Post by AustinsMom on Aug 23, 2004 22:26:36 GMT -5
Well, I worried all summer about Austin starting a new school. We moved him from a Catholic school,which did a good job of making mountains our of molehills and aggravating his behavioral issues. They also refused to make any accomodations: if you were supposed to circle the answer and write it in the blank but didn't follow directions and only wrote it in the blank, then instead of missing points for not following directions, or getting partial credit, you missed EVERY item, even though you clearly knew the answer. Very tough grading for a child with LD who misses enough answers and can't afford any more red marks for his esteem.
So, knowing 3rd grade is a big year, we switched him to an LD school. My worry was that it is a small school, and one of the classes is for children with autism, so there are children there with clear physical and developmental issues. I don't think that is bad from a learning tolerance and compassion issue, but I worried what message we were sending him. Would he interpret it that we were saying there was something wrong with him? He throws the word "stupid" around, and that's the last thing I want him to think we think.
But--knock on wood--after a week plus, he is doing fine. Really, more than fine. He actually spontaneously told me he liked it, which with his negative thinking patterns is a big deal. He is bringing home papers with A's on them, and tells me he is the best reader in his class (of only 6 students). It doesn't hurt that we are at a good place with our vitamins/supplements.
The teacher has handled his minor emotional outbursts really well, talking him through ways to deal with things. It is such a relief to not worry about whether he can deal with things, cause they don't expect him to be perfect. And the best thing--no homework except spelling words and reading to me. I don't expect the whole year to be a piece of cake, but I am enjoying the contrast to last year and taking a deep breath while I can.
So, knowing 3rd grade is a big year, we switched him to an LD school. My worry was that it is a small school, and one of the classes is for children with autism, so there are children there with clear physical and developmental issues. I don't think that is bad from a learning tolerance and compassion issue, but I worried what message we were sending him. Would he interpret it that we were saying there was something wrong with him? He throws the word "stupid" around, and that's the last thing I want him to think we think.
But--knock on wood--after a week plus, he is doing fine. Really, more than fine. He actually spontaneously told me he liked it, which with his negative thinking patterns is a big deal. He is bringing home papers with A's on them, and tells me he is the best reader in his class (of only 6 students). It doesn't hurt that we are at a good place with our vitamins/supplements.
The teacher has handled his minor emotional outbursts really well, talking him through ways to deal with things. It is such a relief to not worry about whether he can deal with things, cause they don't expect him to be perfect. And the best thing--no homework except spelling words and reading to me. I don't expect the whole year to be a piece of cake, but I am enjoying the contrast to last year and taking a deep breath while I can.
