What to do?

Hello everyone. I have joined because I need support.

I have been just told (yesterday) that my son's Autistic pre-school class which is held in the only public school building in my county dedicated to ONLY special needs children is moving into a classroom in a "regular" ES location that is farther away. My son already sits on a bus round trip for 3 hours. He is 3 and has been doing this since he was 2 years 9 months old. He is a full day student in the program.

The resources at his current location is right there onsite. I received word from the teacher so I have nothing written in my hand but some of the parents in the class knew last week. I am angry at the principal for the way it was handled, BUT most importantly I am very concerned for my son and his classmates. The majority of the children live in the southern portion of the county and the new location is in the North East corner of the county. They say there is just no more space except this location.

I say what about a church or temple location? Somewhere centrally located.

I was told that the reason is that they need to make room for an additional kindgerarten/grade 1 classroom. With 1 in 150 diagnosis I think they need to be more aggressive.

I welcome comments and advice on how to go about expressing my dissapointment to the right people. I am supposed to be the voice for my child, I feel that it is only a whisper at this point.

Thank you very kindly,

Lori

Hang in there and keep a positive attitude! It is your responsibility to stand up for your child and his needs, but it sounds like you know that. Communication is so important, and it doesn't sound like the schools are doing a good job of letting you know what's happening. That's really frustrating.

I agree that the long bus ride, especially for very young kids, seems excessive, and I would also be concerned. But you should also make sure that you have all the facts about the new plan, in writing if possible. Is this a permanent move, or a temporary move? Is there a long-term plan for more space? Are they moving only this one class, with no other resources, to a new facility? Or will other professionals (speech, OT, etc.) move with them, so that they will have essentially the same program? My son is able to attend a regular kindergarten class in a public school, and the school has most of the resources that he needs in the same building. He also gets the benefit of being around "typical" kids, which can be very positive for autistic kids.

Don't be afraid to stand up for what your child needs, but try to stay as positive as you can with the schools. They can be powerful and effective advocates for special needs kids, bur remember that many school systems are really trying to do the best that they can with limited resources. You might also want to talk to some of the other families, if you know them. Do they have the same concerns that you do? Is there anything that can be done about the long bus ride? Would others be interested in a classroom that meets in a church or other private building? Strength in numbers can also be a good thing if other parents are feeling the same way. When I was five (many years ago!), I attended a public kindergarten that met at a church due to lack of space in the public schools. Maybe it can still be done!

Good luck to you - I hope it all works out for the best.

Heather

I am sorry that I was not here, yesterday, to welcome you to the group, but I was in mediation for one of my son's IEPs.

Thank you hbudnik, for stepping in and welcoming Lori.

If I were in your shoes I would do the following:

1. Get the plans, for next school years class structure, in writing. It should come from the Special Ed representative (not the teacher). In my case, our school has a Spec. Ed. Secretary and our Assistant Principal oversees the Spec. Ed Program.

2. Make sure that you know what your rights are, as a parent.

3. Make sure that you know the process to take your complaint to the right person and in the right steps.

Here, in California, I go to S.E. Sec., then Assist. Principal, then District office, then Parent complaint department, mediation, State caomplaint Department, lawyer with trial...........

Hbudnik is right, all of you parents need to band together and fight for all of your children's rights.

I am sure, with the gas prices the way that they are, it costs a whole heck of a lot more to bus those children the distance than it would to bring in a portable building, place it on a concrete foundation and wire it up with light and heat and air.

I am sure that you could find a parent advocate that would stand up for your child's rights. For example, it is not right that the child has to be out of bed, in the morning, in time to catch a 630 bus to school. It also is not right that the child does not return home until 4p.m.. This especially holds true for a 3-year-old. (A teenager, maybe, a toddler, definately not acceptable!).

Well, I could go on and on riding my "soap-box" but I don't want to be long winded.

Keep us up to date and informed on the goings on there.

Again, Welcome to the group!!!!

I am planning on attending a meeting of the special education citizen advisory council next week. I am going with a group of parents from the same class. In addition, I have contacted the principal of my "home" Elementary school ( my older son attends there currently) and asked her for guidance.

I live in the state of Maryland where the Kennedy Kreiger Institute is located. They have a Center for Autism and Related Disorder. I have left a message to have a representative provide me with guidance as well.

Not one person I speak to regarding this finds this acceptable.

Yes Heather, I agree with you on having the Autistic children mainstreamed into a regular school setting. I currently have Nicholas enrolled 2 days a week at the same preschool his twin attends. These are the 2 days he does not attend his Autistic pre-school. That was decided by the team as essential. The concern I have thought about was that he may not be able to attend that for next year because they may have to add more time during the week due to traveling so far thus eliminating the time at the "regular" pre-school which has a minimum attendance requirment of 2 days a week.

I could go on and on but I just want you to know I appreciate your advice.

I will be fighting this for Nicholas and his best interest.

Please keep us up to date on the situation.

MoB

Thank you for starting out my day with such an inspirational story. I am so happy to hear of the great way to supplement for her skills she is not able to do with something she can do.

The school sounds perfect she can do.

Hope you have a good rest of your day.

LoriMD

This year he has had to go to the guidance office a lot for hitting other children or teachers. He can be impulsive at times and the school has a no tolerance procedure.

I am confused as to what to do. I am having his placement meeting for next year on the 20th of May.

If anyone out there has any ideas what to do I would greatly appreciate all the incite I could get. Has anyone else had this problem?

Thanks for your help

Sharon

If your son is having behavioral issues, I would suggest opening his IEP and having him evaluated for a Behavioral specialist to shadow him.

One of my son's has one and it has been a blessing keeping him from acting out in class. We are going to open the IEP, for our other son, and attempt to get an aid for him.

If you son is not academically ready for 2nd grade, he should probably be kept back.

I would agree with your thought about having him in a different class (with a different teacher). You want him to succeed and not just "skate" through at the bottom of the class.

As for the school for Autistic Children, only you can decide if your child should be in a special school or mainstreamed. Make sure that you research all of your options and consider the pros and cons of either one.

If your son is not academically ready, the second grade teacher can only supplement to an extent. Socialization does not have an appropriate age when you are talking about an Autistic person so staying in first grade for that extra boost may be helpful.

I have twins one is developmentally "normal" and the other is Autistic. They are in preschool and I have them in separate aged rooms. Everyone knows they are twins but even the children (who are sometimes more understanding than adults) treat him as a peer and only a peer.

You may also want to quickly observe the different options and then immediately jot your feelings down on paper when you leave the particular classroom. Go home and spend time with you son and then look back at your notes. I know that sounds kind of off, but it may work. It may help with your decision. Sometimes sitting in the thick of things helps put things in perspective,not in an IEP meeting.

Best to you and your family,

LoriMD