Questions regarding educational difficulties--might be long

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Hello!

I'm not a parent but have a 12 yo brother with Asperger's. He's been having some great difficulty with his 7th grade science class, actually to the point that he is failing it. I've begun to call him every night and help him with his homework. While he has some problems with organization, he understands the concepts. What I have noticed is that some of the material is not found in his books or allegedly in his notes. I'm not sure if they are supposed to also utilize the internet?

My first guess is that he is not writing everything down that she writes on the board. When I questioned him about this, he said that she doesn't write on the board at all (and talks too fast) and wishes she did like his other teacher. Even though he hasn't been tested for an auditory processing disorder, I would bet money that he would be diagnosed....my point being that this mode of teaching isn't conducive to learning.

I've been arguing with my mother about calling this teacher to set up a meeting to discuss some of these issues b/c she has been stalling for weeks. My mother even went as far as suggest that my brother be better off in a remedial science class. IMO, this is not the answer and I was incredibly offended she would think this. He needs accommodations. He does not have an IEP as far as I know. This is where my story actually has a point.

Is it appropriate to ask for his teacher to either start writing on the board or to supply my brother with notes? I would think that the former would be more "fair". Also, she has a tendency to correct papers but not provide feedback. For some of the more abstract concepts, all he can see is that he got the answer wrong, but not why he got the answer wrong. Is it appropriate for my mother to ask that she give him more feedback?

I'm pretty lost. My mother is trying to avoid the confrontation with this teacher b/c she thinks this teacher is just being mean due to the fact that this teacher assured my mother she knew all about Asperger's. I tried to tell my mother that the teacher is probably not mean, but just uninformed despite thinking she knows about Asperger's. I wish the school would just talk to me.....even though I have the social skills of a rock.

I would appreciate any and all insight you may have.

Sorry for such a rambling post.

No wonder your brother is having such trouble. If my teacher never wrote anything on the board, I would be failing, too. (I'm 15. And yes, I realize this is parents' discussion, but I have been in situations similar to your brother's, and it's no fun.)

In answer to your questions, definetly set up a meeting of some sort, maybe with the school counselor as well as the teacher. It's hard for teachers to change their teaching method, but if you and/or your mom don't do anything, it won't help your brother.
The teacher marks answers wrong but doesn't give the right ones? I wouldn't be surprised if it's more than just your brother who's failing. Your mother should ask that the teacher give more feedback.
How big is the school? Is there more than one 7th grade science class? If he could transfer to a different class/teacher, maybe that would help.

Good luck!

I'm sure your brother isn't the only student in the class who is struggling. From what you've described, any student for whom auditory learning is not a strong learning style would be struggling! Teachers should use multiple teaching approaches, to reach all children with all learning styles (auditory, visual, haptic). Since you can't make her do what she "should" be doing for everyone, you mother needs to meet with her, and if necessary, the principal (or head of the science department, or whomever else is the appropriate other person or people at the school), in order to work out the "issues" that your brother is facing in the class. That should include a need for more written information - whether it's having notes provided or written on the board. Many, many students receive written notes from teachers these days. This is not an unusual accommodation, and if your brother can't write quickly and legibly enough to take notes (or if he can't listen and write at the same time - some people can't) or to copy adequately from the board, he should be provided with notes.

It is more than reasonable to request feedback on tests that amounts to more than "wrong." If the teacher's goal is to teach the material, providing "model" answers after the exam seems like a reasonable way to help students who didn't manage to write them on the test. If it is presented as a search for learning, rather than as an attempt to "trip up" the teacher in how the grading was done, there shouldn't be a problem in getting more extensive feedback.

Is he allowed to record the lectures? If he could do that, maybe his mom can listen along with him and help him make notes.

A lot of times, teachers aren't that great. You can have the best IEP plan, but some teachers will never "get it".

Sounds like the science class my son got stuck in last year. Seems everyone agreed she was just an awful teacher. So, my son who takes science for fun in the summer, got B's and eventually a C in a class where he knew most of the information at the start of the year. What a waste.

I think a meeting with the teacher and the IEP team would be appropriate, but I'm not sure you have the legal authority to make it happen, or to represent your brother there. Which is a shame, since you've got the passion and insight at this point. I would have liked to have had more of that with my son's science class last year, because I never really understood how deep the problems ran until that C showed up. Sometimes us parents get boggled down in so many other things, we just can't see every last tree.

Tell your mom that you are willing to handle the meetings, and to be your most polite and helpful self, because you feel strongly that your brother can do well in this subject, and deserves the opportunity. Tell her you know she's got to stay focused on other things, so you would like to help. You are a wonderful sibling to want to.

My son, btw, despite his strong knowledge of science, can't write a lab report worth reading. He is lucky this year to have a teacher willing to ask all the right questions and lead him through it, or his grades would still be suffering. Someone like that is what your brother needs.