Hi all. My nine year old son is very bright, athletic and he has a wonderful loving personality. He is currently in fourth grade, and has always had to struggle in school with the core “academic” subjects. Last year he took the New York State English Language Arts exam and received 2 out of 4 points on the reading section. His teachers were shocked (I was not) and I was told that he probably got out of sync filling in his boxes. He even brought home a report card in December with a 90 average. But, that is because we study for one test everynight for a week to earn that high grade. And I think sometimes he just gets lucky - he really doesnt “get it”. He has a brainiac for an older brother and I have felt that I don’t want to compare the two boys - since there is no comparision. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. But I realized now, my son deserves all the help he can get if he does have a problem. Anyway, we took him to a psychologist who does evaluations on learning. He performed over a period of several visits a “cognitive abilities” test and indicated that my son’s reading level is one year behind and that he reads at 13% level for his age. I called the school psychologist who seems wonderful and she can’t see him due to over workload for six weeks or so. She then talked after it is confirmed that there is a learning disability (in the eyes of the school/state) we will talk my son getting into a resource room or getting tutored. First, I understand there are laws now to protect disabled students - is it legal to wait that long? Second, who can guide us to making the correct decisions for our son? The school seems overwhelmed with cases and I can’t help but think that there recommendations will be in their best interest also. The psychologist that we spoke to originally is not very helpful. He got very skiddish/weird when I said I was wary of the school bureacracy and wanted other options if needed. Any suggestions from those of you who have been through it?
Re: Child just diagnosed - where do I go from here?
I would want to know what processing areas are causing the learning disability, visual, auditory, motor, short term memory etc… Then I would look for articles, research, programs that address those processing areas. I would also look at intensive, sequential programs to address the reading difficulties. Then see in which programs your school district has experienced teachers. There are many good programs of all kinds out there, but you want to pick the right ones for your child’s needs. You want these programs delivered by a trained experienced teacher. I am a special ed teacher, but unfortunately my training had been mostly slow down, do it again and be nice. I knew there must be something more to it, but we were offered very little training. When my own son did not learn to read, I knew I had to look further. I found old programs that weren’t being used, new programs that had not been tried, teachers and a district that would not learn new tricks. My biggest help came from a learning clinic that used specific programs to teach the skills my son needed. Unfortunately two hours a week after school at my expense was clearly not enough for my son. When I asked for similar services during the day at his school, I hit a wall. Like Wanda I hired an advocate and did see more things happen. Just getting into special ed and receiving services is not a guarantee that the teachers are trained, supported and experienced.
Re: Child just diagnosed - where do I go from here?
Pam, as Wanda stated, there are rules and guidelines that the school must follow. I am sorry to inform you that you will not only now have to learn all you can about your child’s learning problems, but you are going to have to learn what your rights are so that you can become a strong advoate for you child. I stongly reccommend that you check out your state department of education’s website…
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/publications/policy/procsafenotice.htm
New York State also has special education information and support that can be found at
http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/lsn/home.html
Until you have had the opportunity to have the school begin the ‘identification/classification’ process, (and I know from your post that you may be reluctant to do this), I would go back to the psychologist that evaluated your son and ask for reccommendations on how best to met his needs at school. I would share these suggestions/reccommendations with his teachers, that way you are able to begin supporting him immediately.
I was also wondeing, why are you “was wary of the school bureacracy and wanted other options if needed”… What are your concerns about getting the school involved? Would you rather not have your son classified? If that is the case, maybe we (those of us who read/post) can make some suggestions for tutoring or private remediation.
What ever you choose to do, Good luck…
Where are you located in NY?
The laws are the same laws everywhere of course, but I live in NYC and know people in this area and westchester that may be able to help you navigate this road.
Re: Child just diagnosed - where do I go from here?
Pam, I’ll have to agree with Angela. Unless you are very lucky, most school special ed. programs are very ineffective, often with well-meaning but poorly trained teachers. I’d personally put a request in writing for the school testing just to get the ball rolling so he can have accommodations, but I’d look for remediation outside the school. I’d look for a tutor who uses Phono-Graphix, Lindamood-Bell, or Orton Gillingham. Your son is at a point he will begin to struggle even more as the demands of school and reading become greater. His reading can be improved but you need to get intensive help this summer.
Here is a link to get you started:
http://www.schwablearning.org/Articles.asp?r=318&g=2&d=5
Janis
Pam,
The first thing you need to do is request in writing that your son be tested at school. They have only a certain amount of days to do this.
I know what you are going thru. My 10 year old son Chris is in the 4th grade. Last year after thinking that something was wrong since we had been going to tutoring for 11 months and still he could not understand phonics I requested the school to test him. My mother’s intuition was right (just like yours are). For the next 6 months I still felt the school wasn’t giving my son what he needed they were putting a bandage on the problem. 1/2 way thru 3td grade he was put on anti-depression medication because he felt so stupid and always stated he wished he wasn’t born. I will also recommend getting an advocate to assist you with ensuring your son gets everything he is entitled to at school. I hired an advocate at the end of 3rd grade after hearing all the horror stories of people still fighting the system and I didn’t seem to be getting what I needed. I only got what I requested. I had done alot of research on what Chris was entitled to but truthfully everytime I went to an IEP meeting my emotions overcame me. The advocate knows the laws would ensure your son gets what he needs. In fact due to my advocates help Chris is receiving assistive technology, speech therapy. There is a light at the end of the tunnel - Chris is doing much better, he has improved quite a bit and is alot happier because he now knows he is not stupid but learns differently. Keep us updated.