Fwd: For parents in Florida re treatment in school

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Meeting to focus on how autistic kids are treated in school

Meeting to focus on how autistic kids are treated in school

By Colleen Wixon(Contact)

Originally published 07:52 p.m., September 4, 2008

Updated 07:52 p.m., September 4, 2008

Treasure Coast families want to get their voices heard about what has

happened to their autistic children in schools. But they’re concerned

that even the state attorney general can’t help them.

Since the Attorney General Office’s initial investigation into the

case of 5-year-old Barton, the Port St. Lucie autistic boy voted

out of kindergarten, several families have come forward with other

complaints, press secretary Sandi Copes said in July. The office

started looking at how autistic children are treated in schools and

planned a statewide meeting with families.

But now the statewide meeting will be held later this month in

conjunction with another group, The 100 Ideas Foundation.

Parent , who is considering legal action against the St.

Lucie County School District because of how she says her autistic son

was treated, plans to attend the Sept. 15-16 meeting in Orlando. But

she said she is concerned because the office continues to say it has no

authority over schools.

Copes has said the initial meeting would be a chance for families to

voice their concerns. The 100 Ideas Foundation statewide discussion on

autism and developmental disabilities is expected to draw many

participants and have a broad reach, she said.

“According to the organizers of the event, Floridians are invited to

come together in an informal discussion that will provide parents,

advocates, elected officials and decision makers an opportunity to

provide input and opinions on issues relating to autism and the

developmentally disabled community,” she said.

Representatives from the attorney general’s office will be at the

event to talk with parents, Copes said.

Copes said Thursday the office is working with ’s mother,

Barton, to provide materials from the meeting to parents who cannot

attend.

Barton said she has not coordinated a time yet on when to attend the

meeting.

said she can’t attend both days. The event isn’t quite the

meeting she was expecting, but she doesn’t want to miss it, she said.

“I have to have hope,” she said.

IF YOU GO

The 100 Ideas Foundation statewide discussion on autism and

developmental disabilities is a chance for parents, advocates,

politicians and lawmakers to talk informally, according to the group’s

Web site. State Attorney General Office representatives also will be

available to talk with families.

When: 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 16

Where: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Studios, 5601 Universal

Blvd., Orlando

Cost: Free, but participants must register by Wednesday. To register

online, go to www.100ideas. org.

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Kim Hammons

IPUT Informed Parents United Together

Tampa, Florida

www.iput.org

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