I am so sick of being blamed for my DC’s SN

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get your objection to public. Why wouldn’t you just say, “I’m concerned you will think my son is cheating when his eye movements make it look like he is looking at another student’s paper.” A teacher can seat him away from others, provide an alternative form of the test, have all kids use privacy folders, have him take a test in a small group in another room...any number of ways that testing could be arranged so there was no question of cheating.

There has to be more to this story.

There probably is more to it but it sounds like teasing is also an issue.

[Anonymous]

OP, how about something like boy scouts. Some of the troops meet weekly.

[Anonymous]

Yes, your son has a rare and challenging combination of symptoms, OP. Tourette's in particular is very isolating for families. I'm sorry!

Your public school system might have a program for your child, and if you find something elsewhere that might suit, you can also consider moving.

Montgomery County in MD has the GT/LD program (gifted, talented and learning disordered). My son has greatly benefited from it. Children need an IEP and an IQ above a certain threshold to get in.

Regarding family, it helps to occupy the scientific high ground. We deluged our families with scientific facts, cited research articles and figures, etc, and had a research-based argument to all their ignorant comments. DH is a doctor and I am a scientist, but any diligent parent, with sufficient facts at their fingertips, can out-argue relatives. A lot of families struggling with family criticism retreat and don't engage, because the conflict is too hurtful, but if you can at all bear it, please educate your families: you'll be helping change minds about special needs, not just for your son, but for all children these people will come across now and in the future.

[Anonymous]

OP again- peers don’t tease about it but it upsets teachers. They always want to argue with me and don’t accept what the doctor recommends. The tics change often. Motor is more often than vocal but on occasion he hums. He is embarrassed when teachers notice and get angry at him.

He goes to a mainstream summer camp out of state up north and that is his best social outlet.

The swearing thing is extremely rare- that’s more in movies about Tourette’s. There are medications for extreme cases like this but they have strong side effects and are not recommended for mild or moderate cases like DS.

I am in nova. Have thought about moving to MD. PP, thanks for the homeschool group suggestion. I wasn’t sure if we would be welcomed because we are doing more online than homeschool but we do have to file with the county as homeschool and share curriculum with them.

Thanks for the empathy- Tourette’s is isolating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again- peers don’t tease about it but it upsets teachers. They always want to argue with me and don’t accept what the doctor recommends. The tics change often. Motor is more often than vocal but on occasion he hums. He is embarrassed when teachers notice and get angry at him.

He goes to a mainstream summer camp out of state up north and that is his best social outlet.

The swearing thing is extremely rare- that’s more in movies about Tourette’s. There are medications for extreme cases like this but they have strong side effects and are not recommended for mild or moderate cases like DS.

I am in nova. Have thought about moving to MD. PP, thanks for the homeschool group suggestion. I wasn’t sure if we would be welcomed because we are doing more online than homeschool but we do have to file with the county as homeschool and share curriculum with them.

Thanks for the empathy- Tourette’s is isolating.

Many of us have struggled with teachers and getting our kids the help they need as well as understanding them. We have different concerns but similar struggles with teachers. We've had a much better experience with middle school teachers and they've been much more helpful and supportive. Maybe we got lucky (finally). But, you are going to have that at any school, public or private.

If the tics are the main issue, I wouldn't put him in a SN school that has kids with behavioral problems.

I'd try boy scouts for more social.

[Anonymous]

are you sure they are tics not stims?

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at the McLean School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again- peers don’t tease about it but it upsets teachers. They always want to argue with me and don’t accept what the doctor recommends. The tics change often. Motor is more often than vocal but on occasion he hums. He is embarrassed when teachers notice and get angry at him.

He goes to a mainstream summer camp out of state up north and that is his best social outlet.

The swearing thing is extremely rare- that’s more in movies about Tourette’s. There are medications for extreme cases like this but they have strong side effects and are not recommended for mild or moderate cases like DS.

I am in nova. Have thought about moving to MD. PP, thanks for the homeschool group suggestion. I wasn’t sure if we would be welcomed because we are doing more online than homeschool but we do have to file with the county as homeschool and share curriculum with them.

