Picture Cards Instead of Talking?!

Tell the teacher that no..they will talk...no cards.You are the parent and this is how you want it.If she still says cards they go to the principle and explain to him/her what you want.If that doesnt work go to the supervisor...school board.You didnt have the boys do extra speech classes to have 1 teacher help them regress.Stay up for what you believe is right for you boys.If nothing else change schools..good luck..
S. B

I had a lot of trouble out of one particular school and how they wanted to treat my son. You have to be strong and straight forward. I made the mistake of letting the school tell me what was going to be done about his problems even though I thought they were wrong I went along with them. This was my first experience dealing with learning disabilities and I didn't know any better. My son has paid for it and he is just now getting back on track.(3 years later) As soon as I realized the mistake that had been made I went to the school and tried to fix it but it was too late he had been “labeled” so we moved schools. At the new school before it fell into the same pattern I put my foot down and we haven’t had any trouble since. School systems don’t always have your child’s best interest in mind. Do not let them run you over if you feel strongly about something. Kids are labeled so easily and it’s hard for them to overcome obstacles if they are. It sounds like the teacher is trying to make her life easier and it will possibly hurt your children’s progress if she gets her way. Go through the chain of command to keep the peace but if the next person in line doesn’t satisfy your needs then go over their head. Someone will listen. Hopefully it will be the teacher herself but if not maybe the principal. Do not show any fear and stand up for your feelings and remember that you, as their mother, knows what’s best for your twins. Don’t give the school an inch because they are capable of taking advantage of your kindness. Tell them how you feel about the situation and make it clear on how things should be.

Good luck!!! Stay strong!!

My son was obviously speech delayed at age 2. He would talk and you could not understand him. It took until he was 4 years old to qualify to receive speech services from the Board of Education. He had speech services until he was in the 5th grade and then he "no longer qualified for speech." We called it graduating from speech and had a family party to celebrate his accomplishment. He was not put in special ed. He was taken out of the classroom for a half hour every day with 2 other children his age for speech therapy. A speech therapist provided the services. I have found with the school system that you have to be a strong advocate for your children to get them what they need. Request an IEP and advocate for your children. Take your husband with you if he is available. Take the speech therapist from the summer with you. Get a letter from your pedicatrician stating that the twins need speech not special ed. My son is a smart 16 year old now who attends an academic magnet high school and he enjoys his Engineering and Math classes. He plans to go to college in two years and major in Engineering. I do not think he would have been prepared to go to college if he had started out in special ed.

I don't know if I can help, but I will say that you should go with your gut feeling. Of course, my gut feeling seems to be the same as yours. Those precious little boys need to be around "talkers"!! Maybe you can convince the administrators of the school to put them in a regular kindergarten on a trial basis to show what they are capable of. And, maybe, it's possible to have them tutored on some evenings with their speech to help KEEP them on their successful path.

Good luck and God bless.

I agree with Lisa on this. DEMAND what your children need. The public schools are supposed to provide an appropriate education. I understand the schools have difficulty with all the testing, scores, and all that "No Child Gets Ahead" stuff, but your children don't need to be dragged down. It sounds like the progress they've made would have them in the regular classroom for MOST of the school day. Good luck!

Hello,

As a teacher I would definitely say to talk to her first (again I realize), but just say you have been thinking a lot about your last meeting and feel very strongly that she do... a) b) and c) (definitely have them use their own voice to communicate!) They may need to be split up into different classrooms aswell. By going back to the teacher (as opposed to the principal) you can try to illiminate any drama in the school with becoming that 'crazy' parent. Now, if the teacher doesn't listen or is in disagreement then go and talk to the principal or other specialist working with your children.

This year I am staying at home with my little one b/c I just couldn't stand working for another administrator that wanted to take the easy way out! It just made me so upset to work so hard at doing what is really best for the child, and so many other educators would just rather not mess with the hard stuff. Good luck to you. As a parent we are our children's number one advocate. The teacher and principal will be looking out for a group of kids not just your kids.

