----- Original Message -----

From: temp_mom

To: cerebral_palsy_support@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2006 9:01 AM

Subject: [cerebral_palsy_support] Re: Reading & Comprehension

--- In cerebral_palsy_support@yahoogroups.com, Laura MacGregor
<lauramacgregor@...> wrote:
>
I had no idea that there is such and overwelming problem for special
need children. Moriah is almost 2 and frankly it is kind of scarry
to think of whats ahead for her and my family.At what age is it
normal for special needs children start headstart?? they want moriah
to start in september at the age of 2 and it is from 7;30 to 5;00
everyday isnt that kind of long for one so young?We went to the
doctor this week and they are talking surgery to lenghten the
muscles in march. I would rather try botox first does anyone have
any feed back or advice for me in this ares It would be appreciated>
I have to respond to your comment about parents lobbying to remove
special needs children from the mainstream school citing behavioural
issues. It is interesting to note that our son (who has severe
cerebral palsy, global developmental delay, seizures, feeding tube,
breathing issues etc) was attacked while in a segregated classroom
when his nurse's attention had been diverted. Apparently a
behaviourally challenged student started banging his head on the
floor (he was stretching on a mat). Fortunately the school board
took it very seriously, but I was furious that it had even happened.
So it might be important to note that this sort of thing can happen
anywhere, at any time, and even so called "normal" kids have melt
downs and behavioural outbursts. To paint all special kids with one
brush is so maddening.
>
> We moved him this Sept to the local school where our other two
sons attend and have had an incredibly welcoming reception. He is
now completely mainstreamed into a grade two class. The kids love
Matthew and line up to push his chair, read to him and be his
special friends. The attitude of inclusion is so important and has
made a remarkable difference and in all I would say that this has
thus far, been a better experience than his time in a special needs
classroom.
>
> Good luck. I have found the school system to be one of the more
challenging systems with which to work.
>
> Laura MacGregor
>
> Sharon <smjball@...> wrote:
> Haven't been told that, but we have just started dealing
with the
> school system in the head start program. I was just telling
another
> special needs Mom that I will be lucky to keep my sanity by the
time
> my son reaches 2nd grade. It seems to me like there are so many
> hoops and channels that we have to go through w/our special kids.
> My son will be having surgery in a couple of weeks and could be
out
> for several months w/his recovery, therapy, and the school is
trying
> to tell me that they cannot hold his spot in head start, I don't
> think this is right since this surgery is a medically beneficial
to
> his mobility. I had to ask 4 people at a meeting yesterday the
same
> question and each one of them told me to ask someone else, that
they
> didn't know the answer, UGH! One teacher says that they could
count
> him as not scheduled and then someone else says they can't, I
don't
> think anyone knows what is happening. All I know is, he will be in
> recovery during the winter months and I'm not going to set him
back
> recovery wise because head start will give his spot away if he
> doesn't come back.
> Also, have any of you out there had any negativity from
the "normal"
> kids parents? At our local elementary school there are a group of
> parents trying to get a petition for the "special needs kids" to
be
> taken from mainstream classroom and placed in their own class as
> these kids are interfering w/their normal childs learning. There
> are 5 autistic children in the kindergarten program at our school
> and some must have some outburst, one child had a meltdown and
> actually banged the head of a normal child into the water fountain
> and chipped a tooth. Just a bad situation all the way around.
> I can see both sides. But I get so defensive as a special needs
> Mom, my passive child who is limited mobility wise could be the
> target of the aggressive special needs as well as the aggressive
> normal children.
> Lord, help us all!
> --- In cerebral_palsy_support@yahoogroups.com, "Doxie"
> <doxianne@> wrote:
> >
> > Has anyone been told Academics would be a waste of time for
their
> > special child. And all that was left was social training and
> hygiene
> > and to be satisfied with that?
> > You might be a parent that still would like to see your child
> reading.
> > Maybe you're a parent that has a child that already can read but
> has
> > reading problems or short-term comprehension and memory
problems.
> Maybe
> > you'd like him/her to do better in their classes.
> > Please check this out. >
> > http://groups.msn.com/JeremiahsCircles/program.msnw
> > I have this program in my home if you live in Denver, I'd be
happy
> to
> > show it to you. It might be something that could help your child.
> > Doxie – in Denver (son age 24, with severe brain damage, spastic
> > quadriplegic cerebral palsy, a seizures and etc.)
> >
>