My Meeting Notes vs The District's Meeting Notes
My Notes:
I would like to make sure that we all have a clear understanding of the meeting that took place yesterday. It was scheduled on September 19, 2006. The attendees were Sherri Tucker, Diane Stark (sister of Sherri and employee of Children's Mercy Hospital since 1981), Todd Wilson, Kim Berkstresser, and Suzanne Vleisides. Jannette Cooley attended half of the meeting. I need a copy of the schools' minutes for this meeting. Please correct me on any items that I am mistaken on.
The meeting was called to discuss the modifications that should be made to Jacob Tucker's IEP. He has modifications in every class and his mother felt that he needed modifications in PE. She has done a great deal of research on this subject and has offered the information to all that were involved in this meeting, with the exception of Ms. Cooley.
I began the meeting by reading some information that had been given to me by a specialist in AS. I wanted the team to be privy to knowledge that I had gained in the hours prior to the meeting. I also stated that I had spoken with many parents of children in middle school with AS.
I read the following: "Jacob is challenged every single day. Physically, socially and mentally. Jacob also needs a different kind of preparation for the world outside of school. Most AS kids live outside their comfort zone just by virtue of walking into the school building."
I also told everyone that Jake's psychologist has determined that Jake has anxiety issues and they are mostly due to school.
There was some more conversation and it there was a lot of back and forth about autism. I don't believe that Mr. Wilson is very knowledgeable about autism. That is the impression that I got.
I believe that Mr. Wilson then stated that he did not believe this to be the case and that he knew Jake better than any "What do you call it? AS?" specialists. I believe that he then said that he still do not believe that Jake was suffering from anxiety. I explained that Jake's anxiety was not detectable to him because he is autistic and doesn't act the same as "normal" kids.
Kim and Suzanne were very good at facilitating the meeting. They kept asking what modifications needed to be put into Jake's IEP. I stated that I did not want Jake to have to run laps. He had been punished for not running laps the prior week.
Mr. Wilson stated that Jake was not punished for walking he was punished for not running the last 20 feet when he was instructed to. I asked Mr. Wilson what he told Jake. He stated that he told Jake and two other kids that they needed to "hustle" on the last 20 feet. He said that he punished Jake for not following instructions and that he felt that Jake needed to be punished.
I explained that Jake is autistic and he takes things literally. "Hustle" does not mean run to Jake. I'm not even sure that he knows what it means. I told him that Jake thought that he was being punished for not running all of the laps. He did not understand that he was being punished for not "hustling" and was probably not even sure what was being asked of him.
I went on to explain to Mr. Wilson that AS kids have difficulties with motor skills. He stated that he disagreed and that he knew more about Jake's abilities than I do.
Somewhere during this conversation Ms. Cooley arrived in the meeting. There were many conversations going back and forth and I can't recall every one. I will request that future meetings be recorded.
We finally got back down to discussing the modifications. There was some confusion as to what to put into the IEP. I stated that I had hoped that the team would have some suggestions and felt that the PE teacher would be the best person to come up with some of these, but it appeared that the PE teacher didn't feel that modifications were warranted and that I would need to do some more research on my own time.
We did decide that Jake should not have to run laps. It got pretty technical and there was discussion as to whether he should run during basketball, etc. It was finally decided that Jake would not have to run laps or long distances.
I believe that Mr. Wilson asked how that would be handled and if he would say to all of the kids "You all have to run, but Jake you can walk." He also stated, "What happens if Jake accidently runs? Am I going to get into trouble for that?"
Kim, Suzanne, my sister, and I all stated that it would be great if Jake ran, but that he doesn't have to. I stated that I didn't want there to be any question about whether Jake had to run or not and that's why I wanted it in black and white. I didn't want to depend on the teacher to make a decision for a child that has a disorder that he clearly doesn't understand.
Mr. Wilson brought up an email that I wrote to him last year. He had emailed me the above and I responded in a positive way. We had so many issues with Jake last year that I didn't want to add to it. I responded in a kind and positive way to Mr. Wilson in hopes that he respond in the same way to Jake.
We discussed how Jake loved PE in elementary school and felt that Mr. Bishop hung the moon. I said that I agreed with that statement. Mr. Bishop is an excellent teacher and beyond that a wonderful and caring human being.
Mr. Wilson said that he felt that Jake liked him and had never appeared to be upset. I explained that Jake is autistic. He doesn't dislike people. He doesn't see the good or bad in people. He may be stressed by an activity, but not by the person making him do it.
Mr. Wilson asked me if I would be telling Jake that he didn't have to do anything he didn't want to in PE. I told him that what I discuss with adults is not the same as I what I tell Jake. I told that I would never go home and say "That person is mean." I will simply tell Jake that he needs to do his best and if he can't run then walking would be acceptable.
It was my feeling that Mr. Wilson was not on board with Jake having modifications. He continued to assert that Jake was up to the challenge of PE. I continued to assert that Jake is not a "normal" child and that he is not.
