Opinions please!

[katiekat]

I need some opinions here. I know they say "the least restrictive environment" and all that but I truly think Sean would benefit from being in a small self-contained class next year. I think a smaller class and more one-on-one is necessary. The combination of behavior and LDs seem to be making it impossible for him to learn anything. And I really want him to learn. I don't want them just passing him through like I've seen so many times. At my old job I used to wonder how it was possible that an 8th grader couldnt read and now I know. We've gotten a decent amount of help this year but I just dont think it's enough. What do you think?

[charliegirl]

Least restrictive environment means they can't shove them into a placement that isn't best for the child just to get them out of the mainstream classroom.

I think you are right as far as Sean goes. He may even do better in a school that specializes in teaching children with learning disabilities. Many times children placed there get the building blocks for education they need and gain a little maturity and are able to function well in regular classrooms later on.

[katiekat]

Ohhhhh. I thought it meant as little off mainstream as possible. Does that make sense? Like as little intervention as possible to allow the child to participate in mainstream activities as much as they can.
Im going to bring it up at his IEP next month.

[charliegirl]

Actually, that is the same thing. Basically, they are supposed to look at what is best for the child and not what is easiest or cheapest for the school.

If he was doing well in school as long as the things the were doing were in place, they couldn't put him in another classroom. Since he isn't, you have the right to find out if there might be a better placement for him and request he get it.

[katiekat]

Got his report card today. UGH.

[bugsmom]

KK, just be careful if they suggest a self-contained classroom. (Which I would be suprised if they did). Many self-contained classrooms are filled with children that would be much more severe than Sean. Very few parents with children with special needs want this for their kids and will fight for the LRE, which means if there is a LD classroom, you may have kids in there with many more problems than and LD.

I worked in a self-contained classroom that was supposed to be for very high functioning cognitive impaired kids. Although we had a few kids with severe LD's and mild impairments, because it was supposed to be a HIGH functioning classroom, the parents with really severe kids were placed in there. It was hard on the kids that could learn, because of the more severe kids that couldn't function at all had our attention all day. My nephew was in a self-contained LD classroom for one year because his mom thought it was best, but it turned out it was horrible because kids with more severe issues were placed there by LRE.

So if this is suggested, make sure you visit the classroom and ask the type of children that will be placed there next year. I would hate for Sean to be put in a classroom where he may come out with even more bad habits...just a thought.

[charliegirl]

Bugsmom has a good point.

[jill]

Well at least you got it explained to you. I hear that least restrictive thing a lot on my job and the sad part is sometimes more is needed but they want to try the lesser of things.

[katiekat]

That is a good point. I never really thought of that. Probably because when I used to work at the middle school there were so many different self-contained classrooms this wasn't an issue. I think there must have been at least 10 different types of self contained rooms. There was communication impaired, life-skills, multiply handicapped, and many more. Kids who were considered emotionally disturbed went to a second middle school in the district and the 3rd middle school had an entire program for kids with Aspergers. But I am sure it doesnt work that way here in a much smaller town. I actually just found out that there are NO self contained classrooms in Sean's school at all. So he would have to change schools which is not happening. Hopefully next month at his IEP we can come up with something. I am going to call the psych. and see if we can get an earlier appt. also as I am certain he needs some kind of med adjustment or change.

[bugsmom]

Our district doesn't have anymore self-contained classrooms at all. If your a kid in our district that needs a self-contained classroom your actually bused out of district. It's bad. We used to have tons of sp-ed classes. Everyone is mainstreamed now.

Let us know what you find out.