So, My Child Has Been Recommended for Testing - What Do I Do Now?
December 30, 2004
You’ve just received a call from your child’s teacher. As your blood pounds in your ears, you hear her explain how she has noticed your child having difficulty with some academic subject in school. Your child is not understanding math or reading the way the other children do. So she would like your permission to proceed with testing to find out what exactly is causing the problem.
So what do you do next?
The first thing is, Don’t panic. This referral for testing simply means that she’s asking for your permission to find out whether a learning disability is evident, or, if not, how she can help your child. She wants to know 1) how your child learns best, 2) where the child’s learning strengths are, and 3) where his learning weakeness lie. This does NOT mean she thinks your child is stupid or that you are a bad parent. She sees that your child does very well in many areas of learning, but there are one or two areas that are really just not “clicking”.
When your child is referred, it’s always a good idea to meet with the teacher in person. Arrange to sit down and talk with the teacher to discover specifically why she has recommended an evaluation. What is she seeing that causes concern? Can she show you some samples of your child’s work that illustrate the problem? It’s a good idea to include the special education teacher in the meeting as well. She will be able to further clarify why these indicators are cause for concern. She can also explain the referral and evaluation process to you.
One indication that there is a problem might be that the child gets very good grades in math, but his reading achievement is below average for his age or grade. He is not reading at the same level that most of the other students of his age are reading at. There is a big difference between his learning in math and his learning in reading. If he is old enough, there may be standardized test scores that also show a huge difference. Ask the teacher to show you that information.
You may have noticed other indications at home, but thought they were just “kid things”. If you ask your child to do 2 or 3 things in a row, does he forget much of your instruction? When you ask him a question, does he have difficulty expressing the answer? Are his room, his book bag, or his locker always disorganized, making it difficult for him to find things? Does he lose his assignment book or his homework frequently? Does he have trouble socially? Does he have trouble paying attention? What does the teacher see at school? Ask her.
Realize that when you talk about these things with the teacher, it does not mean that you are complaining about your child, or that you think he is “bad”. What you’re really doing is discussing the facts of what is actually going on, or not going on, with his learning. You’re trying to help him. You’re acting in his best interest.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions about anything you don’t understand. The teachers will not think you are stupid or inadequate. The area of Learning Disabilities can be very confusing and overwhelming to anyone, and it is best that you understand what is going on right from the beginning. That way you can make an intelligent decision regarding your child’s future.
It is important to find out what will happen once you give permission to have your child tested. The special education teacher will be able to explain the referral and testing process to you. Use her as a resource to answer any questions you might have and explain anything you don’t understand. That way you can be informed and help your child through the process as well.
Know your child’s rights from the beginning. When the process begins, you will be sent a copy of your child’s rights. If you don’t understand them, or if you suspect that a right is being compromised, don’t hesitate to speak to the special education teacher, the principal, or the special education director.
These are things you can do to help your child and yourself through the referral process. They are all part of being informed so you can advocate for your child, and so you can make sure he receives the best services possible in order for him to have a successful, happy, productive future. Remember, it’s in your hands!
For more plain talk about learning disabilities, please visit us at www.ldperspectives.com.
About the Author
Sandy Gauvin is a retired educator who has seen learning disabilities from many perspectives - as the parent of a daughter with learning disabilities, as the teacher of children with learning disabilities, and as an advocate for others who have diagnosed and unrecognized learning disabilities. Sandy shares her wisdom and her resources at www.LDPerspectives.com
Creating Your Joyful Home: Inspiration to Make a Home Planning Journal
December 30, 2004
If you are planning a home makeover or remodeling project, here are some ideas to help you.
Inspiration to make a home planning journal from “Joy to the Home Planner:”
“Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context — a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan.” - Eliel Saarinen (Finnish Architect)
Declaration of Intent
Form your unique design plan encompassing your entire home, from the first glimpse, all the way throughout your home, and to the far reaches of the back patio, garden, or yard.
Think about the feelings you want to bring about: joy, peace, comfort, and contentment. Add in ease, simplicity, and economy. Start with your feelings and the emotions you want to bring about for yourself and those you share your home with.
Write down your ideas. Start with your desired emotion and expand until you create your personal design goal. Something like this:
“I desire peace. I want my home to sing in perfect harmony with the universe. I need to encourage nature’s music of bird songs and plan a birdbath.”
