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hazelm
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04 Nov 2009, 6:42 pm

I need some advice.
I am thinking about dropping Spanish class. I have sensory processing disorder and it's really hard for me to tolerate the sound of the Spanish teacher's voice. She talks very high-pitched. If I want to drop the class, I have to talk to the school counselor. My question is: how do I ask/ tell her? When she asks why I want to drop the class, how do I tell her the reason without sounding dumb or sounding like I'm whining?
Please reply soon, I am at my wit's end with this teacher!



gramirez
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04 Nov 2009, 6:44 pm

Welcome to the forum!

If you feel it's the right thing to do, then I would just be honest with the counselor and tell them how you feel.


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04 Nov 2009, 7:00 pm

I would mention that you think you might have a sensory processing disorder (maybe bring some literature).


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hazelm
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04 Nov 2009, 7:33 pm

okay, I will. Thank you!



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05 Nov 2009, 12:38 am

are you in HS? If so you should have 504 or IEP and parents can take care of that.



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05 Nov 2009, 9:09 am

try watching spanish/hispanic radio and TV programming at home, or on YouTube; might get you used to it.



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05 Nov 2009, 10:41 am

hazelm wrote:
I need some advice.
I am thinking about dropping Spanish class. I have sensory processing disorder and it's really hard for me to tolerate the sound of the Spanish teacher's voice. She talks very high-pitched. If I want to drop the class, I have to talk to the school counselor. My question is: how do I ask/ tell her? When she asks why I want to drop the class, how do I tell her the reason without sounding dumb or sounding like I'm whining?
Please reply soon, I am at my wit's end with this teacher!


"I don't like Spanish" :P



hazelm
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05 Nov 2009, 10:59 am

Quote:
are you in HS? If so you should have 504 or IEP and parents can take care of that.


Yep, 10th grade. I have some accomodations (not sure if they count as a 504). My teachers know about my probable AS, but not about my auditory sensitivity. I talked to my mom. She said she couldn't help me, so I'm on my own with this one. :?

Quote:
try watching spanish/hispanic radio and TV programming at home, or on YouTube; might get you used to it.


I'm fine with the language, it's the teacher I'm having trouble with, whether she's speaking Spanish or English. :roll:

Thanks anyway, though. :)



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05 Nov 2009, 3:46 pm

I am a firm believer in the, "I am my own best advocate," approach. If I know I need accommodation from my employer, I will marshall my argument, my evidence, and go and see my director.

I think the same thing applies here. Perhaps there is an alternative to dropping the class (transferring to a different section, being excused from classroom attendance, etc.) But if you don't ask for support, teachers are not necessarily going to know that you need it.


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05 Nov 2009, 6:38 pm

Say you have auditory processing issues and it's hard enough for you to understand your own language, much less a completely different one! (that's my problem, at least!)


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05 Nov 2009, 6:51 pm

Is there any other teacher that teaches Spanish at your school? Or another language you can switch to next year so that you can get the credit (and different teacher, of course)?

Just ask the counselor what your options are and explain what is going on. Talk to the school guidance counselor about it and see what they think can be done-remember they have probably dealt with a lot of things and it may not phase them in the least.

Just tell them in a way that they can maybe relate to it... tell them the teacher's voice, to you, is like nails on a chalkboard scraping through the entire class and distracts you from being able to actually hear anything she is saying, so you feel that you are getting nothing accomplished by being in her class and find that distressing.

...or something like that. Of course, I can't tell you exactly what to say, because I'm not you and don't know exactly how it feels, lol. I wish you luck!


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hazelm
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05 Nov 2009, 7:32 pm

Yes, there are other Spanish teachers. Why didn't I think of that?

These are great ideas. I'm feeling a lot less nervous now about talking to the counselor. :)