Fifth Grade Child does not want to go to RSP

I am in fifth grade. I have a lot of trouble with numbers. My dad asked the school to help me. When it comes time for math now, I have to leave my classroom to go to a special teacher. I do not want to go. My dad wants to know if you can convince me to go.

Special is right. Sounds like you have a special dad and a special teacher. I will do my best to convince you, but I think the person who loves you the most, your dad, is the one who is going to steer you in the right direction.

Do you know anyone with braces? When I taught fifth grade, lots of my students had braces. Do you know where they got those braces? It wasn’t from the dentist. The dentist takes care of our teeth, but if you want to change the shape of your teeth and help them line up straight, you go to the orthodontist. You go to a specialist.

Your classroom teacher is like the dentist. But when it comes to math, you need to go to the orthodontist. The teacher that you are going to work with has special training and skills that will help you tackle math in a way that your classroom teacher cannot. When you leave your classroom, you will go to a highly trained teacher waiting to focus just on you. If you go to this teacher with an open mind, she will fill you up with confidence and knowledge. Just like with braces, if you wear the rubber bands and the headgear, the braces come off sooner with beautiful results. If you go with a grumpy, angry attitude, she will still fill you up with confidence and knowledge, but it is going to take a lot longer. Your dad wants you to be happy, and he wants the best education anyone could give you. Do him a favor: work on your math and go with a smile.

3 Year Old Might Need Special Education Services

Question sent in from a parent:

I hope you keep informing people of the services provided through our schools!

My son, at age 3, couldn't speak, or so I thought. Due to his numerous ear infections as a baby/toddler (most of which I knew nothing about unless his sisters would have one, then I would be told my son was the WORST OF ALL), he was partially deaf. I didn't know! And I was home with those children 24/7! (His brother, age 2, was already speaking! His sisters, age 4 and 5 had no problems, either!)

Through an outstanding pre-school teacher, I was directed to having him taken in for a hearing test (all covered by the school) and on to speech therapy (still age 3) where he stayed until 3rd grade.

FAST FORWARD TO NOW: he is the most wonderful child (along with my other three!)! Former Student of the Year in grade school, he is now is a 4.5GPA Junior at Redondo Union High School, plays football, soccer, and lacrosse (so far), and is a tutor on the side, in addition to tutoring all athletes who may be in trouble of not making grades. Who knows what would have happened if we had let that go? Kids were already starting to make fun of his speech (he could not pronounce any consonants, so his speech came out "oo" "ow" (you get the picture).

Please keep directing other parents to programs provided through the schools!! Our experience was wonderful - frustrating at first, but look how it all turned out! My thanks to all teachers for the amount of work they put into our children. They are the best!

My Answer:

It is always nice to hear a positive account of the help our schools can provide. I also appreciate the detail in your story as many parents will find they can relate to the struggle with speech.

Many parents wrote in with questions about seeking help for their young children over the age of three. If you and your doctor are concerned about your child’s progress (not only in speech, but other developmental areas as well), you should contact your school district for an evaluation. Your pediatrician can help you decide when to seek help. You do not need to wait until your child is enrolled in Kindergarten. There may be services or preschool programs, offered through your public school district, which can benefit your child.