Hi everyone - I'm new to the boards. I posted the other day on the general board with my dilemma. Thanks in advance for bearing with me - it's long; please read with care.
To put it in a nutshell? Basically my son (6 and in 1st) is a shadow-syndrome kid (Asperger's). He was evaluation'd at 3 1/2 and we were not provided with any Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) diagnosis (the only diagnosis we got was Hypotonia - low tone). He has been in therapy though - occupational & speech; mainly for Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) issues, every other week since he was 4 1/2. He's done nothing but progress - to the point that he is being dropped before summer schedules are made for the therapists.
He's NEVER been a behavior problem, and never needed services from schools (we did all therapy privately because he didn't qualify). Like any kid, he has tested us quite a bit at home - but no out-of-round tantrumming, etc. etc. Academically, he's working at about a mid-way 3rd grade level (has always been almost 2 years ahead in academics since age 3). His comprehension skills are age-appropriate and beyond; and he has no trouble with non-verbal communication skills.
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Cutting to the chase ... My son attends a public charter school (like a magnet school). Increasingly throughout the year, I've come to know that this school has a reputation for attracting atypical children. At least 1/2 of his classmates have some form of diagnosis - or should have. His class is run Montessori-style, and it can be VERY loud and disorganized in there (I volunteer once a week).
DS has made a boy-friend who has a Jekyl and Hyde type personality. A VERY impulsive - and at times violent kid.
According to the school; my son has been having increasing behavior issues in class. He outbursts, when other kids are arguing or being too loug; he also (according to the teacher) acts the victim. Apparently, he also tries to "take over" the class (he did this at age 4 and I remember the teacher saying - he needs more challenging academics).
I would also mention that one of DS' classmates came down with cancer mid-year, and this has deeply affected him as well. In fact the child came back to visit last week. The poor kid had put on that chemo-weight and lost most of his hair. Most kids seemed to take it in stride, but it really upset my DS. He had a really rough day in school that particular day.
We're not new parents - we have 2 grown kids. We've done everything we can with him, but nothing seems to help. And unfortunately, this school's priority isn't at ALL discipline - to put it nicely. DS' therapists believe it is the type of atmosphere at school that is setting him off - and they think he belongs in a more structred and traditional setting.
The teacher knows that he has had sensory issues and that he was in therapy. When his teacher has approached me about DS' behavior, I've told her that this particular school is the only place we've ever gotten a complaint about DS' behavior; so it must be something in the classroom or the dynamics of the kids (duh) that's setting him off. I've also told her that I have been fully candid with her about his issues and that if there were more going on - I'd certainly tell her. A couple of weeks ago, she started taking the tac with me that his "problems" have to be beyond that. I am hearing, actually, what sounds like a list of symptoms from ODD.
Anyway, the teacher has scheduled a meeting to talk to me and husband with her, the Principal, and the "Learning Consultant" - nice-nice for what I believe is the resident Psychologist. My son's language teacher, whom he actually had in K at another school last year, said she thinks that because the LC is going to be a part of the meeting that they're probably going to try to move us toward testing and a label.
You know, if my son had started exhibiting behavior issues in other areas I would seriously consider a re-evaluation. However? I think they are reading too much into my son's behavior. It seems simple to us, his therapists, his language teacher ... this atmosphere is not for him. He's on over-load for a few different reasons.
<span style="color: #FF6666">MY QUESTION TO YOU GUYS IS THIS</span>: Please tell me what I should be wary of. Are there any buzz-words or phrases we should look for that would sound an alarm? What should we sign/not sign? Also - the Trimester report cars will be coming out this weekend. Our meeting is for the 17th.
ANY COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS truly appreciated!!!
To put it in a nutshell? Basically my son (6 and in 1st) is a shadow-syndrome kid (Asperger's). He was evaluation'd at 3 1/2 and we were not provided with any Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) diagnosis (the only diagnosis we got was Hypotonia - low tone). He has been in therapy though - occupational & speech; mainly for Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) issues, every other week since he was 4 1/2. He's done nothing but progress - to the point that he is being dropped before summer schedules are made for the therapists.
He's NEVER been a behavior problem, and never needed services from schools (we did all therapy privately because he didn't qualify). Like any kid, he has tested us quite a bit at home - but no out-of-round tantrumming, etc. etc. Academically, he's working at about a mid-way 3rd grade level (has always been almost 2 years ahead in academics since age 3). His comprehension skills are age-appropriate and beyond; and he has no trouble with non-verbal communication skills.
*************************
Cutting to the chase ... My son attends a public charter school (like a magnet school). Increasingly throughout the year, I've come to know that this school has a reputation for attracting atypical children. At least 1/2 of his classmates have some form of diagnosis - or should have. His class is run Montessori-style, and it can be VERY loud and disorganized in there (I volunteer once a week).
DS has made a boy-friend who has a Jekyl and Hyde type personality. A VERY impulsive - and at times violent kid.
According to the school; my son has been having increasing behavior issues in class. He outbursts, when other kids are arguing or being too loug; he also (according to the teacher) acts the victim. Apparently, he also tries to "take over" the class (he did this at age 4 and I remember the teacher saying - he needs more challenging academics).
I would also mention that one of DS' classmates came down with cancer mid-year, and this has deeply affected him as well. In fact the child came back to visit last week. The poor kid had put on that chemo-weight and lost most of his hair. Most kids seemed to take it in stride, but it really upset my DS. He had a really rough day in school that particular day.
We're not new parents - we have 2 grown kids. We've done everything we can with him, but nothing seems to help. And unfortunately, this school's priority isn't at ALL discipline - to put it nicely. DS' therapists believe it is the type of atmosphere at school that is setting him off - and they think he belongs in a more structred and traditional setting.
The teacher knows that he has had sensory issues and that he was in therapy. When his teacher has approached me about DS' behavior, I've told her that this particular school is the only place we've ever gotten a complaint about DS' behavior; so it must be something in the classroom or the dynamics of the kids (duh) that's setting him off. I've also told her that I have been fully candid with her about his issues and that if there were more going on - I'd certainly tell her. A couple of weeks ago, she started taking the tac with me that his "problems" have to be beyond that. I am hearing, actually, what sounds like a list of symptoms from ODD.
Anyway, the teacher has scheduled a meeting to talk to me and husband with her, the Principal, and the "Learning Consultant" - nice-nice for what I believe is the resident Psychologist. My son's language teacher, whom he actually had in K at another school last year, said she thinks that because the LC is going to be a part of the meeting that they're probably going to try to move us toward testing and a label.
You know, if my son had started exhibiting behavior issues in other areas I would seriously consider a re-evaluation. However? I think they are reading too much into my son's behavior. It seems simple to us, his therapists, his language teacher ... this atmosphere is not for him. He's on over-load for a few different reasons.
<span style="color: #FF6666">MY QUESTION TO YOU GUYS IS THIS</span>: Please tell me what I should be wary of. Are there any buzz-words or phrases we should look for that would sound an alarm? What should we sign/not sign? Also - the Trimester report cars will be coming out this weekend. Our meeting is for the 17th.
ANY COMMENTS/QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS truly appreciated!!!
