Comments on: Today was a rough day http://downsyndrome.com/today-was-a-rough-day/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=today-was-a-rough-day Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:28:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Erin Brooks http://downsyndrome.com/today-was-a-rough-day/comment-page-1/#comment-25645 Erin Brooks Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:11:04 +0000 http://downsyndrome.com/?p=1384#comment-25645 Justin, Thank you for your comments. Unfortunately, due to the economy I think a lot of schools are having to function with bigger classrooms. We live in NC, and starting next school year they will be cutting several teacher and teacher assistant (my job) positions. My best advice is to have constant communication with your son's teacher, and work with your IEP team the best you can. My son, Logan, is in Kindergarten in NC. I was wondering if you or anyone who reads your blog has a child that has trouble transitioning into a room and what are some ideas about how to help this process go a little easier. Logan does not want to transition into his regular classroom, and now at church he doesn't want to walk into the Sunday school room. Thank you for any information anyone might have. We are all at a loss of what to do to help Logan. Erin Brooks Justin,
Thank you for your comments. Unfortunately, due to the economy I think a lot of schools are having to function with bigger classrooms. We live in NC, and starting next school year they will be cutting several teacher and teacher assistant (my job) positions. My best advice is to have constant communication with your son’s teacher, and work with your IEP team the best you can.
My son, Logan, is in Kindergarten in NC. I was wondering if you or anyone who reads your blog has a child that has trouble transitioning into a room and what are some ideas about how to help this process go a little easier. Logan does not want to transition into his regular classroom, and now at church he doesn’t want to walk into the Sunday school room.
Thank you for any information anyone might have. We are all at a loss of what to do to help Logan.
Erin Brooks

]]> By: Laura Suer http://downsyndrome.com/today-was-a-rough-day/comment-page-1/#comment-20152 Laura Suer Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:34:57 +0000 http://downsyndrome.com/?p=1384#comment-20152 Don't panic Justin! I will write to you in a day or two. I don't really have any sage advice, but I can certainly commiserate and share some of the experiences I have had with Donna Marie starting kindergarten this year. As far as educational settings go, it is so important to find a GOOD fit for our kids. I get the impression that Teddy is more functional than my Donna Marie. (Donna Marie does not talk yet, etc.) Probably Teddy would not have to be in a "special" school with a 12:1:4 ratio like Donna Marie has, but 29 kids sounds like ALOT. Look into all your options. (Smaller class? An assitant to be with him until he gets familiar with the routine? I'm not sure.) I have been so fortunate with Donna Marie's placement. She is so happy and making progress in leaps and bounds. Also keep in mind that school has just started! Teddy has a great advantage that he knows colors, animals, phrases, etc. I wouldn't worry too too much. He may just be adjusting to everything. I think if the teacher and staff seemed enthusiastic, it must be genuine. Frankly, I think they would have found a tactful way to tell you if they foresaw major problems. I don't think it would be professional or even logical for them to just "string" you along. Is there a special needs PTA group (SEPTA) in your school district? Talking with them may be helpful too. What about a special needs attorney? Just to find out what sort of programs are available in the district that you may not be aware of, etc? I'd write more but I have to hit the sack. I am going to work tomorrow. I've started working 3 twelve hour shifts per week. (My husband is still out of work.) Since I work in the city, I only get home by 11PM. To top it off, I have made a commitment to write a blog EVERYDAY for the next 31 days. (31 for 21.) Let's just say, tomorrow's blog post will be REALLY short. How does Alex's mom do it? I am in awe of how she writes so frequently. Hang in there. Our kids find their way somehow. I think we have a tougher time with it all than they do :) Don’t panic Justin! I will write to you in a day or two. I don’t really have any sage advice, but I can certainly commiserate and share some of the experiences I have had with Donna Marie starting kindergarten this year.

As far as educational settings go, it is so important to find a GOOD fit for our kids. I get the impression that Teddy is more functional than my Donna Marie. (Donna Marie does not talk yet, etc.) Probably Teddy would not have to be in a “special” school with a 12:1:4 ratio like Donna Marie has, but 29 kids sounds like ALOT. Look into all your options. (Smaller class? An assitant to be with him until he gets familiar with the routine? I’m not sure.) I have been so fortunate with Donna Marie’s placement. She is so happy and making progress in leaps and bounds.

Also keep in mind that school has just started! Teddy has a great advantage that he knows colors, animals, phrases, etc. I wouldn’t worry too too much. He may just be adjusting to everything. I think if the teacher and staff seemed enthusiastic, it must be genuine. Frankly, I think they would have found a tactful way to tell you if they foresaw major problems. I don’t think it would be professional or even logical for them to just “string” you along. Is there a special needs PTA group (SEPTA) in your school district? Talking with them may be helpful too. What about a special needs attorney? Just to find out what sort of programs are available in the district that you may not be aware of, etc?

