My autistic child is being bullied

AnnMarie - posted on 05/20/2010

I'm so sorry that this is happening to her If it were me I would request a meeting with the all the parents of the children involved and I my self have thought about homeschooling due to my son who may be attending high school next year. Just because our children have Autism doesn't mean they deserve any less respect.

Kim - posted on 09/17/2012

Go back to the teacher, principal and Superintendent. If your child doesn't already have an IEP, ask for one. They can't make kids be friendly, but they CAN do something about the abuse from the other children. They CAN assign your child a one-on-one aid to help her with the social situations. If that doesn't work, go to the Board of Education for your district, then move on to your State Board of Education (Special Education Department). The school can not get around providing what your child needs to be successful and SAFE just because they do not have a "special education classroom". If all else fails, get an attorney... not an easy or cheap solution, but it is often effective Best of luck to you both. Hang in there and remember that YOU are your child's best advocate. You can do whatever it takes, and it will be worth it.

Kim - posted on 05/28/2010

For those against Home Schooling, believe me, the big bad world is never more cruel than being bullied by another child or as a child, especially when you stand out. I would hope in the future, as they mature and are out in society, that the adults could be kinder.When there is no structured help for the child, in the school system, it can be unbearable.I try not to judge unless I too am going through the same situation.Asperger children wear their hearts on their sleeve and it is totally exposed for all the children that are acting tough and hiding their feelings, to bash on.A child can only take so much before they are broken. No amount of making up can fix that. I am not willing to take that risk. I do not want my child coming to me as an adult, Mom, why did you not protect me?

Debby - posted on 05/22/2010

Bullying is unacceptable for any child - not just those with disabilities. And bullying to that degree is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Has the school not heard about Phoebe Prince?!? Seriously, I would demand a parent meeting with all the parents in the class, the teachers, the principal, and the board of education. Everyone needs to be made aware of what is happening and disciplinary action take place. Of course, I would also pull her out of that school now and let her finish the work at home. A second grader should never have to go through what your daughter has been going through.

I would also call the state board of education about the school's failure to meet accomodations. Going to the superintendent is not working - maybe because it's late in the school year, but still . . .

If you home-school, you really need to make sure that your daughter is interacting with other children her age. Check for special programs. There are quite a few out there, from dance and cheer teams to horseback riding to day camps. Get hold of your local chapter of the Autism Society. I started going to their support group meetings lately and they've been wonderful!

Before home-schooling, though, check your area for charter schools. I never considered them before because I thought you had to pay tuition. It turns out they are public schools - no tuition. Charter schools have smaller class sizes and they usually will meet the accomodations, especially since students with special needs tend to gravitate there. While my son doesn't get bullied (he does get some teasing), I'm pulling him out of the regular public school and moving him to a charter school just because I feel he will get more attention there with the smaller class sizes.

Aimee - posted on 05/18/2010

Perhaps the classes she needs aren't available in that school, but the district is required by law (federal law, I believe) to provide appropriate educaton to each and every child. I would see about moving her to a school (they should be providing the transportation) where the services are available. We had a situation at the beginning of Kindergarten with my son (PDD-nos). To my knowledge he wasn't being bullied, but was probably teased and the regular class was such a bad fit for him that he fought me every step of the way at dropoff (I'd have to physically carry him in kicking and screaming some mornings...my heart broke more with each step!). Finally, the school suggested a Spectrum class available at another school in the district. I wasn't thrilled at the idea of moving him to this school, but it turned out to be the best thing for him! Now he is thriving in school. No, they can't make anyone be her friend, but they can and are required to provide a learning environment conducive to her needs. If they can't do it, they are the ones responsible to pay for the private education. I don't have the specifics, but I agree with Cristina, find an advocate, and maybe even a lawyer if you aren't getting anywhere with the school district. I wish you the best!

Bonnie Jean - posted on 09/18/2012

http://www.pacer.org/bullying/

Julie - posted on 09/16/2012

My heart is breaking for you. My son is 9 in grade four. and he is also being bullied. He so desperately wants to make one friend and it just hasn't happened. The popular kids were talking about kool aid and he added he also had a koolaid and was asked "was I talking to you?" and then the boy said "when I get older Im gonna murder someone cause I have no soul". My son had nightmares all night and was terrified to go to school. Worse, when I called the school, they didn't believe my son or I. UGH!!! I ended up confronting the child, the school and the teacher. I went up one side and down the other. Some how my son, through the fear in his eyes and face, was able to convey his genuine fear and to that the principle finally believed us. It was like a break through for us. I am so exhausted from fighting the school and everyone to accept my son and treat him well. When I read your story I just wanted to let you know, your not alone and be strong.

