I need advise!

Kimberly - posted on 12/18/2009

I would love to know what state you are in because I would love to be there to give them a piece of my mind. I have a 19 yr old with Aspergers and we've had to fight for quite a few years to get the help she needed. Every child has the right to a free education in their own school district and if the appropriate schooling isn't available, the school district is responsible for the tuition and transport of the child to the appropriate one. I was lucky enough that when she went to high school, she had all the resources that she needed and graduated this past June. I'm sorry to say that you have a long road ahead of you when fighting for your child's rights in the public school system, but when you find the right teachers and administration to help you, the potential is amazing in these kids! Good luck

Christina - posted on 12/17/2009

you have a right to call an IEP to get things changed for your son regardless of what the ED teacher says. You need to get a special education advocate. Are you a member of an advocacy group? You can try here http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageS... and this http://www.sarnet.org/events/?reload is a listing of autism events nationwide. You should be able to call your school district representative anytime and schedule an IEP. An IEP is a meeting in which the school district representatives for your area and you get together to discuss an appropriate education plan for your child. You have substantial rights, don't let all these people or the bureaucracy intimidate you into inaction.

Laura - posted on 12/17/2009

Ok so the principal called me yesterday to apologize for all the things happening. He assured me that he was going to sit her down this morning and have a talk with her. I agreed to see what happens, I sent all his picture cues with him this morning hoping she uses them and that it will help her with his following directions. she told me this is one of the biggest issues she is having ( not understanding that autistic children are visual) I spent all night making pictures of all the things she asks of him and made another binder for her so she could just throw them in order real fast. I had asked her if to use this a long time ago and she refused. The principal assured me it would be used and if she continues not wanting to help him succeed he would be moved to another room right after xmas break. I really hope she follows the game plan, Zane loves the other kids in his class and I think moving him this late in the year he may not transition very well. Oh and as for the IEP, they do do them but the ED teacher evaluated Zane and didn't believe he needed one do to his abilities.

Veronika - posted on 12/17/2009

Went through this too. My son became depressed, started thinking he was the problem. Bad school day meant bad home day for everyone. Quality of life definately affected. You need to get him out of a classroom that does not have best interest for his well-being.
Need:
1.find local autism/Aspergers advocate...be surprised how many free resources are out there. They can attend IEP mtgs as an advocate (they usually know "Special Ed composite of Laws" for your state, they also have sample letters to request IEP, make changes to it, request evaluation of any therapies needed, etc.
2. learn your/his rights in this packet and reference it as you seek FAPE, I requested specific IQ test they are required to administer by sch. psychiatrist. Made IEP goals based on how he learns best, where he lacks, etc. suggest NON-verbal IQ.
3. request IEP mtg. demand that everyone be present: school psychologist, special ed director for the school, teachers aide, and principal (any therapists your son works with)
4.Call DISTRICT special ed coordinator, tell them your reason for concern, when you plan your next mtg. and explain an advocate will be attending with you, see if it is in thier best interest to attend as well. (this gets special ed director at school a phone call of concern).
I hired a lawyer for my son at one point when it got so bad. He is now doing wonderful. But when I did not intervene fast enough, he took an emotional, physical, and spiritual toll. He became aggressive toward others, himself, and lost much of communication we worked to get him into school.
I speak with urgency to not let them degrade your son's possibilities. My son ended up suicidal at age 7. It was the worst feeling to institutionalize him. He is better, but these kids can not tell you the depth of thier sadness, loneliness, frustration, those long hours at school are with the wrong teacher.
You are a wonderful mom who is a fighter. I wish you the best and with your love for you son I know you have the strength to get you and him through this!
Prayers and thoughts with you!

Rhonda - posted on 12/15/2009

Oh, please! Tell his teacher that you aren't asking her to treat your child "differently"; you are reminding her that she is required by law to treat him "appropriately" (FAPE= Free Appropriate Public Education). There is so much research out there now (peer-reviewed, TESTED research!) about how our kids learn, that it just burns me up when a school system uses terms like "least restrictive" or "sameness" to excuse out-dated, cookie-cutter (and dare I say it? Lazy?) educational practices?

On a personal note, however, I will say that my son has thrived or struggled at school based more on the personalities of the teachers than on their education or understanding of ASDs. Maybe, in the end, your time would be better spent choosing the most appropriate teacher rather than in trying to educate a recalcitrant, unwilling antique.

Laura - posted on 12/15/2009

I'm so angry!!! his teacher just told me that she refuses to draw attention to him by treating him "differently" I about smacked her in the face! I told the principal they had until the end of this week to place him in a different class, with a teacher that know something about autism, or I was writing a letter to the school board and he would be starting a new school on Monday.

Laura - posted on 12/15/2009

Thanks guys this really helps me feel better about going after the school a bit harder. I am going to call the super today and see what can be done to fix this!

Kellee - posted on 12/14/2009

Ok, what state do you live in? In every state there is educational law, your son has Aspergers there for you should have an IEP in place. I would suggest getting a book, I'm in California so here its called "California Special Education Programs A Composite of Laws" I warn you its quite a read but the next time you come into an IEP and you have read this book (and make sure to visibly book mark) you site them the laws that they have to follow! I had similar issues with my "small town school" and the last principal/superintendent and it shut him down, he started following the law. If it comes down to it, have him transfered into a different classroom! This teacher is making you and your child uncomfortable, your child should be free to learn at school, a little academic nudge is fine but don't ride the kids to the point that they shut down.

Magen - posted on 12/14/2009

I agree with Renee you need an IEP to protect your child and to make sure he is getting what he needs. You have to stand up for him or who will? I don't know that changing schools is your only option but if that is what has to be done then its what you should do. Your child deserves to be in the least restrictive environment and he needs you to fight for him. Do be sure you go with information not emotion or you wont really be helping. Good luck.

Renee - posted on 12/14/2009

My advice (I have an 8 year old son on the autism spectrum). You are not overreacting. You are responding appropriately. That brings me to your son, your son deserves an approrpirate education. What his teacher is doing is NOT appropriate even for a neuro-typical student. Go to the superintendent of the school if the principal will not take action but go with the facts. Document what is going on and what you have already discussed with the teacher and the principal. What does his IEP say? If he doesn't have one get one done by the school -- they have to by law. That way his progress is tracked in writing and they must adhere to it for his specific needs.