Did you make a booklet for your kid's teachers?

[ElsieLC]

DD is about to start private Montessori preschool and I'm putting together a booklet for her teachers about how to support HOH DD in the classroom. I'll include information like: how to sit by her best ear, how to change the batteries in her hearing aids, and so on. It's partly so I can be organized about how I work with the teachers.

Did you make a book like this for your kid's teachers? I'm trying to figure out what level of detail to include (to make it all seem simple and do-able). In my previous career I used to write technical manuals, and there's a real danger I could go overboard with this project

[PatchChild]

I haven't made one, but I love the idea. DS is going to be one of three HoH kids in his class so I'm less concerned about this year than I will be when he enters kindergarten. Will you share your final product?

[Sierra]

I did at one point for my son. Originally I wrote a booklet, but eventually I was able to condense it to an 11 x 17 color print out with photos to illustrate it. This allowed them to tape the printout, like a poster, inside one of the frequently-used cabinets in the classroom (it wasn't at the children's level though, which was good for privacy). With a booklet, I am sure they would have read it early in the year, and checked it on occassion when they had a question, but with the poster, they had frequent reminders.

[2boyzmama]

Yes. With Connor, I found a teacher-friendly booklet online with all the basics of his syndrome, and I edited out the stuff that didn't pertain to him, and added specifics about him.

I made a full-size, large-font sheet with allergy information for both boys (Connor is dairy and soy free, Ian is gluten free, they were in the same class last year).

Now that Connor has "equipment" to take to school (his iSense FM System) I'll make a quick reference sheet with how-to type info (how to change the batteries, how to work the transmitter, that sort of thing). I made it illustrated by copying pictures from the manufacturer's booklet online (probably violated copyright by doing that, but it's just for school, so I don't feel guilty about it!).

[Linda on the move]

My DD is old (13) but I did a letter with bulleted items, neatly divided into sections for easy reference.

I wanted to keep it short enough her teachers would read it, but enough they would kind of understand her. It's a little less than 2 pages.

[shelbean91]

I've never made one, but I'm at teacher and one parent made a 'resume' for her child and gave it to me. If you want the teacher to read and understand, I'd suggest to keep it to a page or two.

I'm considering doing this as a parent for my boys (and maybe even my NT daughter) b/c at meet the teacher night, things are so crazy and anything to help the teacher better understand my kids needs is a good thing.

[cedoreilly]

I have never for my DD who is deaf in one ear. Usually, I verbally or through e-mail touch base with her teacher before school starts. If there is an issue later in the year, I would touch base with the teacher and setup a meeting. I also forward to the school a copy of her hearing test with the audiologists recommendations every year. Personally, with the teachers she has had, I have found they often find better accomendations for her than I could of ever suggested.

[~cassie]

I haven't, I thought it might make me seem over protective lol.

I did give them his "pocket user guide" to his implants that basically tell them what each error code means and how to fix it as well as troubleshooting hints. I will talk with them in great detail about his ears though when we go to orientation or the first day.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by ~cassie

I haven't, I thought it might make me seem over protective lol.

My DD is gifted and autistic. In groups, she is super quiet and it isn't obvious that there is anything different about her. She can get totally freaked out about something, but seem fine in public .... and then get home, freak out, start banging her head into a table, cry for hours, hyperventilate, not sleep, and then vomit the next day in the car because she doesn't want to leave the house.

I don't want to be the crazy over-protective mother, but I have a had time letting go and trusting her with other people because she has such a very hard time letting people know what is going on with her.

[DaughterOfKali]

My son had an IEP in preschool. All the important info was in there.