Why screen kids in P1?
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PhoBIA:
[quote]A 2007 study provided evidence that individuals with Asperger syndrome, a high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, score higher than other individuals on Raven's tests. Another 2007 study provided evidence that individuals with classic autism, a low-functioning autism spectrum disorder, score higher in Raven's tests than in Wechsler tests. In addition, the individuals with classic autism were providing correct answers to the Raven's test in less time than individuals without autism, although erring as often.
Extracted the above from wikipedia. Is the school trying to identify autistic children? :?
Shouldn't parents already identified when their children was around 3/4 years old?[/quote]I seriously doubt they are after those kids u mentioned but rather those who are generally slow learners. I'm sure during your pr school time there were some kids who just couldn't get out of the bottom classes (equivalent to the EM3) and it's not because they were ADHD or Autistic or Asperger etc. They were simply slower.
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DesertWind:
Why would the doctor suggest sending your son for an IQ test? In my books, IQ tests are only necessary if you suspect that your child has some form of learning disability or exhibits unusually high giftedness which you might need early intervention for. Otherwise, to test just to determine if your child has a high IQ is an exercise in vanity.Chenonceau:
Of course, I do realize I have an attitude towards IQ testing that is not common. As a parent, I respect my own child's privacy enough to NOT test his/her IQ even though I can. I am naturally upset that schools see fit to test children's IQ instead of giving them the benefit of the doubt. But I do realize that this reaction is far from common. It comes from me working with such data all the time... psychological data misuse is quite common in Singapore because we lack legislation to protect the use of psychological data.
I have the same thinking, Chen. Just not too long ago I turned down flatly the suggestion from a doctor to send my boy for an IQ test \"just in case\". I don't see the need for it. The doctor reassured me that if the test result is not good, then we can just abandon it, can retake in a year's time. If the result is good, well and good. Lets just say at my age I am no longer that naive. The implications to a failed IQ test and recorded at the doctor can be great.
Imagine my shock to read here in KSP that in P1 schools are administering the IQ test secretly to identify weaker students! :yikes: -
jtoh:
me thinking same thing :hi5: but couldn't bring myself to probe!!
Why would the doctor suggest sending your son for an IQ test? In my books, IQ tests are only necessary if you suspect that your child has some form of learning disability or exhibits unusually high giftedness which you might need early intervention for. Otherwise, to test just to determine if your child has a high IQ is an exercise in vanity.
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PhoBIA:
[quote]A 2007 study provided evidence that individuals with Asperger syndrome, a high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, score higher than other individuals on Raven's tests.
Another 2007 study provided evidence that individuals with classic autism, a low-functioning autism spectrum disorder, score higher in Raven's tests than in Wechsler tests. In addition, the individuals with classic autism were providing correct answers to the Raven's test in less time than individuals without autism, although erring as often.
Extracted the above from wikipedia. Is the school trying to identify autistic children? :?
Shouldn't parents already identified when their children was around 3/4 years old?[/quote]at 3/4 years old (Play group or Nursery level) - still too young to confirm anything concrete black & white in young kids, by medical professional(s). Their brain is still in the stage of undergoing development.
Back in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s - autism seldom heard of.
However in recent past 10 years - strangely, there had been a sudden growing surge or increase in autism children. Medical ground till today can't give definite reasons what had caused this. When a pregnant woman carries a baby inside her womb for 9 months to full term, no parent know whether the baby going to be born is autistic or not. Only God knows !
Parents with special need children are often caught in pain and dilema. They shed tears in their moments of anguish & misery. Who can possibly extend a hand to help their poor child ? God Tolong! Please help me! Please help my poor child ! They very much hope and desire to enrol their kids in Mainstream schools, for various reason(s):-
i)
Every loving parent desire to protect their child, give their child the best education they possibly can. To avoid the social stigma of being labelled, in the growing up process. This happen for kids diagnosed as \"mild\" case, enrolled in Primary schools.
ii)
school fees in Special need school (eg: Pathlight) are expensive - costing around $500 per month. They are charged per month basis, not per Term. Not many parents can afford to pay $500 / month hefty school fees - esp. unfortunate, poor parents from low income earnings bracket.
