Christina - posted on 11/01/2011 ( 204 moms have responded )
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How do I deal with a school bus driver constantly getting on my case? I have talked to her in a nice manner I have called her boss I have talked to the principal and nothing so today was the last straw for me I called the Superintendent. She told me I needed to start picking him up from now on cause she is fed up with how he acts in the afternoon I told her I work I can not pick him up she then threatened with a suspension so I told her why is it you are always talking to me about what my child has done yet kids in this neighborhood tell me my child is getting picked on and teased on the bus well she lost it then she said " I wish you wouldn't do that" I told her I did not ask these kids anything they told me well she began going on and on and finally the last straw was she said to me " Don't go there with me" I lost it I told her No lady you dont go there with me I have nothing but problems with you since last yr....anyone else encounter these problems?
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Dee - posted on 11/15/2011
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I'm a school bus driver...a special needs school bus driver. Where I work, the rule of thumb is...the parent is always right. Your child's bus driver should NOT be getting on your case....period. Her job, what she was hired to do, is to transport your child to and from school...if there is an issue with that student on the bus..then the driver reports that issue either with a write up slip sent to you, the school dept. and the terminal she works out of....a meeting is set up, if necessary and the school dept is notified. It is up to the school dept to access your child's needs and decide on whether that child should be transported by a 'school to home' bus or whether your child needs to be transported by a Special Needs bus. Once that decision is made and your child is being transported according to their needs...the driver, whether a big bus driver or a special needs driver, needs to act accordingly which means that driver needs to "LEARN how to deal with it". Every child is special...whether they have issues or not...each child deserves a place where they feel they belong...and this bus driver your child has, does not sound like a good one. You have every right to dispute this driver from transporting your chiild...IF there is conflict between the driver and your child....the School bus company then decides what comes next.
JuLeah - posted on 11/01/2011
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If your child really has ADHD, and behaviors that accompany ADHD, and an IEP .... then he can not be suspended for the behavior. That is what and IEP is for, to protect the child in such situations and to demand his needs be met
If you can not be there, have another adult observe - from a distance and see what is actually going on
Can an older child be recurited/hired to wait in line then sit with your child?
Often they have video on the school bus now, so you should be able to see a recodring of whatever it is they say your child is doing
Maybe your kid is acting up, maybe getting picked on, maybe both .... but there is an issue and it needs to be addressed - they are not doing that. Yelling at a child or parent will never fix the problem ....
Why in the world would a 16 yr old be riding the same bus as a 5 yr old. What kind of school district this that????
Judy - posted on 11/07/2011
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As a bus operator for 33 years, I take offense to your statement about this driver. I don't know all the circumstances however I do know that the main focus of any driver is to have a safe bus for ALL children. It only takes one second of taking your eyes off the road because of a disruption from a student and lives could be lost. I, for one, am not willing to take that risk! I normally don't interact with parents simply because they have the attitude that it is the driver's fault. Its not. We are under federal mandates as well as state codes and county/district policies. If you child is permitted to continue with bad behavior (even if its because of his condition) lives are at risk and I, as well as other drivers) would not like to look at parents and explain why their child is dead. Sorry...but that's the reality of a drivers' job! May I suggest you contact the Superintendent's office and have your child transported on a special needs bus. On this type of bus, he will be given the attention he needs and will no longer feel pressured to behave unrealistically by the regular driver. Children with ADHD do have behavior problems that can be addressed with meds but with messures that can ensure he, as well as other students, will be transported safely to and from school.
Lisa - posted on 11/07/2011
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Debbie, I take a lot of offense to your statement: "Most parents I know just use the AHHD because they refuse to try and disipline their own children. "
I have a 4 1/2 year who was recently diagnosed with ADHD and is disciplined more than any other child I know, because I AM a parent who cares. I don't use her diagnosis as a crutch to not parent my child. So, get off your high horse. Oh, and by the way, before you get off, learn how to spell. It's spelled discipline, NOT disipline!!
Indra - posted on 11/02/2011
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I wonder if it's too late to call the bus company and ask if they can get involved in this matter. You need to remain extremely calm and professional in nature when you conduct this call (as I'm sure you are doing) making sure to use pleases and thank you's. Ask the bus company what steps they take in talking to their drivers when they aren't "getting along" with a student while driving the bus. Ask if there is a way to file a complaint. Talk to them about the needs of your child. Children with ADHD need calm, compassionate drivers that are able to redirect while driving at the same time. If your child is crawling under the seat.
Talk to the social worker at the school and ask he/she to do a social story for your child. Children on the spectrum are more visual and need to see things in order to "make movement in therapy." You need to know what your child is doing in order to help your child. So don't be afraid to ask what it is that he is doing that is causing a disruption. Chances are he is doing this because of something that is either a) bothering him emotionally or b) maybe he has sensory issues as well as ADHD (Doesn't like loud noises so you might have him wear ear plugs). You won't know unless you ask... Also, ask to see the camera on the bus. All buses should have camera's on the bus and if not ask if they can install one for the safety of your child. This way they can see if it's your child's behavior as opposed to bullying.
A seat buddy is a good idea but you have to ask a couple of questions to counter troubles that may occur. For instance, if you pair a child on the spectrum with a child with behavior disorders than your child may "pick up" unwanted behaviors that could lead to emotional outbursts and thus bullying. Although a Principal should be educated in working with special needs children and know how to motivate children on the spectrum to turn unwanted behaviors around (should they show up in his/her office at the very least).
Children on the spectrum (ADHD) tend to pick up unwanted behaviors from other children so that is why the school should be keeping a close watch on this bus and being proactive instead of reactive. Also, make sure if you choose to bring up a peer buddy that the person chosen is a positive, typical peer with similar interests. The school social worker should make this choice. I believe that it's against the law for a school to not provide transportation to school (especially if it's public school). Now they could offer the special needs bus for your son if he is having a lot of difficulties.
Whatever you do though communicate with the school via e-mail and get things down in writing. Do not meet with the Principal or Superintendent unless you follow it up with a letter addressing all the points that were discussed in your meeting. This way changes can be recorded and you have a document should anything go to court. Hopefully your child has an IEP. It's very difficult to get services in a building that is "dysfunctional." From what I'm told a dysfunctional building can keep you on the RTI tiers for a long time and avoid putting your chid on an IEP. It was easier a couple years back when you could just request an IEP in writing. Good luck! :) Answering your question: Yes, many I know have encounter these problems. You aren't alone!