Touching on Special Education

[AmandaRose]

A few years ago I was overjoyed by a meeting and news that my Autistic daughter Miranda would only have ‘special education’ sessions minimally in first grade. During that year her ‘special needs’ teacher and her ‘regular classroom’ teacher were at odds a little bit, each wanting her more of the time, the regular classroom teacher called me once in tears cause the special ed teacher had taken her for the field trip on ‘their’ bus, stuff like that, but overall we were blessed in the way that she was very much ’wanted’ in their classrooms.

The special needs teacher I had to turn to very much more than the other, cause of problems, weather related fear of the sky, refusing to go to school, Mrs. Dalton her name, she would come out to the car to help me get Miranda into the school after she had stripped her clothes butt naked on the way there, she would just say… ‘just get her here and I will come out and get her, and even help dress her’.

This past year in 2nd grade began with a slight increase in special ed though still minimal, with regular classroom difficulties in doing ‘social studies’… Congress, House of Representatives, How laws are made…. Big fat zeros and frowning faces on all her work, and a teacher that wouldn’t even correspond back to my letters that Miranda’s comprehension level wasn’t met yet well enough for those kind of assignments, etc, as it was, to be reg. classroom with ’modifications’ though the teacher sat in on our first/last meeting to say, ’I just cant give her the time and attention she needs’… Okay… I felt clearly she wasn’t wanted, this was how I felt.

Her special needs teacher was there to say that basically she would need to get Miranda, full time, or not at all cause of a demand for her services, some waiting in line. We couldn’t do without her, so I agreed, but I really dreaded it that she would be ultimately in the special needs class.

Less than two weeks had passed, and I began to notice that Miranda was getting sooo much better, she adapted to that change more easily than we expected and bringing home smiley faces everyday on her work (easier work of course) , treats, surprises, rewards and acknowledgement for doing well in the classroom were constant. I called Mrs. Dalton, and I said ‘omg I cant believe how well she is doing, and *you knew*’, ‘you knew what she needed’ and ‘I didn’t’….. I had tried so hard to keep their time together minimal for the sake of normalcy and a more regular classroom setting. I was so secure and comforted knowing that we would have her for a few more years, as she teaches First thru Fifth grades.

Well, Miranda brought home a letter the other day, that really broke my heart, ‘My dear wonderful parents…. It is with a heavy heart that I must return to North Carolina…. Please don’t tell the children, let me tell them as we near the end of the year…..Please keep me and my family in your prayers…. ‘ She assured us that she will be ’just a phone call away’ with her cell # and also email. I replied back and told her that she has been our Angel. So much that she instilled in her will be with us always, and we will be keeping in touch.

I have seen more academic improvements and achievements in my daughter in the last 9 months of spending time exclusively with Mrs. Dalton than the last two years before combined. She has a strict nature surrounding an amazing loving heart, and she really reaches these kids deeply along with endless understanding and support for their parents.

Friday is the last day of school party which is also a going away party though the kids don’t know it yet, and parents are invited to attend. I know I am too emotional, I don’t want to be breaking down there, I don’t know what we’re gonna do without her. Miranda brought home a huge beautiful red teddy bear the other day, with a ’heart’ snipped from its front, she said Mrs. Dalton is ’keeping the heart’, ah these things make me crumble.

These are very Special Dedications.


…my daughter’s favorite song, for her and for everyone touched by this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff157/AmandaRosexxx/formiranda2.jpg


… for everyone who teaches and works with someone with special needs...Thank you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48WOurBDqB8

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff157/AmandaRosexxx/beyoncehalo.jpg

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Indeed, a good teacher is worth their weight in gold.

Lets hope Miranda gets an equally good one next year, a huge thankee for the Mrs Daltons of the world.

(((((Mrs Dalton and her like))))

(((((Miranda))))))

Long days and pleasant nights

[poisonbat]

I understand. My son (oldest) was born with a deformity of his left arm and hand. He also had a terrible stutter and ADHD. One of the worst cases the specialist had ever seen. He was tormented in school. Came home with bruises from kids throwing rocks at him. I finally put him in private school. God bless them all, he flourished into an extremely intelligent man who is now graduating Valedictorian from college. Some people just don't get it. There is so much more to these kids than the exterior and problems that they have. If people took the time and made the effort *as the teacher did in your story* they would find a living miracle inside. People who get to know my son find and look past his deformity find a talented, warm, loving person. I pity those who lost out because they were too judgmental to get to know him. :glare::bat:

[AmandaRose]

and I had meant to include this...

they were caught during opening ceremonies parade here, the cover of our newspaper two weeks ago, you can see Miranda right in the center carrying her pink coat, her teacher is to our far left of her, sadly she is partly cut off by the Star Wars guy, and the cool kid she has by the hand ... Miranda says 'hes in time out'. lol.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff157/AmandaRosexxx/specialolympicsgdn.jpg

[AmandaRose]

I understand. My son (oldest) was born with a deformity of his left arm and hand. He also had a terrible stutter and ADHD. One of the worst cases the specialist had ever seen. He was tormented in school. Came home with bruises from kids throwing rocks at him. I finally put him in private school. God bless them all, he flourished into an extremely intelligent man who is now graduating Valedictorian from college. Some people just don't get it. There is so much more to these kids than the exterior and problems that they have. If people took the time and made the effort *as the teacher did in your story* they would find a living miracle inside. People who get to know my son find and look past his deformity find a talented, warm, loving person. I pity those who lost out because they were too judgmental to get to know him. :glare::bat:


Congratulationsss to you and your son that is so wonderful. Valedictorian, how proud you must be!!! It blows my mind how gifted some of these teachers are and how they reach inside and help them find their way, teaching us alot too along the way.

