ADHD. HIS TEACHER OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS CHILDREN WITH ADHD EXHIBIT. SHE PUNISHES HIM FOR NOT UNDERSTANDING ASSIGNMENTS AND WILL NOT ALLOW HIM AMPLE TIME TO CATCH ON, HER THEORY IS TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT IN A (S.E.) CLASS EACH CHILD WILL BE ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL, ALL STUDENTS DO THE SAME WORK NO MATTER WHAT LEVEL THEY ARE ON AND SHE CONTINUALLY SENDS HOME WORK WAY BEYOND HIS GRASPS AND AS A RESULT HIS GRADES ARE TERRIBLE. SHE COMPLAINS ABOUT HIS FIDGETING AND HE ALSO HAS A PROBLEM WITH DROOLING WHICH SHE ALSO COMPLAINS ABOUT. SHE DOESNT ALLOW HIM TO ATTEND FIELD TRIPS UNLESS I CHAPERONE HIM WHICH I CANT ALWAYS DO DUE TO WORK, SO HE MISSES OUT SOMETIMES AND HIS FEELINGS ARE CRUSHED. I HAVE A PRESCHOOLER IN THE SAME SCHOOL AND HIS TEACHER HAS REPORTED TO ME THAT SHES NEVER IN THE CLASS AND GOSSIPS ABOUT MY CHILD WITH COWORKERS. I TOLD THE PRINCIPAL AND GOT NO RESULTS. WHAT SHOULD I DO? PLEASE HELP

2006-12-09 12:44:56 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference Special Education

21 answers

I wish you wouldn't have typed in all caps, but thats the way it is.

Having worked in a school for kids with low function and with behavioral problems there are some things that you can do, and some you can't. Before you can do ANYTHING you have to collect facts.

First, is your main source of information from your child? If so, it is important to realize that many kids feel persecuted because they themselves think they are dumb and project that onto the teacher. It is important to listen to your child, but don't make the mistake of only listening to them.

Next, bring up your concerns during the IEP meetings. These are to discuss the expected progress of your child and develop a reasonable plan of action for them. If you don't attend these meetings then the communication failure is yours, not the teachers. I had a student that had the traits that you cite for your child, and the mother insisted that he could not perform beyond a certain level. It turned out when I encouraged the student he excelled. His mother was furious at first- until she discovered that her son was pretty much normal. He graduated with the highest grade average in the school.

No Child Left Behind has mandated that all children maintain certain levels throughout their school career. If the student is in a certain grade the curriculum doesn't change, but the method of individualizing the lesson can which is what the IEP is all about. Instructors have different ways of individualizing, so rather than come to the teacher "half ******", ask them what kind of steps they have taken to individualize the lesson for your child. You have a right to see their lesson plans and specifics to your child.

Gossiping about students- many students might think that this is true, but I can assure you that in a SE setting the teachers work as a team and always look for better methods for each individual child. So, when your child suggests to you that they are "gossiping' it is probably the sharing of information.

Bottom line is: a) don't allow your anger and your lowered expectations be an excuse for your child's performance; b) be active in the development of the individualization of lessons- call the teacher every day if you have to; c) expect that your child will have bad days and it will seem their world is coming to an end. On these days you'll need to work through it, not just coddle him.

2006-12-13 02:33:42 · answer #1 · answered by bikeworks 7 · 0 0

Lolabellaquin's answer is right on target. I would like to add that you should insist on the IEP meeting right away. If you receive any resistance from the Principal or anyone else at the school, notify the office in charge of special education in your district.

The teacher is not helping your son. Kids who are forced to work above their ability level become frustrated and shut down. Refusing to allow a child to attend an academic field trip is not acceptable and I don't think it's legal. If your son has an active IEP and he needs one to one assistance on field trips the school is obligated to find someone to assist him.

If the principal, school or special ed office won't help I would go straight to the top. Talk with the superintendent and if that doesn't work contact your state department of education. Special education services are guaranteed under federal law.

2006-12-09 15:34:03 · answer #2 · answered by geekteacher1 3 · 4 0

Since your child is in special ed. he must have an IEP or a 504 plan. Are the accommodations being made? This usually includes having tests read to them or less questions to answer on homework or allowing extra time. Is he is a regular classroom or does he go to the special ed. room during the day? Is there an aide in the room? I would follow the chain of command starting with another letter to the principal stating that you are sending a copy to the superintendent. Then I would go to the superintendent and if I still got no results I would ask to be placed on the agenda for the next school board meeting. If you still are not satisfied I would go to the regional superintendent of schools for your area. After that, I would retain an attorney. You have to advocate for your son; it sounds like you are willing to do this. Good luck and DO NOT give up!

2006-12-09 15:24:57 · answer #3 · answered by thrill88 6 · 5 0

I would right a letter to the principle (just so you have a written account of the complaint) and then I would write the Superintendant of the schools. I would also write the school board member for your county. You can easily find all their email addresses online.

I also think you should keep on top of it. If you complain to the principal and nothing was done, don't let up until you can at least get a parent teacher meeting involving the principal to discuss the issue. A lot of times the principles are busy and get complaints often, so unless you're vigilant your complaint will probably just get lost in the shuffle.

