school problem/book/suggestions

[Guest guest]

IDEA speaks of appropriate placement. My son,

before I realized he had autism, (not his primary

disability) was in a class where there were flare ups

with 1 or 2 of the kids -- the children having the

difficult behavior were always taken out of the

classroom until the behavior passed, (the teacher and

the aides in this classroom were SO loving) however,

even for that amount of time, it was quite distressing

for my son who is EXTREMELY sensitive, as I'm learning

many children with autism are. When it was time for

him to transition into middle school, it was apparent

to me and to his teacher that moving on with that

group of children' wasn't right for him, and thus

followed my

battle with the school dist, which lasted a year!!

Boy did I learn ALOT about advocacy!! I held him

out of school for 3 months while I went to meetings,

advocacy seminars etc etc, that's when the autistic

behaviors first became apparent-- and the story is

too long to tell it all, but it was a rollercoaster

ride with weird and frustrating twists and turns--I

did

end up getting him into the classroom I wanted, ( and

that teacher moved after that year, which I was so

upset about because she was great) But still, he's

made so many gains where he is now, in part, because

the placement is so much more appropriate for him.

SO....IDEA says LRE which is NOT in a classroom

where he's afraid, or hurt, or intimidated, etc.

Maybe

it's in a typical classroom with an aide, I don't

know

what's best for your child---only NEVER use the word

" best " --use " appropriate " . ( I visited everywhere -

twice- to see what was the appropriate placement for

my son) Once you find the place (IF you want your

child in school) then ask for a meeting and request

it -- be prepared to back up what you're saying

(shouldn't be to hard in your situation!)---your

child is very sensitive; a child can't learn in a

setting where he/she doesn't feel safe ; where all the

teachers attention and energy ( by her own

admittance even) goes to 'controlling' others; ---how

can the IEP goals be met??

If you bump into problems, I suggest several things:

1) Buy this book: The Complete IEP Guide How to

Advocate for Your Special Ed Child by Attornay

Lawrence M. Siegel

2) Find an advocacy group and start to talking to

other parents and advocates, and make sure if you

have any meeting that you take at least one very

informed and experienced advocate with you. (The

book has advocy groups state by state)

3) Write a well thought through letter, run it by

your advocates, and send it to the director of sp

ed, cc. it to any school reps you've talked

to, the pres of the school board, the legal

advocacy group for your state,and the classroom

teacher.

This letter has several purposes. One is to

state the problem, and make others aware of it,

and what you want done to remedy it for your

child. Another purpose is to document what's

happening, conversations, what the teacher has said

to you, etc. Basically, if it's not in writng, it

has no weight. Know that this is a SERIOUS

problem that needs to be addressed, (it's not right

for ANY of the children) and you're child has

LEGAL rights. Be willing to go to mediation, and

due process if necessary. (school dists HATE due

process, and I can't imagine in a situation like

you've described, that the dist would win! Don't

be afraid to exercise your rights!! We don't do

this to give the school dist or teachers a hard

time, we do it to get what's appropriate for our

child. You are NOT being unreasonable!!

This is LONG, sorry, your letter touched a nerve.

I think at some point MOST parents encounter their

battle!!, and it's so important that we know our

rights, and assert, respectfully, strongly, clearly.

Please feel free to e-mail me -- I'd be happy to

support you. (I hope you're in the states,!!!

Din't think of that until now!)

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