Some help with adjusting and school...UPDATE

My ds is in a specialized preschool 5 half days a week for a severe speech delay. Originally he adjusted pretty well (from what the teacher told me) and all was okay. A about a week before the break, the teacher said he was having a horrible time adjusting from the multi purpose room (which is where they go when they first get there for about 10mins before going to the classroom) to go to the class. We thought we figured it out and the teacher felt it was b/c they changed the spot for where my son's class normally goes to sit to somewhere different. I just got a note today saying while he is doing great in the class, he is still having a "horrible time" adjusting from the multi purpose room to the class again. I'm not sure what to do at this point. While he has made tremendous progress in terms of his speech skills, he still has an understanding of a two - two and half year old. I can't just say, "hey buddy...you have to follow the rules, etc." Do you think this is a sign of some other problem that he may have? I know that the speech delay has a lot to do with it, but I'm not sure if I should ask for another eval? The teacher seems annoyed that he was doing well in the beginning and now has somewhat reverted back. Any suggestions / insight would be great. Thanks for reading!

UPDATE 1/13/09: So after writing the teacher a long letter expressing my concern and requesting a meeting...she finally writes me back today and magically she tells me my ds has had two great days with the transition and has had no problems... . I spoke with the s/t as well and she says that she hasn't had any problem with him transitioning and has told me in fact he has adjusted very well to his activities. She said she also feels that he doesn't need O/T, but said that she would speak with the o/t therapist to confirm. So, do I chalk this up to an inexperienced teacher?

On a brighter note....he said "cookie" today! Yeah! Thanks again for all the support!

Message edited 1/13/2009 7:44:39 PM.

Is he doing something fun in the multi-purpose room?

I know they go in there with the music teacher and sing before they go into the class. They said that he doesn't want to take his backpack and "walk" to the class. He just either refuses to leave or leaves by running out the door to the class as soon as the door is open and doesn't take his backpack. Then when they try to make him go back to get it, he'll throw a fit.

Other than that they say he does everything he's supposed to.

On a brighter note, he said "boo boo" and showed me his finger after he hit it on the door. He also said "bye bye" very clear and waved to the bus driver after he got off the bus. So his language skills are definitly improving!

Message edited 1/8/2009 7:27:35 PM.

does he carry his backpack to the multipurpose room initially? does he have a problem with the backpack at any other time? maybe see if one of the people walking him to class can carry the backpack for a while, and see if he calms down.

i can say my son was in special ed preschools for speech delays when he was younger. used to love going into the building and into class. then one day he stopped. didn't want to go over the threshold of the doorway into the building. literally had to drag him over that spot. yet once he was a few feet into the hallway he would take the aide's hand and walk calmly to class. lasted a month or two and then stopped as suddenly as it started. we never did figure out what was bothering him at the time, but it went away. (the aide's that would come pick him up at the door, would just grab his hand and pull him through the door when he was fighting pretty bad... never got upset, or anything, just matter of fact, we're going to class now and he settled down almost immeadiately on the other side of the doorway. i think i was more upset watching this and anything else, the teacher's never commented on it at all really.

hth

also, just a thought, often children with severe speech delays also have sensory difficulties. sounds like being in a music class with ALL the other kids may be way too much for him sensory wise- it may be too loud---there sounds like there is a lot for him to have to process in there that he just can't right now... does that make sense?

I agree with Donegal. Do you think that it is sensory? Ryan used to HATE HATE HATE circle time when they would sing. He would put his hands over his ears and cry. Now, he has adjusted and is fine, and they ruled out sensory.

It's funny how day for them, they just change their minds about something they used to love, and since they can't communicate why, we are left like this

Sounds like he has difficulty with transitions. Does he transition well between other activities? Or is the problem with just the multipurpose room? I would suggest a picture schedule that would allow him to visualize what his day will be like. Also tons of warnings may help him. "John, one more minute until we leave the classroom......etc....."
Hope this helps

Thanks everyone for responding. The teacher actually said he loves music and initially thought it was because he didn't want to leave the music teacher. They only told me he is having trouble with the multipurpose room only and that everything else he transitions well too. I thought it might be his backpack was too big for him, etc and was going to switch to a smaller one, but the teacher said to leave it be for now. They were supposed to be doing the PECS pics with him for all transitions, but I just found out that they were not doing it for this room. The teacher said they were going to start implementing it this week. I'm not sure if they've done that yet, I'm hoping it will help. I did ask them about sensory issues b/c something he's always done is constantly having to rub my hair since he's been a baby. After reading so many other stories, I asked them about this, but they don't think he shows any signs. I was hoping they would evaluate him, but the impression they gave me is that a new evaluation won't be done until the end of the year. Do you think I should request a meeting?

How about implementing a reward system for waiting appropriately in the multi-purpose room? I would use a highly preferred, possibly isolated, reinforcer for this since it seems that this is a very difficult area for him. I have had students in the past who also brought a transition box with them to difficult situations. These had sensory toys that were isolated for these situations. Good luck!

I think a meeting would be a good idea.

You should be able to get an OT eval. every 6 months. I am having another one done for Lance because he didn't qualify last time.

They should document exactly whats happening to determine a pattern. Have you ever heard of an A-B-C chart? Its a very simple anecdotal data collection system.

A = Antecedent - what happens right before the behavior

B = The behavior

C = Consequence - how exactly they handle the behavior - with all details

It is one thing to discuss it off the top of their heads, but when it is done this way, a pattern can jump out.

It helps to find out WHY he is doing this, instead of assuming why, know what I mean?

FM me if you have any questions....

Thank you so much everyone! I'm definitly going to ask for a meeting on Monday and I'm going to ask about the ABC chart. They never mentioned that to me and I'm not sure if they are even keeping on. They just keep telling me that he has had enough time to adjust and this before needs to stop. It's kind of upsetting to hear the teacher react that way...if my ds didn't need the extra help he wouldn't be in their school, KWIM???? Anyway thanks again everyone, I'll keep you updated as to what happens next week.

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They just keep telling me that he has had enough time to adjust and this before needs to stop.

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Message edited 1/10/2009 12:04:43 PM.

Thank you!!!! My dh and I are teachers...I'm trying to give her the benefit of the doubt...making sure I'm not overreacting b/c it's my son she's talking about. In my gut, something doesn't feel right. His S/T is wonderful and he has had no problems with her. The teacher I know is pretty new to this so I don't know if she just doesn't want to be bothered, but this is just not right. I don't want to overstep my boundaries either making it seem as if I'm telling her how to teach. KWIM Thanks again. I'm going to contact her first thing Monday and set up a meeting.

can i ask which school this is?

I completely agree with requesting an OT eval. They can come up with some transition strategies.