Special needs first wk in pri 1

[Audvis]

Oh I see… But bear in mind that a good shadow teacher will train the pupil such that in the long run, the shadow teacher is not needed anymore.

[schweppes]

specialboymum:

His teachers finally have time to feedback on his behavior. It appears that he is quite disruptive, disturbing his classmates and sneaking out of the classrooms. I'm not sure if this is due to stress from new environment as he was very compliance when he was doing mainstream kindy. His teachers used to call him angel.

Could be his way of dealing with sensory overload and being in a new environment. Maybe can use social stories (draw stick pictures with thought bubbles) to teach your son on the dos and don'ts of social behavior in school.

Kindy teachers are usually more tolerant, class size is smaller and the session shorter. But with a primary school - there are 40 kids to deal with, a syllabus and curriculum to complete and a host of other non-teaching duties, it's no wonder the teachers may not have time to handle every child. Also, the school session is longer, so the child is probably tired as well.

specialboymum:

We are seriously considering hiring a shadow teacher and is making appointment with his school teacher and principal on the possibility of going this option. At least, the shadow teacher can be a link to help us to keep track on what is going on, and to his various therapists on the right intervention. Now, we are relying on teachers to find time to feedback to us, which make both side frustrated, on our side, we don't receive information fast enough to help him, whereas the teachers is frustrated didn't get the support from home to tell them how to deal with him.

A shadow teacher might be useful. It will help put your mind at ease too. Don't be overly worried that the child will be reliant on the shadow teacher. Do what is necessary at this point of time. And when your child gets used to primary sch life, can slowly wean him off the shadow teacher.

[luvmum]

Hi parents


Care to share more abt this shadow teacher? Can parents b allowed to sit either a corner or stand outside for a longer period of time like 1-2 mths till our special child settles better in the new Environ n teacher learning to cope the child better?

[OrangeJuice]

Hi, I dont have a special needs child but I do have 2 nephews who are autistic. I often read posts from mommies and daddies here who share their experiences here so that I could understand my nephews better. I really admire these strong daddies and mommies - it makes me think that my constant worry on my own kids' needs are nothing compared to the demands of raising a special needs child.


Recently I come across the video below and it allows me to gain a new insight into the mind of an autistic individual. I am posting the link here, just to share it with the parents here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNZVV4Ciccg&sns=fb

[chibi]

Hi,

my daughter who is starting P1 this year has high functioning autism too.she has went through social skills class, and lotsa therapy to prep her for P1.
I am glad that the primary school that i enrolled her in is very supportive.
I actually gave KK hosp the go ahead to release her information to the primary school so that she will be given the support when she goes in. I rang the school counsellor too, and brought my gal down to meet her in November last year and had a long talk with her about my gal's needs in school. The school counsellor was very supportive and told my daughter that she can go and find her in her special classroom where lotsa kids will be drawing and playing together during recess time. The school allied educator rang me in December when he received the letter from KK about my daughter's information. We had a long talk too about how we can help her transit into P1 smoother. The allied educator really impresses me, he offered a change of class for my daughter as he feels that there is an experienced teacher in another class will be an ideal choice to be my daughter's form teacher.
On the first day of school, the allied educator smsed me to ask me if he can meet us before the assembly starts. Parents are allowed in the school for 2 days, during the assembly and during recess
he even brought us to meet the form teacher and told us that the form teacher is aware of my daughter's condition .
My daughter is now sitting in the front row in the classroom, just directly infront of the teacher, they actually have a few seats that are near to the teacher's table. She has a partner in class who will remind her of things that she shld do and not do. The allied educator and i always keep in touch via sms and calls to update on my daughter's behaviour in school . So far, its is still ok from what he advised.
And i noticed that my daughter actually looks forward to going to school.
which is a huge change from during her kindergarten time.She will be sobbing when she needs to go to school during kindergarten and not wanting to participate in any activity.
But now, every morning, she will run to my room and ask me, so what time we leaving for school? my partner is waiting for me!!!
i am so happy. Every day she will be telling me about what happen in class, and during recess time with her partner n classmates.
She will be smiling when I walked her to school.
i remember during her kindergarten times, it wil be holding my hand and reluctant to let go when it is time for school.
Now , she wil smile and wave byebye mummy!!! and run in to school with the rest of the students once we reach school.
keep my fingers crossed that it will last ! :rahrah:
There is light at the end of the tunnel...though the journey might be longer and tougher to reach, but we wil get there somehow.

