My Child Has Cognitive Disability

Hello T.. My name is A.. I am a teacher. I think that you hve to find the least restrictive environment for learning. What that means is what is the best learning environment for your child? This would depend on the type of cognitive delay. Obviously, the seizures pose a problem but I have dealt with worse. Teachers are trained to deal with multiple students with disabilities. Last year, I had nearly 30 students with a wide variety of issues. If your child is cognitively at a level with other students or can do some of the same things, then why not mainstream him part time? Let's say he loves art and it is an environment in which he could flourish with other students. Then he should take art with peers his own age.

What is especially nice is the chance for teachers to teach the regular education students about being accepting and helpful. Mainstreaming allows students to experience individuls who are different and to learn that the world is made up of all kinds of people. Plus, a wise teacher would pair your son with a peer tutor... a student who is his partner during class. Peer tutors provide basic help and acceptance. I usually choose some of my more accepting and academically sounder students. This role enhances their learning as well as the learning of the child being tutored.

Here are some websites that might help.

http://www.wrightslaw.com/

This site discusses the laws and what is available. It also talks about what mainstreaminf and LRE actually are.

http://www.ldonline.org/

This is a site I use frequently. ADHD and learning disabilities site.

http://www.ncld.org/

http://www.ldanatl.org/

Hope some of this helps!

Hi T.:

Are things going any better? As a parent of a dyslexic with ADHD, etc. I would suggest you have your child diagnosed for Dyslexia as well. The problem, is that most schools don't have the means to test for this in particular and as such provide the best services they can which are generally tutoring and help in the classroom. Many public schools also prefer not to come up with a label and dyslexics just end up in an LD or Special Ed class and end up struggling as well.

As part of the IEP I imaging you have a psychological exam performed? Dyslexia is found in average to above average IQ children and when this goes undetected for a long time, it makes for a frustrating home experience for the family, self esteem issues with the child and a slew of other emotions.

You can learn more at wwww.diaohio.org. With dylslexia, the symptoms of dyslexia can be remediated in the right program.

Let me know.

J.

T.,

It is difficult when your child is labled as being different. I work with individuals with cognitive and developmental disabilities. I am aslo a special education major. First, does your son have and IEP (Indvidualized Education PLan)? If he does, then what goals are set in it the school has to abide by. And if there is something that you as a parent feel needs to be added to his IEP, then you have the right to add it. Don't let the school tell you that they cannot afford to hire him an aid if he needs one, becuase every student that has and IEP, the school gets federal and sometimes state monies to aid in thier education. Don't let the school system bully you. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me as many times as you need to. I am more than happy to helpm your son recieve the education that he deserves.
T.

Hello T.. I honestly believe that it depends on the severity of the disability. I have worked with people with MR/DD for several years and they even eventually have to be 'mainstreamed' in. I think that if you are concerned about your child receiving proper education being put into a large group and not receiving the special attention he needs, I would check into other schooling options. My four y.o. daughter attends Catholic School (even though we are not Catholics). I have found with private religious schooling, it is not all that un-affordable, they have small classes (her class has 9 children and the Kindergaton has 12 children or less in each classroom) where the children are able to recieve specail attention and they still provide tutors and the older children can still be involved in the after school activities through the public school, such as band during the day. The small 'city' I live in also has a Lutheran school for elementary. Best of Luck!