SEIT issue

DS has a SEIT 2x 1 hour.

I was talking to DS's teacher (we moved him into this preschool b/c they are experienced with special needs children and the owner had 4 special needs children herself and was president of our SD's SEPTA - so I trust her opinion). She told me that the SEIT has been coming in and letting DS play on her ipad. The teacher questioned it b/c one of the things we were working on from the other school is that they were putting him on the computer all day. SEIT says that it is to teach him about taking turns. The SEIT is supposed to be there to support him with playing with his peers. The teacher also said that th SEIT will come in and pull DS away from group play (where he was taking turns) to use the ipad.

The teacher raves about his OT and SP.

How do I handle this at the CPSE meeting? While the SD approves it and the county is paying, we are using an agency to provide these 3 services. I have never met the SEIT (and her handwriting is so bad, I can barely read her notes in our communication book), so do I say anything at all? Can I tell the agency I don't want this SEIT anymore? How do I even deal with this?

Re: SEIT issue

Hi, if you are unhappy with the SEIT you can call the agency and just let them know its not a good fit for you. I wouldn't even bother trying to talk to her because she will probably just get defensive. If his issues are social skills why is she working on the IPAD with him? There are plenty of gaves you can play to target turn taking with other kids.

Good luck!

Re: SEIT issue

I would call the agency and ask for a new SEIT.

Re: SEIT issue

You have every right to use any SEIT and any agency you want. I agree with Jackie do not even discuss with the current SEIT.

It's really difficult to find extraordinary therapists/teachers but they are out there. In fact, you have the right to call/meet them prior to their placement.

I personally would be so disappointed by that news.

Message edited 4/10/2011 11:18:26 AM.

Re: SEIT issue

Call the agency and ask for a new SEIT. It has nothing to do with the CPSE meeting other than you want to keep the services.

Re: SEIT issue

I am a seit. And I think you should call and change seits.

Re: SEIT issue

I would probably change SEITs too. If the whole reason he has a SEIT is for socializing, she should be working with him along with other children to build some of his social skills. There are plenty of things she can be doing to show him how to take turns besides that.

I also feel like what I would want out of a SEIT is their ability to get DS to do things I am not able to get him to do, and then eventually help me get him to do those things as well. Working on the Ipad doesn't fit in that category. If she were using it in a limited capacity for a reinforcer or reward, I would be OK with it, but not as the main activity.

Re: SEIT issue

thanks everyone - I didn't know it was that easy.

Dh said he would leave the decision to me, but doesn't think that we know enough to make this decision

We did ask DS how he liked his individual teachers and I thought he would say yes to all of them, but when we asked if Miss SEIT was nice, he said no

Re: SEIT issue

Message edited 4/11/2011 10:58:39 PM.

Re: SEIT issue

thanks anna


I spoke to his teacher today for an opinion - she thinks that we should just finish the school year and request someone new at our annual review.

I'm fine with that. She may not want to burn bridges?

Re: SEIT issue

honestly, you should follow your gut and do what's best for you.
dont worry about her burning her bridges, this is your child and his development.

If you do plan to take her advice and keep the same SEIT until the end of the year, then try to communicate more through the notebook, ask more questions, are his goals being worked on ? (ask him more questions).
i write very specific notes in my notebook, (sometimes an entire page, things child said, did, etc.) as well as what goals/skills were being worked on.

do you sign the logs ? i know the teachers sign them in many cases where the child is seen at the school during school hours.
can you ask your agency if you can have copies of the logs ?

the notebook's purpose is for the PARENTs to know what is going on, and be kept up with progress/issues, etc. make sure it comes home every day, and you read/write back. we have one parent who just iniitials at the bottom of our notes just to show she read it, even if she has nothing to respond.

if you plan to keep the seit, then think about all that is bothering you (or your son) and touch base with the SEIT, make an apptmt to meet with her or speak on the phone.

let me know if you have any questions.

Message edited 4/12/2011 10:30:12 PM.

Re: SEIT issue

Is she using the Ipad as a reinforcer for playing appropriately with his peers, and maybe he needs a break from the play so she gives that to him as a reward?

I would ask this before requesting a new SEIT - let her explain herself. If it doesn't sound kosher, tell her no more Ipad in the classroom. If she continues to use it, then request a new SEIT.

If it DOES sound kosher, ask her to write it up as a protocol so that you can review it, and be a part of the plan.