Parent/Teacher Conference - Kyle

Wow, I should of updated about the meeting I had with Kyle's teacher. First of all, I really do like her and she really cares for Kyle. We actually talked for almost an hour and 1/2. Here was the note that was sent home. She first said that she didn't want me to think that it was all negative because it kinda looks that way. I told her that if she didn't care for my son, she wouldn't even write anything down and just say "oh, he is doing fine." One good thing about her is that her son has a disability so she has been on both sides as a teacher and as a parent. Also, she DIDN"T have his IEP information which I couldn't believe. She has been doing what is in his IEP since she got the information.

Parent Teacher Conference:

Kyle is a sweet boy. I enjoy having him in my class this year. He seems to love coming to school everyday. He has many friends to play with in the classroom and out on the playground.

Kyle is having a hard time concentrating on any task that is asked of him. He often stares off into space and does not complete his work. I will redirect him to complete his work as often, as every two minutes.

He still has a hard time transitioning from one activity to another. I will dismiss the children by name from the carpet to their tables. Kyle will need to have his name called two or three times before he responds. He is getting better about going from his table to line up. I will call the green Rhino table and he will go to line up. In the beginning of the school year, he would not do this, unless you asked him specifically.

I have tested Kyle on his reading level. He can read books as high as a 12 with choppy fast and slow paced reading. He has no comprehension on these books at this level. I will continue to lower the level and have him read, where he can comprehend the story.

He will need continued support in First Grade to complete his assignments. This may be with an additional helper. He may need a peer helper or professional helper. We will continue to work on these areas.

I forwarded this information to Mary to get her take on it:

Hi Mary,

Just thought I would send you what Kyle's teacher had to say about him at our teacher parent meeting last week. I also want to tell you that she is a wonderful teacher for Kyle and wants to know as much as she can about expressive/receptive language disorder so if there is anything I can send to her, please let me know. She is very open to anything that will help Kyle. I should also be getting his CASL results sometime next week and will send them to you.

(Parent Teacher Conference Letter information from above)

When Kyle does his homework at home, he completes it without any trouble. He only has one sheet per night and it is actually pretty easy but he does it without any problem. I give it to him and then tell him to do it and that I will come back to check on it. I haven't had any problems and he does it swiftly.

I do believe that his teacher is trying to help and certainly wants to do what is best for him and I am lucky to have a kind teacher as her.

Just wanted to keep you informed.

Mary's response:

I would ask for a behavior plan constructed by a behavior analyst ...if the problem is significant. The behavior described is very straight forward and I think can be solved by alternating preferred and nonpreferred activities, and some rewards. It is important the rewards be immediate (consistent and contingent). A behaviorist will give valuable insight and strategies.

I did ask the school if they had a Behaivor Analyst and they do not. They only have LSSP (Licensed Specialized School Psychologists) and Mary said that should be ok.

Fast forward to this month. I had a quick talk with Kyle's teacher the other day and she said he is doing much better at finishing his work so she is just going to continue to work with him.

Kyle was re-evaluated in February. His last school evaluation was done at age 3 and they have to do it before he turns 6. The next post will be all about that.

On another note, he had baseball practice tonight and I had a moment where I just sat back thinking about how he was at 3 years old and watching him cut up and giggle with the other boys. It was such a joy for me to watch him. My enjoyment went to dispair when I heard two of the moms talking. One said "do you think something is wrong with him?" My mamabear came out and I turned and said "who?" She said the little boys name. I knew she wasn't talking about Kyle but my claws came out because I am sure there were 2 moms like this talking about my son at age 3 and 4. They were talking about a sweet little boy that while not very coordinated, was just a cute little boy and I didn't think anything was "wrong" with him. I wanted to say "what makes you say that?" but Ryan was needing something and I missed the rest of the conversation.

These moms are nice but now I just can't keep thinking about how people perceive others and it really makes me sad.

I have also decided that I am going to pursue a career in special education. My background is finance of which I was at a job for 15 years before I left after Kyle was born. My intentions were to try and get a job in the school district in the accounting office but something made me want to do this. Ryan and Kyle's SLP has an assistant in the class. Ms. S is the assistant and I have known her for 3 years. She has known Kyle since he first started in the speech classes with a different SLP. Anyway, she was telling me that she only works 3 days a week for just a few hours. Sometimes she has 2 classes she works on one day. She has been doing this for years and just loves it. His SLP and her actually told me that I should think about doing it. It is a paraprofessional for special education classes. So, I am going to take the test next year and get my feet in the door when Ryan goes to kindergarten in 2010. I think I would be really good at it and would love to work only a few hours a day, a few days a week.