Okay well we finally got a thumbs up to do the full scale special ed testing on my son. I used to do this, but I don't remember the time line (i need to go look it up). So what now? They sent home the quick little packet saying they are going to test him, needed my signature. Do they test him now and then we have an ARD meeting. Or do we have a preard to discuss what testing will be done? In preschool I thought we did both. But when I taught I only did a couple of referels and just can't remember. Also how long do they have? 30 days I thought, is that right?

By Sunny on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 12:57 pm:

What's ARD?
Each time I've had my kids tested (one gifted, two special ed), I was told they had to perform the testing within 60 days and I wasn't called into a meeting until after the evaluations were done. I'm in Pennsylvania.

I don't recall what other tests were given other than the intelligence test. I would have to look at my records. I do remember every test is abbreviated and that's probably why I can't think of them!

By Kaye on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 02:42 pm:

ARD stands for Annual Review and Dismissal. In Texas they do this as an entrance ARD and then annually you meet and discuss what needs changed.

I have requested the WISC test, I want a dyslexia test, they will do an achievement test, I also want an OT eval. I just wondered if at some point prior to the meeting if I would know if there were other tests that I might want done I guess I can complain in the ard if they don't have it all right

By Feona on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 04:03 pm:

They did a pragmatic speech test on John. He was above average in speech but not pragmatic speech.

Since he did bad on pragmatic speech they give him a social class once a week 1/2 an hour. Teach feelings and expressing them. I don't know what else they are going to do in that class. He also got more speech because of the bad score on pragmatic speech.

Also they might do a iq test.. I don't know if you want that.

By Kaye on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 06:00 pm:

WISC is an IQ test. I pretty much want it all done

Feona, you are very lucky as to the services you receive in NY. Texas is much stricter with what we get. Although my son functions well in a classroom (he can't read though), his teacher reads a lot to him, she has peers read to him, etc. If he qualifies he will get pulled out to a resource room about 1/2 hour a day, instead of putting an aide in the classroom with him for the same amount of time. it is all about dollars here

By Feona on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 07:34 pm:

That resource room is good for reading.

By Kaye on Tuesday, October 25, 2005 - 11:55 pm:

Can be, but it depends on what is wrong with him. If he is dyslexic all the resource in the world won't really help him, at least not more than any other one on one teacher. Also it depends on the class size. This is what I taught, when i had my reading kids in class I had 15 at a time, me and one aide, not a lot of improvement I am afraid. Our classes here are a bit smaller, but when I sub the reading classes have about 6. Anyway, i really am trying to stay positive, but I have been already fighting for awhile to get help, about 7 weeks ago I got serious and decided I would win this fight!

By Marcia on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 12:25 am:

Good for you, Kaye! That's the attitude you have to have to get anything for your kids!
My youngest just had a full evaluation. I have to go for a meeting next Friday, to hear the results. They're not going to be very good, but there will be nothing shocking to me. Although she gets lots of help at school, this might help them to really understand exactly what kind of help she needs.
I hope your son gets what he needs after the testing is done!
Oh, forgot to answer your question. LOL When I got word they were going to do it, the psychometrist called within a couple of weeks. She sent a package for me to fill out, and one for the school. Because of K's low scores, I had to do a second evaluation, based mainly on life skills. They've had that for a week and a half, and they've set the meeting for next week. Once they paperwork was in their hands, everything moved very quickly.

By Kaye on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 08:06 am:

Marcia that is great to hear (that the will move fast). Isn't it frustrating that it doesn't seem to be about the child anymore? I don't quite get why we have to fight so hard for them to get the help they need. I am not really an advocate of homeschooling, it has it's place, but not something I think I would be good at. But with my youngest each year I know that has to stay an option. He has a top notch teacher this year (probably will never have one better). I am so thankful for that.

By Marcia on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 09:19 am:

I never thought I'd homeschool, even though I'm an ECE Resource Teacher, and have tons of experience and resources. When my oldest was in grade 4 I pulled her out part time. She's in grade 7 now, and just went back full time. She's enjoying being there, but it's almost completely a waste of time as far as learning goes. They don't adapt the way they should, but I have to say they're really trying.
I don't know if I could homeschool Kayla or not, but it's sure in my mind. There's a possibility that they might suggest she go into a life skills class, and even though she'd get lots of one to one, there's no way I'm doing that to her. I would rather keep her at home. Right now she spends half of her days in the learning centre, and the other half she has EA support in the regular class. That's the way it should be.
I was just talking to an EA friend about this last night. You're right about it not being about the kids. It's about how few EA's they can hire per school, to service so many kids. They group them together and adapt the programs, but they're supposed to be adapting things individually, not for a group. Still my girls struggle because of that. I'm going to put a quote on their binders - "If I don't learn the way you teach me, teach me the way I learn."

By Mommmie on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 01:34 pm:

Kaye - which district are you in? Are you in one that recognizes dyslexia and will comply with the Texas Dyslexia Law?

By Kaye on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 04:50 pm:

Hmmmm....I have never heard of the Texas Dyslexia Law? I am in Houston, texas. We don't have a dx yet, but dylexia sounds like it fits these days.

By Mommmie on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - 09:06 pm:

It's a law that requires school districts to provide specific appropriate help for dyslexic kids. Districts get around it (it's expensive to implement) by avoiding dx any child with dyslexia. If you have a district that doesn't use the term dyslexia you sortof have to tap dance around the issue and the services provided are not appropriate. If your district follows the dyslexia law then they are pretty liberal using the term. They brag about their dyslexia program and use the word dyslexia in their title. These districts are much better for dyslexic kids.

Here's a handbook, but I'm not 100% positive it's the most current.

http://ws.ednet10.net/om/omitems.nsf/Items/4695630E994C112C86256A7700612C69/$file/dyslexiahdbk.pdf

My son was in a district that did not recognize dyslexia. I had to put him in a private dyslexia school.

By Faith on Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 09:16 pm:

Feona, sorry to go around the main subject here but can you tell me a little more about "pragmatic speech therapy" and who/which specialist offers this service? speech pathologist? sp therapist? sp. ed? who? and what exactly does it do? It sounds like it's just what my son needs. He excells in every academic area but still can not get the concept of cause/effect quite well. Thank you and sorry yal' for the interrupt =)
Oh, and Kaye, last I checked, regardless in which state you live in, you can ask for any assessment you feel is needed. You might start with your son's ped. for a referral and/or when you have the ARD(?) meeting, let them know about your concerns. By FEDERAL LAW, they have to provide your son with Free Appropriate Public Education regardless of which district you live in and if they can't provide it there, they MUST look for the place that does and transport your son there daily. If you want me to be more elaborate, you can email me AYGL99001@netzero.net

By Feona on Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 07:35 am:

Pragmatics is social speech. Usually here you get social group and speech therapy for it.

For a five year old it is the Tops test I think...

Jamie is crossing the street and a car is coming she wants to warn her friend Alice so she won't be run over. What does Jamie say?

Correct answer: Stop Alice there is a car coming and I don't want it to hit you!

What my son would say is: Stop.

I tell my son ---
why should I stop is there a bird flying at me?


20 question exactly the same...