GreatGrandparents for Autism Advocacy. IA. Muscatine, ggPaa HOME

Autistic Student Class selection, assignments and Grading

Nov 27, 2007

Hello Everybody, Welcome back from Thanksgiving,

Cub's Great Grandma Sandy, Grandma Sue and I have been doing alot of concerned thinking and talking with Cub about his History Class dispostion and Autistic type Melt Downs since our Parent Teacher Conference Evening.

Cub's History Teacher and all the rest of Cub's teachers and associate School personel have been very understanding, cooperative and helpful in understanding Cub and his idiosyncracies about school and his U.S. History Class in particular. Cub likes school and does seem to voluntarily participate in the classroom. He has been very frustrated and irritable to the extent of Melt Downs some evenings and weekends over his out of class work assignments and questions about it.

Conforming State Law to Meet the Requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)?  - August 2006? ? 

We would like to start a discussion concerning Cub's Special Educational Requirements and Goals. We understand and appreciate that Cub is not a "Normal - Mainstream Student". We are aware of his capabilities and disabilities. We want him to have a chance to achieve an education commensurate with his abilities and limitations. An acceptable balance of formal "Book" knowledge, Social Behavior and Societal Acceptence Characteristics appropriate to his position on the Autism Disorder Spectrum.

Understanding that Cub's Autistic Spectrum position is totally different than any other students academic spot or range, we would like to adapt the broad encompassing aura and flexibility of I.D.E.A., 2006 to successfully complete Cub's legal educational requirements. To us Cub's high scholastic rating is not as important as his general common knowledge and capability to enter and mix into a near normal social society environment and viable atmosphere.

To this end we would appreciate the opportunity to suggest and discuss some alternative selections of class assignment and grading possibilities for Cub. Might Cub be allowed to "Audit" a class. Attend as an assigned student in a subject to study and participate during class? If so might it be possible to give him attendence credit or a possible Special Ed compansation grade adjustment. It is important that he gets the exposure and knowledge with or with out a grade. In the case of a known "Traumatic" class might he be permitted to pick an alternate, compensatory subject?

During a similar Frustration period in 7th Grade Cub was given an intrim assignment without homework requirements in an 8th grade Greek Literature Class. It was a great success. It worked wonders on his disposition at home and school. He was almost a perfect student in the new Greek class. It also raised his respect and acceptance among the other students at West.

Thanks for lending us your eye and ear. We respect and appreciate your concern, help and interest in Cub.

Looking forward to more integrated group discussion, communication and cooperation,

Sincerely,

Great Grandma Sandy, Grandma Sue, Cub and GGPa Culver

563-264-1793
2oldies@machlink.com
www.kuhens.org