Archive of Special Education Message Board Folder: "Future for Low IQ Kids?" October 3, 1995 - August 11, 1996 FILE NAME: Future01.txt 16 PAGES SUBJECT: The future for our Low IQ child Date: 95-10-03 22:51:26 edt From: T2TULLY Our dauther who is now 7 years old has been in Special education programs since pre-school. She has made steady but slow progress and has both low IQ, Learning Disability, and Motor Skill problems. We have had trouble coping, not knowing what the future may hold for our dauther. We feel we could handle this better if we could plan ahead or at least know what opportunities she might have in this society. We have not given up hope, but want to be realistic and do whats best to prepare her for the future. If you can share your information with us we would greatly appreciate it. T2TULLY KANSAS SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ chi Date: 95-10-05 00:00:35 edt From: TYCLONE I'm sorry, I don't have the answers for you but I am in your shoes. I also worry about the future of my son, he is diagnosed with a rear syndrome that may not allow him to develop to be independant and he may always be in special education programs. I don't know if this will help ease your fears or if this is what your looking for but I found the only way to get through the days without all the pieces of the puzzle solved is not to worry today about what will happen years from now. Believe in the fact that things will work out and that your child will always be cared for one way or another. Who knows what life will offer in years to come so how can we possible plan for the future in detail anyway. Good luck to you and your family. I know this isn't the best piece of mind but it helps me when I start to panic. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ chi Date: 95-10-05 21:36:49 edt From: DIVECHRIS It is important to remember that legislation requires that a transition plan be developed for all students over the age of 14 who receive special needs services. The transition, if properly developed, can greatly assist parents and students is providing services after school or at age 21. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ chi Date: 95-10-08 00:29:15 edt From: Debra10572 My daughter is now 17 and in a Transition Plan w/IEP. Keeping that self-esteem up has been very important through her growing years. Having an LD child has changed the dynamics of the family unit. Place "visual" reminders when you want a chore done., i.e., cut a picture of out the Sale flyers with pretty beds.....this translates to "make your bed reminder. As she grew older, I left the door of the dishwasher down to that when she saw it she knew she had to empty the dishwasher. This established routine, order (LD kids need LOTS of structure) but without the constant commands of "do this and do that". You could view this as a "home" IEP. Start teaching her now :) SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ chi Date: 95-10-12 08:10:13 edt From: Ty Reg Hi The best organization for that kind of information I've found is TASH (the association for persons with severe handicaps?) - my son was evaluated as low functioning with low potential, and it was kinda hard seeing the *superstars* slide into opportunities they denied him. The folks at TASH not only say Everyone Belongs, they demonstrate it ;-). They are online at tash@tash.org Check 'em out! SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-10-14 12:00:33 edt From: Boulevard ..If it helps at all, perhaps looking from a different perspective might be appropriate here. I, too, have a son with low tested abilities (although, unfortunately, most tests don't consider the "other" kids of intelligence that are now known), and have worked with special needs students for 11 years - including the whole spectrum (gifted to profoundly handicapped). It's been comforting to me to know that there ARE programs for my son; there ARE community living opportunities. The students that I worry about most are those with learning disabilities, or even the higher functioning kids or "fall between the cracks" kids with IQ's in the low low low average range.( In fact, now that I think about it, some of the extremely gifted students I have known have real social skill problems, and will have a hard time working in careers that require good interpersonal skills.) There will not be the services in place for some of those kids - they are expected to be competitive in our society....just a thought that gets me through some days - We're really more fortunate than many! -Nancy, a speech path & mom of Austin, the Wonder Kid(who happens to have DS) SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-10-21 14:34:12 edt From: BAKERCAROL Dear Parents, I am a teacher of students with diabilities. I know that it seems sometimes that they may never understand or learn just the basic facts. I recently was at a seminar for teachers of special education and one of the speakers said that a person with an IQ of 60 can receive a regular high school diploma. I cannot emphasize the importance of a regular diploma to you. Without it, you child can never attend colllege, junior college, the military, or many vocational institutes. Please try as hard as you can to give your child this gift. I am hearing a lot of concern over your children. Your children are very fortunate that their parents are not giving up. Sincerely, A Special Ed Teacher SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-10-22 20:05:11 edt From: SusanS29 I'm not sure what you mean by a "regular" diploma -- but lots of people go on to college with a GED. Most junior colleges will accept just about any diploma. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-01 19:07:42 edt From: LenS777 As a special education teacher I have learned to be somewhat skeptical of IQ scores. Recently I received a new student with a performance IQ of 48. A reading specialist tested him and found that this seventh grade student scored at the 7.9 level in recognition and 7.2 level in comprehension. Many IQ instruments discriminate against poor motoric function. But I too am concerned about the future of low level LS/EMR students. Our local VoTech school has an excellent program for TMR clients but nothing for the low low average individual. If anyone in Bucks County has any information on pre-vocational Jr. High/High School programs please let me know at LenS777@aol.com. Thanks SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-02 23:29:58 edt From: SLC Nancy For T2Tully and others: If you do not already subscribe, I highly recommend the magazine, "Exceptional Parent." It has great articles for parents as well as for teachers. Each year you get a resource guide which lists Parent Training & Info centers, Parent to Parent groups, State Assistive Technology Centers, Advocacy Resources, Resources for specific disabilities, etc. There is a feature each month called "Father's Voices," and "Role Models" features an adult with disabilities who describes how they overcame difficulites throughout childhood. As a student teacher, I rely on this magazine to help me understand what parents are dealing with as well as how to understand the child's disability. It is $24 for 12 issues (less if you get 2 or 3 years at one time). PO Box 3000 Dept. EP, Denville NJ 07834-9919. Also, "Computer Resources for People with Disabilities" is a great resource guide for assistive technology...it describes your legal rights, as well as sources of funding and the types of technology available, such as computer software and augmentative communication (alternate keyboards, touch screens for computers, portable computers that talk for the person when they touch an icon on the board, etc.). It is published by The Alliance for Technology Access. Each state has an Assistive Technology office, so get in touch with them....it may offer you some options you were not aware of for your child! SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-13 09:16:11 edt From: KLAWRITER I agreed with the special education teacher who questioned the validity of IQ tests - my daughter is being tested in Georgia (we have newly arrived in Atlanta) and the scores have never accurately reflected her current abilities or potential, in my opinion and the opinion of many who work with her. Can anyone recommend specific tests that do a better job of measuring social skills and good word recognition without the focus on abstract reasoning? My daughter is 9 years old and has language processing and language-related learning disabilities. Thanks! KLAWRITER@aol.com SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-27 01:31:44 edt From: JMGCCRN Please don't feel hopeless about your child. I am confident that my son will be educated to his fullest potential. He has always progressed, even though it is slow and painful at times. He is now 14 and has been in special ed since age 3. By the time he reaches college, I believe there will also be college programs across the country! JMG SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-27 16:17:28 edt From: SusanS29 "He is now 14 and has been in special ed since age 3. By the time he reaches college, I believe there will also be college programs across the country!" There already are. Go to your public library (reference section). I bet they already have a directory of special schools, including colleges. If they don't, Petersen's puts out an excellent one, and any bookstore can order it for you. The point being... if your son wants to go to college there is an appropriate one for him. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-29 22:20:43 edt From: Latoile For the parents that worry about low IQ kids, if you spend lots of time teaching your kids at home after school it helps a lot, my daughter has a IQ of 74 is 13 and is in 7th grade and she just recieved a honnor roll student award she is also fluent with PC and MAC, and type 40WPM SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-29 22:34:34 edt From: AP80 Wow! Way to go, MOM! SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-30 19:25:53 edt From: Boulevard IQ testing doesn't tell about ALL of the intelligences your child may demonstrate - my child may "test" poorly, but he shows me splinters of intelligence that are more human and more real than any published, standardized form can! He does, however," test" my patience from time to time - just like a "generic" 8 year-old! ;) -Nancy SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-11-30 23:50:12 edt From: Latoile it's not mom, it's dad LOL SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-12-01 21:21:45 edt From: AP80 Latoile, sorry for my sexist assumption--I should know better:) SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-12-06 22:22:58 edt From: NCMomma I too am a special education teacher and have been touched by the messages by all of the "special" parents that I have read here. I teach in an at-risk, inner city school and unfortunately most of my students with learning disabilities don't have the support at home that your children do. I commend you for your concern and dedication to your children.... their futures are definitely brighter because of you! SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-12-30 20:26:20 edt From: DONORALOU There seems to be a big difference between Sp. Ed.L/D youngsters and Low IQ youngsters. I thought the designation of L/D carried with it the assumption of at least "average" intelligence. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 95-12-31 15:21:10 edt From: SusanS29 "There seems to be a big difference between Sp. Ed.L/D youngsters and Low IQ youngsters. I thought the designation of L/D carried with it the assumption of at least "average" intelligence. " Yes. Learning disabled is *not* the same as low IQ. The federal definition of LD specifically includes children of low IQ in it. However, LD students do not have to be "average." Low-average IQ's (80 - 90 range) can have LD's. Low IQ students and LD students have highly differing educational needs as well as requiring different instructional methods. SUBJECT: Future for Low I.Q. Kids Date: 96-01-03 22:35:57 edt From: MYoung3648 My 8 year old son was diagnosed with AD/HD when he was 6 years old. We had the diagnoisis done outside the school system and as part of the process they did a partial I.Q. test. His Verbal Scores were 120/130 range but his other scores were lower. When we brought the tests to the school, they said that the tests were only partial and they would have to do their own testing. After the school Pyschologist tested him, he told us that although our son tested high average on his verbal scores, his I.Q. was slightly below normal (in the 80/90 range). He said the best environment for him would be private school (which we can not afford). The school then said that he was not LD and was performing at his I.Q. level so he was not entitled to any special education services. They did give him Extra help in first and second grade but he was not classified as "special Ed". Now he is in the third grade and is not receiving any special help. He struggles with reading comprehension, has fine motor skill problems (handwriting, tying shoes) and in math he has trouble understanding new concepts. I also still notice reversals in his writing and decoding of words. He seems very bright and pick things up off the TV or movies in an instant. Should we have him retested or accept the school's diagnosis. If he does have a below average I.Q. , any suggestions on helping him with his reading comprehension, etc. SUBJECT: Re:Future for Low I.Q. Kids Date: 96-01-04 01:56:04 edt From: Ratatat I am having a very hard time reconciling two separate mesaures of intelligence done on the same child with such wildly different results: 120/130 and 80/90! This is not possible unless one of the testing procedures was seriously flawed. Can you please tell us the name of the tests that were administered privately, and at the school. And, how long these assessments took to give to your child? This can give us all a clue as to how these score were arrived at. I'm not sure I have enough information to say this, but I smell a public school rat! SUBJECT: Re:Future for Low I.Q. Kids Date: 96-01-04 21:16:28 edt From: AP80 I agree with Ratatat. Something doesn't make sense here. Follow Ratatat's advice. SUBJECT: Re:Future for Low I.Q. Kids Date: 96-01-08 23:09:37 edt From: Kenner 14 Your Psychologist sounds rather vague. The "80/90 range" is not specific enough. An average IQ is 100 with a Standard Deviation of +-15. Therefore, your child would still be considered within the average range with a score from 85 - 115. Therefore, if your child score was 85 he would be considered to be in the "low normal" range as opposed to a score of 115 which would be considered "high normal". You need more information! SUBJECT: testing Date: 96-01-13 00:52:22 edt From: Hal404 Testing seems to differ from school district and setting and specialties ... my son, who is 11, withLD and ADHD, had very different testing by the school psychologist and the developmental psychiatrist at Mass General hspital. My son has something called scattered, which means some days are better than others. I love him and so does his mom, even though his mom and I are now divorced. He sees both of us very often ... as he lives with both of us 50/50 and we live in neighboring towns. Hal404 SUBJECT: Re future for our Low IQ child Date: 96-01-13 21:26:43 edt From: LRiggs305 There is a program I have just been trained in that has been proven to raise IQ scores...it is called Applied Scholastics. It really works and makes a lot of sense. I have used it this year with my Special Education Class and for the first time, I feel like I am really making a difference. Look into it in your area. If you can't find it, let me know and I will ask the lady I trained under. SUBJECT: Re:Re future for our Low IQ Date: 96-01-13 23:27:34 edt From: Judy DJ The insights you all share are incredible ... Thank you! My 12-year old daughter has multiple developmental delays, mostly related to congenital brain malformation. We