Kindergarten Update

[Kaylis]

Well, here's an update on how kindergarten is going so far...

On the whole the experience has been really good. Mikah LOVES school, and even threw a huge temper tantrum one day when he was too sick to attend. ;D The other kids seem really happy to have him a part of the class and school too. Several girls who are older seek him out to play on one particular climber most afternoons after school because they say they "have fun with him," and he seeks them out as well.

His first parent-teacher conference several weeks ago was interesting. The teacher's main concern was that she wasn't able to provide him with enough one-on-one for him to learn to his ability. She's arranged for interns to handle the trickiest parts of the day (such as lunch when he eats really slow and needs help with opening things in his lunch box more than his classmates), and transitions.

I thought we had things well in hand until Friday when I got a note in our "family mailbox". She said that he really needed someone such as an aide to help him stay with the group rather than wandering off to read a book or play in the loft, and to make sure he came in when the bell rang at recess times. I'm going to talk to her tomorrow or the next day and see what is going on. Luckily I'm currently out of work because it seems I'm going to be his aide for the time being at least. We're working with his case manager about getting medicaid to cover one, but the paperwork and processing is taking time. The teacher may also have been having a trying week since in addition to Mikah she has a student with Asperger's in the class without an aide either. For anyone who doesn't know, it is a wonderful small private parent co-op school where Mikah's brother attends. The parents are responsible for providing any aides or other services the kids need since the school doesn't have the resources.

Karen

[Kaylis]

GRRRRRRR!!!!! Well, I was in and out of Mikah's class for months (until 3 weeks ago actually) getting the aide thing set up. It turns out that, in Virginia at least, a Medicaid waiver attendant CAN work at the school as long as "there is no IEP in place". In other words, we could have had an aide from the beginning since the school doesn't do official IEPs or provide special ed services. The person I hired, someone Mikah's known all his life who also knows the school since her son graduated last year, started three weeks ago. Last week he was out for a T&A (tonsils and adenoids removed). Anyway, it seems to be going well except that the teacher (also the head teacher for the school) is saying he needs the aide or someone else watching him _any_ time he's at school including the afterschool program.

That's the first thing. Then there's the decision by the school that he is not welcome next year because, "His academic needs and that of the other children are too far apart even with a full-time aide." I'm starting a whole new post on this.

[steffipoo]

EEEk HI kinda frustrating.. Olivia at 5 was very independent but I must say an aide was mandatory for her as there were 3 teachers but 30 kids. Her aide would modify her curriculum like when the kids were writing their names on tiny paper her aide would have her do it on an easel in big letters just till she got the hang of how to write em. AND a suggestion for the teacher is when Mikah is acting out (such as walking away etc) ( which if you can check it out it just may be waaaaaaaay too long for him to sit) the thing that got Olivia to come right back to the group was to loudly and dramatically PRAISE the kids around him as he is walking away. Like " OM goodness look how wonderful Julie and Nick and Jenna are sitting with the group THANK YOU . I am telling you one of those and Olivia was right back with the group and after she came back the teach would say Olivia I am so proud you came back to all of us. Now she only had to do it a few times for Olivia to get it. Now sometimes they can demand 5 year olds to sit farrrr to long even for typical kids so check out how long they r supposed to be focusing on one thing. I could never ever have been Olivias aide it never woulda worked for us but good luck hun. It's so hard to feel like its YOU against THEM. (((HUGS))) Steff

[Kaylis]

That sounds like a wonderful suggestion, which I will pass along to next year's teacher if need be. This year's teacher is causing me more and more headaches (and she used to be WONDERFUL). I even found that much of the "hitting" came from two sources: 1) kids reporting he hit them because he or someone else bumped them or someone else hit them and they assumed it was Mikah (even when he was well out of reach), or 2) other kids were egging him on to chase and "tag" them. It took some minimal observation for me to figure this out, so why hasn't the teacher?

[steffipoo]

does your district employ inclusion facilitators? Wondering if you could get one to observe a day in school and make recommendations to u and the teacher. If they approach the teacher right so they don't get offended with their suggestions it can work out well also they can pass on the info to the various therapies so your all working on the same thing at once. Someone has to intervene when the hitting is happening. Hey I have a letter I wrote in kindy with the help of MB from here and it was a HUGE hit. I gave it to the kids in their folders the first day of kindy. It really helped us break any barriers that may have been formed in peoples minds regarding Olivia and I also asked for help from them. When you enlist the help of the parents they seem to be much more involved and care about how their kids respond to kids with ds. The second day of school kids were actually trying to be helpful with Olivia and positive rather than nervous or scared cause she is different looking than them and has a harder time learning. Kids love to help. My next post to you will be the letter and paper I sent to parents the first day of kindy fully included. K??? (((HUGS))) Steff

[steffipoo]

Here goes I found it. !!!!



Hi my name is stephanie Lipton mom to Olivia Lipton who will be in
kindergarten with your children.

As I am terrible speaking in crowds a nervous wreck generally) I
decided to type up a few words to you the parents….

My daughter Olivia is 5 years old and was born with Down syndrome. She
is the light of our eyes. Olivia will join the "typical" classroom
this year. Last year she attended a special education class for
kindergarten. Now we feel she is ready for the L.V. kindergarten
program. I have attached a few sheets of information about down
syndrome and simple answers to any questions your children may have
regarding downs syndrome.

Please feel free to call me Stephanie Lipton or my husband Jeffrey
Lipton at (310) with any questions , comments or concerns. We will
respect all comments and questions you may have.

Okay here goes. I wanted to tell you all what happens when a child
with a disability attends a typical classroom.

