What makes a good SEIT?

amother ↓

Fri, May 15 2009, 6:47 pm

And what do you not like about the SEIT's that work or have worked in your classroom?

Mama Bear ↓

Sun, May 17 2009, 1:00 pm

My son has an amaaaazing SEIT. He is super patient and has my son analyzed to the T. He is our advocate within the cheder and has helped us tremendously. He turned him from an immature baby into a mensch. We owe him the world.

gryp ↓

Sun, May 17 2009, 1:21 pm

My son's been through a few SEIT's.

A good SEIT tries to create a situation in order to teach the child what his appropriate behavior should be in that setting.
A good SEIT needs to understand the child from A-Z before trying to work with him, or it's a waste of time.
A good SEIT is not just another assistant in the classroom.
A good SEIT uses role modeling to teach the child.
A good SEIT doesn't settle for the child's fears but encourages him slowly to grow out of them.

None of the SEIT's my child had did any of those things. None of them showed more than the slightest interest in their job.

I hope there are other SEITs out there who are actually successful. I didn't even bother calling up the place to notify them that my son hadn't been assigned a SEIT. Thanks but no thanks.

QUEENY

Sun, May 17 2009, 6:19 pm

GR- I plan on becoming a SEIT in the next few months. I have worked very hard to become one . My goal is to be all that's "good ".

morahmommy

Mon, May 18 2009, 11:44 am

A good SEIT needs to understand the child, but also needs to have a relationship with the child that will enable her to be successful. I think the most important thing for a SEIT is to work with the child and the teacher in order to create a successful environment so that the child is not dependent on the SEIT in order to function (after all a SEIT is only there for a few hours a day). A SEIT has to know when to "step back" and when to "step in". These are all things that are both intuitive and "learned on the job". Good luck! I would personally recommend speaking to a highly recommended SEIT and if possible, observing one, as well.

BrachaVHatzlocha ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 9:30 pm

GR, I'm sorry that you feel your son's SEITs didn't do a good job with your son. Being on the "other side" as a SEIT, I have a few questions.
A. "therapist must understand kid a-z before workign with him"? you would have to observe a child for a LONG time to get that. a SEIT needs to step in and work as needed and learns the child's needs/strengths, etc, as time goes by. she doesn't live with the kid and she's not a mind reader.
B. Are you sure your son did not benefit AT ALL from his SEITS? did the teachers tell you this?
C. If you're not telling to the school/agency that he has no SEIT, it may make your son lose out, as well as the teacher who has many children in the classroom to deal with. you may not be doing anyone a favor.
D. If you know that for your son A, B and C work, but not D, TELL THE SEIT. You know your kid best and hopefully he/she is willing to listen to your eitzos.

Just my 2 cents.
Though I do agree you have a good list of things for SEITs to strive for.

↑ gryp ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 9:51 pm

BrachaVHatzlocha wrote:

BrachaV'Hatzlacha, the whole situation was so ridiculous, I'm just so glad it's over.

Quote:

A. "therapist must understand kid a-z before workign with him"? you would have to observe a child for a LONG time to get that. a SEIT needs to step in and work as needed and learns the child's needs/strengths, etc, as time goes by. she doesn't live with the kid and she's not a mind reader.

The very very least I expect from a therapist beginning to work with a child, is to have read through the IEP. I asked every single one of them, not one had read it! They came to "work" completely not knowing what kind of child they were dealing with. If they had read through the evaluation summary, at least they'd have some idea of where to begin and what not to do.
I can go on and on but I won't bore you with the details.

Quote:

B. Are you sure your son did not benefit AT ALL from his SEITS? did the teachers tell you this?

I know because I have spies in the building. Very Happy

I saw what went on there on almost a daily basis. It was a joke. The SEIT became an assistant to the teacher instead of working with my son on what he needed. To give a simple example, my son had to learn how to go around people who were blocking his path to his cubby, to get his jacket or backpack and get ready to go home. Instead of helping him out, the SEIT would be helping the entire class get ready to go home.

Quote:

C. If you're not telling to the school/agency that he has no SEIT, it may make your son lose out, as well as the teacher who has many children in the classroom to deal with. you may not be doing anyone a favor.

