My son has sensory processing disorder and a couple other medical issues, that periodically require updates, as well as present challenges to my son, parents, and educators.
Last year, my son had two teachers in his classroom. They both work part-time. One is there beginning of week and second teacher, last part of the week. Communication with them was challenging at best. One of them was almost vitriolic about updates on my son's treatment, protocol, etc. As such, my son did not do well academically. He is bright, and social. I'm not blaming his progress on the teachers, I blamed it on the "situation".
So this year, again, he has two teachers! When I found out, I was dismayed! I spoke to his doctor, therapists, and his dad, and we all agree that continuity is best, especially for SPD.
I spoke with the teacher and she seems very receptive. She said communication would be great between her and the other teacher too, per changes, etc., to his medical situation.
But last year was a total disaster for him. He didn't reach any academic goals or anything so I have tremendous trepidation. Again, she seemed receptive, said we could even schedule a meeting. But I don't know if I should just forget it, go to the principle and ask for a switch to a one-teacher classroom.
I know you don't know my son, etc., but just wanted to put my worry out there to see if I could get some feedback that might spur the best decision -- for my son! Thanks!
My son who has ADHD and SPD would not cope well in this kind of situation given that he is in 1st grade. As it is we are trying to decide if the split 1/2 classroom is a good fit or not.
I would go over his IEP,504 and or MLP to see what can be done about the situation. I may have missed it, but I do not see an age or additional diagnosis that would have helped more I think.
What is his other diagnosis? Sensory doesn't tend to be a stand alone. Is sensory the only one in the IEP? What did they say in the IEP meeting because that is where you address things like this.
Okay and for some clarity, you are saying he has two different resource teachers but one main classroom teacher?
If he does better in a one teacher classroom then I see no problem in asking for a switch, especially since it's a medical issue and not just a personal preference. That said, 2 receptive teachers could be better than 1 unreceptive one, so I would make sure that you know and like the teacher he would be switching to before making that request. Good luck!
If this Private or Public school?
Because-- public and private schools, have totally different means, to handle and accommodate, SPED or special needs kids.
Public schools, have a SPED department with SPED educated and certified, professionals, who are WITH the child IN class, and aide them.
And they, if the parent requests it, can have an IEP or evaluation etc., and receive services, for their child.
In Private schools, (at least here in my State), they do NOT have to have, nor have, SPED departments or SPED trained/educated/certified, Teachers.
A regular Teacher.... keep in mind, is NOT a SPED trained, "teacher." They are not, specialty trained nor educated nor certified, for SPED or special needs, children.
So know that.
To me, your way to problem solve this is: to see if your son's school does have a SPED department, and Skills Trainers and SPED teachers.
And if not, he probably needs to go to a school, that does.
Because, you want him to have, help for his issues.
Again, regular Teachers, will not and do not know... how to handle/manage/problem solve nor create an IEP for a special needs, child.
You need to talk to the Department Head, of a school's SPED department. To attain, services for your child.
In schools, there are regular classroom Teachers, who thus have Education Degrees. And then there may be, SPED Teachers...who thus have, Special Education Degrees, and the certifications, and the training, for it.
2 roles. And 2 very different, jobs.
What a messed up situation. So 2 days a week teacher 1 teaches reading then 3 days a week teacher 2 is teaching reading? Wow! Without excellent communication how do they manage where one left off etc.
I would think this situation would be challenging and difficult for all children. Yes , I would request one teacher but they may not accommodate you since I bet most parents will request a single teacher. You may also want to ask the district to provide extra help for your son since he did not meet last years goals.
In the future, you should meet with the principal before class assignments have been made and tell them this arrangement doesn't work well for your child and he needs to have one teacher. Good luck!
HI Diana,
My son has vision issues and so I was wondering: does your boy have an IEP or 504 plan for school? Is it possible to schedule updates with the counselor and both teachers once every so often to bring everyone up to speed and to facilitate the two teachers having a chance to be a 'team' with each other with the support of the counselor and yourself? This way, everyone would be on the same page in regard to a plan.
If your son is seeing a specialist or receiving evaluations, it would be good for you to ask for specific suggestions for the classroom (I am assuming you did, but if you haven't, this would be helpful as you advocate for him.) Even if he doesn't need an IEP, a 504 is a legally binding document which specifies any accommodations (in regard to seating/placement in the classroom, any therapeutic tools he might benefit from, etc.) or practices which your son might benefit from in the classroom. I found, honestly, that we didn't need the specialist's proposed accommodations as much as I thought we might, however, the 504 was a great tool for getting my son's teacher/counselor and myself on the same page; it was within those conversations that I was able to learn of other challenges the teacher had noticed which were unrelated to his original vision disability.
All that to say, I'd make an appointment with the school counselor and ask for their help, figure out if a specialized plan would be helpful, and let her know your concerns. Take the teacher up on her offer to meet, and from my experience, the more you can share in writing and email updates to both teachers, that should improve the situation. If you find yourself still stalled in a few months, revisit with the counselor and teacher. Sometimes, they don't 'see' the challenges or problems we parents might. Good luck!