Thanks for the empathy- Tourette’s is isolating.

This is unacceptable. I'm not trying to "blame you" but does your son have an IEP? Are you meeting with his teachers prior to the start of the year to explain what they will see so they know what's coming? Or are the teachers ambushed by his behavioral symptoms? If you are expecting him to "pass," OP, then you are creating an impossible situation for you, him, his teachers, and his peers. It's time to be open and honest about his disability, ask for an IEP, educate his teachers on his tics and behaviors flowing from his disability, get proper accommodations, and move forward.

There is no excuse for teachers not accepting what a doctor recommends unless you are simply verbalizing it to them as some sort of doctor's advice in the absence of an IEP. Is that what is happening here? If not, time for you to get real or maybe get some therapy and get out of your own way.

[Anonymous]

OP here- for those reading with similar issues, the accusations and credibility questioning here are typical for people with Tourette’s. These attitudes are the problem- not the doctors, not the parents, but these attitudes.

I am done. Good luck to others out there managing their children’s care around this neurological condition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again- peers don’t tease about it but it upsets teachers. They always want to argue with me and don’t accept what the doctor recommends. The tics change often. Motor is more often than vocal but on occasion he hums. He is embarrassed when teachers notice and get angry at him.

He goes to a mainstream summer camp out of state up north and that is his best social outlet.

The swearing thing is extremely rare- that’s more in movies about Tourette’s. There are medications for extreme cases like this but they have strong side effects and are not recommended for mild or moderate cases like DS.

I am in nova. Have thought about moving to MD. PP, thanks for the homeschool group suggestion. I wasn’t sure if we would be welcomed because we are doing more online than homeschool but we do have to file with the county as homeschool and share curriculum with them.

Thanks for the empathy- Tourette’s is isolating.

Many of us have struggled with teachers and getting our kids the help they need as well as understanding them. We have different concerns but similar struggles with teachers. We've had a much better experience with middle school teachers and they've been much more helpful and supportive. Maybe we got lucky (finally). But, you are going to have that at any school, public or private.

If the tics are the main issue, I wouldn't put him in a SN school that has kids with behavioral problems.

I'd try boy scouts for more social.

The Boy Scout idea is interesting. I’m glad that you had a better experience in middle. I pulled after 6th because the school kept losing our child’s medical forms. I would provide a report from the neurologist or testing and at the next meeting, they couldn’t find it and ordered more testing. They kept playing dumb and pulling DC from class so we left and did the online program. It has worked really well. I am sticking with it. That school has not asked for so much from me but I imagine it’s because it’s online.

[Anonymous]

Why are you ducking the question of an IEP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you ducking the question of an IEP?

Tourette's students get 504(s), not IEPs. They do not qualify for IEPs in our school district unless there are comorbid conditions that qualify them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you ducking the question of an IEP?

Tourette's students get 504(s), not IEPs. They do not qualify for IEPs in our school district unless there are comorbid conditions that qualify them.

Get a lawyer

[Anonymous]

Come to MD! I teach special ed in MCPS. I've had students with Tourettes. My middle school admin never blinked an eye at their diagnoses or made a big deal about it. Yes, a couple kids asked the students about some of their tics (most commonly between the two I've had loud squeals, guttural exclamations, head twitches, and a couple others at times), and within a week they were ignoring it. It was as commonplace as the girl who smacked her gum, or the boy who tapped his feet, etc. Some people will diss MCPS, but I think you'll get a better shot for your kid (or try public in Virginia, or DC, or where ever you live). Unfortunately, the PP's are right; SN private schools are typically geared for kids with academic/social/behavioral deficits. It doesn't sound like your child meets that criteria. You might try a "regular" private school or religious one that will provide the academic enrichment your child needs. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you ducking the question of an IEP?

Tourette's students get 504(s), not IEPs. They do not qualify for IEPs in our school district unless there are comorbid conditions that qualify them.

This is true under IDEA, so not just your school district. Glad that your school program is working, OP!