adopted her just before her 3rd birthday (she had been in foster care since age 6 mos), divorced before her 6th birthday and continue to celebrate her growth & opportunities. She lives with me, has been tested IQ-wise from 56-90, but acts sometimes with such "intelligence" I'm astounded. Who really knows. All we can do is trust those we consult and love her like crazy. Thanks again for your thoughts. Keep in touch. E-mail me anytime, that's the best way to reach me. I hope someday to do something more to help others in our situation ... dealing with schools, hospitals, doctors, preparing our special children to succeed as best they can, etc. Sometimes, when they're little, they're "cute", but as they enter school & later into adolescence, we face some unbelievable challenges. I'm worried about puberty, impulsivity & poor judgement. Any ideas? PS. Involvement in Special Olympics this past year has been wonderful. The people involved are incredible. The athletes are beautiful. It's something I see us staying involved in for years to come. Bless you all. SUBJECT: Falling through the cracks Date: 96-01-18 16:23:26 edt From: JohnO4374 I have a 17 year old son in his junior year of H.S., with a low IQ and language proccessing difficulties. This question about the future for our low IQ kids is, for lack of a better word, scary. We live in a very different world today and there seems to be fewer and fewer opportunities for those without the ability to keep up with a more technological society. The days of graduating from H.S., going into a factory type job with health benefits and a salary that you can live decently on, are all but over. I recently attended a meeting where a representative from our local Junior College was discussing all of the wonderful programs they have for learning disabled students. She said that in order to be succesful there, the child should have an IQ of at least 80. They really don't have the programs to deal with students who "are smart enough to know they are not smart". She went on to say that "unfortunately there really is nothing out there for the Forest Gump's of this world". Insensitive I thought, but true. In working with an advocate to obtain some type ofjob training programs at my sons school we have run into nothing but dead ends. About the only thing they can do is put him into programs set up for more severly developmentaly disabled kids. They have wonderful things going for that group and also for the more gifted kids, but kids like my son are falling through the cracks. Unfortunately, the whole process of trying to help my son become an independent adult has given me a rather gloomy outlook. Any thoughts? SUBJECT: attn: John04374 Date: 96-01-20 12:52:11 edt From: SPED4ALL As a teacher of students w/ an IQ <55 and one who believes that jobs are available for these people, I sympathize with you. With the parents of my students, we look at what skill the student has or can learn, and then identify all the possible employment opportunities which utilize that skill. When we're ready for the annual meeting, I contact EVERYONE- supportive employment, voc. rehab., job coach, and even a potential employer if the parent of I have someone in mind. When the other agencies see that they have the support of the school and the parents to assist with this person's successful employment, we usually identify at least some possible employment opportunities/alternatives. Don't give up. Good luck. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-01-20 13:30:19 edt From: Rhythm1000 I am a special ed teacher in a private residential setting. Mostly I have behavior dis. adolescent girls. Most are also Emotionally Handicapped. I have a few girls with the same situation your daughter is in. If you get any ideas.... please let me know I am also concerned abut their future.. I would contact different partial programs or residential programs for her, also check into computer software for Special Needs.... Check into different hospital settings for emotionally handicapped with low IQ. Even if she is not residential material, maybe she could benefit from partial treatment programs icluding school... Go to the Library... There is a wealth of information there and KEEP POSTING HERE...... (I don't know if I was any help) Catherine SUBJECT: Re:Falling through the crack Date: 96-01-20 13:32:50 edt From: Rhythm1000 There is a program in Phoenix called Metro Tech Look in the phonebook I don't have the nmber.... But if you call they might have info on affilitates where you are..............Metro tech is kind of a technical school, they require kidss to take electives that make it fun for them, also teach them trades............Again METRO TECH in PHOENIX, ARIZONA......Catherine SUBJECT: Re:Falling through the crackI Date: 96-01-20 23:44:19 edt From: MBC Books I teach a class of limited intellectual functioning students. Usually my students are fairly successful in toileting skills by the time they come to me. However, this year I have two students-both six year olds who are still wearing diapers. I need suggestions on what to do with these two students because cognitively they should be able to handle the toilet but when we have taken them out of diapers and put them in underwear...too many accidents occur!!!HELP!!!! SUBJECT: Re:Falling through the crack Date: 96-01-25 18:45:24 edt From: ESP TEACH RE: TOILETING i