My sister brought up the fact that Mr. Wilson stated that my son lied. Mr. Wilson corrected her and said that he purposely stated that he didn't lie. So, we agreed that he stated that he slanted the truth. My sister stated that Mr. Wilson stated that Jake might be doing this in all of classes. She asked him how many of Jake's classes he had been in.
My sister brought up the fact that Mr. Wilson had addressed Jake's need for a healthy diet at home and that he felt that Jake needed to drink less pop at home so that he could get to sleep. Mr. Wilson agreed that I had sent him an email explaining that children with AS have sleep issues and that it has nothing to do with diet or pop consumption.
Mr. Wilson at first stated that Jake told him that he drinks pop before he goes to bed. He then stated that Jake drinks 3 or 4 cans of pop before he goes to bed. I explained to Mr. Wilson that he asked Jake if he drinks pop and Jake answered yes. Once again, I explained to Mr. Wilson that Jake is autistic and will only respond to a direct question. If he had asked Jake what time he drank that pop and how much, Jake would have answered that. Jake only told him that he drank pop.
I said that perhaps I should talk to my psychologist and see about having Jake released from PE. I really didn't feel that it was a good environment for Jake and I would not allow us to go back to where we were last year.
Ms. Cooley stated that she didn't want me to discuss last year anymore. My sister said that I had attended so many meetings last year and nothing was ever fixed.
Ms. Cooley told my sister that discussing last year wasn't going to get us anywhere and that no purpose was served by bringing it up. We need to focus on the positive.
I tried to insert, "If we don't learn from our past we are doomed to make the same mistakes." but I didn't get to finish my thoughts.
We once again discussed the modifications and Kim and Suzanne said that they knew that Mr. Wilson would follow through with whatever we decided. We decided that Jake would not have to run laps or long distances.
We concluded the meeting at that point.
I came home and contacted Jake's psychologist and talked to him about this meeting. We agreed that the atmosphere, in PE, would not be good for Jake's emotional and psychological well being. I told the psychologist that Jake's father would be taking him to the gym three times a week for physical fitness.
I would like to see Mr. Wilson attend a class on autism because I feel that he doesn't understand the disorder and it's impact on the students that he serves.
Their Notes:
Jacob gets anxious from PE he has to run more laps, sit-ups, or push-ups he's going to cause them to lose-all statements from Sherri. There are ways to modify w/out taking him out of PE. the team all agreed. Jake is pushed to the limits getting here Todd said he doesn't want him punished to do something beyond your control. Jacob has never been forced or will be to asked to run an extra lap as punishment following instructions is a concern Long distances Jake will walk rather than run. Jake will be encouraged to do his best but will not be punished for walking.
I would like to make sure that we all have a clear understanding of the meeting that took place yesterday. It was scheduled on September 19, 2006. The attendees were Sherri Tucker, Diane Stark (sister of Sherri and employee of Children's Mercy Hospital since 1981), Todd Wilson, Kim Berkstresser, and Suzanne Vleisides. Jannette Cooley attended half of the meeting. I need a copy of the schools' minutes for this meeting. Please correct me on any items that I am mistaken on.
The meeting was called to discuss the modifications that should be made to Jacob Tucker's IEP. He has modifications in every class and his mother felt that he needed modifications in PE. She has done a great deal of research on this subject and has offered the information to all that were involved in this meeting, with the exception of Ms. Cooley.
I began the meeting by reading some information that had been given to me by a specialist in AS. I wanted the team to be privy to knowledge that I had gained in the hours prior to the meeting. I also stated that I had spoken with many parents of children in middle school with AS.
I read the following: "Jacob is challenged every single day. Physically, socially and mentally. Jacob also needs a different kind of preparation for the world outside of school. Most AS kids live outside their comfort zone just by virtue of walking into the school building."
I also told everyone that Jake's psychologist has determined that Jake has anxiety issues and they are mostly due to school.
There was some more conversation and it there was a lot of back and forth about autism. I don't believe that Mr. Wilson is very knowledgeable about autism. That is the impression that I got.
I believe that Mr. Wilson then stated that he did not believe this to be the case and that he knew Jake better than any "What do you call it? AS?" specialists. I believe that he then said that he still do not believe that Jake was suffering from anxiety. I explained that Jake's anxiety was not detectable to him because he is autistic and doesn't act the same as "normal" kids.
Kim and Suzanne were very good at facilitating the meeting. They kept asking what modifications needed to be put into Jake's IEP. I stated that I did not want Jake to have to run laps. He had been punished for not running laps the prior week.
Mr. Wilson stated that Jake was not punished for walking he was punished for not running the last 20 feet when he was instructed to. I asked Mr. Wilson what he told Jake. He stated that he told Jake and two other kids that they needed to "hustle" on the last 20 feet. He said that he punished Jake for not following instructions and that he felt that Jake needed to be punished.
I explained that Jake is autistic and he takes things literally. "Hustle" does not mean run to Jake. I'm not even sure that he knows what it means. I told him that Jake thought that he was being punished for not running all of the laps. He did not understand that he was being punished for not "hustling" and was probably not even sure what was being asked of him.
