Re: Re: Previous post on only child Asperger testing/school comments

[Guest guest]

We have had difficulty with advocates as well, not showing, not saying much with a legal background, the only one that really helped up was from Disability Rights, and I had to have my case go before their board before they would take it. When she came she had repore with the school already and would defend my positions and my son sometimes and others would explain to me the schools position and the law, then try to negotiate, offering suggestions of what has happened with other clients. She was very nice, but i do not think I got really what my son deserved our of it. In the end though, she helped me get at least some services but it was under emotional behavior disorder, not autism, they provided no OT or related services, other than special ed bussing, but we got him into a better school that is out of district but stil public and aide

for parts of the day, counseling there and behavioral intervention daily, them to follow his diet ( GF/CF), and a daily behavioral email detailing his day, a special ed teacher to go on all field trips, and continual goal setting with a social worker to increase his positive interactions with others. It was not what I really wanted but it was better than what we had going on. He has not been in the office for more than half an hour a week and has not been suspended once since this happened. Restraint was used once on a field trip, when the special ed teacher went and he attacked her, but compared to the daily being held in the office and constant suspensions, and use of restraint, it a a huge improvement. If you can not afford a lawyer, as most of us can't, and you are not getting what you need from the advocate you have, I would consider going to disability rights or another group and explain your situation. Usually, you can only have one

advocate, so if you drop the one you have, you may be able to get another one with more legal background who can support your child better. There is also a mediation process in most places, and asking for mediation will almost always improve your chances of getting more for your child, because the next step is due process and most schools want to avoid court. Then there are also Department of Public Instruction complaints. That is pulling out the big guns in my mind but if there is no compromising or assistance at all on their part, you can go to them and make a case for being denied a free and appropirate public education. You can also do this on a federal level, but I have never gone that far. It is just one of those things I have accepted as a constant need for vigilence and record keeping. the more you have in writing the better you will be able to advocate for your child and the better your advocate will be able to advocate for your

child.

Good luck to you.

From: bridget <beanniferj@...>Subject: ( ) Re: Previous post on only child Asperger testing/school comments Date: Sunday, October 31, 2010, 8:29 AM

Hi Patty -Could you give us an idea of what your advocate from ARC did in your IEP meetings? I had an advocate from a local non-profit group attend a meeting with me to try to help my son qualify for services and an IEP, and her role was mostly emotional support, but she did not add much to the actual meeting. I had assumed that she would help me more with organizing a game plan and speak up in support of my position in the meeting, but she was more in the background. Did your advocate become more directly involved in the proceedings or was your experience similar? I am thinking that if we go back to the school district in the future, I may need a different advocate, but I am not sure if my expectations of a non-paid advocate (as compared to say, a special education attorney) are accurate. Thanks,Bridget>> Just had to share that the thing I hate MOST at IEP meetings is when they try to > blow me off by saying "Oh all kids are like that, all kids do that". As if they > don't understand the intense degree to which my child will take- for example, > talking too loud, tantrumming, climbing, getting in other's personal space, etc, > etc. They want to minimize everything so they don't have to spend the money to > provide the things they need. (Both of my kids have special needs so I have been > to many meetings.) My only one suggestion is that you considering bringing an > advocate with you to the meeting. We got a wonderful woman involved for both my > kids meetings and things get done and get done the right way much faster!

She is > with the ARC and it is free- at least here in Minnesota. They will represent > kids with any disability diagnosis, they are wonderful. Another place I had > called and I can't remember which one but they would only help parents, not > attend the IEP meetings.> > Best Regards,> Patty > and I have Sheridon 8 RTS and Blaise 6 Spitfire >

[Guest guest]

I just got results when I hired and payed an advocate....

( ) Re: Previous post on only child Asperger testing/school commentsHi Patty -Could you give us an idea of what your advocate from ARC did in your IEP meetings? I had an advocate from a local non-profit group attend a meeting with me to try to help my son qualify for services and an IEP, and her role was mostly emotional support, but she did not add much to the actual meeting. I had assumed that she would help me more with organizing a game plan and speak up in support of my position in the meeting, but she was more in the background. Did your advocate become more directly involved in the proceedings or was your experience similar? I am thinking that if we go back to the school district in the future, I may need a different advocate, but I am not sure if my expectations of a non-paid advocate (as compared to say, a special education attorney) are accurate. Thanks,Bridget>> Just had to share that the thing I hate MOST at IEP meetings is when they try to > blow me off by saying "Oh all kids are like that, all kids do that". As if they > don't understand the intense degree to which my child will take- for example, > talking too loud, tantrumming, climbing, getting in other's personal space, etc, > etc. They want to minimize everything so they don't have to spend the money to > provide the things they need. (Both of my kids have special needs so I have been > to many meetings.) My only one suggestion is that you considering bringing an > advocate with you to the meeting. We got a wonderful woman involved for both my > kids meetings and things get done and get done the right way much faster! She is > with the ARC and it is free- at least here in Minnesota. They will represent > kids with any disability diagnosis, they are wonderful. Another place I had > called and I can't remember which one but they would only help parents, not > attend the IEP meetings.> > Best Regards,> Patty > and I have Sheridon 8 RTS and Blaise 6 Spitfire >