Re: Help with Public Schools

December 13, 2010

Patsy,

Since she was newly diagnosed, then I am suspecting that the diagnosis is not in

her IEP as of yet. If that is the case, that would be your first step.

1. Have Autism included in her classification. This would move her

classification to multiply disabled.

2. Have the professional that diagnosed her to write in their report that she

has melt downs and these are a manifestation of her disability. In addition,

they should describe the melt downs in writing.

3. Submit that report to the school and request their acknowledgement and

acceptance of this assessment in writing.

4. She needs a behavior plan put in place. To have one of those, you will need

to request to have a functional behavior analysis (FBA). I highly recommend

that you make sure that a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) conducts this

assessment. You might even have to request an independent after the District

conducts their own.

5. If you obtain a well done FBA, the BCBA will provide you with appropriate

recommendations to help your daughter with her melt downs. These suggestions

should be used to construct your behavior intervention plan (BIP). In the BIP,

you will direct the District to refrain from any displinary actions that have a

negative impact on your daughter.

There are a lot of details within each of these steps. This is just a framework

to work from. So if you have any questions or need further clarification on

anything that I have said, please don't hesitate to post your concerns. Outside

of myself, there are many people from this group that will offer you a word or

two. I have even seen legal professionals post here.

Take care and please keep us posted.

Regards,

>

> Hi.

>

> Ny name is Patsy Folen, I am the mother of an 18 year old daughter.

> She was recently diganosed with Aspergers. Sinse 4 years old the Doctor

> has said she had ADHD and was very Narciacistic. We only found out

> August this year the real reason for her uncontrolable outbursts and

> poor social skills. She was diganosed with Aspergers on August 16 this

> year, 3 days before school started. She is a senior this year and has

> been in Special Education from 2nd grade. She has always gotten into

> trouble for her outburts which we now know are actually melt downs that

> she has no control of. This year at registration I informed her

> teachers that she had Aspergers. She has had several melt downs. They

> seem to be increasing in frequency and length. It is taking her longer

> to come out of one and sometimes she beats her fist on her desk. The

> other day when she had a melt down at school the teacher called security

> and they dragged her kicking and screaming to the office before anyone

> ever called me. I was at the school in less than 5 minutes. I was

> very upset when I saw my daughter still clearly in the meltdown and the

> principal had made her sit in the office lobby. I felt like he had put

> her on display and it made me very angry. Sometimes the teachers would

> call me to come to the school and get her. However now they have

> started to supend her when she has a melt down. They think she is

> cursing at the teacher. No matter what I or her Doctor tell them the

> principal continues to say she can control the melt downs and that she

> will at ville High School.

>

> My Question is: Is there any way I can stop her from being suspended

> because of the melt down. Has anyone ever had a simlar problem. Does

> anyone know of any laws that would prevent this type punishment. I read

> the IDEA in which it says that they cannot punish a didabled child if

> the behavior can be proven to be a direct result of or a manifestation

> of the disability. Which the melt down clearly is. Does anyone have

> any ideas on how to make the school follow IDEA. All I get from the IEP

> team is that they have 10 days they can supend her a year. Maybe I am

> reading it wrong this is what I need advice on. I am new to the entire

> thing and tring to learn and do what is best for my daughter. Can anyone

> help me? Thank you.

>

December 14, 2010

Patsy, some great steps from ! Just wanted to say, as has, that they

need to figure out what is triggering her meltdowns and be able to change

whatever is needed or be able to " head them off " so they don't occur. Like if

she needs to stay busy, make sure she stays busy; if she gets frustrated with a

task, they need to see that she is starting to get frustrated and help before

she has an outburst; if she needs work broken down into steps for her (not give

too many instructions at one time that could have her feeling lost), then they

need to do that...and so on.

They don't seem to " get " Aspergers yet. Is the place that evaluated her for you

with the AS diagnosis capable of helping you with the school system, what she

needs there, etc??

I get a bit confused myself with the " can they suspend " part; they shouldn't be

able to if it's due to the disability but seems there is some reason they can

sometimes.... Been a while since I read all that!

Keep us updated, lots here have dealt with schools!

>

> Hi.

>

> Ny name is Patsy Folen, I am the mother of an 18 year old daughter.