“I want natural warmth. I want the sun to shine in! No heavy window coverings will block out natural daylight. Ethereal light will be encouraged with soft, sheer window dressings for privacy.”
“I feel like relaxing. I desire a padded rocking chair on my back porch with a table nearby for iced tea.”
“We want joyful rooms to play together in. Only necessary furnishings will take up valuable play space.”
When you first think of how you want to feel in a space, then you can choose the decorating details that will bring about your emotional well-being. I want everyone to feel welcome to my home, so I planted yellow and white flowers. I want my friends to feel refreshed when they park their car, so I planted shade trees. I want all who come to the front door to feel happy, so I painted my door a joyful shade of red.
Enjoy writing your desired feelings and playing with this concept!
Joy to you!
(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.
Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm
To Reach Goals: Bypass Resistance & Gather Assistance
December 30, 2004
To reach goals, consider this illustration: If you see roadblocks up ahead on a journey you take a diversion. No one in their right mind would just drive on and hit the obstacle head on just hoping they get through!
Bypass Resistance
When you set a goal and if you are going to successfully reach goals, you need to write down a list of potential obstacles you may face.
Are there people who won’t understand your goal and discourage you?
Do physical limitations or unfavorable circumstances stand in the way?
Then list them, analyze them and develop a strategy.
With a roadblock you can turn off before you get there or go over, under and around.
Do the same with obstacles that may seem to make it impossible for you to reach goals you have set.
Is there any way you can bypass the objects of resistance you are likely to face?
Preparation like this is invaluable.
If and when you reach the obstacle you know what to do.
You have already made up a contingency plan so you can move ahead and reach goals you have set!
Gather Assistance
At the same time, it is important to identify the knowledge you will need to acquire or the people or organizations that could give you essential help to reach goals before you.
Research the subject and educate yourself.
Become knowledgeable on what you are trying to achieve.
Do you personally know people who have accomplished what you are seeking?
Talk to them. Get input.
Ask:
How did they do it?
How did they feel once they were able to reach goals they had worked towards?
Can you link up with other persons in that field?
What organizations exist with support or information you could use?
The internet is almost a bottomless ocean of knowledge. Through persistence you can find pretty well anything you need to know.
So, to reach goals, bypass resistance and gather assistance.
Including these two elements in your goal setting can make the difference between a failed attempt at the target and a bull’s eye!
This article is part of the Goal Setting Blueprint, a 20 minute tutorial on achieving sucess in goal setting.
Visit http://www.about-goal-setting.com for the rest of the tutorial.
The Power Of Scrapbook Journaling
December 30, 2004
By journaling your pages you will transform an ordinary collection of photographs into a vibrant and visual storyboard - telling the stories behind the pictures, revealing hidden memories and emotions.
It will give your scrapbooks a unique and intimate feel, it is this personal touch that turns your albums into something very special.
That is the power of scrapbooking journaling and why it is one of the most important elements of your scrapbooks.
What to write?
When you are doing your scrapbook journaling think about the people who will read it in the future. Try and remember that they weren’t there, give them as many details as you can so that they can relive your memories and stories for themselves.
One favorite scrapbook journaling technique is to write using the 5 W’s method.
- Who :: who’s in the photo, who took it and who else was present. It is important to name the people in the pictures you use. People change throughout their lives, especially children, so it is vital to tell readers who they are looking at.
- What :: what is the photo about? Describe what is happening.
- Where :: where is the event in your photo taking place? Give some background information.
- When :: when was the photograph taken? Give a specific date and include the year if possible.
- Why :: why did you use this photo? Does it show a special event like a wedding or a milestone birthday? Explain why it is so memorable.
Tell the story?
Don’t be afraid of scrapbook journaling. Just ask yourself, “What would I want to tell future generations about the photos on my page?” and then write it down.
A tip to remember is that all stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.
For example, a nice way to start off your scrapbooking journaling is to give your album a title page. Use one of your favorite photos and write down who or what your album is about, you can even include famous sayings, quotes or a special poem if you want.
This leads nicely onto the ‘middle’ part of your story, the actual scrapbook pages and when you get to the ‘end’ make a page about yourself. Perhaps use a picture of you working on one of the pages and explain why you have made the scrapbook.
About The Author
Elaine Clay is the owner of Online-Scrapbooking-Guide.com :: your one-stop online scrapbooking resource. Find inspiration, increase your creativity and have fun with our helpful tips, ideas, articles and much more.
