Re: Aspergers versus HFA - Roxanna,

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Roxanna, (please read bottom) >>>>>I know, then you say, "They will still include the medical dx in the IEP." So yeah, I do not get their point at all. Will this opt him out of any special autism programs? Will he be ineligible for social groups because his dx classification is not autism? Are they going to make an autism unit and want to weed out the AS kids so they don't have to provide additional services specifically for HFA/AS? I am like you - wondering what their scoop is. It takes them time and money to change all the paperwork. So I don't think they do that just on a whim. But who knows? Maybe it's on the level and nothing will change? Yes, that is what they just did, they opened up an autism unit in the school. (this year) they hired a

behavioral specialist and now have there own unit. they also have a team of specialist in there as well. I did recieve a letter saying that they will have this unit in the Elementary school. also, its for all ages from children to adults. I'm confused in knowing what they are planning for my son. If they are trying to take away services, or - give him what he needs like they are doing now. but that leads me back to : why change his classification to OHI with a medical alert of autism. How much weight does that hold?. (the medical alert) if any.... Rose Roxanna <madideas@...> wrote: It could amount to nothing, it's hard to say. But I would have said to them - when they tell me it's no big deal, same services, just a change in classification - so why change it? If it really is no big deal, then why are they changing it. It's not, "why are you arguing against the change because he'll still get everything?" Wrong question! The question is, "Why are you changing his classification if he still gets the same services and it's not a big deal?" They try to make it your problem when it's

not. When something is working, I would argue against changing it unless it is to improve the situation. Also, the answer to their question, "Why argue, it's the same?" is to say, "Because it is important to me that everyone understand he has autism and how this affects his ability to interact with others and to learn. Because autism=autism and he should have the classification that most matches his needs." I know, then you say, "They will still include the medical dx in the IEP." So yeah, I do not get their point at all. Will this opt him out of any special autism programs? Will he be ineligible for social groups because his dx classification is not autism? Are they going to make an autism unit and want to weed out the AS kids so they don't have to provide additional services specifically for

HFA/AS? I am like you - wondering what their scoop is. It takes them time and money to change all the paperwork. So I don't think they do that just on a whim. But who knows? Maybe it's on the level and nothing will change? If it does happen anyway, make sure the PLOP (present levels) are very exact. Make sure the word AS is all over the PLOP. Make sure his behaviors are all over the PLOP. And the last question, about his classification since 18 months old - they would argue it. They might then say, "He's cured." lol. Well, actually, they would say that due to therapy and hard work, he's no longer autistic. That would be difficult to argue as well. I never

had this problem because both my ds's are HFA and the speech delay alone comes in "handy" when determining need for services. But one year I remember, they did my older ds's MFE and the psycho said I had to produce a new report for them that says he is still autistic. I reminded them that autism does not just go away. But oh no - they had to have their paperwork. I told them "Fine" and said they would have to pay for an eval from a doctor if they wanted one so badly or do their own medical eval. Immediately, they switched gears and decided his previous doctor report would still work ok for them. So, seemed like it was about money always. Or about finding ways to confuse us, outlast us, wear us out. lol. When dealing with a bureaucracy, it is so hard to tell the reasons why... RoxannaYou're UniqueJust like everyone else... RE: ( ) Aspergers versus HFA Aspergers, HFA, Classic autism, PDD-NOS are all under the autism spectrum. I can see if the child is DXed with autism and the school wants to say aspergers and he/she is still getting the right services " fine ". but my school wants to take my son off the autism spectrum DX and give him " OHI " which would be a Hugh disadvantage to him because the staff won't have a clear understanding of my son's autism with a classification of OHI. They still want to change him from an autism classification to OHI but added a medical DX of autism. What sense does that make and why ? how does that benefit the school by changing my son's classification from autism to now OHI ? Rose . No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.3/1611 - Release Date: 8/14/2008 6:20 AM No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.3/1611 - Release Date: 8/14/2008 6:20 AM

[Guest guest]

Whoa, I hit the nail on the head! Woo hoo! lol.

They don't want to give your son any of their new autism services. They will still give him the old stuff he already gets. I would imagine that not having the classification of AU will not get him into any of their special autism programming. Now, whether that is something he should be in or not, I don't know. It seems like, from what you've written so far, that they want to exclude the high functioning kids? Or do you know any others with HFA/AS who are staying in this program? I would start asking a LOT of questions about the new autism programming. I imagine they will talk it down - tell you it's only for kids who are MR or low functioning. But then the question remains - why? Not that they don't deserve good programming, but so does your kid.

