Advice re: evaluations and communicating with teacher

funchicken

I'd really appreciate some advice from those of you with more school experience than I have   Background info: DD1 was diagnosed with SPD a little over a year ago and ADHD inattentive-type at the end of this past school year.  Since it was so close to the end of the year, the director of special education at the elementary school suggested we wait until school started to decide if we needed to do an evaluation.  Currently, she doesn't have an IEP or 504.  When I had her evaluated through the school system in August 2012, she didn't qualify for any services, but that was before the ADHD diagnosis.

DD1 started kindergarten on Sept 3rd, and I emailed the teacher prior to the start of school to let her know about DD's ADHD diagnosis as well as her fine motor delays, and I told the teacher we're working with an OT.  I haven't heard anything from the teacher about how things are going, and DD was kind of upset when she came home today.  She couldn't really explain what happened and pressing her seemed to make her more upset.  DD also told me that the teacher had asked her to hold her pencil a different way from the way we've been working on with the OT.  I feel like since she just started being comfortable holding it the way the OT wants her to, and we're still building up her hand strength, she should continue to hold it the way the OT suggested.  Am I wrong?

I guess I'm wondering how to proceed.  Should I be checking in more with the teacher?  I don't want to seem like I need to know every detail of the day, but if DD is having trouble understanding what's expected of her, then I don't want to just let that go.  How long do I wait to see if we need an evaluation?  Do I rely on the teacher to make the call on that?  I know I'm spoiled from having such easy and open communication with DD's pre-K teacher, so I don't want to be unrealistic.  Thanks in advance for any advice you all have!  

funchicken

I should add that the teacher teaches 2 half-day kindy classes, so she probably has about 40 students.  I'm sure the beginning of the year is overwhelming.  She didn't seem too keen on email communications, but I don't really see how else to do it.  We don't have conferences until November, and they don't receive any sort of report card until the end of the second term (week 18).

MirandaHobbes

I don't have any great advice for you, sorry, I'm sortof in the same boat (new kindergartner), but my son has an IEP (ASD). Someone else mentioned that if your daughter gets an IEP you can have it written in that you'd like daily reports. My son's ASD teacher has been providing daily reports (because he's a completely unreliable reporter!) and it has been very helpful. I, too, struggle with how much to "bug" the teachers. I think a weekly email is appropriate (I asked this question on the Parenting board last week and this seemed to be the general opinion as well). Coincidentally, our last OT had a child with ADHD and she said she emails her kid's teacher every day! I think a simple email asking what method she's using to teach holding a pencil is fine, and I'd explain how your OT had recommended another way and see what she has to say.

mommytoconnor

My DS started preschool in Aug.  He also has SPD, possibly ADHD, speech delay. he has an IEP and thank heavens he qualified for services for speech, but not his SPD. I would say you are right in thinking to follow what your OT said, they are the experts in SPD and motor skills.  I would most definately expect to contact teacher and let her know about the pencil holding thing and also that you would appreciate occassional updates.  I don't think that I un realistic at all, especially with special needs. I have had great success with my sons teacher and email communication is great, about once a week, more if needed. I would definately contact her again and explain your need for follow up periodically, say that your OT is requesting it as well, just so they know what is happening.

funchicken

MirandaHobbes said:

I don't have any great advice for you, sorry, I'm sortof in the same boat (new kindergartner), but my son has an IEP (ASD). Someone else mentioned that if your daughter gets an IEP you can have it written in that you'd like daily reports. My son's ASD teacher has been providing daily reports (because he's a completely unreliable reporter!) and it has been very helpful. I, too, struggle with how much to "bug" the teachers. I think a weekly email is appropriate (I asked this question on the Parenting board last week and this seemed to be the general opinion as well). Coincidentally, our last OT had a child with ADHD and she said she emails her kid's teacher every day! I think a simple email asking what method she's using to teach holding a pencil is fine, and I'd explain how your OT had recommended another way and see what she has to say.

Thanks!  I was worried that weekly check-ins would be too much.  DD's usually pretty good about telling me about school, but I felt like she had a tough time today, and she truly didn't understand what the teacher wanted from her.  She just thought the teacher was mad at her and she didn't know why.  

funchicken

mommytoconnor said:

My DS started preschool in Aug.  He also has SPD, possibly ADHD, speech delay. he has an IEP and thank heavens he qualified for services for speech, but not his SPD. I would say you are right in thinking to follow what your OT said, they are the experts in SPD and motor skills.  I would most definately expect to contact teacher and let her know about the pencil holding thing and also that you would appreciate occassional updates.  I don't think that I un realistic at all, especially with special needs. I have had great success with my sons teacher and email communication is great, about once a week, more if needed. I would definately contact her again and explain your need for follow up periodically, say that your OT is requesting it as well, just so they know what is happening.

Thanks for the advice!  I told the teacher that we were working on fine motor skills with an OT, so I'm a little miffed that she didn't let me know that she'd been correcting DD's grasp.  Hand strength has been a huge issue, and DD just now has the stamina to maintain the grasp that the OT has been working on with her.  I tried to keep my cool in my email, though