Misty - posted on 03/06/2012

Does your school board have a special education team or an autism team listed?? Ours is listed in the website for parents to contact... you can demand an iep for right now and you can also demand that they get the specialized team involved to create a better environment for your child.... as well, I would ask if there is another teacher who teaches her grade and have her moved.... if they fight you, there is the option of an education advocate who will help you .. they are usually expensive, but worth the money you spend.... you can also keep her at home and start homeschooling, if you can't get answers right away.... I'm so sorry you are going through all of this and am so disgusted by the fact that the people supposedly caring for your kiddo are enabling those who are hurting her...

User - posted on 03/05/2012

I have a seven year old who has autism and shes getting bullying everyday when she trys to play outside from home., I don't know what to do. I told the kids around here where I live to stop this and leave her alone but they just won't listen so they keep doing it. As soon as she walks outside to play, they chase her until she screams and they just laugh at her. She even tells them to leave her alone, they just won't. They know she has autism and love it when she screams at them and see her cry. I told their mothers but the kids just say that they don't do anything, so the mothers believes their kids. I'm so lose with this. Its so hard because I have another daughter with autism so this bullying thing needs to stop but I don't know what more I can do. It's getting to the point know that I don't even what her to go outside now. She gets mad at me and freaks out because she knows she goes out everyday so when I tell her no she can't she just freaks (because she love the outdoors) So please help me, I really don't know what more I can do.



Lisa

Mary - posted on 03/17/2011

. My son is now 12. He has adhd, PDD-NOS as well as other dx's. By the time he was 7 he was in his 4th school since age 3. At 2 NO pre-school would accept him due to his behavioral and very limited verbal responses. With OT and his GOOD township handicapped preschool He flourished.
BUT the next years were another story. From age 5 till even now (in his fifth school) he has been bullied for being "different" than the other kids. Until age ten we had no help about him being bullied. He had balls thrown at him, been kicked, poked and prodded by other students, as well as the all favorite Name-calling. We pulled him out of kinder-garten, and then first grade, both to new schools hoping it would help. His behaviors and nightmares continued to worsen. Yet again we pulled him out of another school. He does NOT to well at all with transitions, but we felt we had no choice. We finally found a school that he lasted in for 4 years (until the end of elementary at 5th grade). Still, even in this school bullying continued, but not as frequent. We felt we just Couldn't pull him from yet ANOTHER school. He had Some time periods where his behavior was ok, BUT as he got older he began refusing schoolwork and homework, throwing the papers and having melt-downs, saying "NO ONE likes me. WHY was I even born?. I dont want to be here anymore." He also stated that most Frightful LAST statement.
It became time to pull him once again. This time however was to a special education school. Again, we went thru months of re-adjustments where his behavior became worse. This school finally HAS all the therapies and classes that he NEEDS. The down-side is that it IS a behavioral school. He has picked up the fighting and learned to fight back for himself (an up side). He is once again being bullied in school and "has NO friends". He has no friends at home either anymore. His out-bursts and meltdowns has cost him every friend he has ever made.
If you or anyone else has any ideas to help me with my son's meltdowns, outbursts, and/or friends situation, I welcome the input. Mary

Holly - posted on 03/15/2011

This is tragic. And wrong. No one can make the kids be your daughters friend. However that is not the same as not being able to do anything about the situation. I substitute teach (retired from teaching Kgarten). I am also now writing books for the 3-6 grade level that model anti -bullying behavior. I comment on lots of sites and guest blog as well as speak about this in elementary schools. The school can certainly make it unacceptable for the students to be saying things like you should kill yourself. I doubt if the 2graders saying this are really understanding just what they are really saying. The school counselor should get involved in this, doing a lesson in the class as well as speaking to the kids who are saying these things. The school should also bring the parents of the children saying these things in for a talk about it. This is far better than the brush off you got.

Julie - posted on 05/31/2010

I don't think special ed classes are a necessity, depending on the severity of the autism. My daughter's current school doesn't have them. They do have remedial classes, but she is high functioning and a very bright little girl and has no need for them.

The thing is just finding a school where your child isn't bullied for their condition.

