[calikismet]

Hi all -- my other thread about my son's first-grade class and issues became so long, that I figured I'd update here instead.

We have been working diligently with the school (principal and teacher) over the last 7-10 days, and what ultimately came of the situation is this.... Our son has indeed been part "normal" 7-year old boy (and the teacher admitted to being very harsh on the whole class as an early "structured" approach), but we have also discovered that some of his SPD/ SID (sensory-seeking) issues are coming back out. He was in OT as a baby/ toddler for SPD/ SID, and got through most of the issues. However, as is common with many PI kids, the issues begin to either resurface, or become apparent, in school.

So we got the district's OT involved, and he does have very mild SPD/ SID issues. He is a sensory seeker, so the biggest issues are with his movement (fidgeting), and his need to play with things (tactile sensory issues). We devised a pretty good plan with the principal, teacher and OT, with the following things:

(1) the teacher is going to understand that DS is not being naughty or intentionally annoying -- he really does need to move, fidget, etc. So she will back off a bit on the harshness of their green-yellow-red with him, and give him a little more slack.

(2) they have devised a signal (i.e. touch finger to the nose) that simply alerts DS that he needs to correct himself... before he gets in trouble. He can also use the same signal with the teacher if he feels he really needs to move.

(3) they gave him a bubble seat, which is basically a big whoopy-cushion thing that has knobs on one side that gives him some sensation and small movement.

(4) per an idea from my last thread, they put sandpaper and 2 kinds of velcro (soft and hard) on the underside of his desk that he can touch.

(5) if he feels he needs to move, he can go bunny hop outside around the classroom then return to his seat.

(6) they will not take away recess as a punishment - they'll have him do some active punishment like cleaning desks.

(7) he'll have a ticket system where he gets 3 warnings (each warning loses a ticket) and when he gets to zero tickets, he has to change his card; he can then earn the tickets back to go back up in color. This gives him an opportunity to correct himself before he reaches the color ladder.

Anyway, there are more, but those are the highlights. I am so thrilled that we were adamant about getting to the bottom of this, and while I am not eager to "define" my son by any disorder/ issue, I want to address it so that he can then learn unhindered.

Thanks to all who made such great suggestions.

(PS -- OT doubted ADHD right now, and thinks that his issues are SID/ SPD related... so that was good news).

[amyfk]

I am happy to read that your school teacher, principal and support staff are working in tandem with you and your son on these issues. Sounds like a group of people who you can work with. Keep us posted on how he does.
Amy K, NJ

[Kasey]

It is so great that everyone is working together, that is truly how it should be!! Hope the changes make the difference!

[kretzklan]

Sounds alot like the 'structure' we had in place for DS1 at that age...have faith that he can and will pull through. You won't still be sandpapering his desk in 8th grade. Actually DS1 was well on track by 4th grade! Now is maybe the calmest most laid back kid I know!
How awesome that the school readily accomodated you. Doesn't sound like too big a fight! I do appreciate the teacher starting as strict as she would be...easier to give an inch then gain it back (don't all us parents know that!).

[MenloAve]

It is always so good to hear when the school is working with the parents. I'm going to use this as an example with our school when the no recess, no exception - rule is laid out again.

[beckyww]

Real progress!

Becky
This Reminds Me