A program for kids who are HFA/AS would require the same kind of personnel but different levels of service. I guess I would find out a lot more information on this new autism stuff. Then I would compare it to what my kid has already and ask myself if this is enough for him or if he needs things that other kids are getting. I mean, will they have social groups? Special meeting for parents in the program? Special kinds of therapy in the program or more access to therapists? A behavioral specialist? Well, you may not need any of the things being offered. There may be wrap around services, home therapy, special tutoring? I mean, who knows what is being offered in this program? OTOH, if he did have problems crop up that required a behavioral expert, you could point at the one they have in the program and say, "That's the one I want to do the FBA." Will that be provided on his behalf if the need arises? Also, their new behavioral people could inservice your ds's teachers. Would that happen if you put it in his IEP? It could be you don't need access to their programming but you still have access to their professionals/services? I would find out! See what you think. See what the other guys are getting and see what you think.As for his IEP saying he has Autism, I honestly don't know how much weight that holds. To me, it makes no sense to admit he has autism in his IEP but not classify him with AU as a classification. What is the sense in that? Is it only to keep him out of the programming? Why couldn't he stay where he is and still have the correct classification? I don't know, but you should definitely go poke around the school and find out the scoop!

RoxannaYou're UniqueJust like everyone else...

RE: ( ) Aspergers versus HFA

Aspergers, HFA, Classic autism, PDD-NOS are all under the autism spectrum. I can see if the child is DXed with autism and the school wants to say aspergers and he/she is still getting the right services " fine ". but my school wants to take my son off the autism spectrum DX and give him " OHI " which would be a Hugh disadvantage to him because the staff won't have a clear understanding of my son's autism with a classification of OHI. They still want to change him from an autism classification to OHI but added a medical DX of autism. What sense does that make and why ? how does that benefit the school by changing my son's classification from autism to now OHI ?

Rose

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Roxanna, you did bring up lots of ideas for me to think about....I'm shocked. I knew something was up but didn't know what. I'm just concerned that they will take away all services next. RoseRoxanna <madideas@...> wrote: Whoa, I hit the nail on the head! Woo hoo! lol. They don't want to give your son any

of their new autism services. They will still give him the old stuff he already gets. I would imagine that not having the classification of AU will not get him into any of their special autism programming. Now, whether that is something he should be in or not, I don't know. It seems like, from what you've written so far, that they want to exclude the high functioning kids? Or do you know any others with HFA/AS who are staying in this program? I would start asking a LOT of questions about the new autism programming. I imagine they will talk it down - tell you it's only for kids who are MR or low functioning. But then the question remains - why? Not that they don't deserve good programming, but so does your kid. A program for kids who are HFA/AS

would require the same kind of personnel but different levels of service. I guess I would find out a lot more information on this new autism stuff. Then I would compare it to what my kid has already and ask myself if this is enough for him or if he needs things that other kids are getting. I mean, will they have social groups? Special meeting for parents in the program? Special kinds of therapy in the program or more access to therapists? A behavioral specialist? Well, you may not need any of the things being offered. There may be wrap around services, home therapy, special tutoring? I mean, who knows what is being offered in this program? OTOH, if he did have problems crop up that required a behavioral expert, you could point at the one they have in the program and say, "That's the one I want to do the FBA." Will that be provided on his behalf if the need arises? Also, their new behavioral

people could inservice your ds's teachers. Would that happen if you put it in his IEP? It could be you don't need access to their programming but you still have access to their professionals/services? I would find out! See what you think. See what the other guys are getting and see what you think.As for his IEP saying he has Autism, I honestly don't know how much weight that holds. To me, it makes no sense to admit he has autism in his IEP but not classify him with AU as a classification. What is the sense in that? Is it only to keep him out of the programming? Why couldn't he stay where he is and still have the correct classification? I don't know, but you should definitely go poke around the school and find out the scoop! RoxannaYou're UniqueJust like everyone else... RE: ( ) Aspergers versus HFA Aspergers, HFA, Classic autism, PDD-NOS are all under the autism spectrum. I can see if the child is DXed with autism and the school wants to say aspergers and he/she is still getting the right services " fine ". but my school wants to take my son off the autism spectrum DX and give him " OHI " which would be a Hugh disadvantage to

him because the staff won't have a clear understanding of my son's autism with a classification of OHI. They still want to change him from an autism classification to OHI but added a medical DX of autism. What sense does that make and why ? how does that benefit the school by changing my son's classification from autism to now OHI ? Rose . No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.3/1611 - Release Date: 8/14/2008 6:20 AM No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.3/1611 - Release Date: 8/14/2008 6:20 AM No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.3/1611 - Release Date: 8/14/2008 6:20 AM