TEACH KIDS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL( MODERATE RETARDATION). wE HAVE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS PUTTING KIDS WHO ARE NOT TOILET TRAINED ON A SCHEDULE. fOR EXample: taking student to bathroom around the time they normally wet. One student "goes" 1 hour after eating almost to the minute. Maybe you can keep a log of the times your students normally go and try to "catch" them. Hope this helps ESP TEACH SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-02-23 23:36:21 edt From: TCJTM Our son just turned 3, we do not have medical insurance so we have not done alot of tests. He is very happy, strong, and showing "autisic" habits and I worry about the future. Will he be able to live with our family in harmony? Can anyone predict what the future will bring? Now Travis is going to preschool 5-days a week,but it is a stuggle taking care of him, his sister, 4 and his baby sister ,1. We live in a rural part of Tx and would appreciate any comments. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-03-15 22:33:55 edt From: DONORALOU I really don't see how someone with an I.Q. of 60 could succeed in college. SUBJECT: Re:Future for Low I.Q. Kids Date: 96-04-01 19:37:06 edt From: ConLee2 Hi, I'm new to AOL so this is a response to MYoung3648 back on 1/3/96: A typical IQ score is the average between a "Verbal" and a "Performance" score (which usually shows up in math abilities). There are individuals for whom the scores are widely divergent, especially following the pattern of high verbal/ low performance scores. And it is somewhat common for this group to also be diagnosed with ADD/ ADHD. An article that may interest you is "Stradegies Enable Students With Gifts and Handicaps to Exceed." It is by Linda Kreger Silverman. Iowa's Talented and Gifted Association. Newsletter, Summer 1994. Sorry I don't have further info on the organization but other articles in that addition may also interest you. One is on ADHD and giftedness. I have a student in my sp ed classroom that fits this pattern and found it amazing how closely the profile of IQ scores and characteristics matched. Of course, there is always room for error in the scores. Knowing the child counts. I do believe the scores can be racially/ experiencially imbalanced. I have students who've been tested more than once over periods of years ( which is supposedly a measure of accuracy), of whom I and other staff agree, the low IQ scores must be invalid. They're poor readers, partly due to poor learning / life experiences, but able to acquire, retain and reteach new information with ease. (Including new reading skills!) LD is a wierd lable. In Minnesota at least it refers to a learner achieving below the level one would expect from their IQ scores. (This is measured mathamatically, and all a state has to do to take a number of learners off LD services is to play with the numbers.) A student with a low performance IQ, performing only at low leveldoesn't qualify; whereas someone with a superior verbal score (as with your son) but average achievement, would! SUBJECT: Re: The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-04-12 22:48:50 edt From: Ty Reg There are some young adults with Down Syndrome who are auditing college classes, some who are enrolled in junior college courses, and others who are enrolled in post-high school programs for students with learning disabilities and getting along well in the dorms, participating in the classes, etc. Apparently, IQ has less to do with success than accommodations and support that enable them to succeed wherever they find themselves. I've met some very sharp people with IQs from 45-60 while touring supported employment sites (young adults with low IQs who hold positions in regular companies with ongoing help from job coaches or fellow employees. Many I observed had 40% of the output of nda employees, and earned 40% of the average salary - some had medical benefits but all enjoyed the vacations they earned, etc). SUBJECT: Re:Future for Low I.Q. KidsI Date: 96-04-21 16:27:23 edt From: EBurke6740 It has been awhile since the testing was completed. The discrepency between the verbal and performance may be what brought the toal score down to the lower one. This would also go along with the fine motor difficulties and suggest a learning disability. Since the testing was a couple of years ago, request in writing new testing. The school district must reply in writing why they do or do not want to do new testing withing a couple of weeks. SUBJECT: Future for Low IQ Kids? Date: 96-05-16 22:10:59 edt From: RLAND66487 My child was diagnosed with Turner's Syndrome in utero. He has been in the Special Ed program here in VA since 1 yr. of age. My son's case is rare because Turner's affects mostly females. We have no guidelines of what to expect with Wesley. He did not speak until after his 4th birthday and I believe his poor verbal skills are the cause of his low scores on the IQ tests given by the school psychologist. I believe my son is much more clever than he demonstrates. Is there such a thing as motivational and/or confidence "booster" programs that are effective for 5.5 yr olds? Any info would be appreciated. I would really like to hear back from anyone that has any info. There have only been a couple of diagnosed cases of Turner's in our area. Since the syndrome isn't life threatening, it