Should schools drop some classes to make school easier?

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Our aspie 8 yr old grandson sometimes will refuse to do his work at school. The school is now considering dropping some of his classes to make things easier for him. Does this sound like a good idea or could this be making things easier for his teacher and aid? His parents have scheduled a meeting to find out what exactly the reason is, but, will he be playing catch-up later? He is very smart and also very stubborn.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get him to do his work in school without the "I don't have to do it" remarks?

D

I went thru this last year with my son. My school refused to do ANYTHING, so I at least applaud that your school has concerns for him.

But, I know if my son had an aide, he would of done much better, and probably wouldn't of stopped doing his work, because he had support.

I know you say he is very smart, but you do understand you can be very smart but also have a LD? Lots of times the signs don't start showing up until 2nd grade.

Anyway, even if he doesn't have an LD for some reason he has given up. I think maybe brainstorming first on other things to do might be a better choice first. The dropping a class should be the last resort.

Good Luck
Lainie

I agree with Lainie, dropping some classes should be the very last resort. I have this same problem now although my son is doing better (on some days anyway). You have to experiment to see what works with what kid. Right now the most effective thing I am doing is having his teacher send home anything he doesn't do. I then make him do it at home, it is my call however how much of it he does, and if it takes 3 days to get it all done, or we do it over the weekend that is fine. The time my son has to spend at home doing this takes away from his computer and TV time which he dearly loves. I explain to him later that night (after we have done the work, it would do no good to try and rationally discuss anything while we are working on homework) that the more he does his work in school, the less work he will have to do at home which means more play time. This is what works the best for us now, although it is not perfect and he still refuses to do some work at school. We cannot get a personal aide as much as he would benefit from one, but his special ed teacher has been working with him extra to try and help more, and he is able to get someone to come and work with him during the time he has math. I am assuming your grandson has an IEP in place, try talking to his resource teacher and see what the two of you can come up with. I know it is hard!! ! Just stick with it and let us known what happens in the meeting with his parents!

Also, I think you are a wonderful Grandmother to be helping your grandson the way you are!! He is one lucky boy!

Well, here's talking from experience. Up until fifth grade, I didn't have to take science, health, and history. And boy did that hurt me later on! Especially with history! They never explained why I didn't have to take them and the other students were, of course, jealous. And because of this, I didn't really do too well with those courses in middle school. So overall, it's not a good idea to drop courses. Trust me, I know!

Is he "failing" any classes? I mean, honestly, if he's NOT failing, then I can't understand why they would rather DROP classes, than stop harrassing him about doing the work...You go to school to learn math, english, history, etc...right? So, if he's already learned them without doing the work, I think it's a cop out and very bad judgement on their side to drop any classes just to make him do some busy work...

NOW, if he's actually FAILING those classes, then that's a different issue. I'd honestly in any case drop the classes he's NOT failing, and leave the ones he's failing at, which will allow him to not get so far behind (again, per the department of education standards, not mine, as I don't agree with most schools anyway...)

Have you considered giving him some tests that are NOT produced by the school to see where he's actually academically? He might be bored out of his mind...and of course, the schools are only concerned with ensuring everyone meets a minimum standard...they'd rather him meet the minimum in ALL courses, while doing his homework...than exceeding in 5 courses and failing in one...hmmm...especially if he's not doing his homework...

So, I think you need to take a step back from the whole school situation...maybe get some cheap software or go online to try and test him...maybe knowing you think he's really smart and showing WHY you need to test him, so that you can later argue with the schools, etc...will motivate him to do YOUR tests, etc...

PS-wanna be my son's adoptive grandma? hehe...Honestly, I wish my son had the support from EITHER of his grandmothers that your grandson has from you...sadly, he doesn't...one doesn't care to even see him (20 minutes away) and the other is constantly questioning everything we do for him because she's never taken the time to read ANYTHING on HFA/AS, etc...I have a feeling with a grandma like you, your grandson will be just fine...

Dropping any class should be a last resort resort move only. Do the teachers and aid truly understand your grandson's dx and does he have an IEP in place?

They might consider putting in a system of rewards and consequences. Z had a "treasure box" he could choose from once a week if he was successful in meeting goals. We avoided food rewards, these were items that would interest him such as balls, pencils, small puzzles, toys, and even learning aids.

Homework at home has never been much of a problem for Z. He simply knows there is no Tv, Play time or free reading until homework is done and checked. Again you need to provide incentives, ignore the bad behavior ( or discipline it if bad enough) and reward and praise good behavior.