My daughter spent prep to year 2 at a state school. She was bullied terribly from the beginning of year 1 by the children who were in prep that year. The school didn't pick it up until after 18 months of bullying when my daughter's counsellor went to assess her at school and found out in half a day she'd been violently bullied for more than 18 months. My poor daughter until then hadn't talked to anyone about it because she just thought it was normal to be shoved around and teased - combination of her autism not understanding social skills and having been abused by her father who had her believing that violence is how you pay attention to people.

The school sucked at dealing with it, so I got begged and grovelled and got her into the private school that she'd been on a waiting list for for a fe years.

She has changed marvellously since beginning there. She has a good teacher's aide in her class (the one thing her old school also had), but how they deal with bullying is incredibly different. and the kids are different too. in 18 months now, she's only had a handful of minor incidents of unfriendly behaviour - nothing like the two years of violent bullying she endured at her old school.

It's not an easy solution. The school is VERY expensive and I'm on a disability pension due to injuries from my ex, and here in australia, the disability pension is pathetic compared to other countries like the US. The school has helped out with a scholarship that pays roughly 1/3 of her fees, and my elderly grandmother helps out what she can but it's still expensive, and if my grandmother passes away, I have no idea how I'll pay the part of the fees she helps out with.

but that's in the future. my daughter's schooling is literally sendiing me bankrupt. I'd give it less than 12 months as I can no longer afford both her schooling and medical costs for me and her (she has a few physical problems and I now have a lot, many that our "free" health care system doesn't cover - like her counselling etc). But for now, she's safe in a good school and I hope to find a job soon that I am physically able to do and fit around our many medical and counselling appointments and other activities my daughter does to help with her ASD and medical problems.

Life is tough, sometimes you need to go the extra mile to protect your kids for bullies and hope one day things get easier.

Misty - posted on 05/28/2010

My son is autistic, 8 and he is just finishing 1st grade... He is in regular classroom as well... Her school has to help her... Y ou need to call the board of education in your town and let them know what is happening and if they do not do anything then the state will... You are the only advocate for your daughter and your voice has to be heard over everyone elses...

Kerry - posted on 05/27/2010

ps perhaps dance might be a good sport, its sort of individual, following instructions And there is a base group for friendships. My aspie daughte is great at Tap dance (its basically counting) :)

Kerry - posted on 05/27/2010

I've seen this. The kids did this to my son also, its common at 8 yo and the things that are a little different that make your child special, are not seen by peers as funny or cool anymore, they become strange. I found it took about 2 years for others to stop or my son to start to not care what others said (often he would react violently and hit) but schools will not take the idea in, little johnny normal could not possibly be doing that. Get used to that story it happens often. you can only do the best you can perhaps child councellor can help a little.
Unfortunate though it is, our aspies need to be almost "forced" into participating in anything involving a group and are happier on their own.
Perhaps home lessons of some sort now preparing for the home school idea, and a sports team *yes aspies dont like team sports *BUT it gets the social aspect covered while you start a love of learning at home until they can deal with school on their own. Some of the kids i have met over the years loved home school others lasted a year or 2 then wanted to join others and be "normal" .
You need to do what suits your daughter better, but keep reality in mind. Help her be Real not nice, explain how people can be some mean and some of the reasons why. the better informed she is the better she can deal with people everyday. she still may not like people but at least she can live in the world without becoming offended or upset. You should help her realize that people can be horrid and as long as she doesnt copy deliberate horrid behaviour she is a good person. good luck.

Terri - posted on 05/27/2010

This is absolutely outragious!! Your daughter should never have had to hear those things. Every school is required by law to provide appropriate educaional environment for each student. You will definitely have to have a heavy had with the school and force them to get her appropriate services. Contact your state educational service and request assistance if the district doesn't seem willing!!! You both have rights to safety and security in school! I wish you all the luck.

Ramona - posted on 05/27/2010

I understand how you feel. Our 9 year old son is going through the same things at school. He has Asperger's, ADHD, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, and anxiety issues. The harder the work gets each year, the worse he gets. Our schools seem to feel that it is his fault because his socialization skills are so bad. He cries and cries about being bullied but the teacher's say that nothing is happening or that it is his fault. He was in an inclusion class but that didn't make any difference. They continually say that he is causing all the problems because they don't see anything that is being done to him. They tell us to just not discuss it at home and to wait and talk to the teacher's.

We have been thinking about doing the cyber academy or homeschooling but, it takes both of us working to make ends meet. The cyber academy is an online school that our state offers. It is public schooling but done over the internet. You might check into something like that for your child.