Blessings in your future,
Amanda

I don't know how relative this is but when my daughter was born we decided to teach her sign language. We heard it would help her communicate earlier and it seemed like a fun thing for us all to learn. My mother swore up and down it would delay her speech. It did just the opposite. She would sign and talk at the same time, but it was easy for us to understand what she was saying since she signed it at the same time. We started teaching her to sign at 9 months old.
We know several other kids that sign, whether it's because of a communication deficit or not, and it never interferes with their speaking. It does seem to relieve some frustration. I wonder if holding a card up would be considered similar? My daughter's conversation skills are unbelievable for her age. Signing never took the place of talking.
KP

Trust your instincts. I would talk to the principal and discuss your concerns. Let them know how things have changed since you and the preschool teacher made that decision. It sounds like the special ed teacher is not a good fit and I would also fear regression. How can they improve if they don't practice? It sounds like she's doing what's easier for her, not what's best for the children. At our school, there are several kids who go to special ed for an hour or more each day to get help where they need it such as speech, math or whatever. They try to keep them in the classroom as much as they can. I would push for the classroom. Good Luck!

As an educator I am floored myself that the EC dept. would feel the need to use these cards and not respect your knowledge of what your children's abilities are. I would definitely ask for another meeting and make sure that your voice is heard. As a parent of EC children you have legal rights that entitle your children to an appropriate education. If you feel that these cards are inappropriate I would make sure to have the EC department explain why they feel these cards would be beneficial to your children. I have never heard of anything so silly, but I do not have an EC background and do not have the files of your children to look at to see what would make the department make such a decision. I am sorry that you are faced with this especially since this is your children's first year of school. Please make sure to press this issue and make sure that any IEPs that are drawn up do not include this type of modification if you do not feel it is necessary. Children who have speech delays can be fully capable of having conversations, handling public situations and carrying on a "normal" life. Why the EC department is making it seem that your children are not capable of such is definitely alarming, but I think it can easily be resolved by following up on this and making sure that your voice is heard. As a parent you ARE the BEST advocate for your children. As an educator I would like to extend a THANK YOU to you for actually getting involved with your children's education, too many do not. Take care and I hope this situation works out best for your children.

WOW! These people really are not listening to you! You need to gather as many people as you can (pediatrician, speech therapists) on your side and inform this teacher that this will not help your children. My sons kindergarten teacher wanted him tested for adhd and wouldn't let up. My pediatrician said he was fine, but the teacher felt it would be best. I finally had to change schools. He's 12 now and never been tested. Good luck. Do not let this school tell you that they know better than you!!!

I am a stay at home mom but I am a special education teacher. My experience is working with children your son's age. Although I don't know the process in this state since I am relatively new to the area and have never worked in this state but I would talk to your case manager(whoever is in charge of your children's case) As a parent you have incredible leverage and can really push for the things you want for you children. Also, I would make sure you understand the process the teacher spoke about and be sure it is not just the bathroom routine or something that would go along with developing their speech. Again, you have the right idea to begin the year off properly because open and good communication is so important in early education. Now is the time to give your children all the support you can so that they will gain the language and skills they need to thrive in school and life. Keep pursuing your needs and keep us posted.

Stick to your guns on this. Any time the school system can label children as special needs the school gets more money so they tend to label children and keep them labeled for that very reason. You need to do what is best for your children and if that means fighting the system, please do that.

I have my nephew. He came to me at 4.5 yrs old and didnt know how to do hardly anything. I put him in pre-school and he had IEP meetings, etc I made it clear to them then adn there that I did not want him labeled and put in any special classes, but in regular. I stuck to my guns and still do. They had him in a special reading class in 1st grade (he started 3rd today) and when I questioned why they didn't know as he was a good reader. I gave them a few months to get him out of it or I would be back. They took him out and last yr in 2nd he was one of 3 that scored 100 reading points in his class.

It sounds to me like the kids have made progress over the summer and may need to be re-evaluated. Is there a pediatrician that you go to that could do a letter or something?

I hate to say it, but sometimes it is easier for school system and teachers to take the easy way and it sounds like that is what you are running into.

Sorry I can't be of more help. I'll send up prayers for you and your family and hope that it all works out. Just speak up for your children as there is no one else to do it!
A.

Fight for what you want now. Once they are put in the special ed class, depending on where you live, it takes an act of congress to get them out! If they are only speech delayed and not educationally delayed, I believe I would almost put them in a regular classroom first, see how that goes. We have mainstreaming here. The kids are in regular classes and they just get pulled out for the special help they need whatever that may be. Don't worry about standing up for your kids. The administration at some schools don't always put what is best for YOUR children first.

