Testing and Observation
It all started with our very first parent teacher meeting in preschool. The Director of the preschool shared the teacher’s observations as well as her own about our daughter having a speech language issue. How could this be true? Our blond hair and blue eyed daughter has a problem. Not my daughter. The perfect pink baby they handed to me in the hospital. The baby that walked at just 12 months old and the little girl whose smile lit up a room. This just couldn't’t be right. Denial, the first stage to grieving. The director said she had a Speech Language therapist she had used in the past to test and observe children for similar issues. My thoughts were we can test her but she is probably wrong regarding her observations. Leaving the meeting I felt like someone had hit me in the stomach and my body just felt heavy. All my dreams and wishes for her seem to be pushed to the back of my mind and fear took their place. What was this speech language issue? How had I as her Mother missed this problem for her? So many questions started to ruminate in my head. Was I a good enough Mom for her with this issue? Did we put her in the right preschool? Why hadn’t my husband or I seen this? What about my pediatrician had he seen this in her regular checkups?
The beginning was all about questions, fear and denial. We proceeded with meeting the Speech Language Therapist the Director had recommended and began to learn her process for testing and observing her in her preschool environment. I can honestly say this was totally overwhelming to me and I had to take it one step at a time. My friend had brought it to my attention “you’re talking for her” my memory of this came back to me. I think for any parent new information about their child takes time to digest and accept. Letting her go to be tested and trusting a professional takes time as well. As you begin to see the struggle your child is experiencing and the awareness grows it becomes easier to believe and the denial begins to break down. Little did I know this process would be followed again and again as we discovered other learning differences our daughter would uncover.
The testing, observation and final report were completed. My husband and I had time to read the report and discuss the findings. Yes, our daughter was having speech language processing issues. Recommendations were given for speech therapy as well as a recommendation to have the public school test and observe her to receive speech language support services from the school. This would be the beginning of our journey through the maze of Navigating Learning. Join me and others as we share our hopes, dreams, experiences and stories regarding learning differences.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wisdom of Two Thought Leaders
This is in response to an opinion article from the Boston Globe. The title of the article by Derrick Z. Jackson, The Wisdom of Two Education Giants caught my eye. The education article issues brought to my mind the fear for alternatives for learning. We lost two thought leaders last week Theodore Sizer and Gerald Bracey. The wisdom they brought to us regarding education is brought to our attention in the article. The position being raised was to change the legal school drop out age in Massachusetts from 16 to 18 years of age, because there is a crisis of 10,000 students dropping out of school each year.
Theodore Sizer’s belief in the connection between the teacher and there students is critical in the classroom. How we fail so many in the commonwealth with funding only a quarter of the 12,000 at risk children. We continually spend more for incarceration of these children than educating them in the school with alternative education programs and stop gap solutions. When will we learn from the wisdom of these leaders? Our society of children is angry and fearful of the future. This problem is happening everyday throughout the country with crimes being committed by our youth. We are not moving forward as a society we are standing still and hope is waning for students, teachers, parents and school administrators.
Gerald Bracey’s concern about teaching to the test and what isn’t measured in those tests. Some qualities mentioned in the article that aren’t measured: creativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation, persistence, humor, reliability, enthusiasm, civic-mindedness, self-awareness, self-discipline, empathy, leadership, and compassion. The big business of test provider companies making big money on tests and children not having the readiness to learn is brought to our attention. We as a society need to provide alternative options, choices for our children to learn and grow to prosper and build healthy learning habits and healthy families. It's time to stop the mechanized approach to learning and teach to a society of various ethnic backgrounds and economically challenged children whom deserve an education. Bravo, Mr. Jackson for raising this serious educational issue.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/10/27/the_wisdom_of_two_education_giants/
Theodore Sizer’s belief in the connection between the teacher and there students is critical in the classroom. How we fail so many in the commonwealth with funding only a quarter of the 12,000 at risk children. We continually spend more for incarceration of these children than educating them in the school with alternative education programs and stop gap solutions. When will we learn from the wisdom of these leaders? Our society of children is angry and fearful of the future. This problem is happening everyday throughout the country with crimes being committed by our youth. We are not moving forward as a society we are standing still and hope is waning for students, teachers, parents and school administrators.