> She was recently diganosed with Aspergers. Sinse 4 years old the Doctor

> has said she had ADHD and was very Narciacistic. We only found out

> August this year the real reason for her uncontrolable outbursts and

>

December 14, 2010

First in writing request an IEP meeting to address the fact that her current IEP is either not meeting her support needs for FAPE, or not being followed. You can ask for a Functional Behavioral Assessment to determine the triggers for the meltdown. Also, gather information from reputable sites and sources like regional center, 's Law website etc on meltdowns and appropriate supports/accommodations for teenagers on the spectrum.

What state are you in? That information will help group members near you to send you specific referrals to local resources. As a parent of a teen and a former teen on the spectrum I can tell you that identifying the triggers and giving your daughter some tools to deal with situations that cause her anxiety/startle her can do wonders to reduce the meltdowns.

Keep track of all the times she was suspended from her IEP described learning setting (even in school suspensions where they sat her in the office) because they all count toward that 10 day max and can become an illegal change of placement. The 10 days is meant to give them time to work on solutions, so keep pressing on them to do what they are supposed to do.

Kathy J.On Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 7:48 PM, Patsy <tequiella1@...> wrote:

Hi.

Ny name is Patsy Folen, I am the mother of an 18 year old daughter.

She was recently diganosed with Aspergers. Sinse 4 years old the Doctor

has said she had ADHD and was very Narciacistic. We only found out

August this year the real reason for her uncontrolable outbursts and

poor social skills. She was diganosed with Aspergers on August 16 this

year, 3 days before school started. She is a senior this year and has

been in Special Education from 2nd grade. She has always gotten into

trouble for her outburts which we now know are actually melt downs that

she has no control of. This year at registration I informed her

teachers that she had Aspergers. She has had several melt downs. They

seem to be increasing in frequency and length. It is taking her longer

to come out of one and sometimes she beats her fist on her desk. The

other day when she had a melt down at school the teacher called security

and they dragged her kicking and screaming to the office before anyone

ever called me. I was at the school in less than 5 minutes. I was

very upset when I saw my daughter still clearly in the meltdown and the

principal had made her sit in the office lobby. I felt like he had put

her on display and it made me very angry. Sometimes the teachers would

call me to come to the school and get her. However now they have

started to supend her when she has a melt down. They think she is

cursing at the teacher. No matter what I or her Doctor tell them the

principal continues to say she can control the melt downs and that she

will at ville High School.

My Question is: Is there any way I can stop her from being suspended

because of the melt down. Has anyone ever had a simlar problem. Does

anyone know of any laws that would prevent this type punishment. I read

the IDEA in which it says that they cannot punish a didabled child if

the behavior can be proven to be a direct result of or a manifestation

of the disability. Which the melt down clearly is. Does anyone have

any ideas on how to make the school follow IDEA. All I get from the IEP

team is that they have 10 days they can supend her a year. Maybe I am

reading it wrong this is what I need advice on. I am new to the entire

thing and tring to learn and do what is best for my daughter. Can anyone

help me? Thank you.

December 15, 2010

Re: ( ) Help with Public Schools

First in writing request an IEP meeting to address the fact that her current IEP is either not meeting her support needs for FAPE, or not being followed. You can ask for a Functional Behavioral Assessment to determine the triggers for the meltdown. Also, gather information from reputable sites and sources like regional center, 's Law website etc on meltdowns and appropriate supports/accommodations for teenagers on the spectrum. What state are you in? That information will help group members near you to send you specific referrals to local resources. As a parent of a teen and a former teen on the spectrum I can tell you that identifying the triggers and giving your daughter some tools to deal with situations that cause her anxiety/startle her can do wonders to reduce the meltdowns.Keep track of all the times she was suspended from her IEP described learning setting (even in school suspensions where they sat her in the office) because they all count toward that 10 day max and can become an illegal change of placement. The 10 days is meant to give them time to work on solutions, so keep pressing on them to do what they are supposed to do. Kathy J.

On Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 7:48 PM, Patsy <tequiella1@...> wrote:

Hi.Ny name is Patsy Folen, I am the mother of an 18 year old daughter. She was recently diganosed with Aspergers. Sinse 4 years old the Doctorhas said she had ADHD and was very Narciacistic. We only found outAugust this year the real reason for her uncontrolable outbursts andpoor social skills. She was diganosed with Aspergers on August 16 thisyear, 3 days before school started. She is a senior this year and hasbeen in Special Education from 2nd grade. She has always gotten intotrouble for her outburts which we now know are actually melt downs thatshe has no control of. This year at registration I informed herteachers that she had Aspergers. She has had several melt downs. Theyseem to be increasing in frequency and length. It is taking her longerto come out of one and sometimes she beats her fist on her desk. Theother day when she had a melt down at school the teacher called securityand they dragged her kicking and screaming to the office before anyoneever called me. I was at the school in less than 5 minutes. I wasvery upset when I saw my daughter still clearly in the meltdown and theprincipal had made her sit in the office lobby. I felt like he had puther on display and it made me very angry. Sometimes the teachers wouldcall me to come to the school and get her. However now they havestarted to supend her when she has a melt down. They think she iscursing at the teacher. No matter what I or her Doctor tell them theprincipal continues to say she can control the melt downs and that shewill at ville High School.My Question is: Is there any way I can stop her from being suspendedbecause of the melt down. Has anyone ever had a simlar problem. Doesanyone know of any laws that would prevent this type punishment. I readthe IDEA in which it says that they cannot punish a didabled child ifthe behavior can be proven to be a direct result of or a manifestationof the disability. Which the melt down clearly is. Does anyone haveany ideas on how to make the school follow IDEA. All I get from the IEPteam is that they have 10 days they can supend her a year. Maybe I amreading it wrong this is what I need advice on. I am new to the entirething and tring to learn and do what is best for my daughter. Can anyonehelp me? Thank you.

Hi Kathy.

Thanks to all of you in the support group. I live in Arkansas. I have gotten a lot of good valid information from group members on how to handle certain situations and things to deal with the school about. I have read the IDEA and most of 's Law having to do with suspensions of a Special Needs Child. I have found that they will do whatever they want to make things easier for themselves. I have this one Administrator that actually put my daughter on display (that is what I call it ) in the office during a melt down. When I arrived she was crying and trembling, all alone with everyone in the office plus all that came in starring and whispering about her. I immediately got mad. The Administrator wouldn't even listen to me. He told me he knew all about Aspergers. What a joke. He did however threaten to have me arrested for throwing the notice back in the office. OK, I know I shouldn't have. I was so mad that he would treat a Special Needs Child like this. I really wanted to scream in his face, instead I threw the paper.

I insisted on a meeting the following day. My husband called the school board President who told him that theses kids rights were being violated every day. So now the question is how do I go about proving they are in violation of the IDEA? The Administrator sat there a lied about everything that had happened the day before. Really the only thing we accomplished was that a suspension would be the last resort. They would call me at the first sign something was going wrong. They pulled the ten day stuff on me. Her Doctor is out of town for the holidays, When he comes back he is going to write a report about how they should not be treating her like this and definitely should not be suspended for a melt down. Do any of you think this will make a difference.?

I do appreciate all the feed back I am getting. I am new to this whole thing and researching all the time trying to learn as much as possible. I have learned that the Special Education Teachers need to be educated on Aspergers and especially the Melt Down process, they don't have a clue about it. How to get this done would be a great wonderful thing for all our children.

Thank all of you for your continued support and information.

Patsy Folen

December 15, 2010

Hi Patsy,

Even if your daughter hasn't been suspended for the total of 10 days, her suspensions could be establishing a "pattern".

I'm going through similar problems with my son's school right now. He just got suspended last week for the 5th time this year! After several IEP meetings and attempts to work with the school, I placed a call to my state's Department of Ed, Special Ed Dept. and they agreed that this needs to stop. I also started working with an advocate from my state's ARC agency. You should look up your state's ARC and give them a call.

See below from IDEA:

§300.536 Change of placement because of disciplinary

removals.