Looks like you've been given some great advice so far! I just wanted to give you some advice too since I am a speech therapist. First of all, I can't imagine why this teacher would want your children to use pictures if they are verbal. I can only hope that her intention was for them to use the picture along with their words to help clarify their wants/needs if they are somewhat unintelligible. But it sounds like your children are not having difficulty verbally getting their message across. Definitely voice your concerns at their IEP meeting. If one has not yet been set up, call the school and request that one be scheduled. At the meeting, give the members of the team a sense of your children's strengths and weaknesses. Seek the help of the school's speech therapist to help back you up. If your children are able to talk, they should not be asked to use pictures. As I said, if they are somewhat unintelligible and the pictures would help clarify their message, I don't think it will inhibit their communication...it will only supplement it until they are more intelligible. I hope that helps. Good luck! You sound like you are doing what you need to for your boys and I think that is wonderful!

Take care,
K.

Whatever you do do not let them allow your kids to just be there and not live up to their full potential!!! If your children can use their words, let them, even if it means finding a new school. One of my girlfriends little boys WAS diagnosed with autism, he goes to speech therapy, another doctor, the whole 9 yards. He went to all day pre-school last year in Richlands and he starts full time normal kindergarten this year. Once he started school it was amazing the difference in him. He is a copmpletley differnt child. He comes over to my house and talks and helps, he understands and listens. He helps with the other kids. I can't tell you how great it is. Don't let them allow your children to regress. You are sending them to school in order to set them up for the rest of their lives. Im not saying that your boys will be like my friends son, but you never know if you don't try. Treat them like normal kids, have them do normal kid things, dont set hem up for failure from the beginning. Give them a chance to prove to you and everyone else what they can do. If they are smarter than the school thinks put them in a school where the teachers are going to help you help your boys excel, even if it means you have to pay for it!!!!

I hope I won't sound bitter as I type this, if I do, just know I am coming from a place where I love my children very much and just want the best for them. My son was in the ECE program through Jefferson County for two years. During that time, I had conflicting information about what my son was capable of doing. His speech and OT therapists AND intelligence testing indicated he was capable of a lot but that wasn't translating into the classroom. Turns out, the "concessions" that they were supposed to be making to integrate my child into a mainstream setting weren't being made (and were often pooh-poohed). In addition, he backslid a little bit from the progresses we made at home. When they finally suggested that my bright, social little boy be put into a self-contained classroom I lost it. I pulled him out and put him in Summit Academy. The decision has cost my family a lot financially, but if you could see the happy child that walks in my door after school as opposed to the angry, hostile one I used to see, you'd know it was worth every cent. My son is five and I want him to learn to love school now instead of in his teens when honestly, it's too late. I was supportive and communicative of all his teachers in JCPS, but they never attempted to change their processes or see things from our point of view. They promised a lot, but when it got down to it, delivered nothing. Stand up for your kids. If she refuses to listen, go above her head. Call the ECE office and request placement with someone who will be more cooperative and approach things on a child-by-child basis and not a "classroom harmony and ease" approach.

Good luck girl!

I have been both a Special Ed & General Ed teacher and have a degree in SLP. Check with you SE director and principal(if neesary) -schedule a meeting ASAP! Many times teachers are overloaded and although not right, go with what is easiest not best. Check what is listed in their IEP (Independent Education Plan) if they are in SE classes the state demands they have one. You and the the teachers and the therapists have control of how it is written. Demand that speech be used instead of cards when possible. If the teacher is noncomplient, demand a class change, be it to general ed classes or to another teacher. If the school is totally noncompliant to your wishes, look at what other schools may be available in your area, or take it to the district admin level.
Check to see when the school SLP will be seeing your boys. If she has not scheduled a time schedule one. She could be you biggest allie in this fight. If the cards are available you may want to leave them in as an option for the boys to use incase THEY feel they need them, but otherwise, I would demand speech be used. Also, I have seen many concerned parents sit in classrooms to ensure the teacher is abiding by the IEP.

There is no reason why your children should not use every available resourse they have to learn -- especially speech. You are doing the right thing fighting this. Just be strong and stick to your instincts. Do not get caught in all the red tape. If one door seems to close open another until you get someone on your side. Your boys deserve it!

Good luck - be strong!