1) Olivia will have a wonderful one on one aide to guide her through
the morning kindergarten program.
2) Olivia has what you call an IEP (individualized education plan).
SO… if the material is over her head, her aide will modify the
curriculum to a level she can work on. In no WAY,SHAPE, or FORM will
the class be slowed down for your children.

I have had the pleasure of working with Miss S, Miss N and miss F 2
years ago when my son was in kindy. You will be amazed at what your
kids are going to learn.

Last thing here. We have established 3 long term goals for Olivia.

1) get a job
2) have a social life
3) move away from home

These 3 long term goals require independence. AND I know looking this
far ahead may look CRAZY to you all. BUT hey CALL ME CRAZY!!!

I have one favor to ask of you as parents and hopefully future
friends. PLEASE do NOT "do for" or "fix" things for Olivia. You can
show and guide her "that's GREAT." I ask this of you because we want
Olivia to OWN her skills rather than have everyone "fix" things for
her. This is the only way we can help Olivia reach her long –term goals.

Olivia is a GREAT kid and an even better friend. I KNOW in my heart of
hearts your children will learn to be much more patient, tolerant and
compassionate human beings after having met my girl. If you read
through this whole thing THANK YOU. And remember please call us with
any comments concerns or positive feedback. Thanks again

Stephanie Lipton


SIMPLE ANSWERS TO KID'S (not-so-simple)
QUESTIONS ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME

WHY DO I NEED THIS INFORMATION?

This is an exciting time. Society is beginning to realize that most
children
with Down Syndrome learn better when taught alongside typically
developing
kids. Including children with disabilities in regular education, with
appropriate
classroom supports, enriches the learning experience for ALL children.
Kids
have questions, and parents have questions. For parents, "those" kids
weren't
in our classes when we went to school, so we don't have much
information about
their unique gifts and challenges.

WHAT IS DOWN SYNDROME?

Down Syndrome is something that cause differences in the way a person
looks
and learns. No two people with Down Syndrome are quite the same, but
they are
often flexible in their joints, have eyes that slant, have small ears
and a
small nose, and grow more slowly than other kids do. People with Down
Syndrome
also tend to learn more slowly than others.

WHY DO SOME PEOPLE HAVE DOWN SYNDROME?

People with Down Syndrome are born with one extra chromosome in some or
all
of their cells. Chromosomes contain the directions that tell your body
how to
grow. These directions tell your body what color your eyes and hair
will be,
how big your nose will be, whether you will be a good singer, and many
other
things. When a person has an extra chromosome, it mixes up their body's
directions a little. That is why people with Down Syndrome look a
little different and
have to try harder to learn. Nobody knows why some babies are born with
Down
Syndrome, but we do know that it is nobody's fault.

WHY IS IT CALLED DOWN SYNDROME?

A doctor named John Langdon Down was the first to write about this
condition.
It's not called that because we should be "down" or depressed about it.

WILL DOWN SYNDROME GO AWAY?

No. Down Syndrome is not a sickness. Most people with Down Syndrome are
very
healthy, although nearly fifty percent are born with heart defects,
most of
which are corrected by surgery. You cannot "catch" Down Syndrome. The
only way
to get Down Syndrome is to be born with it.

WHY CAN'T MY FRIEND WITH DOWN SYNDROME TALK VERY WELL?

Many people with Down Syndrome have trouble learning to talk. Many
little
kids first learn to communicate by using sign language. Kids with Down
Syndrome
also benefit having a teacher help them to talk (a speech and language
pathologist) , but the best teachers are other kids. If you do know a
person with Down
Syndrome and you don't understand them, ask them to repeat themselves
or to
show you what they mean. Just because a person with Down Syndrome
doesn't talk
to you doesn't mean they don't want to be your friend. They may just
need extra
time and help.

CAN PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME LEARN?

Yes! People with Down Syndrome can and do learn, but have to work much
harder
than others, and may need more time and extra help. Kids with Down
Syndrome
can participate in all school activities, even though they may not
learn
everything.

DO PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME GROW UP?

Yes, In adulthood, many people with Down Syndrome have jobs, go to
college,
live independently, and support their communities. People with Down
Syndrome
bring to their jobs enthusiasm, reliability, and dedication.

DO PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME HAVE FEELINGS?

Yes, Just like everyone, people with Down Syndrome have feelings. They
can
feel happy, silly, sad, sorry, or upset-just like you. People with Down
Syndrome
enjoy friends and family and can be hurt when someone teases or makes
fun of
them -- just like you.

WHY DOES MY FRIEND WITH DOWN SYNDROME ACT DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER KIDS?

People with Down Syndrome have difficulty with language and talking.
Many
kids want to interact and play with their friends, but don't know how,
are afraid
they won't be understood, or afraid they will be told "no, you can't
play."
Some kids with Down Syndrome get overwhelmed when too many things are
going on
at the same time.

CAN I HELP MY FRIEND?

Yes! Play with and talk to people with Down Syndrome. If they are
having
trouble playing a game, give them time and extra help, or ask them what
game they
want to play. Be clear in what you are saying. Find out what your
friend likes
to do. Just hang out together and see what happens. You are more alike
than
you are different.

Copyright 1999 by UPS for Down

[Kaylis]

Well, new year, new school, new teacher, new kids... The whole lot. Mikah knows one girl from daycare two years ago and the teacher put his desk next to hers. I am hopeful. I'll know more about how the year will go after we have an iep meeting on Sept. 30. He has a preliminary iep, but this is his first time in public school so I agreed last winter that we would expand it after he'd started.

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