Back to school, don't let the teachers and staff give up on this child because he has a dx. They will if they can get away with it. Good luck!

i think everyone involved needs to proceed cautiously with this. If your child is in so much distress that he/she cannot function & every class is suffering, then dropping classes might be the way to go. My son was allowed to drop Spanish , gym & keyboarding ( typing).....6 months later when son was in a better frame of mind, he began taking those classes again. I think you need to lopk closesly at what classes they are talking about dropping~ initially, son's teachers were talking about dropping his art class~ one of his favorite classes. We adamantly said no & our opinion was respected.

I agree with ster --

If the classes that they are considering dropping are "fluff" classes, i.e. classes that won't really affect him later, then it MIGHT be a good idea to drop those classes. Anything that is a core class -- science, math, communication arts, -- I wouldn't drop those, mainly because of the earlier posts by people who have mentioned that dropping something that important negatively affected them later on. But if the class is ART, and the child doesn't like art and struggles to do it, and is stressed by it, then by all means drop that class. If he LOVES art, and that's the only class that is stress-free, then keep that class.

Aren't these decisions that we make as parents (and grandparents!) that possibly could affect your child long-term impossibly hard to make? I think all you can do is think, brainstorm, and try to do the best you can. Obviously, your grandchild is really loved. That is the best thing anyone can do for him.

Kris

The "fluff" classes were actually the most frustrating for me. I was an academically oriented person. Physical education was a torture for me. Ironically, I was pretty physically active in ordinary life. I just hated the meaningless, repetitive exercises and hated getting dressed in front of other people. I couldn't sew, so I dropped out of Home Ec. Shorthand was a book of seven seals, but I became a good typist.

I regret that I didn't take any math class above first year algebra. I also regret not learning to drive in high school. However, I did well in academic disciplines such as English, history, foreign languages and biology.

Does he learn in a different style than everyone else? For example, does he have difficulty listening to lessons. Could some things be presented to him more visually? Does he have trouble writing quickly? Would learning to type help him out? We're having some problems with our 6-year-old son in school at the moment. Some days he'll just be defiant and decide he doesn't want to do work in school. So I'm wondering if we (we = the parental units) could work with the teacher, get some of the upcoming week's work in advance, and "augment" it with stuff that interests our son, which at the moment is dinosaurs and astronomy. I don't know if it will work, but I'm thinking that if his school work is hybridized (is that a word?) with something he's really interested in, then possibly he'll be more motivated to work on it. Thoughts?

Yes it is a word and an excellent one as is your idea. Now what you, the parental unit, has to do is convince the teachers, the educational units, that you are not a simpleton and that you have a valid idea. Go for it and make sure you armor plate is ready for that fight.

Actully, our school seems to be making an attempt to accommodate our grandson...the meeting is next Thursday to find out what exactly they mean as far as dropping some of his curriculum (don't know about that spelling). They may just be wanting to ease him into his classes. He has been bringing home A's and B's lately...I'd be happy with C's...it's just those times when he is appearing to be disrespectful and goes "off" on the teachers....then he has to go to his "time away" room which I'm starting to think, scares him to be alone like that. I have suggested he take one of his stuffed animals or a blanket with him. He's 8 and I think he would feel embarressed if anyone saw that he had these....I don't think there would be anything wrong with it - it would be like having a connection with someone who loves him....we'll see if he will cave about that....

This is really the greatest site ! !! so many great ideas. I am going to pass along the suggestion of a good box...Thanks everyone!

D

Grandma, I fully understand about being happy with C's. My wife and I are raising two 10 yr old grandchildren so we get to be Mom and Dad again. Our daughter S joined the family 2 and 1/2 years ago. She was C-D student, below level. We told her that what we expected from her was not A's and B's, but her best. After two years of her best she achieved straight A's for the last year. You have said your grandson is smart, please don't let his dx become an excuse for not working up to the best of his abilities.

I'm curious about his "time away" room. When he goes is he alone? Z had a card system in place with his IEP. At the start of each period he was given 3 cards, the first was a "reminder" that his behavior was inappropriate, the second card was a "warning" to improve his behavior, and the third was a "removal" from the class to think about what he had been doing and to determine what he should have done. The removal was to the special ed room where he was given a space to "Calm Down and Control" himself. After he had come up with a solution to his problem he was allowed to return to his regular classroom. If your grandson is eing totally isolated it may be a contraprooductive measure agravatin the situation. Just a thought.

OMG! I love that idea about the three cards!! !! !! !!

What about instead of dropping classes, just letting him work at his own pace? It will take longer to get through school but maybe he won't feel so overloaded if the time constraints aren't so strict. Also, maybe you could talk to an AS specialist about this?