Good for you for not just sitting back and letting the "system" tell you what to do with your kids. If I were in your place I would be going above the teacher and move up to the Councelor and Principle. If that didn't work, I'd push on forward to the school board. From what I'm reading the whole point of starting your boys in the special class was to improve their speech and transition them into the "regular" class. The way it sounds, they are not looking to move them forward, but keep them back. I don't understand at all why they would encourage not speaking. Don't let this issue go, take it up the ladder until you get the answers you want. They are your kids and you should have a say in how they are taught and what they are given access to. Good luck!

Hi,
I have a background in Special Education and have been in Special Education Administration for years. Let me just say that you are correct given the limited information that I have. Using picture cards for students who have intelligible speech could delay and cause regression unless they are expected to speak with the cards and are only using them in unfamiliar places or with unfamiliar people. Basically, this would mean that they will spend time learning pictures and symbols rather than practicing speech. If they don't get frustrated easily, I would recommend that they use their speech and spend as much time as is educationally feasible and beneficial around models that speak so that they will imitate. You do have rights as their parent to be a member of your child's educational plan and make decisions with the teachers. I hope this helps! Good Luck! You are your childrens' best advocate....challenge for understanding and for your childrens' best interest. Investigate before you consent!

I think you should seriously re-consider and put them in Kindergarten, you know your children and it sounds like they are ready for it. And maybe still continue with speech therapy through the school or privately.

I am currently working with our school system to create an IEP for my speech delayed son. My case worker with Early Intervention suggested that I not put my son in a special ed. preschool class. He needs to be around children who have typical speech with no delays. She seemed to think that being around children who were more delayed or not talking would only cause him to regress. Maybe this teacher uses the picture cards because that is the only way the other children can communicate. I would call for an IEP meeting immediately. The school has to respond within two weeks. Your concerns have to be addressed at that meeting.

You are SO right to be concerned and upset. It sounds like the spec ed teacher has no clue. NO accomodations should be made until an IEP is done on the boys - then the speech therapist, OT, or any other specialty can review the boys' issues and make a determination as to what should be done. The idea of using cards vs speaking is ludicrous and I would be thinking strongly of moving to another school. I feel for you; I have been down this road in other ways. Be your boys' strongest advocate and do what you think is right. You absolutely do not have to agree to anything if you do not feel it is in your childrens' best interest. Don't back down.

As a former K3/K4 teacher (certified with my Master's) and as a mom to a healthy preemie (She was a 31 weeker) and aunt to a micropreemie (24.5 weeker) who is now 6.5 who has been diagnose on the Autism Spectrum, I can tell you - go with your instincts! Some schools are very conservative in their approach so as not to make it too hard for a regular ed teacher (I know! but some of them do!) and some special ed teachers - many of whom I've known personally - like to run their Special class in their own Special way, and basically it makes it easier for THEM to have all the students behave one way so that it doesn't disrupt the more severe children. Now of course, that may not even be the case with your children's school/teachers and I know I must sound harsh about it. But I do know that is what I have seen myself and what my sis-in-law dealt with while still in GA, but with a Special Ed Preschool. She ended up taking him out b/c of the stress he was under from that environment, put him in a regular preschool and he thrived! And he DOES have autism! They moved to VA and when he began K5 last year, he went into a regular classroom but had his own "shadow" teacher to help him with things and keep him calm if things did get hairy for him. He did wonderfully in that environment! He still received speech and occupational therapy thru the school and this year may spend some time with the Special Ed teacher in the school, if it appears that the first grade work is getting too difficult or whatever...

It sounds as if your boys only have speech problems, not social ones and I can really see your point about them regressing! I can't believe a school would be that stubborn about making them use a form of communication that they aren't even familiar with, especially if they are undoing all the progress they've made thus far! As the parent, you have a right to call an IEP meeting about your children and pretty much demand they try regular kindergarten and see how it goes. It is YOUR children, and you are the one who decides ultimately what is best for your child. Now if they try it and it does create chaos in the regular classroom, or the kids are not doing well, then the school has some pull about where to put him. But they must try to accomodate in the "Least Restrictive Environment" - and that does NOT mean Least for the teachers!

Demand your rights as a parent! Trust your instincts - you know your boys better than they do!

God Bless!
A.

I feel these teachers mean well. But they don't get the full picture of how your sons are progressing. And you and your husband are very good parent and teachers too. The teachers follow what they call regulations. Man's rules. Not what they can see and feel inside a child or person.
You as a parents do know what you see and feel about you children. The teaches should work with both of you not anyone else. It is between you and them. Progress is very important and it means going forward not backward.
You do whats right.

