PDD and special ed. - Autism Spectrum Message Board

T-bone-Mama · 06-05-2003, 09:57 AM

My 8 year old 2nd grader was just diagnosed with Pervasive Delelopment Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, in addition to a past diagnosis of ADHD. He is presently doing well on Ritilan. He is bright and very verbal, but he has problems organizing himself and focusing in the classroom, so he only gets some of his assignments completed each day. He also gets frustrated very easily and does not try if he feels that he can not do something perfectly. The Child study team just re-evaluated him and the Psychiatrist came up with this new diagnosis, which was a shock to me, as I thought his behavior was all attributed to the ADHD.
The recommendation is to put him in a smaller self-contained special ed. classroom with other kids with similar disabalities for next year. There would be a teacher, aide, and approx. 12 children in this class spanning 3 grades. Is anyone else's child in a special ed. class? What are the pros and cons? I am afraid of him falling further behind, as well as the stigma. Any input would be appreciated, as I need to make this decision soon. - Sue

uscoastiewife · 06-05-2003, 03:33 PM

Hi there!The children that need it progress even more in a spec ed classroom.I am an instructional aide spec ed.I have been in many classrooms with ADD,Down's,Angelmans Synd.,Autistic,Aspergers....etc. I have seen students with major behavioral,speech,etc...problems make almost a complete turnaround,an AMAZING difference.The one on one help at their pace is great.Now if u put him in a special ed room,can you take him out the following year if he progressed enough?If he is in a special ed class,they do an individual education plan(IEP),which makes specific goals for what your child needs to work on.Since the goals are made just for what he needs to learn,he will progress.He might fall behind in a reg classroom if he is having a tough time.U might want to look into placing him into a special ed class and see how it goes,then if he is able,place him in a reg ed class down the road.Also a lot of special ed students do what is called "mainstreaming".(grammar school,I am not sure about junior high)This means they are in a special ed room as their main room,but go into a regular classroom for a certain amount of time a day.Are u in California?Any ?s please ask.I love what I do and might be able to answer since I am in these rooms everyday.I have also learned a lot about the Autism Spectrum Disorders.(PDD-NOS,and so on)

[This message has been edited by uscoastiewife (edited 06-05-2003).]

[This message has been edited by uscoastiewife (edited 06-05-2003).]

momof wildchilds · 06-05-2003, 10:04 PM

My oldest son, also 8, will be going into the third grade. This year he had some help in math with the LD teacher. He will be having a replaced math curriculum next year. I think the small group will really help as he also has a really hard time focusing, and really needs more one-on-one teachings to learn. I really believe it will be in his best interests, I hope your child blossoms as well. I was worried what his friends might think if he is not in the classroom with them all the time, so I requested he be put in with a different homeroom teacher from his two best friends. The school complied, so they won't notice him "missing" during math, but he will still have lunch and recess with his friends.

Oma61 · 06-09-2003, 08:02 AM

My daughter has Asperger Syndrome and just completed 1st grade. She was in a "resource room" for a couple of hours each day and in with her "regular class" the rest of the time. Personally, I would prefer that she was in the "resource room" with her Sp Ed teacher all day long. The Reg Ed teacher was not very understanding about AS (even though my daughter has an IEP, and I also called a meeting at the beginning of the school year to educate the teachers and principal about AS). My daughter's attention problems, distruptive body movements and confusion lead to poor treatment by the Reg Ed teacher and subsequently school refusal problems. My daughter was much happier in the much smaller (4 children-1 adult) resource room.
I would not worry about the stigma...worry about your child learning what he needs to learn to have a happy and productive life as an adult. Personally, I think the smaller, less confusing environment in the resource room is much more conducive to learning for these children.

Best wishes...

r and r mom · 06-23-2003, 01:47 PM

My 7 year old son has also been dx with PDD-NOS, with possible ADD-Impusivity. He has been recommended to enter a "special" class at another school in the fall. I am not sure this is the route we want to take. Through his IEP he needs a full time aide (task completion and social clues). He is at grade level now, and we want to ensure that he does not fall behind. The class will be multi-categorical, meaning all types of kids that do not fall into any one category of special needs. I know this sounds bad, but I am afraid they will fill the class with unidentified ED kids. Also this is a brand new class, and last I heard they haven't staffed it yet. There also isn't a specific mission statement. I don't want my son to be a guenia pig! Any reflection?
Thanks!