If your son needs special accomodations within the classroom (only being assigned to one-teacher classrooms is a special accomodation), he needs an IEP. Please contact the school counselor about the steps necessary to create one for him.
By all means, switch him to a one-teacher classroom.
Does he have anxiety? In my experience SPD runs hand in hand with anxiety. They may imo be the same thing. If so maybe addressing the situation differently may help.
Do you have an IEP or 504 plan in place?
first a hug for your worry, I think that is one of the hardest parts of mommy hood the worry and wanting the best for our kiddos.
I'm confused about your post for a couple of reason.
first is this an elementary school? and he is pushed into the classroom, integrated with the typical kids?? I'm not understanding why he has one teacher at the beginning of the week? and another at the end. that would almost signal preschool to me but that is usually more an Am teacher and Pm teacher, so i'm not understanding that aspect.
So just to clarify, by "situation", do you mean the 2 teacher thing, or the lack of communication thing?
I think if his needs make it hard for him to adjust or for the teachers to manage, then I think you have a real reason for the switch.
I can't imagine why the school would keep him in this situation if it wasn't best or at least good for him. so what is their reasoning?
is this class smaller? is there some trade off that would make a better fit for him?
is he capable of progress? does he need to miss a lot of school etc. that would hinder that as well.
I've seen teachers send a notebook back and forth from home to keep appraised of certain situations you could try that. or meet monthly. she sounds like she is willing to work with you, but I'm confused on the other teacher --is this one you had some trouble with before??
sorry for all the questions, and don't feel you need to answer them here or at all, just trying to help you view the situation from an outsiders pt of view.
wishing all the best for a great schoolyeara for your son no matter who the teachers are.
Diana, my son had mild SPD (and also had a diagnosis of ADHD but I believe it was just part of an immature frontal cortex since he seems to have outgrown this) and he would not have done well in that situation. School was very challenging even though he was in allegedly an excellent district and had an IEP. The staff was always very verbally compliant to my requests but it always turned out less than ideal for his best interest. I finally got fed up and pulled him out to homeschool (in 3rd grade). With all the 1:1 attention and such a controlled environment, my son did a complete turn-around within 2 months.
This is a critical age for your child's development. Trust your gut. No one knows what's best for your child better than you. The status quo is not always best.
Switch. Talk is cheap.
Does he have an IEP? Does he have a resource person? Communication is the key.
My Son has ADHD and Sensory and he has both and IEP and Resource person assigned to him. We are just going into kindergarten, but he met all his Pre-School goals.
What is your vibe from this teach? What have other parents said? I have to admit I am getting a wonderful vibe from both (his teacher and his resource person). They both seemed very excited to get my son which I feel makes all the difference.
Why are there two teachers? That is crazy.. I think that this school is trying to cut down on costs.. let see, part time does not get benifits... what a crappy school. So sorry you have to deal with that.
I don't normally advocate for requesting a particular teacher or placement but in this case I would.
It would be different if they were co-teaching. This is a situation of having two teacher sharing 1 FT job. They may have different teaching styles, one may be more committed than the other. There are just too many possible issues that can arise. Plus, it did not work last year and you, dad and her professional support concurred that consistency is best. I have a special needs kid and she is not really affected by change but still. I would not want this.
Aside from addressing this in his IEP or 504 plans, it actually sounds as if classrooms having two part time teachers to cover one classroom is a resource issue for this school. There may not be space in another classroom for your child, so you need to be prepared for your request to be turned down. Another teacher in another classroom might not be qualified to teach your son, so you need to be prepared for your request to be turned down.
When we make requests for our special needs children, we have every right to make the requests. What matters is if they're reasonable requests. If you want him switched because last year's teachers were hostile and didn't handle communication well, that's not really giving this year's teachers a chance to prove themselves and it's also not giving your son a chance to prove himself either.
Our goal as parents to special needs children is not to make the world fit and micromanage it. It's to help ease our children into that world and help them cope. If he sees that you're anxious about the situation, he's going to sense it and it'll make him anxious too.
That said, request a formal meeting of his Planning and Placement Team or his 504 Team. They have to honor the request. You're part of the team. You get to bring up any and all concerns that you have, and they have to reassure you. You get to give them information that you think will be helpful, and ask questions on how they would handle certain situations. You also get to make requests such as regarding to communication, requesting a certain type of teacher or classroom setting if it's available, special services bus transportation, and all of the other services he's entitled to. That's also where you would ask for evaluations and where you would meet a few times a year to discuss progress or issues that come up and need to be addressed. They're also planning sessions for goals and how things will be handled.
PPT meeting. Get it.
I'm confused: how old is your child,
what is his complete dx,
& if he did not succeed academically....was he moved on & what type of classroom is he in?
I truly think we need more info before we can help you. AND I also believe you are pre-judging the new teachers before they've taught a single lesson. :)
