Hi....report cards came out.....always a "fun" time in the household.
I am totaly unfond of his homeroom teacher...she seems to be of the opinion that he "just needs to get it done!"
We requested a conference because my son was not turning his homework in. He was doing it, but losing it in his binder.....when my husband arrived and started talking about ADHD, and disorganized, etc......they all were suprised and asked my husband if son had IEP? I was shocked to learn this....
He is supposed to be getting assistance with his hand writing....last year, they gave him an Alpha Smart and allowed him to print rather than cursive...(he in 6th grade this year) This year, from the start they told him he had to use cursive writing. (I told him I knew he could do it because I don't want to see him just omit this skill from his skillset) however, he is getting marked off on his work for mis-formed words....?
Today, they have a huge party for the 6th grade. Kids wear a special T Shirt and its a big celebratory festival for 6th graders only....HOWEVER, if your kid got two negative marks in a 9week grading period, they are ineligable to attend....well, I can see this but the reason my son got the marks is because he had to go back to his homeroom to collect needed materials for class, (eg-workbook, paper, etc) Could his IEP cover any of this? Hes not a problem in the classroom, he gets good grades, and he actually DOES the homework, it just doesn't see the teachers desk.....Don't they understand that this type of exclusion olnly magnifies the ADHD kids self-esteem? Am I wrong here?
My son gets 88-98% on all of his class and lab work, but he had 5 missed assignemnts for homework which brought his grade down......BUT, I know for a fact he did the assignemnts, he just loses them and I find them in there and tell him to get them turned in and, because he lives moment-to-moment, he doesn't remember to do it. I have sent emails telling his teachers this is happening, but no one is giving him any assistance.....not even saying, well look again, or lets look together, or could it be in your desk...they are just "marking" him.
Am I expecting too much? What aid are teachers supposed to give for a kid with an IEP? I have an email in to the Exed teacher asking this questio....
Until last year, my son was in private school and we did not have an IEP, so this stuff is all new to me.
One last note, even after we had a conference with teacher and I sent emails telling her his work is done but his binder is disorganized or maybe his desk needs attention, she writes on his report card....and i quote "DS is making adequate progress in all areas of learning at this time except in Comunication. (his writing and punctuation for which he has an IEP in place mind you) If DS could focus on turning in all assignments in a timely manner and concentrate on organizational skills, he would be more successful within 6th grade"
Does the word, DUH.....come to your mind???
Please be honest....am I expecting too much? Where do you draw the line?
He is in 6th grade so it is the first year for him where he has to switch classes, etc.
They have a massive binder to hold all of his subjects, when I realized this was happening, we purchased a Pirates of The Carribbean folder for him to put in the front which was only supposed to hold the work that needs to be turned in daily. (homework, morning work from day before, etc) Somehow, he manages to pile a bunch of other papers in there as well....
He is an immature 6th grader.....he is also an only child so things are pretty easy for him around here...I have seen kids his age that are completely independant, are left alone after school, can make themselves dinner, etc....But, my child is use to having me at home and I enjoy the mom role so I pick him up, we aet dinner together as a family, he does have chores that he has to do, and he is responsible for keeping his room tidy.....However, he is definately not self-reliant at this age....he is scatter-brained, and disorganized...
That is why I struggle, how much of it is ADHD, how much of it is immaturity, and how much should I expect the teachers to help. I know he needs to be independant, and he is working towards it, but if he's not getting the job done, do the teachers have any obligations to help?
We studied for a test a few weeks back....there were 25 geological terms he had to memorize......the day of the test I asked him how he thoght he did and he responded that we studied the wrong thing!! As it turns out, he did well on the test, but how is it that he doesn't know this stuff?
I don't want to be an enabler...I know that does him no favors...But, I really don't know where the teachers role stops.....
Gwen have you tried getting a plain 2 pocket folder for his homework and labeling in large letters HOMEWORK. So DS only has to keep track of that one thing. I am not sure how your DS gets to school each morning, but if you take him couldn't you also just give that folder to the teacher each morning. This way the teacher has all the assignments before the day even starts. If this is not possible I would have DS place that folder on her desk each morning then pick up the filled folder each night. At our school, we do this and have a calendar book that goes back and forth each day so that I have to sign off that his work is completed. If the teacher does not agree to assist you with this, go up the ladder until you get some help. Good luck and keep us posted.
Is your son's school a grade school or middle school? Middle school starts here at 6th grade. My son is in 7th grade and sounds alot like yours. He does the work, but either forgets to write name or turn it in. Though I got progress report yesterday, and this year is alot better, but he needs improvement still. After talking to a teacher there I am going to request a special ed evaluation for him. To see if he qualifies for anything. He is adhd, the unattentive type, so he should. I basically want him to learn some organizational skills for himself. He is on the way to high school and doesn't need to have me hovering with his homework. However, he does most of it in school right now, and I think he is having a name writing problem more so than not turning stuff in.My daughter has the esame problem..doing her homewrok (sometimes) but when she does get it done it never makes the teachers desk. I have tried to help her organize her folders and designate a "special" place " for assignments that need to be handed in but it is still sometimes hit or miss. I finally ended up tellling her to take all her folders to every class, and that way she'll have what she needs. I also asked her teachers to designate in her homework planner by initialing or putting a red check mark, that they actually recived the work. Then if your child has all (or a percentage that you designate), of his assignments handed in for the week, you could give a small reward. I started out giving small amounts of money but it got expensive and they say you shouldn't really give money for this type of reward, so I started giveing extra privileges, like staying up extra minutes at night or extra time on video games, breakfast out with mom on weekends,or whatever. This seemed to help but its still a constant struggle. I know, teacheres don't always seem to "get it", when it comes to ADHD kids. Next time you do an IEP, see if you can write in some sort of accomodation for these sort of things. Hope this helps, hang in there!I have just started posting at these sites and I guess I need to get a few techincal terms so that I know what is being said
What are the following
DS-?son
DD?sdaughter
IEP/ My son's school states that he will qualify for a 504 is that the same as an IEP. I will be meeting with the school soon and want to have my ducks in a row so that I can get the services for my son that he needs and deserves. Please help
Maxed Out
You can call a meeting at any time to discuss making changes to his IEP. Set down and figure out what you believe will help him the most effectively and insist they add it. If its in the IEP, they have to follow it.
As for his handwriting, he is having problems with that and the teacher knows he needs help. You can have it stated in the IEP that he can print certain things and has to write some also and that he will not have a lower mark because of poor writing.
The folder for homework is a great tool. My son had one for years and it made a huge difference.
Write down everything you would like to see in the IEP and why you think he needs it and how you think it will benefit him so they can't intimidate you into not being able to think of everything you need to say. Check it off as it is addressed. Anything they refuse, ask for a PWN explaining why they are denying him.
If your son has an IEP is he recieving the help writing like you said? Look into it for if it is in his plan they best be providing a service for that would be illegal if they are not providing the service.