The education costs in raising a special need child on a long term basis - is expensive, besides challenging. In contrast, attending Mainstream schools is affordable - school fees less than $10 per month.
iii)
Not all parents have the financial means / muscle strength to send a young kid attend \"Early Intervention\" programme. Early intervention programme is costly. Each consultation session around 1 hour cost minimal around $100. One hour come and go is so swift ! What about attending multiple sessions ? And this going to be on long term basis.
as such, a number of affected parents adopt \"wait and see\" attitude.
That is, just enrol our child into Primary 1 first, later then see how.
See what the Primary school teachers feedback on our child's progress - before taking the next step forward, one at a time.
If can survive in Mainstream, that is ideal !
If not, based on feedback received from P1 form teachers first, then decide & take the next step subsequently. When it is time for me to cross the bridge, then i'll face reality and cross the bridge.
Special need kids in mainstream schools require more support :-
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/special-needs-kids-mainstream-schools-require-more-support-20120908
Enhancing Support for Children with Special Needs in Mainstream Schools
MOE will be piloting a new school-based dyslexia remediation in 20 primary schools islandwide in 2012 and 2013, at a cost of $3.6million.
This is in addition to current provisions of :-
(a) at least 1 Allied Educator (Learning and Behavioural Support) per primary school, and
(b) MOE-funded support programmes for children with dyslexia conducted by the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS).
http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2012/03/more-specialised-support-for-students-with-special-needs.php -
Mychildren:
:goodpost:If the screening test is to identify those (who need special help in studies) & to provide help to them, its all right for me.
There are cases of students who are super hyper active, really cannot sit down in class. I've encountered a mother who had brought her girl out of school, because the teacher usually need to stop lesson & went out of class to find her girl. Her girl just wandered off to other places in school during school hours.
There are also weaker students who are asked to go back for some buddy reading programmes too.
If the programme is to assist the children in their development, why need to complain about it???
My sentiments, exactly! -
thetinyseed:
Mine too. :goodpost: mychildren. Incidentally, there were students like these in one of my child class, so I can totally relate.
:goodpost:Mychildren:
If the screening test is to identify those (who need special help in studies) & to provide help to them, its all right for me.
There are cases of students who are super hyper active, really cannot sit down in class. I've encountered a mother who had brought her girl out of school, because the teacher usually need to stop lesson & went out of class to find her girl. Her girl just wandered off to other places in school during school hours.
There are also weaker students who are asked to go back for some buddy reading programmes too.
If the programme is to assist the children in their development, why need to complain about it???
My sentiments, exactly! -
as the usual saying, early detection is better than cure… i also feel that if the primary motive was to detect weaker students, there is nothing to complain about… schools may not want parents to worry unduly over the test or worse, made advance preparation to their children to acheive better results that may not be true…
parents should be informed just before or just after the test to show respect that the school has done such things to their children, but not totally unsaid… i’m not sure of the article if the Mr Whoever is upset that he wasnt informed in time or the school has no intention of informing at all… -
Whatever the reason for the screening, it is only right to inform the parents of the intent. If it is to identify at risk kids, I think the teacher’s observation will be more important than any adhoc tests. And the first steps to be taken should be to work with the parents.
I am glad that they stopped the test. If it is really to help slower kids, I hope they adopt a more personal approach. -
Funz:
:goodpost:Whatever the reason for the screening, it is only right to inform the parents of the intent. If it is to identify at risk kids, I think the teacher's observation will be more important than any adhoc tests. And the first steps to be taken should be to work with the parents.
I am glad that they stopped the test. If it is really to help slower kids, I hope they adopt a more personal approach.
Thank you for saying this. If I say... sure kena flamed. -
teachers may not be skilled enough to identify all of them, especially those borderline cases… a test like raven does the job…
but i still agree that parents should be informed… afterall they are all our kids, not the teachers’…
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