Klarinet Archive - Posting 001253.txt from 2004/03

From: Dan Sutherland <dan.sutherland@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: no child left behind
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 01:23:16 -0500

At 10:01 AM 3/20/2004, you wrote:

> > From: Dan Sutherland <dan.sutherland@-----.net>
> > Subject: Aspie clarinet
> > Message-Id: <6.0.0.22.0.20040319235304.01efc618@-----.net>
> >
> > How is his clarinet playing?
>
>He plays cornet :) You can hear for yourself

I am unlikely to hear for somebody else.

> at
>www.thethomaspages.com/bugmusic.html

Nice playing, considering his short history.

>That IS my biggest worry. I have been complaining about bullies for the
>last three years.
>
>This year he is 5th grade, so there aren't older (or much bigger, he's over
>5' tall) boys in the school. He says there is only one boy now who is
>"bothering" him. Kid follows him around, calling him "evil." Before I
>complained about him to the principal, I looked at a picture of this child,
>and this kid is half his size, and looks somewhat albino. So I am thinking,
>this kid has issues, too, let's see if we can weasel around them, LOL. I
>sat my son down and talked to him about how he should be really really nice
>to him, even if he bothers him.

It would be nice to be able to take matters into our own hands. The
problem with bullying is that bullies have an empathy deficiency, high self
esteem and consequently little incentive to change their behaviour unless
they see an advantage in doing so. A concerted effort by teachers and
other authority figures made aware of the situation can improve the
situation. "Perfect Targets" by Rebekah Heinrichs, 2003, details special
considerations for bullying and Asperger Syndrome children.

> See what happens for the next few weeks.
>If nothing changes, then we'll figure out what to do.

I would be surprised and delighted if your strategy works. Let us know.

> > You "will not permit" presumes the school district is accountable to
> > you. I think it should be. But to what measure?
>
>Well, to the extent that if they have no training in autism, then what CHOP

What is CHOP?

>has given us for recommendations is the rule. Not what they think it should
>be. They are not experts in kids with autism. And they aren't sending
>anyone for training. And they know I won't budge on this. I also have an
>advocate who is an expert in Asperger's coming to IEP and other meetings
>with me.
>
>It's not the special ed director or school psych that disagree with me.
>It's the principal. He doesn't want to spend any money on anything, that
>goes from sports to music to you name it. Cheap SOB.

Do you have an aide for your son? If the principal is providing an aide,
even part time for your son, you are fortunate.

> > Our taxes are paying for all children's education. If I were to pay the
> > extra it takes to provide adequate education for one Aspie, I would pay as
> > much as what I earn for the full time aide required to keep the Aspie on
>task.
>
>Only if you earn $12,000 a year.

Dang! Now nobody on this list will date me.
On the other hand; Is $12,000 a livable salary where you live?
It is not where I live. If a full time aide is working with my child
for that amount, I should be doing her laundry, washing and servicing her
car and helping with her kids' homework to make her feel appreciated.

> That's what our aides make. And the FT
>aide doesn't just work for my son, she can help others in the class.
>
> > Sensory overload is a big problem with Aspies. Any kind of distraction
> > knocks them off their rails. Authorities have suggested finding them
> > a quiet place away from the regular classroom.
>
>You probably didn't read my post from last week

You are correct, I did not read last week's posts.

Dan

> - his sensory issues have
>been desensitized quite a bit, partly by playing trumpet, partly from meds.
>I would LOVE it if they had a resource room in the school. But they don't.
>
>Lynn

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