Re: Sharing our good news-Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

That's the thing, my son is on an IEP and has been on one since kindergarden. We

moved to TN about 3 1/2 years ago because my husband go stationed at Fort

,KY. It's right on the boarder of TN and KY. Anyway, 5th grade was fine

because we just got here and he was in elementary. But as soon as he started

middle school the problems began. He had been suspended twice in the first six

weeks of school this year so we requested a change of placement. He started a

new school after fall break in a behavior support classroom and they wanted to

suspend him on his second day there because he got upset that one of the

students was already picking on him. They decided not to after I spoke to them

but then he got suspended on his eigth day there. Again for getting upset and

when he asked to use his chill pass the teacher ignored him so he shoved some

desks around to get her attention. We were told he " totally trashed the

classroom " . But in the write up it said he shoved some desks and knocked over a

trash can. And it has just continued from there...

I have called the state DOE Special Ed dept and the lady agreed that the school

was wrong and that she would contact them. Since then, they have started using

words like " dangerous " and " unsafe " to describe when he gets upset and yells.

Again, he has never tried to hit, kick, or anything else to anyone. I think they

are trying to build a case to say that my son is dangerous and that is why they

keep suspending him so that gets them off the hook.

They have also done two FBAs, one at his old school which was a joke and just

recently completed one at his new school that we have yet to have a meeting

about. This time I'm not only bringing an advocate, but also my son's board

certified ABA therapist to our next meeting. We again are going to ask for a

change of placement. The classroom he is in is for opositional and conduct

disorders, not for a child with Aspergers. We weren't told this when we were

offered this placement. Also, his teacher says things to him like, " are you 13

or are you 2? " When he responds with " I'm 13 " , she says " well you're acting like

a 2 year old " , when he asked for a math worksheet yesterday instead of doing

conigitive tutor on the computer she said, " no, this is not YOUR world. " She is

a special education teacher and also suppose to be a " behavior support

instructor " . Sometimes I wonder where do they get these people from!

I'm sorry I'm venting, but after that comment to my son yesterday I am so angry.

Thanks for letting me vent. :}

ne

>

>

>

> From: REBECCA <bexandjimbo@...>

> Subject: ( ) Sharing our good news.

>

> Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010, 2:26 PM

>

>

>  

>

> hello all,

>

> I am quite new to this group but have taken so much support from the posts

that you all share. Today i won a 3 month battle with my local education

authority (I live in England)

>

> My son (ADHD, Asperger's and Dyslexia)has not been at school for three months.

Things had been going badly at his middle school since he started 18 months ago.

All of the professionals kept saying that he could cope in a mainstream school

with support, but this sadly was not the case.

>

> After countless suspensions and finally a suicide attempt I withdrew him from

school and demanded a special school placement. I was told that there were no

available places at any special schools in my area :-(

>

> Then I heard about a brand new private school that had only just opened, near

to where I live, who specialise in education for children with complex needs,

they incorporate holistic therapies with vocational bespoke education plans and

they have provision for children and young adults up to the age of 25. I

arranged a visit and fell in love.

>

> I was told that in the UK the education department can fund places at private

schools if it is proved that there are no places at government funded schools,

but they will do everything they can not to give this funding...and so my fight

began.

>

> It has been a long and tiring battle and I have been at breaking point soooo

many times but I refused to give up, knowing in my heart that this school would

be the best possible placement for my son. The past few months have been the

worst we've ever had (daily meltdowns, depression, aggression etc) and I almost

lost my job.

>

> I finally won my case today and my son starts school in January. I am elated.

I know that there is still a long journey ahead of us and nothing is ever easy

with our children, but I want to say NEVER GIVE UP. If we don't fight for our

kids who will?

>

> Thank you for sharing on this site. You have given me more inspiration than

you probably realise.

>

> Becky xx

>

[Guest guest]

Wow this shouldn't be happening to anyone.... much less someone who needs support. I'm not going to be able to help you very much, but I'd find out if there is a parents helping parents group.... and get someone strong on your side right away.... call an IEP meeting right now... as it may take awhile... and put in goal about working towards independence or fading adult assistance in his areas of needs. If they are using "safety" type language... perhaps he needs a one-to-one assistant to get his "free and appropriate education".

My 2 cents... from California.... hopefully you someone in this group is in your state and can lead you to a helpful resource.... my heart goes out to your son and especially to you.

Pam

( ) Sharing our good news. > > Date: Thursday, December 16, 2010, 2:26 PM > > > Â > > hello all, > > I am quite new to this group but have taken so much support from the posts that you all share. Today i won a 3 month battle with my local education authority (I live in England) > > My son (ADHD, Asperger's and Dyslexia)has not been at school for three months. Things had been going badly at his middle school since he started 18 months ago. All of the professionals kept saying that he could cope in a mainstream school with support, but this sadly was not the case. > > After countless suspensions and finally a suicide attempt I withdrew him from school and demanded a special school placement. I was told that there were no available places at any special schools in my area :-( > > Then I heard about a brand new private school that had only just opened, near to where I live, who specialise in education for children with complex needs, they incorporate holistic therapies with vocational bespoke education plans and they have provision for children and young adults up to the age of 25. I arranged a visit and fell in love. > > I was told that in the UK the education department can fund places at private schools if it is proved that there are no places at government funded schools, but they will do everything they can not to give this funding...and so my fight began. > > It has been a long and tiring battle and I have been at breaking point soooo many times but I refused to give up, knowing in my heart that this school would be the best possible placement for my son. The past few months have been the worst we've ever had (daily meltdowns, depression, aggression etc) and I almost lost my job. > > I finally won my case today and my son starts school in January. I am elated. I know that there is still a long journey ahead of us and nothing is ever easy with our children, but I want to say NEVER GIVE UP. If we don't fight for our kids who will? > > Thank you for sharing on this site. You have given me more inspiration than you probably realise. > > Becky xx>------------------------------------