I’d write more but I have to hit the sack. I am going to work tomorrow. I’ve started working 3 twelve hour shifts per week. (My husband is still out of work.) Since I work in the city, I only get home by 11PM. To top it off, I have made a commitment to write a blog EVERYDAY for the next 31 days. (31 for 21.) Let’s just say, tomorrow’s blog post will be REALLY short. How does Alex’s mom do it? I am in awe of how she writes so frequently.

Hang in there. Our kids find their way somehow. I think we have a tougher time with it all than they do :)

]]> By: Justin Jilg http://downsyndrome.com/today-was-a-rough-day/comment-page-1/#comment-19962 Justin Jilg Sun, 26 Sep 2010 00:05:02 +0000 http://downsyndrome.com/?p=1384#comment-19962 Hi Sharon, Great to meet you. Where do you live? Right now I feel so confused about Teddy and his schooling. I want to be a fly on the wall to see what his days are like and how he interacts with the other kids, teacher, etc. I think he's starting to socialize with his classmates which is reassuring but I agree with you .. My anxiety about his whole educational experience is difficult to cope with. I look forward to hearing more about Trace and maybe we can commiserate with our respective experiences. Welcome to the site. Justin Hi Sharon,

Great to meet you. Where do you live? Right now I feel so confused about Teddy and his schooling. I want to be a fly on the wall to see what his days are like and how he interacts with the other kids, teacher, etc. I think he's starting to socialize with his classmates which is reassuring but I agree with you .. My anxiety about his whole educational experience is difficult to cope with. I look forward to hearing more about Trace and maybe we can commiserate with our respective experiences. Welcome to the site.

Justin

]]> By: Sharon Mahan http://downsyndrome.com/today-was-a-rough-day/comment-page-1/#comment-19851 Sharon Mahan Thu, 23 Sep 2010 22:16:01 +0000 http://downsyndrome.com/?p=1384#comment-19851 Wow, am I glad I found this website! My son Trace just started Kindergarten too, and I am have some anxieties as well. Trace has been in a daycare setting since he was one, but the class sizes have always been very small and the daycare very intimate. Before Trace strated Kindergarten, we had an ARDS meeting to have things in place for him, but unfortunately they have not been initiated. Trace is doing very well with social interaction with the other kids, but he is having some difficulty focusing when walking from area to area in the school. He wants to run and do his own thing. My husband or I pick him up 15 minutes early every day because Trace was trying to run from the teacher to get on the school bus, which he does not ride. In class he is spitting, which he wasn't doing at daycare. He just turned 5 in May, and I find myself wondering on a daily basis if I should have watied another year for him to start Kindergarten. I know he will only progress, but I worry. Wow, am I glad I found this website! My son Trace just started Kindergarten too, and I am have some anxieties as well. Trace has been in a daycare setting since he was one, but the class sizes have always been very small and the daycare very intimate. Before Trace strated Kindergarten, we had an ARDS meeting to have things in place for him, but unfortunately they have not been initiated. Trace is doing very well with social interaction with the other kids, but he is having some difficulty focusing when walking from area to area in the school. He wants to run and do his own thing. My husband or I pick him up 15 minutes early every day because Trace was trying to run from the teacher to get on the school bus, which he does not ride. In class he is spitting, which he wasn't doing at daycare. He just turned 5 in May, and I find myself wondering on a daily basis if I should have watied another year for him to start Kindergarten. I know he will only progress, but I worry.

]]> By: Mysunsyrus http://downsyndrome.com/today-was-a-rough-day/comment-page-1/#comment-19327 Mysunsyrus Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:07:46 +0000 http://downsyndrome.com/?p=1384#comment-19327 It is sad to hear of the number of students in 1 class room. I am in the proccess of getting our son started in our preschool program here. He has his evaluation at the end of Oct. They start them as early as 2 and a half. After reading your story I am very thankful for our school system here. My oldest son who is in 2nd grade this year has a class size of 16 and my daughter who is in kinder has 14. kinder it is 2-3 days per week otherwise we have to pay for full time. We can't controll the school systems that are over-crouded nor can we all relocate to find those good schools. So we keep doing all that we can on our part and know that their future will be a promising one because of us, and everything that we do. And its sad to say but the public schools would rather us keep our children at home and homeschool, so they are not so over-crouded. Keep up the good work on your part and know that Teddy and all our children will grow to be everything they can be because of us and all that we do with and for them each and every day. It is sad to hear of the number of students in 1 class room. I am in the proccess of getting our son started in our preschool program here. He has his evaluation at the end of Oct. They start them as early as 2 and a half. After reading your story I am very thankful for our school system here. My oldest son who is in 2nd grade this year has a class size of 16 and my daughter who is in kinder has 14. kinder it is 2-3 days per week otherwise we have to pay for full time. We can't controll the school systems that are over-crouded nor can we all relocate to find those good schools. So we keep doing all that we can on our part and know that their future will be a promising one because of us, and everything that we do. And its sad to say but the public schools would rather us keep our children at home and homeschool, so they are not so over-crouded. Keep up the good work on your part and know that Teddy and all our children will grow to be everything they can be because of us and all that we do with and for them each and every day.

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