Speak with your schools principal and counselor. If the teacher is worried that the boys will be overwhelmed at lunch, maybe you can insist that they go to lunch with the "regular" class and maybe the counselor can go as well to see if they are upset in any way. If the school is close enough to work, maybe you can go eat with them for the first few days to see if they need any intervention.
The picture card idea is silly considering you have speaking children. You are absolutely right to think that your boys are ready, and it sounds like the teacher has never met your boys. Perhaps after meeting the boys, the teacher will understand where you are coming from. Having been a teacher, I don't understand why this teacher is not listening to you about your own children. Surely she has your childrens' best interest in mind, but she may not be looking at the long term goal... just the short term day to day. I don't know. I am trying to play devils advocate here, and trying to understand why a teacher would suggest such things!
Stand your ground! You are the mom!

Do your boys have an IEP? If they do then request a meeting to update it and add in there you want them to use their voice and not the picture cards. I have no idea what this teacher is thinking and agree it sounds like it would cause regression. I have an autistic son who is now 14. He speaks very well and hasn't used PECS. If you get this in their IEP the teacher has to follow it. I would speak to the Special Ed Director concerning this situation. Good Luck. K.

Keeping on fighting and pushing. Do not give up. Too many times parents rights are usurped in the public school system. You do know you children best! Talk to the teacher again, talk to the regular classroom teacher, talk to the principals.

When talking to the teacher, remember to remain calm. If this cannot be resolved with this paerticular teacher, see if there is another teacher that your children can be transfered to, if not, consider having them start out in the regular classroom without the special ed. class.

I totally agree that your sons do not need a crutch. they need to be challenged everyday to a very high standard. Unfortunately, our schools are no longer about high standards. Let's set the bar so low so that everyone can walk over it with ease and never have to learn to work hard for anything!

As a former teacher I always did what the parents wished, even if I did not agree, because I respected parents as the final authority for their children. This is why we need school choice.

Sorry for the soapbox. These are some of the many reasons we have decided to homeschool. I am not saying that you should, but the system is definitely flawed and it is going to take parents standing up for their rights to start the change in the philosophy that we should leave the total education process up to the professionals. What is sad is the Bill Gates would not be allowed to teach a computer class because he does not have a teaching certificate.

I can understand your frustration at not having your expertise as the parent awknowledged. I once suffered a great deal medically, including avoidable surgery, b/c the nurses wouldn't accept what I or my family/friends told them.

I realize that some parents are in denial about their children's needs and progress but it sounds as though you have a realistic perspective on where they started and how far they've come. If it were me, I'd ask the teacher to give them a trial of talking rather than using the picture cards, etc., for a minimum agreed-upon period, and if that doesn't prove to be successful, then discuss with you the need for these measures that don't seem necessary to you.

If the teacher is unwilling to consider this, I'd ask for a conference with HER supervisor and her, and explain where the boys started and what progress has been observed by yourself AND others.

It really sounds like she's "pigeonholing" them..."treating" the diagnosis, not the children.

Go with your gut feeling. If they can communicate they should be encouraged to continue to communicate. For your boys self esteem they need to feel as they are not any different to help them grow. If they are perceived as different and treated different they may regress. But the cards could be used "if" they are having a had time communicating hat it is they want.

I had a teacher when I was in 1st grade that didn't want to deal with a anyone that a learning disability so she set us aside with puzzles to keep us busy until our time with the special education teacher. I had constant ear infections as a kid so I lagged in speech, reading and so many other subject. I did grow out of the special education classes, but elementary was torturer being different.

Shop around for schools and talk to other Spc Ed Teachers.
Best luck.

No way I would go with picture cards. Maybe as a backup. Can the teacher work with the kids prior to the school start date to get a feel for the boys and their communication levels.

I have a 5 yr old starting K in a few days. Tomorrow is her assessment with the teacher day. She will be given 'tests' to see her skill set levels. Friday she will find out her teacher, then next week is a few days with just half the classroom so everyone can get adjusted to each other.

I will keep you in my prayers (fyi, my daughter went to headstart EC for 1 year, and I pulled her out and put her in a church pre-school and private speech therapy). I'm glad your boys did well over the summer.