I went on to explain to Mr. Wilson that AS kids have difficulties with motor skills. He stated that he disagreed and that he knew more about Jake's abilities than I do.
Somewhere during this conversation Ms. Cooley arrived in the meeting. There were many conversations going back and forth and I can't recall every one. I will request that future meetings be recorded.
We finally got back down to discussing the modifications. There was some confusion as to what to put into the IEP. I stated that I had hoped that the team would have some suggestions and felt that the PE teacher would be the best person to come up with some of these, but it appeared that the PE teacher didn't feel that modifications were warranted and that I would need to do some more research on my own time.
We did decide that Jake should not have to run laps. It got pretty technical and there was discussion as to whether he should run during basketball, etc. It was finally decided that Jake would not have to run laps or long distances.
I believe that Mr. Wilson asked how that would be handled and if he would say to all of the kids "You all have to run, but Jake you can walk." He also stated, "What happens if Jake accidently runs? Am I going to get into trouble for that?"
Kim, Suzanne, my sister, and I all stated that it would be great if Jake ran, but that he doesn't have to. I stated that I didn't want there to be any question about whether Jake had to run or not and that's why I wanted it in black and white. I didn't want to depend on the teacher to make a decision for a child that has a disorder that he clearly doesn't understand.
Mr. Wilson brought up an email that I wrote to him last year. He had emailed me the above and I responded in a positive way. We had so many issues with Jake last year that I didn't want to add to it. I responded in a kind and positive way to Mr. Wilson in hopes that he respond in the same way to Jake.
We discussed how Jake loved PE in elementary school and felt that Mr. Bishop hung the moon. I said that I agreed with that statement. Mr. Bishop is an excellent teacher and beyond that a wonderful and caring human being.
Mr. Wilson said that he felt that Jake liked him and had never appeared to be upset. I explained that Jake is autistic. He doesn't dislike people. He doesn't see the good or bad in people. He may be stressed by an activity, but not by the person making him do it.
Mr. Wilson asked me if I would be telling Jake that he didn't have to do anything he didn't want to in PE. I told him that what I discuss with adults is not the same as I what I tell Jake. I told that I would never go home and say "That person is mean." I will simply tell Jake that he needs to do his best and if he can't run then walking would be acceptable.
It was my feeling that Mr. Wilson was not on board with Jake having modifications. He continued to assert that Jake was up to the challenge of PE. I continued to assert that Jake is not a "normal" child and that he is not.
My sister brought up the fact that Mr. Wilson stated that my son lied. Mr. Wilson corrected her and said that he purposely stated that he didn't lie. So, we agreed that he stated that he slanted the truth. My sister stated that Mr. Wilson stated that Jake might be doing this in all of classes. She asked him how many of Jake's classes he had been in.
My sister brought up the fact that Mr. Wilson had addressed Jake's need for a healthy diet at home and that he felt that Jake needed to drink less pop at home so that he could get to sleep. Mr. Wilson agreed that I had sent him an email explaining that children with AS have sleep issues and that it has nothing to do with diet or pop consumption.
Mr. Wilson at first stated that Jake told him that he drinks pop before he goes to bed. He then stated that Jake drinks 3 or 4 cans of pop before he goes to bed. I explained to Mr. Wilson that he asked Jake if he drinks pop and Jake answered yes. Once again, I explained to Mr. Wilson that Jake is autistic and will only respond to a direct question. If he had asked Jake what time he drank that pop and how much, Jake would have answered that. Jake only told him that he drank pop.
I said that perhaps I should talk to my psychologist and see about having Jake released from PE. I really didn't feel that it was a good environment for Jake and I would not allow us to go back to where we were last year.
Ms. Cooley stated that she didn't want me to discuss last year anymore. My sister said that I had attended so many meetings last year and nothing was ever fixed.
Ms. Cooley told my sister that discussing last year wasn't going to get us anywhere and that no purpose was served by bringing it up. We need to focus on the positive.
I tried to insert, "If we don't learn from our past we are doomed to make the same mistakes." but I didn't get to finish my thoughts.
We once again discussed the modifications and Kim and Suzanne said that they knew that Mr. Wilson would follow through with whatever we decided. We decided that Jake would not have to run laps or long distances.
We concluded the meeting at that point.
I came home and contacted Jake's psychologist and talked to him about this meeting. We agreed that the atmosphere, in PE, would not be good for Jake's emotional and psychological well being. I told the psychologist that Jake's father would be taking him to the gym three times a week for physical fitness.
I would like to see Mr. Wilson attend a class on autism because I feel that he doesn't understand the disorder and it's impact on the students that he serves.
Their Notes:
Jacob gets anxious from PE he has to run more laps, sit-ups, or push-ups he's going to cause them to lose-all statements from Sherri. There are ways to modify w/out taking him out of PE. the team all agreed. Jake is pushed to the limits getting here Todd said he doesn't want him punished to do something beyond your control. Jacob has never been forced or will be to asked to run an extra lap as punishment following instructions is a concern Long distances Jake will walk rather than run. Jake will be encouraged to do his best but will not be punished for walking.
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