You are your child's advocate and know her better than anyone. Don't stop taking up for her. Go as high as you have to go to get the education she is entitled to in a safe environment.

Melissa - posted on 05/27/2010

I think yes the can't make a kid be her friend but they can stop the bullying. My son is starting grade one next year and thing like thing worry me. But also i would not dream of home schooling him as school has so many option over homeschool and i know i could not do it (good for you though) and (sorry i don't know where you live ) but should the school not provied an aide to be with her alot? If there is no "special" class

Tammi - posted on 05/27/2010

I also wanted to cry reading this and my heart breaks for you and your daughter. This should not be tolerated and I would not stand for this. Like others have said, every school is obligated to provide the best education possible and if there is a special needs child, they have to provide for those needs! I wouldn't sign any IEP papers, and I would complain. I would suggest looking in other schools, special schools even. Get an advocate asap! My son is 12 years and has asperger's, He has been on a IEP since kindergarten, he has always had special education classes and they always address any issues that come up....that's the main reason for the IEP. My son has also been teased too, he actually didn't understand it.....until these last few years. I've done everything from talking to the superitendent to talking directly to parents, if the parents know that your child has special needs then they can talk to thier children about it. I wish you all the best and if home schooling is your best option to keep her safe, then that's what's needed. Good Luck!

Dawn - posted on 05/27/2010

Start homeschool now

Kim - posted on 05/27/2010

That's a shame. You send your children to school expecting them to be safe. These adults are there in your place. I home school my son, now. I started in Grade 6. This is our second year and we both love it. Here, you can pull your child out at any point in the school year as long as you have the forms filled out and the Education Minister signs them.After my son started school, he was pushed ahead after only a week in Kindergarten, so he was put in with older children straight away. I found not only the children to be unaccepting, also his teacher at the time was no help at all. She just didn't understand his Asperger's.One day one child pushed him off the slide ladder backwards and laughed. My son started to cry, he was only in Grade 2. She walked by and told him it was not normal to cry like that. I looked her in the eye and said if it happened to you and someone laughed because you were hurt would you not cry?No, the teachers can not make the children play or be friends with your child but they can cause situations to happen that would put them in groups, that would let them maybe see qualities in your child they may not notice otherwise.At what age was she diagnosed? If it was before the age of 6 they may be able to get some help, at least one friendly face in the crowd to buffer the negative a bit until they can finish her year. Good luck, my heart aches for you also. She is very young to have to deal with such adult issues. They say, oh children need to experience other children to find out how to handle situations an deal with them. I am 45 and have never had anyone be as cruel to me as some children were in school. No one deserves that.The schools should realize that.You never forget it. My son was not diagnosed until after age 6, so he received no help at all. He has accomplished so much and he did it on his own. I will pray that all turns out well for you. I hope you have an Autism center or such in your area, they may be able to steer you in the right direction, as to your rights.

[deleted account]

Bullied for my son wasn't a problem in Texarkana, AR but we moved to Moore, OK in 8-2007 when he started 4th grade. This district say they don't tolerate bullying, but it still happens. I get so upset when I find out he is still being bullied at school. This year he started 6th grade and girls where taking his lunch. Then it was people making comments under their breath as they pass him in the hall.
He hates school. He starts junior high next year and I'm very scared it will be worse.
My daughter is in her second year of cognitive Pre-K and hates school already, she starts a new school next year for Kindergraden but it's the same school my son goes to now. Good Luck I wish I knew a good way to help to bullying in school.

Audrey - posted on 05/25/2010

No child should be told they should kill themselves. How disgusting that even coming out of the mouth of a 2nd grader. I agree with just about everything that has been said so far. These kids parents do definitely need to be contacted. I'm sure the kids will deny ever saying it, like the little brats they are, but my son is a high-functioning autistic and as far as I know these kids do not know how to lie. Your child has a right to a safe educational environment regardless of where she goes. Go as high up as you need to, get an advocate (they rock) and an education attorney. Oh, and definitely contact the media, with names. No one, least of all the superintendent, wants to be painted in a bad light. Good luck with everything and keep us posted here. I am sure there are many of us here (if not all) that want to see your daughter come out of this OK. ((HUGS))