[Haunted]

and I had meant to include this...

they were caught during opening ceremonies parade here, the cover of our newspaper two weeks ago, you can see Miranda right in the center carrying her pink coat, her teacher is to our far left of her, sadly she is partly cut off by the Star Wars guy, and the cool kid she has by the hand ... Miranda says 'hes in time out'. lol.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff157/AmandaRosexxx/specialolympicsgdn.jpg

What a beautiful girl, Amanda Rose, thank you for the pix.

[SWNH1980]

Thank you so much for posting that story and the music videos! I had a deformity of sorts with my legs, and couldn't walk normally when I was in Elementary school, that was fixed surgically when I was 12. My mother finally had to put me into private school after first grade, because the bullying at the public school got so out of hand. All through my 12 years of school though, I was blessed with amazing teachers, who really cared about what they did! Teachers like the one you know, and the ones I had in school should definitely be much more appreciated than they are! Thanks for sharing that story! :)

[AmandaRose]

Thank you so much for posting that story and the music videos! I had a deformity of sorts with my legs, and couldn't walk normally when I was in Elementary school, that was fixed surgically when I was 12. My mother finally had to put me into private school after first grade, because the bullying at the public school got so out of hand. All through my 12 years of school though, I was blessed with amazing teachers, who really cared about what they did! Teachers like the one you know, and the ones I had in school should definitely be much more appreciated than they are! Thanks for sharing that story! :)


Thank you so much for sharing too, to experience it you really become so aware, I couldnt believe I am so upset over a teacher moving away when as a rule they are to be parted with yearly mostly and I realized they deserve a shout out. :wink2:

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

I think Amanda's raised and important point here, and very timeously.

I've been fortunate enough to have many good (and a few great!) teachers in my life, and as the child of teachers Ib was a teacher myself for over fifteen years and I don't think society in general values its good teachers enough.

Parents are rightly fast enough to complain if they think their child's teacher isn't doing enough, but how often do they make a point of rewarding good teaching?

One kind word, that's all it takes.

As we come to the end of the school year, whether you've been a student yourself or your children or grandchildren are currently going through the educational system, can I ask you to go out of your way to thank the good teachers please?

A good teacher shapes your life, and a bad one can cripple your interest in certain subjects.

At a time when morale is very low in the teaching profession (they sure aren't in it for the money!), a simple 'thank you' can go a long way.

Long days and pleasant nights

[Srbo]

Thank you for sharing this amazing story.

AWJS.

[ally88]

Hi guys:smile2:.
Amanda thank you for your wonderful post, it sounds like your daughter has a fabulous and understanding teacher.

My neice is considered to be quite severely autistic and she couldn't speak until she was 6years old...now however at 11 we can't keep her quiet:laugh:.
Alot of this is without a doubt down to the interactions she has had in her school with the teachers and fellow pupils. Although it is accepted that she will never live alone or have a job I feel it is still important to have an education, and yes it may not fit into the remit of mainstream education but to her it is 'school' where she goes to learn the same as any other child.

My sister has a hard time sometimes as no matter how much education there is now surrounding autism, quite a few peoples attitudes still remain very ignorant. It is obvious my neice has a 'disability' yet people still make comments or stare if she has an episode of challenging behaviour. Quite strange however that the same people will walk by children of the same age considered 'normal' who are being destructive or verbally abusive yet they never pass comment....well i guess there's nothing as queer as folk:smile2:.

Anyhow, sorry if i've rambled...i hope your daughter manages to find another teacher as wonderful as the one she has had so far.

[AmandaRose]

...that is a beautiful idea John ... I can imagine you quite an impressionable teacher also, and as you say all great teachers, they do need to know that they are.

[Robbi]

My son is also autistic (Asperger's). He was in regular kindergarden and had a terrible time of it, nothing was catered to his special needs and he missed many days of school and caused major problems for the other teachers and students. However, they had a special needs teacher at that school and they created a plan for my son to go to a different school with classes of autistic children and some mainstream classes. I think
he may get mistreated by some students in the mainstream, getting tripped and such. He academically however is excelling, just finished the first grade and is doing almost fourth grade math and reading on a fifth grade level. The teachers that he had this past year, and will have again next year, have changed his life as well as our whole family at home. They are magnificent and have chosen to do a job that will make a difference forever in the life of my son.