Gerald Bracey’s concern about teaching to the test and what isn’t measured in those tests. Some qualities mentioned in the article that aren’t measured: creativity, critical thinking, resilience, motivation, persistence, humor, reliability, enthusiasm, civic-mindedness, self-awareness, self-discipline, empathy, leadership, and compassion. The big business of test provider companies making big money on tests and children not having the readiness to learn is brought to our attention. We as a society need to provide alternative options, choices for our children to learn and grow to prosper and build healthy learning habits and healthy families. It's time to stop the mechanized approach to learning and teach to a society of various ethnic backgrounds and economically challenged children whom deserve an education. Bravo, Mr. Jackson for raising this serious educational issue.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/10/27/the_wisdom_of_two_education_giants/
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Season’s Help Children Understand It’s A Normal Progression To Change
Well here we are, beginning our transition back to school for another school year. Many parents who have kids with learning differences start to feel their children’s anxiety as the first day of school rapidly approaches. Some routine traditions I began with my daughter in elementary school helped ease this transition. Here are a few helpful suggestions: We would usually start talking about the schedule change mid August and discuss the teachers and routine that would begin at the end of the month. We would go out and buy a first day of school special outfit to prepare for that milestone. Along the way we would pick up some special school supplies, pens, pencils, and lunch boxes with a favorite caricature on them, a notebook to journal wishes for the year or some worries to ease the transition. We might read a book about changes. Season’s help children understand it’s a normal progression to change.
As the actual day moved closer I would look over the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and review the goals the team from the prior year had defined and evaluate based on strength, weaknesses and learning style. This would allow me time to introduce some goals for the year and ease any worries that might have carried over from last year.
A few days before school opened I would talk about the field trip we would take to tour the school and meet the teacher. This would end with a lunch date of my daughter’s choosing to celebrate back to school. This day was exciting as well as the first day of school. Teachers are getting their rooms ready and sometimes are available for a few minutes to get introduced to new students. I would take this time to introduce my daughter to the classroom and listen to the teacher explain what they were doing to get ready.
Once we completed the introductions I would introduce some goals stated in the IEP, remembering to touch upon strengths, weaknesses and any special concerns my child might have. We would then say goodbye and continue to tour the school.
Transitions are difficult in school so we would discuss lining up, lunch - looking over the cafeteria, the tables, kitchen, where to purchase milk and the door to go out to the play ground for recess. The tour would include the office, talking to the principal’s administrative assistant, the Nurses office and introduction to the school Nurse, gym, music room and art room. This was a very exciting tour as we discussed the changes in her day. We would end with playing outside on the playground and leave for our special lunch.
We still discuss the transitions and changes that will occur with the beginning of the school year. We take some time to get hair styled, new outfits for the first day and some special school supplies. Transitions can be difficult but with some thought they can be eased with planning, discussions and compassion. Enjoy this time it will be gone before you know it.
As the actual day moved closer I would look over the Individual Education Plan (IEP) and review the goals the team from the prior year had defined and evaluate based on strength, weaknesses and learning style. This would allow me time to introduce some goals for the year and ease any worries that might have carried over from last year.
A few days before school opened I would talk about the field trip we would take to tour the school and meet the teacher. This would end with a lunch date of my daughter’s choosing to celebrate back to school. This day was exciting as well as the first day of school. Teachers are getting their rooms ready and sometimes are available for a few minutes to get introduced to new students. I would take this time to introduce my daughter to the classroom and listen to the teacher explain what they were doing to get ready.
Once we completed the introductions I would introduce some goals stated in the IEP, remembering to touch upon strengths, weaknesses and any special concerns my child might have. We would then say goodbye and continue to tour the school.
