Nervous About Special Education Class - Autism Spectrum Message Board

Ingridchicago · 09-02-2005, 09:33 AM

My 3 1/2 year old son is starting special ed next week. I am so nervous about the whole deal. I am afraid for him with his severe tantrum. It is hard to let go. Please share any of your experiences.

I have also tried to get him enrolled with Easter Seals, but the Public School is the only institution that is available help as of now.

Anyone who had gone through this ordeal, please respond.

katrinadarksky · 09-02-2005, 10:33 AM

I remember my sons first day of school, I was terrified, I paced the house all day and had my cellphone in my hand JUST IN CASE. I called the school ten times to make sure everything was okay. They just kept telling me that everything is fine and to

quit calling them, they will call if anything happens. Nothing happened, my son was happy to be at school. They dealt with his meltdowns perfectly. He came home with a big smile

and stickers. My son is starting kindergarten in a couple more days and I know it will go as well as preschool.

Remember to send a list of do's and don't's and be happy. Here is my note to my son's teacher:

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Misty Gunning. I am writing this to tell you about my son, Jason Patrick Edgar Gunning. My son is five years old. Jason is Autistic and ADHD. He is on Adderall XR 10mg once a day at 8:30 am, which is to be given by the school nurse. He needs it to be given to him in a liquid.

He loves computers and art. He can count and identify numbers, colors, letters, and objects. He can change his own clothes and tell you what he is doing. We are working on identifying body parts and advanced objects. He loves music and can sing many of the more common kids songs.

If Jason gets over stimulated let him go to a quiet corner of the room where he can be alone and calm down. If he starts to have a melt down please send him to the nurse’s office so he will be in a safe environment.

We have not been successful in potty training, but we sit him on his potty every hour on the hour and he knows the schedule for potty training. He get diaper rash easily. We will be sending pull-up diapers with him, but would appreciate if you can keep him on his potty schedule as much as you can. I know that it is hard with that many children but because of his Autism he thrives on a schedule.

Jason is allergic to Peanut Butter and Bees, if you are making a lunch with peanut butter please call me ahead of time and I will provide him with a lunch from home. This previous year of school the teacher would send me a note and I would provide pasta, lunchables, or hotdogs for the days that he needs a separate diet.

Please don't put him next to a window or under or next to the fan or air conditioner. Don't make him stand in the middle of the line or sit in the middle of group. Help him when he looks confused, chances are that he is. Don't let the other kids tease him or treat him differently.

Document reoccurring behaviors, inability to follow directions, staying seated, staying on task, fidgeting, staring off in space, hand tapping, etc and discuss them with the me or my husband (so we can tell his doctor), or send a note home in his back pack.

I would like him to be in speech and occupational therapy. We would also like to know if Jason can participate in ABA at the school or if we should call our Regional Center worker. My husband and I would also like to be at all of Jason’s I.E.P.’s.

Jason is known to go AWOL and has gone missing from school before. He wears a Medic Alert bracelet. He can follow simple and clear instructions. My husband works two or three blocks from Jackson Elementary and if you need help please call us and we will find a way to get there.

Misty Gunning Cell
(619) 000-0000

Chris Gunning Cell
(619) 000-0000

Gunning Home
(619) 000-0000

Maternal Grandmother’s numbers In Case Of Emergency:

Work
(619) 000-0000

Cell
(619) 000-0000

Home
(619) 000-0000

Jana2676 · 09-03-2005, 01:52 AM

Its nerve wracking! My daughter started school last year and I was a wreck. She did well until the end of the school year when her anxiety problems took over. So far this 1st week of school has gone well, so it was a relief. Her school has a form to write down all their likes/dislikes, fears, set off points, etc., so they can better help the kids. Be sure to ask lots of questions. Request to be called if your child has a REALLY bad day at school so you will be prepared when they get home. Pop in and check on things when you can. Good luck!!!

Sheronor · 09-03-2005, 06:51 PM

Writing a note is a good idea. I did that, and circled the food items on the menu that E likes to eat. I also provided the teacher with all of our contact info - as the emergency cards are kept in the office, not in the classroom.

E started school last year and it was so hard - I was worried about all of her anxieties. The teacher is trained to handle all of these problems, though, and she did. We still have problems - she cries in the morning (E, not the teacher). Usually we get a good report though. We also talk to the teacher everyday so we can discuss E's schoolday with her.

Ingridchicago · 09-11-2005, 05:02 AM

Thank you for sharing your own experiences. Alan has attended for a week now, and yes there's crying. The teacher said that it has become less 45 minutes of crying and 45 minutes of playing. I fugured that if I can just overcome my emotions, I will actually enjoy the break I get while he's in school. Well, I see a change in him though, he seems happier, and more affectionate----he's opening up and coming out of the shell.

Again, thanks for being so wonderfully kind to response to me.