I’m hoping that some of you have had success helping your learning disabled child become more responsible for their own school work. I’m at a loss. My son is ADD and a kenetic/auditory learner. Most interventions to help him read have failed miserably. He is now attending a charter school which has projects based learning…no books, mostly internet research. I want to gradually step out of the picture without his learning falling totally apart. However, every time I’ve tried this in the past, he stops trying or handing anything in. He’s had an IEP since 3rd grade, but in 7th grade he had so many issues with his teachers (one was verbally abusing him, one refused to comply with his accommodations, one taught to his disability - rote memorization deficit) that I home schooled him for 4 months…at which time he tested out of Special Ed. He’s 13 and now in 8th grade with a 504 in place. Help!
Re: Special Ed is a joke
Sarah wrote - What is the use of special education, 99% of the posts are about things not working???
I don’t think you can get an accurate picture of how special ed is working in all schools because the majority of parents for which special education is helping their children do not go looking for a support bullitin board for ideas on how to help their children. Very few people will spend time praising things that work, but alot of people will complain about things that don’t. I am not discounting your opinion that special education is not working. I also am not saying that the way special education is implemented is optimal or even good in some school systems. I just think it is dangerous to form an opinion based on information gathered from one source.
Re: Strategy to foster self reliance
Interactive metronome really helped my son overcome some of the executive function issues. He is average for forgetting his books or homework. I know because I get more calls requesting the forgotten homework than we make.
I would also suggest that you help him to set up systems and make him accountable for them. Talk through specific issues like handing in homework. He should have a routine that he follows without fail, same thing every day.
Get to class, open back pack, hand in homework. Be specific in developing this system Ask what happens in class and tie the homework handing in to a specific event that happens every day. Maybe after the pledge of allegiance or something else. This event will help him to remember what he has to do. Once he starts doing it every day it will be a routine like brushing his teeth.
It is also very important that you guide him toward a system but that the system itself is one that is his mostly his idea.
Accountability is also important. Taking away trips to the mall or video games when he forgets will help him to stay with it. It is important that these things are not taken away in anger but more, “This is the way it is, I know you will get it next time,” approach.
Even if he responds with anger just stay firm, there is no debate or discussion.
Hope this helps.
Re: Special Ed is a joke
Only 10% of children in sped go to college despite the fact that most with LD have average to above average IQ.
There really is something wrong.
Re: Strategy to foster self reliance
Thanks for all the good ideas. I am unfamiliar with the interactive metronome you talked about. Just exactly what is it?
Re: Special Ed is a joke
Sarah,
In my 6 yrs. of having my son in sped IMHO the major problems are: 1) the assumption is that the kids can’t learn regular grade material, so they are given seat work, dumbed down material and not challenged. 2) kids not just sped have been taught using awful reading programs, so in our school district 60% can’t pass State testing. 3) once they get in sped they are kept so far behind it is next to impossible to get them out.
There are lots of good teachers who come to this BB and are very helpful.
You are correct kids aren’t being taught to their strengths and some teachers are too set in their ways to try different techniques.
Re: Strategy to foster self reliance
do a search…there are alot of previous posts about interative metronome
Re: Strategy to foster self reliance
www.interactivemetronome.com
Some have found it very helpful other less so. There are quite a few studies on their site.
My personal opinion is that it works especially well with those who have motor issues along with their attentional issues. Also, my son’s sequencing issues were vastly improved after IM.
One caveat is that it can take longer than the recommended 16 sessions if your child has severe motor issues. It is also pretty expensive but some have gotten it covered under occupational therapy.
I was wondering what you meant that he “tested out” of special ed. Is this after the four months that you home-schooled him, after being on an IEP since third grade? If this is the case, it speaks pretty poorly of special ed services, not to mention teachers not complying with the IEP.
What is the use of special education, 99% of the posts are about things not working???