Transitions are difficult in school so we would discuss lining up, lunch - looking over the cafeteria, the tables, kitchen, where to purchase milk and the door to go out to the play ground for recess. The tour would include the office, talking to the principal’s administrative assistant, the Nurses office and introduction to the school Nurse, gym, music room and art room. This was a very exciting tour as we discussed the changes in her day. We would end with playing outside on the playground and leave for our special lunch.
We still discuss the transitions and changes that will occur with the beginning of the school year. We take some time to get hair styled, new outfits for the first day and some special school supplies. Transitions can be difficult but with some thought they can be eased with planning, discussions and compassion. Enjoy this time it will be gone before you know it.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Goodbye School, Hello Summer Transition
Do you see your child’s anxiety in changing routines? Is summer transition difficult for your child?
Here we are “goodbye school,” no more activities, lacrosse, baseball, hockey and dance. “Hello summer vacations,” we welcome picnics, camp programs, tutoring, testing and just hanging out. The time has come to say goodbye to the lunches we make everyday, the teachers we have grown to depend on and the students who have learned under their teacher’s tutelage.
When my children were small it was a process to begin the transition of goodbye in June. All the school gatherings Peace Day in Montessori School and The Family day in pre-school marked the beginning of the teachers and students preparing their good byes. It was a very bittersweet moment for my children as well as the teachers they had grown to love and trust. I felt sadness as there Mom watching the ritual of good bye take place. Children with learning differences learn lots of times in safe routine fashion. The routine of the day makes them feel safe and learning happens in a loving, safe environment. Teachers and routine are the mechanism that brings that to the child. Their knowledge, wisdom, love and support fosters learning growth. The rhythm of the classroom, the routine of the day similar to work cycles fosters learning.
So when goodbyes start the thoughts of “what’s next,” begin. This was always a difficult time for my child with leaning difference. Just the thought of change, newness, something different brought anxiety. The course I began to follow each year became the "Goodbye School, Hello Summer" traditions. We would plan what we wanted summer to be with a list of activities and routines (i.e. hang out in pajamas, go to the library, stock up on books, look at magazines, buy a new kite, fly the kite, picnics at different parks- Rocky Woods, Castle Island, Crane Estate, our backyard, beaches, fishing and bike paths to ride on) oh, so much more.
Keeping the first week simple with some schedule of routine was my goal. One outing a day with good food choices and a schedule for meals was keeping it simple for us. Fights would ensue later in the day as they got tired or remembered there old schedule, teachers and friends. Maybe we would plan a play date with a friend from school too. What ever seemed right, we would roll with that first week. Being conscious of this transition is hard but, allows for it to happen and the children to feel there feelings and begin the summer routine. Hello Summer!!
Please share some tips or feed back on this hot topic in the Blog!!
Here we are “goodbye school,” no more activities, lacrosse, baseball, hockey and dance. “Hello summer vacations,” we welcome picnics, camp programs, tutoring, testing and just hanging out. The time has come to say goodbye to the lunches we make everyday, the teachers we have grown to depend on and the students who have learned under their teacher’s tutelage.
When my children were small it was a process to begin the transition of goodbye in June. All the school gatherings Peace Day in Montessori School and The Family day in pre-school marked the beginning of the teachers and students preparing their good byes. It was a very bittersweet moment for my children as well as the teachers they had grown to love and trust. I felt sadness as there Mom watching the ritual of good bye take place. Children with learning differences learn lots of times in safe routine fashion. The routine of the day makes them feel safe and learning happens in a loving, safe environment. Teachers and routine are the mechanism that brings that to the child. Their knowledge, wisdom, love and support fosters learning growth. The rhythm of the classroom, the routine of the day similar to work cycles fosters learning.