The very first day my son left preschool and entered a "Rebbi class" with desks, his anxiety vanished. Go figure. The social setting of sitting around a table with 5 other kids was too much for him. He does absolutely fantastic in the organized classroom setting, like he was born to be there.

Quote:

D. If you know that for your son A, B and C work, but not D, TELL THE SEIT. You know your kid best and hopefully he/she is willing to listen to your eitzos.

I spoke to the SEIT's as much as possible, some more than others, but the first few almost every day. This is how I know what went on there and what they did do and didn't do. (sigh)

Another example: My son had anxiety on the playground, never wanted to go down the slide if other kids were there. Instead of practicing with him and showing him there is nothing to worry about, they simply helped him go down the slide. He didn't need help going down the slide, he's been doing that since he was 1 yr old.

Anyway, I'm glad it's all over. He's doing great, and while he still has his things, he is just like any other kid out there. His preschool teachers don't recognize him, he is just so different. Many times we are amazed at the things he does, when just last year we tried everything to get him to do them. My relatives all comment on what a changed kid he is.

I understand that you want to defend your profession, and I'm happy to hear there are good SEIT's out there. I'm just sorry my son ended up with the slackers, because he really really needed the help. The list I posted was what I wished they'd do with him, and I tried suggesting some things to them but they never happened.

pecan ↓

Mon, May 18 2009, 10:54 pm

[quote="GR"][]
The very very least I expect from a therapist beginning to work with a child, is to have read through the IEP. I asked every single one of them, not one had read it! They came to "work" completely not knowing what kind of child they were dealing with. If they had read through the evaluation summary, at least they'd have some idea of where to begin and what not to do.

I am a SEIT and I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. Unfortunately I do see a lot of imcompetent SEIT's, but they have to read through the IEP in order to do the paperwork.

Another example: My son had anxiety on the playground, never wanted to go down the slide if other kids were there. Instead of practicing with him and showing him there is nothing to worry about, they simply helped him go down the slide. He didn't need help going down the slide, he's been doing that since he was 1 yr old.

Helping him go down the slide when the other kids are there can help him with his anxiety. First he does it with help and gradually he does it without help - with the other kids there. Sounds right to me.

↑ amother ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 6:25 am

sorry but Ive seen this term alot on imamother but WHAT IS A SEIT is it a type of teacher?

↑ gryp ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 9:33 am

[quote="pecan"]

GR wrote:

[]
The very very least I expect from a therapist beginning to work with a child, is to have read through the IEP. I asked every single one of them, not one had read it! They came to "work" completely not knowing what kind of child they were dealing with. If they had read through the evaluation summary, at least they'd have some idea of where to begin and what not to do.

I am a SEIT and I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. Unfortunately I do see a lot of imcompetent SEIT's, but they have to read through the IEP in order to do the paperwork.

Another example: My son had anxiety on the playground, never wanted to go down the slide if other kids were there. Instead of practicing with him and showing him there is nothing to worry about, they simply helped him go down the slide. He didn't need help going down the slide, he's been doing that since he was 1 yr old.

Helping him go down the slide when the other kids are there can help him with his anxiety. First he does it with help and gradually he does it without help - with the other kids there. Sounds right to me.

Right, I know there is supposed to be a progression. Key word being "progress." When there is no progression planned out, therein lies the problem.

I have to say also, that the majority of teachers my kids have had, have done what a therapist is supposed to do. The teachers went above and beyond their job description and replaced the need for a therapist.

chaylizi ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 9:37 am

amother wrote:

sorry but Ive seen this term alot on imamother but WHAT IS A SEIT is it a type of teacher?

I was wondering too. I googled it & it apparently stands for:
Special Education Itinerant Teacher

↑ amother ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 11:22 am

kikavu wrote:

amother wrote:

sorry but Ive seen this term alot on imamother but WHAT IS A SEIT is it a type of teacher?

I was wondering too. I googled it & it apparently stands for:
Special Education Itinerant Teacher

but why do kids have them? are these kids who have developmental problems or are mentally challenged? I dont get that part. I figured SE was for special education. but why?

ra_mom ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 11:28 am

kikavu wrote:

amother wrote:

sorry but Ive seen this term alot on imamother but WHAT IS A SEIT is it a type of teacher?