- Feel free to use the above article on your web site or ezine. Provided that it is published in it’s entirety, including my resource box above and a "live" clickable link to: http://www.online-scrapbooking-guide.com
Creating Your Joyful Home: Dawning of Your Emotions
December 30, 2004
“I keep the subject of my inquiry constantly before me, and wait till the first dawning opens gradually, by little and little, into a full and clear light.”
-Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727)
Creating a joyful home requires careful planning in order to choose the perfect interior design details. When you understand the underlying psychology of colors, patterns, textures, and finishes, you avoid costly mistakes in decorating your home.
In planning your home makeover, start with the feelings you want to bring about in each space. Consider your personal emotional needs. Think about the way you currently feel in your home and the way you want to feel.
Not all of your desired feelings need stimulation in every space. For instance, you may want your child’s bedroom to inspire creativity and your main bedroom to inspire intimacy, while your whole home inspires comfort, peace, and joy.
Choose from the following emotional groups you desire to inspire in your home:
1. Happiness, Joyfulness, Cheerfulness
2. Peace, Serenity, Tranquility
3. Elation, Excitement, Enthusiasm
4. Humor, Congeniality, Playfulness
5. Fantasy, Inspiration
What are your preferences? Did you choose a particular group, or a mixture? Defining your desired emotional support first, before you start your home improvement projects, helps you get your home decorating right — the first time!
(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.
Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm
Strengths and Weaknesses
December 30, 2004
All too often, children with learning disabilities are seen through their weaknesses.
Like anyone else, however, they have many strengths. It is of the greatest importance to focus on the strengths that your child has and show them to other people. It will not only to help others who are involved in her life understand her better, but it will help the child herself know that she is loved and valued for who she is.
I always found that one of my biggest questions was, “How do I see all of my daughter’s strengths, in addition to her weaknesses, so I can get a picture of her as a total person?" The answer lies in what is called ‘quality time.’”
Here are some important way is to spend quality time with your child.
1) Do things with her. What activities do you both like? Do things with her that she likes to do, and ask her to do things that you like to do.
2) Go places with her. You don’t have to travel far. Just go outside, or downtown, or to the mall, or to a movie.
3) Sit quietly with her. Silence says a lot.
4) Hear her when she speaks. Don’t just listen - hear what she has to say.
5) Listen to and try to understand her frustrations.
6) Talk with her to find out about her likes and dislikes.
7) Know what is going on with her outside the home. Allow her to talk about it without being judgemental.
8) Provide a safe, understanding atmosphere that allows her to express her feelings and preferences.
9) Provide positive feedback when she talks about the good things she does.
10)Provide a structure that allows her to make mistakes and learn from them.
Allowing your child to have friends play with her at home can give great insight into your child’s strengths and weaknesses. When we allowed Michele to have friends over, we could see that she was a great organizer of creative activities and was very social, but we also saw that she got very defensive at times. Having this information allowed us to know what to help her with. We also communicated this information to her teachers, so we could all work together on this issue.
Providing an opportunity for positive, open communication with her teachers and the other professionals that work with her allow you to get a picture of her strengths and we. There may be times when there will be disagreement, but these issues can always be worked out. Listen to the opinions of the others on the team. And don’t be afraid to add your viewpoints. It is only through this honest, open communication that you will be able to see the total picture of your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
To get a good picture of her academic strengths and weaknesses, the school is the place to go. As your child’s parent, you are entitled to have access to her records at school. You have probably received copies of that information, but you do have the right to view what is in her records in the school office. Past and current report cards give you some information, as do any notes, reports, etc., that have been written by her teachers. The results of special education testing are also great indicators of what she does easily and what she struggles with. All this information should be in her school file. If you don’t understand what those results or reports are trying to say, talk with the special education professionals who do understand it.
Remember, your child is not just a partial person. She is not just made up of weaknesses. She is a whole person. Her strengths are a large part of her.
Value her strengths; work with her on her weaknesses. But you can’t do either of these things unless you know what they are. Take charge. Find out.
For more plain talk about learning disabilities, please visit us at www.ldperspectives.com.
About the Author
Sandy Gauvin is a retired educator who has seen learning disabilities from many perspectives - as the parent of a daughter with learning disabilities, as the teacher of children with learning disabilities, and as an advocate for others who have diagnosed and unrecognized learning disabilities. Sandy shares her wisdom and her resources at www.LDPerspectives.com
