DownSyn Forum

ecki · Posted: April 13 2008, 12:10 PM Post subject: Fighting for the integrated class

I've been on the fence on this for months. But I think I'm finally ready to jump in and fight for Kayla to be in the integrated (60% typical, 40% special needs) PreK class for Extended School Year.

I'm getting a bit of resistance from the preschool director -- she feels Kayla is not "high functioning" enough. I'm aware of that -- Kayla consistenly scores in the 1/10 of 1% on whatever testing they give her and she's nonverbal. I'm arguing that integration works for kids of all levels of abilities. I'm not expecting her to keep up "academically", at this stage I want the socialization with typical kids. Kayla will have a 1:1 aide (she has one in the self-contained class). And I just want to try it out for the 6 weeks of ESY before deciding what to do in September and eventually for Kindy in 2009.

I really feel like I can't make a good judgement of an appropriate placement for her in the future if we don't at least TRY to see how she does in a less restrictive environment.

Any suggestions for this fight?

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Nicola · Posted: April 13 2008, 3:43 PM Post subject:

The downsed trust in the UK has done extensive long term research on the outcomes of children with DS in special ed classes compared to regular classes. Regardless of the level of functioning, their research showed outcomes were better for kids educated in a mainstream classroom, on every academic and social measure. The research is available on their site. I quoted this a few weeks ago when our department of education suggested that Gianna attend the special school and I asked them what evidence they had that outcomes would be better in a special unit. Of course they had none, and Gianna will attend our local school in a regular classroom.

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momofrussell · Posted: April 17 2008, 9:01 AM Post subject:

Ecki... sorry I didn't respond sooner!

Your one last sentence...

I really feel like I can't make a good judgement of an appropriate placement for her in the future if we don't at least TRY to see how she does in a less restrictive environment

THIS is your argument!!!!! Try not to see it as a fight.... AND..... like always.... PUT YOUR REQUEST in WRITING!!!! Seriously... stake your claim, explain how this IS LRE for your daughter and put it in writing!

Am I too late on this? Have you talked about it yet with them??

A.

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ecki · Posted: April 17 2008, 10:10 AM Post subject:

Well, we have the "pre IEP meeting" with the preschool staff 4/23 and then the real IEP meeting with the school district on 5/5. I figure it's best to work out all the kinks with the team members BEFORE the real meeting! After the special ed director pretty much just rubber stamps whatever the preschool decides.

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lespring · Posted: April 17 2008, 10:17 AM Post subject:

I always told school, "Expect that she can do it until she shows us otherwise. If you EXPECT failure, your expectations are too low."

Angela has always ridden the special ed bus because she's never gone to school at our neighborhood school. Next year for middle school she could have special ed. transportation or ride the regular ed. bus. I said, "Well, of course she'll ride the reg. bus. Why wouldn't she?"

The first response was, "Well, there's no aid on that bus."

Yeah, well lets try it and let her show us what she can do. When she shows us she CAN'T then we'll make the step down. However, Angela is only getting 20 minutes a day of mainstream time next year (long story behind that) so those 15 minutes on the bus could be crucial for her, so the "next step down" would be to ad an aid on that bus. If THAT doesn't work then I'll consider special ed. transportation."

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naomid · Posted: April 17 2008, 11:05 AM Post subject:

As others have said - Kayla is entitled to her least restrictive environment and should be at least able to try it before a decision is made.

Callum is in a mainstreamed class and has made great strides this year. I know a lot of those improvements are due to him being around typical peers as he models behaviour.

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mom2alex · Posted: April 17 2008, 12:53 PM Post subject:

I totally agree that should be your arguement. It is so much easier to start out in the LRE and be pulled out for more contained classes than it is to be in self contained and want inclusion or mainstreaming.

I don't know why all the educators feel our kids can't keep up with those in a typical class. They aren't supposed to keep up..thats what we have IEP's for. They are to be working on their IEP goals..not matter what the setting.

I would go for the LRE absolutly and see how it goes. I would also request a 1:1 aide and ask who will be doing the modifications for the class.

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KatieB · Posted: May 01 2008, 5:48 AM Post subject:

How did the meeting go April 23?

ecki · Posted: May 01 2008, 9:59 AM Post subject:

Actually, it went surprisingly well. Everyone seemed to agree that it wouldn't hurt to try during the summer. So hopefully it will all go well during the actual IEP meeting Monday and they weren't just BS-ing me!

We are also going to change Kayla's speech from 3 group and 1 individual to 4 individual and 1 group. That's her weakest point and I'm glad that they are addressing the problem.

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Ecki

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momofrussell · Posted: May 01 2008, 1:38 PM Post subject:

Great Ecki!! Glad they are receptive to the ideas!!!

A.

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KatieB · Posted: May 02 2008, 9:03 AM Post subject:

Great, sure Kayla will do fine in the integrated class.