I was wondering too. I googled it & it apparently stands for:
Special Education Itinerant Teacher

A SEIT is basically a "shadow" for an individual child, who needs extra help integrating into a classroom setting.

de_goldy

Tue, May 19 2009, 3:34 pm

oh gosh - don't even get me started on this subject.
I have had to deal with so many incompetent SEITs this year, its sickening!

(this is from a teacher's perspective)

Will write more soon. I have a LOT to say on this!

↑ Mama Bear ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 4:22 pm

My son, for instance, is not a special needs child at all. But he was having a lot of trouble in the classroom. He was aggressive, had trouble communicating and expressing himself, behavior and social issues, sitting still etc. So he qualified for 15 hrs a week special ed. He Bh landed an AMAZING rebbe, a chasidishe guy, who spends part the day in the classroom and takes him out for an about an hour a day. He teaches him how to focus, classroom decorum, eating politely without destroying food, getting along with other kids, following directions, etc. BH he's made unbelievable strides and was just promoted to kindergarten. his new teachers dont have any problems with him, at all. he'll continue getting SEIT in the moutnains over the summer and will be reevaluated in October if he continues needing it.

↑ amother ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 4:41 pm

Mama Bear wrote:

thanks MB for your informative answer. I was one of the posters (amother) who asked what a SEIT is. I have always heard the term and never really knew. I thought it had to do with kids with DS or such disorders being "mainstreamed" with the other kids their age and it was like a special ed teacher who shadows them? I didnt realize it was for regular kids who are overly aggressive (like your example) or "simple" things like that. Where do you get a SEIT teacher from? does the school have to recommend this type of treatment (like "your son is too aggressive with the other boys. he needs someone to work with him" etc?) or do you call the DOE? or does it come from a pediatrician recommendation? thanks so much, I am just curious I have heard this term thrown around by other parents and also on this board and always just kept my mouth shut I didnt want to look stupid!

↑ gryp

Tue, May 19 2009, 7:32 pm

My son isn't special needs either. The job of a SEIT can vary, depending on the child's needs. My son was selective-mute, extremely shy and reserved, and needed help being in a classroom with 20 other kids. He had so many fears and stumbling blocks, things I'd never thought a kid would think up. Somehow he outgrew them practically on his own, and has no trouble doing things now that would have made him tense up last year and the year before. He still won't punch the bully who bothers him almost daily, like I told him to, but he does tell him to stop it, and that's better than he ever was.

↑ Mama Bear ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 7:38 pm

his melamed told me 3 weeks after he started school - your child needs help. get him evaluated. My school sent a letter to the BOE and I qualified for evals. The evals were bad enough that he qualified for OT, ST, and SEIT.

↑ chaylizi

Tue, May 19 2009, 7:39 pm

amother wrote:

kikavu wrote:

amother wrote:

sorry but Ive seen this term alot on imamother but WHAT IS A SEIT is it a type of teacher?

I was wondering too. I googled it & it apparently stands for:
Special Education Itinerant Teacher

but why do kids have them? are these kids who have developmental problems or are mentally challenged? I dont get that part. I figured SE was for special education. but why?

ask someone else. I had to google just to know what the acronym stands for.

↑ ra_mom ↓

Tue, May 19 2009, 8:10 pm

kikavu wrote:

amother wrote:

kikavu wrote:

amother wrote:

sorry but Ive seen this term alot on imamother but WHAT IS A SEIT is it a type of teacher?

I was wondering too. I googled it & it apparently stands for:
Special Education Itinerant Teacher

but why do kids have them? are these kids who have developmental problems or are mentally challenged? I dont get that part. I figured SE was for special education. but why?

ask someone else. I had to google just to know what the acronym stands for.

A lot of the time, SEIT's are recommended for regular children who just need a little extra undivided attention in the classroom. (All the children I know who have SEIT's do not have major issues, just small ones.) The Board of Ed hopes to nip any problems in the bud, at an age when the child is still easily flexible.
It's wonderful actually, because the children can B"H go on to excell in the higher grades, and their learning is not held back by their small "issues".