doesn't get alot of funding. I feel like I'm all alone over here. SUBJECT: Re:testing Date: 96-05-25 01:46:05 edt From: Arloateach Please keep in mind IQ testing does not necessarily qualify one for special services, two or more grade levels below normal in usually math, reading, spelling, general knowledge etc. is what qualifies one for speical services. SUBJECT: Success as a SpEd Student! Date: 96-05-25 12:22:22 edt From: Snflwr66 I am a 7-12 IRC SPED teacher in a small town in Kansas. This is my 4th year in this school. My first day here a young woman walked in my room, tossed her books on my desk and told me she was "stupid", "the tests say I can't learn" and that I shouldn't "waste my time" on her. She was an LD student with low writing and math ability. She had been misplaced in a EMH classroom in grade school because of social problems and her mother told me that the school psych told her that "Diane will never learn and you should consider institutionalization." After changing the entire program 7-12 , incorporating inclusion and a lot of academic sweat and tears, Dian graduated on May 18th with a band scholarship to a junior college here in Kansas and the "Most Improved Student Award"! She also had a 2.8 GPA in NON-Special Ed classes and passed Algebra I with a B!!! Moral: Success can be found! :) SUBJECT: Re:Success as a SpEd Student Date: 96-05-25 22:48:06 edt From: Ratatat << After changing the entire program 7-12 , incorporating inclusion and a lot of academic sweat and tears, Dian graduated on May 18th with a band scholarship to a junior college here in Kansas and the "Most Improved Student Award"! She also had a 2.8 GPA in NON-Special Ed classes and passed Algebra I with a B!!! Moral: Success can be found! :)>> Bless you! You are a living example of how schools should adapt to the children's needs rather than the child adapting to the schools established curriculum. Bless you! SUBJECT: APPLIED SCHOLASTICS Date: 96-06-02 19:00:40 edt From: CPiszchala CAN ANYONE ASSIST ME IN LOCATING INFORMATION ON APPLIED SCHOLASTICS-A METHOD FOR INCREASING IQ IN LOW ABILITY STUDENTS IN THE CONNECTICUT AREA? I HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL AGE CHILD AND AM BEGINNING TO THINK OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION SETTING REALISTIC GOALS IS MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE\ SUBJECT: Re:APPLIED SCHOLASTICS Date: 96-06-05 16:16:50 edt From: SusanS29 CP I hope you find the information you seek, but please post in both upper and lower case. It's easier to read, and therefore you're more likely to get responses. Thanks. SusanS29, Host SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-06-14 21:45:42 edt From: Ms keye We have a 15 yr old son with a subnormal IQ and have had all kinds of negative input. The children in the middle have very few services as these children are functioning at the Mentally retarded level in the academic world, however our child has normal looks, normal behavior patterns, normal sense of humor,intuition, sense of responsibility and has organizational abilities, is very conscientious, despite the fact that he can not solve problems easily, or read or make change without the aid of a computer or calculator. There seems to be limited abiity of the educators to realize that these children can go a long way with high expectations, specialized education, structure and many adaptive approaches. These children do not need to be on the subsidized roles if we could educate them to their potential, they are more than trainable. SUBJECT: Re:Re future for our Low IQ Date: 96-06-20 09:09:00 edt From: MBK43 Hi. I would really love some more information on this. Could you possibly Email me. My 10 year old daughter is low, low average and I would like any info you could provide. Thanks. MBK43@aol.com SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-06-23 14:34:42 edt From: SHERIKAY "There seems to be a limited ability of educators to realize......" Believe me, most of us in special ed are well aware of the dismal situations for the low IQ kids, those who do not qualify by law for special ed services. As budgets tighten, we are constantly re-evalutaing so that kids "who don't qualify" can be dropped. It's an outrage. The problem is not with the educators, but with the laws and the administrators. I have taught many students who are slow learners who were labeled E/BD inappropriately. It's a moral/ethical question. Do I fight to have the label removed, or do we keep giving them an appropriate specialized education in a setting in which they can truly master skills? What's best for the kid overall? SUBJECT: Re:Re future for our Low IQ Date: 96-07-09 17:55:57 edt From: MKemper204 I'd like to know more about the applied scholastics program. I am a learning disabilities instructor for k-8 and need a boost every now and then on a concept that will work. Please send information to mkemper204@aol. Thanks! SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-07-13 10:15:04 edt From: JBunn59074 I,m glad to see you are skeptical of low IQ scores. My son who is 13 just got retested for his trienniel review.The district wasn't going to retest him, not mandated anymore.Anyway, for all these years I thought he was really LD, but according to these tests he is actually EMR..Imagine my shock..My son has A major problem with ADHD, and as a result he