Thanks to those who counselled patience. She was VERY happy after the first day (she could see her old friends in aftercare); then scared again to go to school the second day, but happy with a terrific music teacher. Third day (today) I again had to drag her to school, but we ran into a friend (who's of course assigned to another class) and his dog, so her mood picked up. We'll take it day by day, but I will not request a class transfer, if only because a friend in the school office said that 99 percent of those requests are denied, and she thought my child would do well with her current teacher (and I agree).
Rookie/naive parent here, but it NEVER occurred to me that schools would deliberately separate friends because friends can be distracting, but I see the wisdom.
Now, ANOTHER child had a difficult time with about 4 boys last year in her class: and all four boys are again in class with her this year. So it does pay to speak up, but I have to learn how. Is it better to ask NOT to be with a particular student ("Mean Girl": "Bully" "Child Who Distracts My CHild") or to ask to be WITH a particular child or children?
The more I learn, the more amazed I am at everything the teachers and principals do!
I was a loner in school and out so having this social child is a real, um, learning experience.
Thank you again.

Hi OP, I wouldn't ask to be moved. You could ask if there is a lunch bunch social skills group your dd could join to meet some new friends, or you could talk to the teacher and ask that your dd be sat next to a particularly friendly/kind/easy going little girl.

Give it a chance for a few weeks and see how it goes. In the meantime, make an appointment with the teacher to discuss any issues your dc has. Don't discuss it with teacher if you bump into her in the hallway -- not fair to the teacher. During the appointment you can also ask what type of support is available in the classroom (e.g., some schools have aides that float among a grade -- find out if this is true at your school). In terms of last year, the aide really should not have been helping your child a lot if she was specifically assigned to one student. It isn't fair to that student who has the aide as part of her IEP (individualized education plan).

PP, if your son is cutting himself, please get him some psychological help right away.

OP, yes, it is possible, but very rare, for a change in class assignment. Unfortunately, I don't think your reasons are adequate and yours would not likely be approved in my district.

I am the free fall of grief poster from another thread about class assignments. I'm the one whose son was cutting himself with the stress of this one teacher who the sadistic admins have now assigned his younger brother to the very next year. I have no illusions that they care one whit about the well being of my family or our general happiness--it is a numbers game to them. We are just pawns. I'm just bracing myself with clear liquor.

Anonymous wrote:My child just entered first grade, in a class where she knows almost no one from kindergarden. Worse, her aide (assistant to a child with Down's Syndrome who also assisted my child frequently), is assigned to another class. All the teachers are terrific, but...can I ask to have my child moved to the class where the aide works? I know they will probably say, "no"--but is there harm in asking?

Back to OP and original question...

I would not ask. You don't seem to have a valid reason (assuming the aide is for another child, not your own). Your child will grow greatly meeting new people.

The harm is you could get "dinged" by the principal/AP as one of "those" parents who can't be satisfied. I would hate for that feeling to then trickle down to your daughter.

My child grew greatly in 1st grade. I'm sure yours will, too.

"NT" or "neurotypical" is also more specific and thus more accurate. A NT person has normal neurological functioning, but still may, sadly, be abnormally snide and intolerant of others. Just to pick a couple of attributes out of thin air.

Anonymous wrote:Can you just say "normal" instead of NT? Thanks.

Not PP but I use NT as well. I don't like "normal" because then my SN child is by definition "abnormal." I know that's true, but I think "normal" and "abnormal" have pejorative connotations. I couldn't care less what you think of that.

Anonymous wrote:Can you just say "normal" instead of NT? Thanks.

SN parents often find the label "normal" offensive as it implies their children are abnormal. Just like it's preferable to say "persons with disabilities" or "persons who use wheelchairs" rather than "handicapped people."

Sure it's possible, but this is not a good reason to change classes. Can't she just meet new people, like every other kid in her class who is new and also doesn't know anybody? Her teacher should be qualified enough to suss out that your DD needs some introducing to some nice kids.

Anonymous wrote:Can you just say "normal" instead of NT? Thanks.

Not OP, but no. It is an insult to SN kids and their parents, pp. The opposite would be the pejorative abnormal, and you're an ass if you can't understand why this is hurtful to SN kids.

OP, I don't understand - does your child require an aide and the aide is not there in her classroom? Or are you saying she developed a relationship with an aide last year and this year that aide happens to not be there because she went where she was needed?

I would not allow her to change classes. Part of school is learning to make new friends.

Can you just say "normal" instead of NT? Thanks.

If your only objection is that she knows too few kids in her class, I would not ask. As for the aide, it's the assistant to the child with Down's, not your child's. At our school, the classes that have kids with SNs get additional adults in their classroom so the ratios are better in those classes and the NT kids that are there are usually selected to serve as peer models. You could ask but it's doubtful that anything will be done.

My child just entered first grade, in a class where she knows almost no one from kindergarden. Worse, her aide (assistant to a child with Down's Syndrome who also assisted my child frequently), is assigned to another class. All the teachers are terrific, but...can I ask to have my child moved to the class where the aide works? I know they will probably say, "no"--but is there harm in asking?