It would seem to me that if the boys have been in daycare with the other kids and did fine and they learn and talk more when they are around other kids than you need to go to the principle and get them switched to a regular classroom. Because you are correct in thinking that word cards and keeping them away from the other is not going to help them at all and as you said possibley even end up regressing. I say put them in the regular class see how they do. If it turns out it is too much for them and they are having trouble then maybe switch them to the slower class. But these teachers need to work with and listen to the parents, They cannot treat a whole class or special children the same way because each one is different and requires different ways of learning, so grouping them all together like that and making them use cards when they are perfectly capable of speech is just stupid and narrowminded on the teachers part and is not helping anyone but her. Good Luck and God Bless Jenny

Other than speech, is their learning delayed (coloring, cutting with scissors, recognizing the alphabet, etc)?? When is their birthday (I mean, are they barely 5 or almost 6)?

On one hand, you don't want them feeling like failures by being in a class that's too advanced for them, but on the other hand you DON'T want them treated as if they don't know what they ALREADY know.

Might they do a regular pre-school this year and hopefully be ready for regular Kindergarten next year? Our youngest daughter -- by a 'fluke' -- was retained TWO years in her schooling! She's a fully intelligent girl (just graduated this May and turned 20 in June, so she was one of the younger kids in her original class -- and the 'baby' of 4 kids), but being retained those two years didn't seem to have a detrimental effect on her in the long run. Better to start them a little behind SCHEDULE than to be placed beneath their abilities (if you see what I mean -- in special education). I mean, special ed is wonderful when it's necessary (my husband was a special ed teacher's aide for many years), so I'm not dismissing its value. It just sounds like it might not be best for your boys at this point (assuming they are learning everything ELSE [other than speech] at an appreciable rate).

I feel that these other mom are giving you excellent advice. I work with Early Intervention in my state and am sometimes part of the IEP process when they turn 3. I understand it to be similar to the IFSP process in that, the parent has a right to call a meeting/review ANY time. Were I in your situation, I would exercise that right, and bring the therapist from the summer if you can. Your children have the right to the "Least Restrictive Environment", which means as "normal" a classroom as they can handle. It might be reasonable to reconsider and put them in the regular classroom if they are able to function among their peers. Speech delays and need for therapy are fairly common at 5, so the Kdg teacher should be able to handle that. Maybe you could meet her before you decide (include her in that meeting too!) Unfortunately, your children will not receive the best services for them unless you are an advocate for them. I am certain the spec ed teacher means well, but perhaps is in the habit of having all children do one particular thing, maybe because it eases her day? I pray that you and your family will get the resources that you need to excel.

You are recognizing that YOU are your children's first and best advocate. Stand firm that your children receive what they need. Pursue. Get to know other parents of children receiving special services. Make your requests made known, perhaps in writing, early in the year, with copies to all appropriate people with authority to make things happen. Don't wait for the "school" to make changes. They are very busy and I have seen things fall way behind. {Not in Wake County) Be as involved as you need to be. You have proof that mainstreaming works for your children. Sometimes special ed. teachers are working with parents who are in denial about their children's problems. Try to be understanding and present them facts rather than your feelings. Pursue and be blessed!

If they are able to communicate their needs and having a speech delay is the only thing they are being placed into an EC classroom for, I would try to move them into a regular room. In an EC there is a wide range of special needs and if your twins are doing so well being around typically developing children, I would keep them that way. They may have children in the EC room that are nonverbal, and I agree would probably lead to regression on their part. Why hinder their development with picture cards. As a prek teacher myself, I could not imagine not trying to meet the individual needs of my children....you CANNOT set one set of educational strategies for all of the children. If they do not need picture cards, DO NOT use them. Have been in a head start classroom for two years for speech delays I assume they have IEP. You have the right as the parent to request a meeting to change their setting and/or review the information on the IEP. It may take a little while to set up a meeting, but if you don't have an ec parent handbook try to get your hands on one and see how long they can take. If you are more educated about the process, and make it known that you know your rights as a parent...you may get things done faster. I hope this helps. :)

since your boys do better around other kids who talk, i would recommend putting them in regular class. just my opinion but i don't think that the things that teacher wants to do will help them at all, and could possibly make it worse for them. good luck

As an educator of many years I understand the problem clearly and have counseled other parents with the same concerns that you are having now. I feel you need to insist that your twins be placed in normal classes and not special ed classes. They will improve more rapidly than if placed in the special ed classes and not permitted to talk but communicate with the "cards". This is so ridiculous but quite common the education profession. What better way to; insure that the special ed teachers will continue to have jobs year after year. teachers even joke about it being employment insurance.

