Re: What qualifies as an ABA classroom?

[Guest guest]

http://www.vesid.nysed.gov/specialed/autism/apqi.htm#INSMETH

[Guest guest]

Dear " one mom deep in the trenches, "

First, while it is unavoidable to look at the " ABA classroom " it is more

important to consider a child's INDIVIDUAL needs. What supports and programming

has been in place and has it been effective based on the data? If the child is

progressing, this supports the continuation of like services, including the

level of experience, credentials, etc. of the staff working with your child.

I presume that your IEP outlines the current programming...you have the right to

reject a newly proposed program/placement and to " stay put " with the current

services your child has now until the issue is resolved.

(The following is from:

http://www.ideapractices.org/law/regulations/topicIndex.php

" §300.514 Child's status during proceedings.

(a) Except as provided in §300.526, during the pendency of any administrative or

judicial proceeding regarding a complaint under §300.507, unless the State or

local agency and the parents of the child agree otherwise, the child involved in

the complaint must remain in his or her current educational placement.

( If the complaint involves an application for initial admission to public

school, the child, with the consent of the parents, must be placed in the public

school until the completion of all the proceedings.

© If the decision of a hearing officer in a due process hearing conducted by

the SEA or a State review official in an administrative appeal agrees with the

child's parents that a

change of placement is appropriate, that placement must be treated as an

agreement between the State or local agency and the parents for purposes of

paragraph (a) of this section.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1415(j)) " )

Resolving the issue would include a full reevaluation (and independent evals if

needed) of the child which should include having an educational consultant

observe & assess the child's current program, then to report on what is

effective and what is necessary to provide an APPROPRIATE educational program.

If an " ABA classroom " is in place the consultant can also observe that setting

to identify what is in place to meet the child's needs and what else would need

to be put in place to make the program appropriate for the child. If the

classroom is not " up and running " yet, this is problematic for many reasons, but

to your advantage it also makes it impossible for you as a parent to participate

in a placement decision and acceptance of a placement that doesn't exist in

anything more than theory & promises.

( " © Parent involvement in placement decisions.

(1) Each public agency shall ensure that the parents of each child with a

disability are members of any group that makes decisions on the educational

placement of their child.

(2) In implementing the requirements of paragraph ©(1) of this section, the

public agency shall use procedures consistent with the procedures described in

§300.345(a) through ((1).

(3) If neither parent can participate in a meeting in which a decision is to

be made relating to the educational placement of their child, the public agency

shall use other methods to ensure their participation, including individual or

conference telephone calls, or video conferencing.

(4) A placement decision may be made by a group without the involvement of the

parents, if the public agency is unable to obtain the parents' participation in

the decision. In this case, the public agency must have a record of its attempt

to ensure their involvement, including information that is consistent with the

requirements of §300.345(d).

(5) The public agency shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that the parents

understand, and are able to participate in, any group discussions relating to

the educational placement of their child, including arranging for an interpreter

for parents with deafness, or whose native language is other than English.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1414(f),

1415((1)) " http://www.ideapractices.org/law/regulations/topicIndex.php)

I suggest contacting an advocate to discuss your child's rights and how to

proceed. Most parent training centers can help to connect parents with

advocates in their area: http://www.fcsn.org/ptis/ptilist.htm

Regards,

Tonya Boyce

Advocate for Children with Disabilities & Special Needs

West Groton, MA

978-448-8386

abc123tonyab@...

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<<<Subject: What qualifies as an ABA classroom?

Dear Listmates,

After 8 years of battles with our school district over ABA they are now

telling the parents of the preschool to Kindergarten age children that they will

have an ABA classroom starting this fall. They will no longer fund home

programs using Medicaid funding designated for this purpose, nor will they

continue

to use the consultant that we have all come to depend upon. The teachers they

are assigning to this class have never worked in an ABA program of any kind

(one of the teachers has a history of being very anti-ABA, does not want

shadows or other tutors in the class, and has already offended one of the

families

expected to place their child in this classroom.) The special ed director is

telling us that everyone is going to get " trained " this summer but has not been

specific regarding who will do that training or what kind of training she is

has planned. We are not even sure what the adult to child ratio will be or if

there are going to be children with other diagnosis in class in addition to

the kids with autism. Parents are being pressured and rushed to sign I.E.P.s

Any suggestions on how we can handle this crisis? We support the idea of an

ABA classroom but we want a quality, qualified staff...Help...Any strategies

will be gladly considered...Or kids deserve a REAL ABA program ...What

constitutes an ABA Classroom?

Thanks,

one mom deep in the trenches >>>