[Theregulator]

I work with adults with learning disability also and it is very nice to hear some positive feedback. Usually it is bad practise which makes the headlines which can cause social support workers to feel undervalued. The company I work for focuses heavily on maintaining and developing skills and independence and I have seen first hand some of the amazing acheivements staff have had with individuals they support. The job has become highly professionalised lately and staff are well trained. Unfortunately wages do not reflect this. I am so glad your daughter found such a good teacher Amanda rose. It can make such a difference.

[AmandaRose]

I work with adults with learning disability also and it is very nice to hear some positive feedback. Usually it is bad practise which makes the headlines which can cause social support workers to feel undervalued. The company I work for focuses heavily on maintaining and developing skills and independence and I have seen first hand some of the amazing acheivements staff have had with individuals they support. The job has become highly professionalised lately and staff are well trained. Unfortunately wages do not reflect this. I am so glad your daughter found such a good teacher Amanda rose. It can make such a difference.

Thank you, and Thank you for sharing :smile2: its wonderful to hear from someone who works with adults... I know its a long road ahead and its nice to know that there are dedicated and loving people awaiting whatever needs one may still have reaching adulthood. Truly sad that wages can't ever reflect your accomplishments, as John said, youre worth more than your weight in gold.

[AmandaRose]

Hi guys:smile2:.
Amanda thank you for your wonderful post, it sounds like your daughter has a fabulous and understanding teacher.

My neice is considered to be quite severely autistic and she couldn't speak until she was 6years old...now however at 11 we can't keep her quiet:laugh:.
Alot of this is without a doubt down to the interactions she has had in her school with the teachers and fellow pupils. Although it is accepted that she will never live alone or have a job I feel it is still important to have an education, and yes it may not fit into the remit of mainstream education but to her it is 'school' where she goes to learn the same as any other child.

My sister has a hard time sometimes as no matter how much education there is now surrounding autism, quite a few peoples attitudes still remain very ignorant. It is obvious my neice has a 'disability' yet people still make comments or stare if she has an episode of challenging behaviour. Quite strange however that the same people will walk by children of the same age considered 'normal' who are being destructive or verbally abusive yet they never pass comment....well i guess there's nothing as queer as folk:smile2:.

Anyhow, sorry if i've rambled...i hope your daughter manages to find another teacher as wonderful as the one she has had so far.

Thank you, and thank you for sharing! Thats funny cause though Miranda is considered mild to moderate Autistic, she didnt speak until she was 3, and now, she wont be quiet either, lol, she is 8 now. that interaction really helps them so much! its why I was so hellbent on keeping Miranda in regular kind of classroom as much as possible cause she is a 'copycat' and I was afraid that being around children too often who were quiet, etc, would take away her social interactions, but, I found that it wasn't so, after all, but we learn as we go. Those queer folk youre mentioning, I know them too, lol. Best wishes to your family and your niece and may her progress be filled with pleasant surprizes. :wink2:

[AmandaRose]

My son is also autistic (Asperger's). He was in regular kindergarden and had a terrible time of it, nothing was catered to his special needs and he missed many days of school and caused major problems for the other teachers and students. However, they had a special needs teacher at that school and they created a plan for my son to go to a different school with classes of autistic children and some mainstream classes. I think
he may get mistreated by some students in the mainstream, getting tripped and such. He academically however is excelling, just finished the first grade and is doing almost fourth grade math and reading on a fifth grade level. The teachers that he had this past year, and will have again next year, have changed his life as well as our whole family at home. They are magnificent and have chosen to do a job that will make a difference forever in the life of my son.

That is amazing about your son excelling so, nearly fourth and fifth grade levels, and only ending the first grade, Wow! Im glad to hear that. It changes all our lives doesnt it? It was important to my daughters teacher to instill the importance of dates and time to her, and ooo she did, she is a MASTER at this, she memorizes the calender, she knows what day she went shopping to a certain thing and where, and the date, sometime two years ago, lol, Im not kidding! :laugh: thanks for sharing Robbi.

[hipmamajen]

There have been so many sweet stories about teachers in this thread. :)

[Robbi]

My son is a wiz with dates and times as well. He can remember exact dates and times of the day when he had to come home early from school or when he flew over the handlebars of his bicycle. It is amazing how much strength they have in the gifts they have been given. We are so very lucky to have these special children.:love:

[EMARX]

Our daughter was placed in special needs classes in grade one and even though we moved a lot she was able to stay in those classes until she was twenty-one. She is twenty- five now, but she still maintains contact with the friends she made in her teens.
Her friends have conditions ranging from downs to autism but they have a special affinity
for each other.

[Bryan James]

Great teachers are like wise Doctors and ethical lawyers...few and far between. It's a shame to lose the OP's teacher.

'Former'-hottie and now just plain damn delightful (and still hot), Jenny McCarthy's website www.generationrescue.org may provide some resources for parents of autistic children.

Best Wishes,
BJS