Have you spoke with the principal or other person over the teacher? I think I would and express my concerns. Maybe they can do better in a "regular" class room. Children are so resilient and so quick to learn around other children. A lady in my church had the same issue with a grandchild. For a couple of years he was in a "special needs" class and it was due to his speech. When he had no progress the mother and grandmother had him moved into a "regular: class and he is doing wonderfully. That has been about 2 years ago now. So maybe that would be best. The card thing sounds like a degression tactic instead of progression.
Hope all goes well.
Leshia N. in KY

Hi R.S.,

My parents are going through this with my little sisters, they adopted the two little girls when they were 4 and 5. They are now 11 and 12. Both are in special classes to help them learn at a pace they can handle and join a "regular" class later in the day. Both have made amazing improvement. My parents were told the oldest would never read, but now she can. School is hard for both of them but they are doing okay. My advice is that you have to be your boys' advocate. My mom has fought for everything that the girls get in school. She has to stand up for them because in all honesty the school systems typically don't care. They think they know exactly what the kids need but you are your sons mother. Continue to push for what you know your boys need. Since you have seen that your boys communicate well then they don't need to regress to flashcards. You know your sons the best and nothing that a teacher thinks can take the place of what you have seen on a daily basis. Follow your instincts, as a mothers our instincts are usually right. I have a 2 1/2 year old son, he is my joy as I'm sure your sons are. Good luck. I wish you and your sons the best!

I would definetly talk to the principle or whomever is in charge. You have to stand up for your children. They are going to do as they are told and if they start to use cards it would think that is regression also. I have never been in this situation so I am probably not helping any, but as a mother of two, I would be livid with the teacher if she were not listening to my advice on my own children. Trust your instincts. YOU are their mother! You do what you think is right for your children. Good luck.

I was a "regular" ed. teacher, and it sounds like your boys would have been just fine in my room. I think you should have your boys put in the "regular" classroom (at least for a good part of the day). The MOST IMP. part is to keep in close contact with the teacher(s) to make sure their progress is adequate (find out when the best time to call the teacher, set an alarm and call the teacher every day (if need be) at that time. Teachers are busy, but really appreciate parents keeping in contact & making it easy for them to give you "progress reports". Call a little less when you're both satisfied. Keep the conversations short and sweet:).... If it is below par, then take them out for some speech therapy, or whatever else may be the case, but from what you said they should not be in the class they are in all day long.

i would fight them on this. you know your kids better than anyone and you will feel it in your heart if something is not the right thing. if it were me, i would look into somewhere else, or just put them in kindegarten. im sure youwork with them at home alot, and if you kept this up or found a tutor to help, they will suprise you in how they can adjust in a normal kindergarten setting. if your boys are bright, happy children, all they need is a lot of encouragment and the right ppl who will work with them. my brother had seizures when he was younger, and had a few delays in school. he was abruptly taken out of regular grade school and put into a "special class". well, he wasnt special he just needed a little more than the average student, and my mom fought the school on this point b/c she settling with their decision wouldnt be best for him, it would teach him that he could be lazy and get away with it b/c he could blame it on being special. she switched schools and after a few months he flourished in the regular grade school setting, while seeing a certain teacher who focused on his problems. you know whats right for your kids, dont let anyone else "professional" or not tell you any different. good luck!

I don't know much about speech delay but I am also floored by what you are writing. I also don't see how not talking will help. I think it would make them stick out like a sore thumb and lose more ground with their speech. What is up with that?!?!?! Why special education. I thought that was for kids with learning disabilities not speech delay. I wouldn't put them in special ed. I would send them to kindergarten like any other kids and consult a speech pathologist. I wouldn't let the school system bully you around either. Do what you know is right for your kids.

sounds strange to me. I would talk it over with my pediatrician and see what he/she think.

i feel for you! i woundt want my children to go to using cards when they are doing so well talking. i would talk to the principal or even look at other schools. like you said why regress when they are doing so well!

i think this teacher is wrong and i would go talk to princpal and tell him or her that my kids would not be using those cards.also go to their doctor and speech theapist and have them put it writing that it would not be helpful to your chidren. if you dont stop it now your childern will be in special ed forever because of this teacher. if it is a big school ask for a different teacher. i have child who has cerbal palsy he 20yrs. old hte school where he went would unless i was there would just had him colring pages. so if you dont put your foot down now the system will walk all over you and your kids. i took my son out of school at 17 because they did not have teachers that could teach him. my son is very smart he plays computer games in 4 different languages.

