To all special education teachers and counselors?

I have an 8th grader that learns at a lower rate than the mainstream classes, for instance, his math is at the 6th grade level. Because he struggled all last year, they have suggested placing him in the alternative education class in the same school. According to them, he would be in a computer lab for most of the day. From 8am-1:30 p.m. to try and catch him up by the second semester. Can any of you tell me what this might entail? He%26#039;s more of a imagery-tactile learner, his auditory comprehension is short at best, yes, he%26#039;s been screened for eye and ear problems, he%26#039;s fine, his younger brother in the 6th grade is ADHD. He currently takes 35 mg of strattera which has helped him focus immensely since nearly 2 years ago. Should I consider the same for his 8th grade brother? The younger one is in the 6th grade. The 8th grader has no behaviorial problems. I%26#039;m just trying to help my 8th grader as much as I can.

To all special education teachers and counselors?

You have not said if your older boy has an IEP. Has he been referred and is receiving special education services, or is this program a choice for you prior to referral? I am not understanding your situation fully, but will try to give an answer.

If your older boy does not have ADD/ADHD, then he will not be prescribed medication for it. I would check with your doctor to see if he has ADD. I don%26#039;t think that this is an issue for him, as it would have shown up by now. I think there is another problem.

Auditory processing is a special education qualifier under the specific learning disability category. I would recommend having the school test your child for this or take him to a specialist on your own to see if he has this disorder. Auditory processing disorder changes the way your child hears what is being said. From what I have been told, many students hear things through %26#039;white noise%26#039; and cannot distinguish what they need to hear from what is extraneous noise.

I hope I have helped you. Good luck!

To all special education teachers and counselors?

It%26#039;s called special classes or self-contained classes instead of alternative education classes. Is your son enrolled in an alternative school? There%26#039;s no such word as %26quot;alternative education classes%26quot;. It%26#039;s either called special classes or self-contained classes. Where did you hear this word? I have never heard of it before.

To all special education teachers and counselors?

If they want to enroll your son in a self-contained class (alternative education class) then he should be doing way more then sitting in a computer lab for most of the day. 1.) He loses socialization time with his peers. 2.) They are isolating him which can make him feel embarrassed or out of place. 3.) Also I don%26#039;t see how much real learning can be done from a computer lab all day. I would suggest a BLS class (Basic learning skills class) for him for part of the day or most of the day depending on what classes he has the most trouble in. These classes are great because they include kids that are delayed like him and are centered towards what he is having problems in. (Reading, Math, History etc. )