Autism Support Group

My son who is turning 6 in 2 mo uses a vantage lite for his communication. He is severely autistic, and has no communications skills without his device. It seems that his teachers and aids at his school do not even remove it from his back pack!!! I am beyond frustrated. I relate this to asking a cild who is deaf to attend school without the use of sign language.....this is unacceptable! Knowing that I will only incite punishment upon my boy, I am seeking any and all advice on effective communication to his educators about how destructive and damaging their actions are to my son, and how much easier their jobs would be with Matthew able to talk.

I am thrilled to have a SP that is fighting just as hard as I, yet with the same results. She has spent her personal time and energy in teaching his school therapists how to use this device...and I am sure there are at least three other boys that have use from such machines. Is this common practice? Am I out of line to be so upset?

It has taken me a few years to organize my personal and family life, and in doing so, have seen Matt go from a child born with severe autism, pica, sensory disorder, sleeping problems, poor diet...ect...to a kid that now sleeps in his bed, all night ( with the exception of when he is sick) eats more, has learned his alphabet, numbers, is working on full sentence structure, can spell... its endless. But that is only when he is able to use the Vantage to talk.....without, he is perceived as slow, lacking in intelligence. He learned these things in a matter of days from its arrival and a few instructions from his therapist.

I feel like I am starting to just ramble...so again I pose the question, ( and thank you for your time ) What can I do to ensure that my son is not lost in a system????

It would seem both an IEP, and a PET meeting are both in order

What do you think missy?

I would be just as upset as you. I would set up a meeting with the teachers and see if there is any way you can all work something out. If anything at least get an explanation as to why they aren't even trying to allow your son to use his communication device at school. I can't imagine a reason they wouldn't allow him to use it other than possibly trying to get him to use PECS or some other system all the kids use in the class.

littlemissy:

My name is Shannon and I have a 9 year-old boy with Asperger's.

I am also wondering if he has an IEP and if it is written in his IEP to use the device.

Why do you say "Knowing that I will only incite punishment upon my boy"

Very fair question

hey everyone....lets see....answers to questions back

Yeah he has an IEP, and we are in the process of a review, so next month he is due for the for a meeting and set up a new one. I wanted to get as organized as possible for this meeting! By his first report card he had accomplished all his goals, and since we seem to be standing still. I have asked numerous times for a meeting, some kind of communication home, or something as simple as a phone call....but have been ignored. Its to the point where in a notebook we keep in his back pack for any notes we need to send about our kids can ask me for diappers....I send them, and it takes them up to a week to get them from his bag to the room...its a useless tool, because they cant find the time to use it.

They complained that the device he uses is too heavy.....but Matthew is completely happy carrying it around....in his backpack, or just by its handle.

I guess I am afraid that Matthew is getting singled out for behaviors, that in all respects they are responsible for. My speech therapist informed me that Matthew had been possibly set in timeouts numerous occasions for his "stimming". Matthew is fond of deep pressure, and will request it by pushing or hitting you with the back of his hands if he has no other conventional way of asking.....and it seems they found this to be a punishable offence. On the few times I have been able to talk to his teacher....I am treated like my son is choosing not to speak, and that he is more of a problem for her, than a pleasure to have in class. Now I am not saying that my son is any type of angle.....we all know better than that but I am saying, that he when he is not pushed academically, he will find something that stimulates him and after all is that not what he is there for??? This whole situation was brought to my attention by another student in his class complaining to my SP. After some inquires, was told there were some issues....seems a little backwards. that is what I expect to see in the parent teacher notebook that is in his bag. :/

Sorry for being so long winded, I live in a small town, and feel alone in this battle.....

Had to call a special meeting last year because they wanted Matthew to ride a regular bus to school....I fought and argued and was forced to drive for half the year...but on a field trip we took, they say how well he sits on a bus with no restraint system....lol, we have a picture of him trying to jump out the window of the bus... I felt like screaming a big fat "I told you so!"

If his teachers are ignoring you and your notes, I think you should just stop in one day. The school must follow through with whatever is in his IEP. If you have to get the principal involved than you should, don't worry about seeming like a b@&!ch you have to do what is best for your child. Good luck!

And if need be, go over the principal's head too. If need be, to a lawyer.