This does not sound right to me either. My daughter is deaf and hears using a cochlear implant, she is in preschool now but no one has ever suggested anything like this to me. In fact quite the opposite. I am not sure how to advise you but if you live in the Raleigh area there is a good support group for parents of hearing impaired children called HITCHUP. Let me know if you are interested and I can get you the info about meeting times. Many of the parents have had experience dealing with the school system and may be able to give some good advice.

Good Luck!
Holly

It seems to me they are treating your children as if they have a handicap and not listening to you. I would either speak to someone higher up at this school and make them understand they aren't handicapped or put them in another school altogether. It seems to me this teacher doesn't really want to teach, they are trying to take the easy way out.

Stand your ground!! My son had some challenges when he was in school. The State should have a coordinator for you with the school. This person is an advocate on the children's behalf. You must get firm with them. You are a tax payer and your children are guaranteed an equal education. Equal not special.

I was a teacher, not Kindergarten but sixth grade, and in situations like this you have to be you children's advocate. If you don't agree with how they're being treated at school, then you must make sure that there's a change. If this teacher uses these cue cards for everyone in her class, then you'll likely not be able to change her policy. However, maybe you could change your mind and just decide that the boys don't really need to be in that special education class. Maybe they'd thrive more if they just started out in regular ed. If I were you, I'd request an urgent IEP meeting or at least a meeting with their special ed. and regular ed. teacher, and I'd actually come out and say what you're thinking. Tell them that you think they're being treated as if they're autistic when they really are not. Tell them you're afraid they'll regress since they're already so much more advanced than how they're being treated. They may just be able to find some solution. Good luck!!

You know your children. Listen to your gut. If there is anything I've learned, you are the best advocate for your children!!

You are an amazing mom!! You fight for those boys, no matter what!
It sounds like they are doing very well, and progressing and you are correct that this might set them back. Teachers often lump things into a category, not all teachers, but some.
I happen to have an autistic grandson age 8. He's in third grade now, and although he has to try harder, and needs special ed part of the day, it's amazing how well he has adjusted to regular classes. These kids shouldn't be treated in any way that would deter their full potential.
Please stand up to the teacher, the school, the district, the state, and make yourself heard as a voice for your sons.
God bless you and keep you and your family safe and healthy. Keep us posted as to what happens and if you are successful in putting your sons in a setting that will continue to aid them and encourage them to keep thriving.

You are these children's best advocate. Don't let teachers and higher ups intimidate you, as some will try to do. You know you're children best. I think you're right. This does sound like a step back for them, instead of a step forward. This teacher may have these steps in place, but part of being a special-ed teacher is pushing these children to do their best, and it sounds like she's wanting to do it her own strict way, instead of what's best and what's going to work, for your children. Teachers are pushed to their limits, but we have to push ourselves to get these children as far as they can go so in years to come, they will have a better life. You keep pushing and insisting on what you want done. If you have to, call your states education board. Gos bless!

I'd check into having the boys tested by a group not affiliated with the schools to make sure you know their needs and developmental progress.
The school systems do benefit to a degree from having special needs kids in them. They get extra funding for teaching the kids. Regretfully a lot are not truly helped by the special ed department, but are instead held back. And it all comes down to the money.
The school wanted to put my son into special speech classes and pull him out of his regular class time to do this. They were treating him as developmentally delayed when instead he was just unable to speak as fast as he was thinking. He actually had to slow down his thought processes to get his message across. That was during his 5th grade year, a year when he was already making straight A's in class, but was being treated as though he shouldn't be doing so. He's now in the 9th grade and is in all honors classes. Oh, and we DID NOT allow him to go to the speach classes. His speech improved as his teacher let up on the pressure to hurry through spoken reports and his 3 siblings were made to quit talking over him and for him when they thought he was talking too slowly.
My son just needed time and freedom to progress at his own rate. He's now ahead of the class.