2006-12-09 12:48:59 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs. Bass 7 · 2 0

You've gotten a lot of sound advice and I won't repeat it. Just a couple thoughts... First, if other teachers notice that your son's teacher spends a lot of time out of the room, then maybe you should talk to other parents of students in the class. Ask them to ask their children the direct question, "Does the teacher leave the room during the day? How long is she gone?" Go so far as to give them timers, if need be! (Most cell phones have them and it seems most kids have cell phones.) Maybe if you join together, something will be done sooner. Secondly, do whatever you can to get him past the point of needing the special classroom. I know you are, you're clearly not a complacent parent, and I'd like to offer a couple directions that you may not have thought about to help improve his attention. First, Irlen Syndrome is a common cause or exacerbator of ADD/ADHD. (I noticed another mom mention this - glad to hear she found out about it!) Simple correction with coloured glasses can make a huge difference in his ability to focus. Second, Auditory Integration Therapy (Berard-type or Tomatis-type) can adjust his hearing so that it's not overly good or inconsistent. This is also a common contributor/cause to ADD/ADHD. It's a 10-day treatment (consecutive or over two weeks) that can be repeated annually if necessary. Third, Sensory Integration may help. I mention this because of the drooling, which suggests he has low muscle tone - not uncommon in people with ADHD. Both Irlen and AIT are types of sensory integration therapies, but a Sensory Integration Occupational Therapist deals with other sensory systems. Maybe with new direction to his therapy, he can get out of special ed and be successfull and happy in the mainstream class. (Barring that, push so hard that the school gets rid of that teacher so he can be successful and happy in his special ed class!)

2006-12-11 05:18:03 · answer #5 · answered by Dena P 2 · 0 0

I think you need to request an IEP meeting. You need to put these concerns out on the table. Take an advocate with you if possible or just a good friend/ spouse as backup. If your child has an IEP with specially designed instruction and academic goals then he should be receiving some modifications. If this is not being done then you need to have them make a change. I wouldn't use your other child's teacher as a reference for the "rumors" you are hearing. If the school is unionized that could get her into a lot of trouble. Be appreciative for the information.

Since you got no where with the principal you need to request a meeting in writing....they have 10 days to respond to you. You can also ask for the director of special education attend the meeting as well. Your child has rights under the law and the unprofessionalism that is apparent in your child's teacher needs to be squelched!

Good luck! Call for a meeting as soon as possible. Kids with ADHD tend to have such poor memories of school. Hopefully, you can get changes made to help him make fond memories.

2006-12-09 13:27:09 · answer #6 · answered by lolabellaquin 4 · 5 0

As a special education teacher,i find this unbelievable. I would first go to the principal, put everything in writing. I would then go to the special education director of the district, again put Everything in writing. You can also call DDD, the department of developmental disabilities and get and advocate through them or call a advocacy group in your area and have them help out. If things get to the point where your child and you can not handel the teacher have the disrict move your child to either another teacher or school if necessary. If you really get nowhere, go to the department of education. I really think that an advocate would help. I hope this helps in some way and that your childs educational experience gets much better. No child should have to deal with teachers picking on them, espically because of a disability.

2006-12-09 15:31:23 · answer #7 · answered by alybr 4 · 4 0

I have encountered these same problems with my 7 year old son who is in a special education class. He has made huge improvements this year, but his teacher last year made life very difficult for all of us. His teacher would yell at him for getting things wrong, when he tries so hard and his behaviour is absolutely perfect. She would gossip about all of the kids in her SE class and apparently they all got yelled at, not just my son. She was transferred late last year to another school which needed an SE teacher. I am happy that she is gone from our school, but feel very sad that she is now subjecting other children to her horrible attitude. Definitely put something in writing to the principal and also take it much higher - write as many letters as you can. She needs to be either terminated from her position or, not ideally, transferred, so your son can actually have a chance to grow into the wonderful man I'm sure he will be.

2006-12-09 19:27:53 · answer #8 · answered by Liberty 2 · 1 0

Have a meeting with the teacher, the principal, and the superintendent present and copnfront her,Go to the Superintendent, Go to the school board,and if that fails get a lawyer and sue them. The teacher is violating your childs right to confidentiality which is a law.She can not talk about your child to anyone other than staff who work with him.

2006-12-10 02:17:54 · answer #9 · answered by redwidow 5 · 0 0

Look at www.wrightslaw.com. They would tell you to put everything in writing, every complaint, every concern, every commendation you have. I would suggest writing a letter to the teacher and cc'ing it to the principal saying that the teaching method is not teaching your child...his grades are not acceptable and therefore you need to adjust his individual education plan before failure becomes commonplace to him.

I would definitely list the concerns that you placed above, that he is being punished based on his disability, that he is missing out on class experiences because the school will not provide an assistant, and that he is not being taught at his level.

What does his IEP say? Does it have goals for learning certain items, does it have steps for how things will be taught? Does it have a list of tools that your son is able to utilize? It is your responsibility to advocate for him...and there are organizations in every state that will help you until you are strong and knowledgable to do it yourself, look at
http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/

Wrightlsaw also talks about how to write letters to administration, etc, so that it's effective. With both my daughter and son these helped. Look at
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/ltrs.index.htm

hope this helps

2006-12-10 11:00:12 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 3 0

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