Parents - A Warning about specialized reading programs

I have learned a very expensive lesson.

My child has Asperger's syndrome and while he has an excellent rote memory, he has problems with comprehension.

While in school, he came home with a flyer for a program that two local universities were participating in, so I jumped at the opportunity to enroll him in this program.

Well this is what I have discovered.

1. The two books they use in the classroom are books that he has already read in school, he knows the entire story...but whether he comprehends the nuances or lessons...that is another thing.

2. The course involves someone lecturing at him and a group of about 20+ children rather than being directly involved with him....and it is a class with a bunch of materials that they give me...so that I can help him more...well I know his problems...I work with him already...I was looking for more assistance..BUT I thought he might get a bit more attention and perhaps the teacher would give me more insight on how to help him...

3. Because of his Asperger's he has trouble paying attention like other people do, so sometimes he fidgets to calm himself down. I told the instructor and I made it apparent to the person when I registered to this class that he was not like all other kids.

The last straw is that during the last class...he started fidgeting because he doesn't like being around people...the teacher called me to pick him up where I found that she had put him by himself in the hallway...do you think he wants to go back for the final class today?

I am going to go to our School Board asking that they NEVER let this group send flyers into the schools again.

Now my district (for free) offered a reading program...far more intensive, more hands on and it was paid for via tax dollars.

Lesson learned.

:shrug:

I hope the other parents send their children to the school's program, instead.

There is no accountability for private programs, because they can always lure in new parents.

be getting my child enough help...but whoa was I mistaken...

the private program appears to be about one thing and one thing only...making money

Did they get anything out of the program?

It certainly sounds like it was a bad program for your child, but you didn't mention about the others. If they all had a good time and did well, then I don't see a need to condemn the program just because it wasn't good for one child.

what her kid was learning and that it appeared to be more of a review.

I hate to say this but some parents seem to view it as an issue that can be checked off the list...
most parents didn't stay for the sessions after class which were to help parents...

sometimes I make referrals to reading programs and I'd like to know. PM if you want.

I usually refer people to Duquesne's reading clinic, but it really depends on the kid....there really needs to be a lot of specific work and testing done at the outset to really know what the specific issues are.