So when goodbyes start the thoughts of “what’s next,” begin. This was always a difficult time for my child with leaning difference. Just the thought of change, newness, something different brought anxiety. The course I began to follow each year became the "Goodbye School, Hello Summer" traditions. We would plan what we wanted summer to be with a list of activities and routines (i.e. hang out in pajamas, go to the library, stock up on books, look at magazines, buy a new kite, fly the kite, picnics at different parks- Rocky Woods, Castle Island, Crane Estate, our backyard, beaches, fishing and bike paths to ride on) oh, so much more.
Keeping the first week simple with some schedule of routine was my goal. One outing a day with good food choices and a schedule for meals was keeping it simple for us. Fights would ensue later in the day as they got tired or remembered there old schedule, teachers and friends. Maybe we would plan a play date with a friend from school too. What ever seemed right, we would roll with that first week. Being conscious of this transition is hard but, allows for it to happen and the children to feel there feelings and begin the summer routine. Hello Summer!!
Please share some tips or feed back on this hot topic in the Blog!!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Learning Differences Testing In The Summer Months
Testing for your child’s learning differences can be a daunting task. The summer months seem to be a time when parents can get time on professional’s busy calendars to schedule testing times and begin to develop a strategy to measure and treat the issue or issues they are tasked to attend to. This can be overwhelming to the parent and the child who want to experience some downtime, summer camps and programs or a simple summer schedule. Finding the professional to test can be a hurdle and then getting time on their calendar can be difficult.
What are some solutions you have found for working with professionals to schedule test and define a strategy for learning differences, disabilities? http://www.navigatelearningtoday.com/id14.html
What are some solutions you have found for working with professionals to schedule test and define a strategy for learning differences, disabilities? http://www.navigatelearningtoday.com/id14.html
Monday, June 8, 2009
Families Become Whole With Learning Solutions
Families who have children with learning differences struggle every day. Similar to families without learning differences, the one major variation is children or a child in the household have a very difficult time learning. A learning difference is defined in Wikipedia in the following manner; in the United States and Canada, the terms learning disability, learning disabilities, and learning disorders (LD) refer to a group of disorders that affect a broad range of academic and functional skills including the ability to speak, listen, read, write, spell, reason, and organize information.
The LD Online website (LD Basics) defines an LD as: a learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired". Children with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways.
A learning disability can't be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong issue. With the right support and intervention, however, children with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on to successful, often distinguished careers later in life. Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve such success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties.
When a child begins to learn, families begin to heal and become whole. The process of testing, observing and diagnosing begins the process of Navigating Learning Today. Once information is available the parent is able to make decisions on what the next steps will be.
http://www.navigatelearningtoday.com/id1.html
Here are some simple steps to begin Navigating Learning Today:
1) Where is your child today?
2) Where would you like to see your child in the next 3 to 5 years?
3) What was the most mastery your child exhibited in an activity, using their imagination or any life experience in the last year?
Please post any ideas or thoughts you may have on this subject.
The LD Online website (LD Basics) defines an LD as: a learning disability is a neurological disorder. In simple terms, a learning disability results from a difference in the way a person's brain is "wired". Children with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reading, writing, spelling, reasoning, recalling and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves or if taught in conventional ways.
A learning disability can't be cured or fixed; it is a lifelong issue. With the right support and intervention, however, children with learning disabilities can succeed in school and go on to successful, often distinguished careers later in life. Parents can help children with learning disabilities achieve such success by encouraging their strengths, knowing their weaknesses, understanding the educational system, working with professionals and learning about strategies for dealing with specific difficulties.
When a child begins to learn, families begin to heal and become whole. The process of testing, observing and diagnosing begins the process of Navigating Learning Today. Once information is available the parent is able to make decisions on what the next steps will be.
http://www.navigatelearningtoday.com/id1.html
Here are some simple steps to begin Navigating Learning Today:
1) Where is your child today?
2) Where would you like to see your child in the next 3 to 5 years?
3) What was the most mastery your child exhibited in an activity, using their imagination or any life experience in the last year?
Please post any ideas or thoughts you may have on this subject.
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