is not a real good test taker, I just hope his new teacher at the middle school won't put too much importance on his new label OHI... it was either that or Autistic or EMR . I know I shouldn't put too much importance on labels, he's still the same neat kid, but autistic and EMR soound very limiting to his future..I mean you hear about all of these famous people who have LD who become successful, Tom Cruise, Einstein, etc. But you don't hear anything about famous autistic folk....I hate labels..The funny thing is, I'm getting my Mastetr's in Special ed, you think I'd know better! Jan SUBJECT: Re:Falling through the crack Date: 96-07-13 10:23:16 edt From: JBunn59074 It is depresing isn't it My son is 13, and I'm really scared about his future..He too is going to fall through the cracks. Where we live there aren't even enough jobs for everybody else. My son doesn't belong in a sheltered workshop, yet problay won't be able to really completely independent either..I hope I'm wrong. We still have a few years before H.S., where he will be exposed to vocational educational choices..But realistically, he'll never be a car mechanic (though he loves taking things apart) I don't know..His future is never out of my mind,I'm scared for him. Will he live with us forever? Will he be happy? Will he get married? Should he get married and have Kids? I don't know..... SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-07-14 16:53:37 edt From: Ratatat << My son who is 13 just got retested for his trienniel review.The district wasn't going to retest him, not mandated anymore.>> The IDEA requires that the IEP be reviewed once a year and that every three years the child be re-evaluated. This is still mandated. Who ever told you otherwise is just plain wrong. Sorry. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-07-22 00:09:52 edt From: OWINGS80 Have have a son who is multiple handicapped. He has a skeletal dysplasia that can not be classifed. He has been seen at Johns Hopkins for several years and to their knowledge he is one of a kind. He has a trach, which has impeded speech. He uses a "total communication" approach. He signs some (limited due to fine motor skills) he makes some sound and he points to pictures, etc. The school system has been very slow to provide him with an augmentative communication device. We are currently trying to purchase a Dynovox II through our insurance company. He was recently tested as they are required to do at 8 years old. They labeled him multiple handicapped but he scored low academically. Around 65. They now want to take him out of the Inclusion Program that was very successful and move him to a different school so that he can receive EMH resource. I do not want him moved. He has attended this school since Kindegarten. He has friends there and knows everyone. He is a very outgoing like able child. But I feel he shouldn't be moved at the convience of the school system because they can not provide him with what he needs at his current school. He made progress last year, he learned to type on computer. He typed all the "writing" from the board. He can not use a pencil. His regular ed teacher did a great job, she receive no assistance in adapting work, etc. But now all of a suddend they want to use the 65 score to keep him from his regular ed class. I am fighting this. I read through the notes posted here. It was an inspiration to me to keep on fighting. God Bless. SUBJECT: Re:The future for our Low IQ Date: 96-07-22 23:23:17 edt From: CurrieKM Good Luck OWING - perhaps you can enlist the support of the teacher who did so well with him last year? Sometimes educators are so focused on doing what they think is right that they miss the whole point. I've not run across many who want to "do what is easiest" - usually it's just a point of view about what they think is best. Keep stating your point of view in a firm, positive, and polite way. Get the support of others who work with him. Don't wait for "the big meeting" - get together with his therapists and teachers individually to share your perspective and to get theirs. It's easy to become overwhelmed or unfocused in a big meeting - even for the school staff. Don't forget to share your long range goals for your son. It's certainly important for him to maintain the social network that he has established. Best of luck! SUBJECT: Re:Re future for our Low IQ Date: 96-08-11 21:57:15 edt From: CHARMIN ME LRiggs, I would be interested in more info. about the Applied Scholastics program. I teach a primary severely handicapped class, children aged 4-8 with mild to moderate retardation. Does the program cover this group? Please email me at CHARMIN ME @aol. Thanks. SUBJECT: Re:Falling through the crack Date: 96-08-11 22:03:43 edt From: CHARMIN ME I, too, have students who are capable of using the toilet and are still in diapers. I take my whole class to the bathroom several times a day (after breakfast, after recess and after lunch). Each of the diaper kids is set on the toilet and if, by chance, they "perform" we give major praise and sometimes, a tangible reward (sticker, candy). Also, we constantly ask them and take them to the bathroom at other times of the day. After a while, they learn the routine and seem able to go at the set times. Of course, unless there is cooperation from home, toilet training at school is never going to be completely done. Good Luck!