Laurie - posted on 05/21/2010

That just breaks my heart my daughter is 14 and has pdd and she is bullied. But Mackenzie goes to a charter school where she is lucky enough 2 have the special classes she needs. The teachers also look out 4 her and some of her class mates that are her friends and the older kids do help her. I know this isnt much help I just feel so bad and shes just so young to deal with it. I know from some of the bullying Kenzie has been through its caused her anxiety. So homeschooling next year would probably be best. Kids are terrible.I cant believe that school doesnt have special classes and u cant tell me that ur daughter is the only 1 there that needs help. That is just awful they said wht they said 2 u about they cant make anyone be her friend. I wish I could direct u where 2 go to push for the special education.even though it would only b for a short time. I just feel so bad I know how hard it is 4 u to hear from ur little girl what those kids say 2 her. I know because Kenzie comes home and tells me some of the things kids say and do 2 her when the teachers arent around but she tells them and its usually taken care of. I cant believe they cant put a stop 2 the bullying they should call the parents of those brats so u can go in and talk 2 the parents to explain that ur daughter has autism and then the parents can punish the children at home. If the school doesnt want 2. I am so sorry my heart goes out 2 u both. Good luck!

Kimberly - posted on 05/21/2010

My son is also autistic and was being bullied too. Thankful his school is really great and they took care of it. When other kids start to bully him I talk to them about him and tell them all of the problems that he has had and ask them how would they feel if they are being picked on just because they were a little different. I'm not sure if you can talk to the class or not about it, but you should look into that. Also, do what Cristina said and get a good advocate. The school should be taking care of this problem, but they are just standing back. Good luck.

Carol - posted on 05/21/2010

I pulled my ASD grandson out of school 2 years ago and have been homeschooling him ever since. Home schooling is not sheltering, it's educating. His circumstances were different in that he was not being educated and no matter what I threw at them, including Wright's Law, State law, Federal law and an attorney, their solution was to make him repeat every grade! Find out your state requirements for homeschooling and get her out of there as soon as possible. How many kids have we heard about on the news who actually did kill themselves because of bullying? Starting homeschooling can be very scary. There are hundreds of curriculum out there and some can be very expensive. I have found a couple of excellent sources. I would love to share info with you but I don't think this is the place. You can email me at lotsoflights@sbcglobal.net. The main curriculum we use is even FREE, can't beat that lol.

Cyndi - posted on 05/21/2010

I am so sorry, my heart just aches for you and your daughter. I have a son who is under the umbrella of autism. There are resources out there, I am with the group find an advocate, and special ED attorney. They are required by law to provide a safe environment for all students.

Julia - posted on 05/21/2010

As many have already said your local district is FEDERALLY REQUIRED to educate your daughter SAFELY or find and pay for a place where she can be educated.
Contact an advocate, a special ed lawyer, the media. You and your daughter are being doubly discriminated against by the teachers and administrators at her shool.

Angel - posted on 05/21/2010

I agree, if the school cannot provide an appropriate placement for her, they are LEGALLY required to send her to a non-public school where she can be in an appropriate environment. Check out http://www.wrightslaw.com

Michelle - posted on 05/20/2010

throw duty of care at them.....of course you can't 'make' anyone be her friend but this is just disgusting....how dare the alleged professionals dismiss her like that....bet it'd be a different story if it was their baby.....not much can hurt us more than the hurt we feel for our kids, hey?

Martha - posted on 05/20/2010

If your daughter has been classified as a student with a disability, she is entitled to special education and/or services which she needs. Have you already had the school district classify her?

I can't even believe that a school would be so unprofessional as to say that they can't make kids be her friend! You are asking for them to stop bullying her! They certainly can teach the other kids about respecting people with disabilities! You should definitely look for an advocate in your area. If the Superintendant of Schools isn't willing to help you, perhaps you need to take it to the school board!

I am with you regarding the home schooling for the end of the year if the bullying continues. Your daughter is only in 2nd grade and she will have plenty of time to find out how the "real" world works when she is older. Right now, it is about self preservation and protecting her self esteem. How horrible for you! My heart goes out to you and your daughter! : (

Kathryn - posted on 05/19/2010

sorry guys, i disagree with home schooling. as hard as it is for our kids,we cannot shelter them forever and our children have to learn to function in society. I think as temp measures in extreme circumstances , fine..but our kids have to face big bad world one day and seperating them is not the answer, makes it worse.
kate
x