(a) For purposes of removals of a child with a disability from

the child's current educational placement under §§300.530

through 300.535, a change of placement occurs if—

(1) The removal is for more than 10 consecutive school days;

Or

(2) The child has been subjected to a series of removals that

constitute a pattern—

(i) Because the series of removals total more than 10 school

days in a school year;

(ii) Because the child's behavior is substantially similar to the

child's behavior in previous incidents that resulted in the series

of removals; and

(iii) Because of such additional factors as the length of each

removal, the total amount of time the child has been removed,

and the proximity of the removals to one another.

((1) The public agency determines on a case-by-case basis

whether a pattern of removals constitutes a change of

placement.

(2) This determination is subject to review through due

process and judicial proceedings. (Authority: 20 U.S.C.

1415(k))

Hope this helps and that things get better for you and your daughter. I know how frustrating it can be. Take care!

ne

>> > Hi.> > Ny name is Patsy Folen, I am the mother of an 18 year old daughter. > She was recently diganosed with Aspergers. Sinse 4 years old the Doctor> has said she had ADHD and was very Narciacistic. We only found out> August this year the real reason for her uncontrolable outbursts and> poor social skills. She was diganosed with Aspergers on August 16 this> year, 3 days before school started. She is a senior this year and has> been in Special Education from 2nd grade. She has always gotten into> trouble for her outburts which we now know are actually melt downs that> she has no control of. This year at registration I informed her> teachers that she had Aspergers. She has had several melt downs. They> seem to be increasing in frequency and length. It is taking her longer> to come out of one and sometimes she beats her fist on her desk. The> other day when she had a melt down at school the teacher called security> and they dragged her kicking and screaming to the office before anyone> ever called me. I was at the school in less than 5 minutes. I was> very upset when I saw my daughter still clearly in the meltdown and the> principal had made her sit in the office lobby. I felt like he had put> her on display and it made me very angry. Sometimes the teachers would> call me to come to the school and get her. However now they have> started to supend her when she has a melt down. They think she is> cursing at the teacher. No matter what I or her Doctor tell them the> principal continues to say she can control the melt downs and that she> will at ville High School.> > My Question is: Is there any way I can stop her from being suspended> because of the melt down. Has anyone ever had a simlar problem. Does> anyone know of any laws that would prevent this type punishment. I read> the IDEA in which it says that they cannot punish a didabled child if> the behavior can be proven to be a direct result of or a manifestation> of the disability. Which the melt down clearly is. Does anyone have> any ideas on how to make the school follow IDEA. All I get from the IEP> team is that they have 10 days they can supend her a year. Maybe I am> reading it wrong this is what I need advice on. I am new to the entire> thing and tring to learn and do what is best for my daughter. Can anyone> help me? Thank you.>

December 16, 2010

Hi Patsy, you've been researching I know, but came across this looking around at

Arkansas info:

http://arksped.k12.ar.us/sections/circuit.html

You may want to try calling the above resource.

Found above link from:

http://arksped.k12.ar.us/sections/dss.html

Found the above by going to this page:

http://arksped.k12.ar.us/

I think the letter from the doctor will help, copy can go in your documentation

too, will help with the " paper trail " you should start, showing what you &

school have (or haven't!) done.

Keep us updated on how things are progressing!

> Hi Kathy.

>

> Thanks to all of you in the support group.Â I live in Arkansas.Â I have

gotten a lot of good valid information from group members on how to handle

certain situations and things to deal with the school about.Â I have read the

IDEA and most of 's Law having to do with suspensions of a Special Needs

Child.Â I have found that they will do whatever they want to make things easier

for themselves.Â I have this one Administrator that actually put my daughter on

display (that is what I call it ) in the office during a melt down.Â When I

arrived she was crying and trembling, all aloneÂ with everyone in the

January 3, 2011

You must put your requests in writing and work your way up the food chain. The ten days suspension is not supposed to be used as a free ticket by these people. It's not a "10 days we can sit around doing nothing to help this person." They need to do a manifestation determination. Also, request a functional behavior assessment (FBA) be done right away. Again, put your requests in writing and if the person does not respond appropriately, go up the food chain. Or CC copies to people up the food chain from the start - whatever you feel will work. They usually don't follow the laws/rules because they misinterpret them, don't know them, or use them to their advantage. You should also consider finding an advocate. Locate your parent information center for your state (google it) and find out how to find advocacy in your area.

Roxanna

"I

predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them." - Jefferson

( ) Help with Public Schools