[Ran1977]

Thanks for sharing chibi.

May I ask which school if this?
Like you i have an ADHD son who will going to Primary 1 in 2014.
I too am afraid of all the issues you mentioned.

[chibi]

Hi Ran1977

It is Changkat Primary school
Just walking distance from my house

My daughter has sensory issues too, loud noises and strong smells.
but the allied educator is always there for her , during assembly as the sound volume during assembly might be abit too much for her to make sure that she is ok

[schweppes]

chibi:

Hi Ran1977

It is Changkat Primary school
Just walking distance from my house

My daughter has sensory issues too, loud noises and strong smells.
but the allied educator is always there for her , during assembly as the sound volume during assembly might be abit too much for her to make sure that she is ok

Good to hear that. Very fortunate to have such a wonderful AE.

[schweppes]

luvmum:

Hi parents


Care to share more abt this shadow teacher? Can parents b allowed to sit either a corner or stand outside for a longer period of time like 1-2 mths till our special child settles better in the new Environ n teacher learning to cope the child better?

A shadow teacher is someone who assists the child in class. This person may or may not be an NIE qualified teacher. In fact, more often than not, it's not a even a real teacher (the term \"teacher\" here is a misnomer).

But what this person does to keep a look out for the child, assists the child and helps him get organized.

A former colleague got her Filipino maid trained to be a shadow teacher. It was fortunate that this was a well educated (graduate) and a good maid. The parents sought permission from the school and the shadow teacher was allowed in class.

Depending on the agreement between the parents and the shadow teacher, the shadow teacher may need to give a daily report to the parents (written or verbal). Not sure where to find shadow teachers tho. Best to ask the child's EP for any recommendations.

On the other hand, it also depends on each sch. Some schools are not in favor of external parties in class. Some teachers do not like the idea of another person in class, watching their every moves. Moments like these, must assure the MOE/ sch teacher that the shadow teacher is not there to tell the teacher what to do, but is an additional pair of hand to help the child in need.

[ImMeeMee]

chibi:

Hi,

my daughter who is starting P1 this year has high functioning autism too.she has went through social skills class, and lotsa therapy to prep her for P1.
I am glad that the primary school that i enrolled her in is very supportive.
I actually gave KK hosp the go ahead to release her information to the primary school so that she will be given the support when she goes in. I rang the school counsellor too, and brought my gal down to meet her in November last year and had a long talk with her about my gal's needs in school. The school counsellor was very supportive and told my daughter that she can go and find her in her special classroom where lotsa kids will be drawing and playing together during recess time. The school allied educator rang me in December when he received the letter from KK about my daughter's information. We had a long talk too about how we can help her transit into P1 smoother. The allied educator really impresses me, he offered a change of class for my daughter as he feels that there is an experienced teacher in another class will be an ideal choice to be my daughter's form teacher.
On the first day of school, the allied educator smsed me to ask me if he can meet us before the assembly starts. Parents are allowed in the school for 2 days, during the assembly and during recess
he even brought us to meet the form teacher and told us that the form teacher is aware of my daughter's condition .
My daughter is now sitting in the front row in the classroom, just directly infront of the teacher, they actually have a few seats that are near to the teacher's table. She has a partner in class who will remind her of things that she shld do and not do. The allied educator and i always keep in touch via sms and calls to update on my daughter's behaviour in school . So far, its is still ok from what he advised.
And i noticed that my daughter actually looks forward to going to school.
which is a huge change from during her kindergarten time.She will be sobbing when she needs to go to school during kindergarten and not wanting to participate in any activity.
But now, every morning, she will run to my room and ask me, so what time we leaving for school? my partner is waiting for me!!!
i am so happy. Every day she will be telling me about what happen in class, and during recess time with her partner n classmates.
She will be smiling when I walked her to school.
i remember during her kindergarten times, it wil be holding my hand and reluctant to let go when it is time for school.
Now , she wil smile and wave byebye mummy!!! and run in to school with the rest of the students once we reach school.
keep my fingers crossed that it will last ! :rahrah:
There is light at the end of the tunnel...though the journey might be longer and tougher to reach, but we wil get there somehow.

good for you chibi that your child's school is so supportive. Its the essential first step towards setting our minds and the child's mind at ease.

just wanted to check with you what kind of social skills class did your daughter go through. thanks for advice.