Amy - posted on 05/19/2010

This happened to us. Bless you for homeschooling next year!!! We started homeschooling my Asperger's child beginning in the 3rd grade ( in a new school that didn't even hear of Asperger's). My 1st. grader decided to homeschool with us too. We have completed our second year!
See what your state laws are. In Wisconsin, I believe they want you to register by October, but I think you can pull them at any time.
Google your state and "homeschooling laws". If you can, see if you have to notify them first, but if possible, PULL HER OUT! You can get "Summer Bridge Workbooks" to do with her over the summer/let her catch up next year. They will not be doing much work for the rest of the school year now anyways.
If you can't pull her by law, let her use as many sick days as you can (1 or 2 a week) to give her some reprieve.
I would park your car on the street and watch the playgrounds during recesses and spend lunches with her.
I did this and found my child physically abused by peers on the playground. I would go to the office and pull him out on those days, using these instances as excuses to get him out of the situations.
Hang in there! She'll be out in no time!
Amy Annan

Susan - posted on 05/19/2010

you need a special ed attorney, in some states they are free attorneys to help you. please go to http://www.copaa.org/find/index.php , email your nearest attorney even if they are hundreds of miles away and ask if there are any non profit special ed advocacy agencies in your area. This article will help you as well. http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/harassmen...

Kathryn - posted on 05/19/2010

I wanted to cry reading this, my heart to you all..I am in UK and my 7 year old old daughter has recently been diagnosed with ASD, by all agreement, she's high functioning or aspergers, she attends a small local mainstream school and they are WONDERFULL with her! she does get bullied, but her close class mates stick up for her, i hear 'it's just rachel' alot.. dual registration with loca special school was recommended, but her teachers aren't happy about this..her headmistress told me, 'she's our rach, we love her, we accept the challenge and we'd love to learn from her'
I would advise that you speak to headteachers in your area to see what the options are and how they will deal with your situation, Some times the softer approach can be the best way!

Claudia - posted on 05/19/2010

Like everyone has said, the school is required by law to provide your child with a free education and if they can't do it at their school, they have to find a school that will. I had a similar situation with my son and after several CSE meetings, evaluations and many calls to the school, my son is now in a different school where he is doing much better. Good luck.

Susan - posted on 05/19/2010

They may not be able to make them be friends with her, but they are responsible for ensuring that she's not bullied--especially to this degree. This is outrageous! I second the advice to find an advocate. There are also offices at the state level where you can report this sort of thing and the school's lack of response. It will probably take a little research on the internet to find the right point of contact, but I would definitely do it.

User - posted on 05/18/2010

My son's school has a county class for ASD children....this means the children with the highest level of need are sent to this class...however, because of the school's overall reputation, it is magnet for families that have children living with spectrum disorders. My son is in a regular class, as are most of the children with autism that attend this school...they are a part of the school's fabric...the community. No, no can "make" anyone be his friend BUT this school's mandate is to include everyone in their community. They bring in members from the community to speak about autism to the children, they have fundraising events for Autism, and the staff know how special the children are. No one can "make" children be friends, but you can make the school officials aware that allowing the suicide encouragement to occur is laying themselves open to legal action. It is their legal obligation to ensure a safe/harrassment free environment....what have they done to MAKE that a reality??

I wouldn't want my child in a school where this type of bullying is tolerated...and I would be wondering about the parents of such children. Homeschooling might just be your best option but make sure you get into activities that fellow homeschoolers take part in in order to ensure socialization.

I don't know where you are, or how you view this, but my daughter (typical) is in a cheer squad. We were at a competition, and there were special needs team as well as integrated teams. If there is a good cheer squad around you, it might really help your daughter to be part of a super positive team experience. The coaches are really wonderful and they play to each child's strength in order to support the team...look for something super special that your daughter can enjoy so she will know how special she is to you and to others...

I would also not sweat the last five weeks of school. If you are home-schooling, then start now and give yourself a break from this stress. Your daughter is far too precious and if she is surrounded by individuals telling her she should die....well, you wouldn't dip your child in poison, but that's what's happening when she goes back into that environment.

Good luck, be strong, and have fun home-schooling!

Sheila

Cristina - posted on 05/18/2010

Dear Melissa. I have an autistic child too, and I was upset when I read your article. This should not be happening. First, I would suggest to find a good advocate to help you. Please do it as soon as you can if you do not have one. This is my suggestion because it looks like the district is not really helping you and it's not right. I read an article once. It was about the same problem, and when mom told them she was going to call the news, they finally tried to help. Thanks God the year is almost over and I wish you good luck. Get on the internet for similar articles and I am sure you will find some answers. God Bless you all.