Re: Changing catagories??

May 14, 2010

I had to change my son's classification to Autism, it seems that the school did not take his disability into consideration. His meltdowns and behaviors are classic of autism, but the school was not having it,( suspensions took place due to behaviors and social skills issues) so I changed his dx in our last IEP meeting. Now the school is still not getting it, and with my pushing the school district due to lack of their cooperation and the ridiculous suspensions, the school district suggested that I let the district autism team observe my son. My thought is that the autism dx can be helpful if I should have to go due process. I feel the breakdown is with the implementation and lack of training with paras and teachers. There seems to not be a place for our kids with HFA or aspergers, there is either the ED classroom or significant needs, neither are a good fit for HFA and aspergers, which in turn leads to the lack of training and implementation. My recommendation as one parent to another is to keep the autism classification as this classification might benefit your child if the school is not able to meet their needs.

Dawn

May 14, 2010

Our lawyer told us take what ever category they give you, just

get classified. Our daughter is classified under Other Health

Impaired. I don't see what the big deal is at the school. In our

daughter's case it did not change her services one way or another.

Anyway congratulations I getting her classifed under IEP that

is a big step forward.

Pam

>

> I have an IEP meeting coming up to get my daughter into Kindergarten. The

school psychologist calls me today to find out which category I want my daughter

to be in.???.. considering that although Asperger's is on the spectrum, she has

Asperger's and the Autism category makes people think it's something more

serious and that maybe I would want her in the health issues category or

something like that. When I calmly and quickly said no that the Autism category

definitely, she started to explain that this doesn't change her diagnosis... I

just kept saying that the Autism category was just fine.... Apparently these

people think that I am brain dead because there is no way they are going to

start chipping away at my daughter's services. They already aren't taking my

daughter seriously!

>

> Trying so hard not to be angry all the time!!!!

>

> Jen

>

May 14, 2010

WATCH OUT! I had the school psychologist observe my son. He observed him for "30 minutes" and came back stating that my son does not show signs of Asperger's but is completely DEFIANT. I told him to come observe him all night or when Hunter has a bad time, or when his mind is elsewhere, that he cant dx him in 30 minutes!

From: "azucarmama68@..." <azucarmama68@...> Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 11:48:52 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Re: Changing catagories??

I had to change my son's classification to Autism, it seems that the school did not take his disability into consideration. His meltdowns and behaviors are classic of autism, but the school was not having it,( suspensions took place due to behaviors and social skills issues) so I changed his dx in our last IEP meeting. Now the school is still not getting it, and with my pushing the school district due to lack of their cooperation and the ridiculous suspensions, the school district suggested that I let the district autism team observe my son. My thought is that the autism dx can be helpful if I should have to go due process. I feel the breakdown is with the implementation and lack of training with paras and teachers. There seems to not be a place for our kids with HFA or aspergers, there is either the ED classroom or significant needs, neither are a good fit for HFA and aspergers, which in turn leads to the lack of training

and implementation. My recommendation as one parent to another is to keep the autism classification as this classification might benefit your child if the school is not able to meet their needs.

Dawn

May 14, 2010

Being a psychologist he should not be dx anyone, or should the school, as they do not hold the Medical Degree. If the autism team came back at me with such an answer I would definitely ask them where the received their medical degree, but i would also add what you did, come to my home and observe my child you will see some autistic behaviors. : )

Take care,

Dawn

May 14, 2010

I agree it is hard to find a fit for our kids. I felt my daughter ws more stable

in smaller special ed classes with kids with learning issues like dyslexia even

though she is an excellent reader. But she has real issuse with writing papers,

organizing herself and keeping up the pace of school. Kids with learning

deficits like dyslexia

or ADHD are not bad role models socially either. Our therapist

had to explain to the IEP team that our daughter needed

smaller supportive classroom settings even though she

was doing well academically but it made her too anxious and explosive

at home. I know that there are some AS kids that are very gifted academically.

These kids are in a bind if they find the larger class

overwhelming but could do the work. It perhaps would not be challenging enough

to be in special education classes. My daughter's

anxiety is so severe we had to opt for special ed as a calmer

setting so she was more stable. The important thing to me is that

she stay in school with peers. School has been very anxiety provoking

for my daughter since preschool she finally has some

peace in 6th grade with all special services.

Pam

>

> I had to change my son's classification to Autism, it seems that the school

> did not take his disability into consideration. His meltdowns and

> behaviors are classic of autism, but the school was not having it,(

suspensions

> took place due to behaviors and social skills issues) so I changed his dx in

> our last IEP meeting. Now the school is still not getting it, and with my

> pushing the school district due to lack of their cooperation and the

> ridiculous suspensions, the school district suggested that I let the district

> autism team observe my son. My thought is that the autism dx can be helpful

if I

> should have to go due process. I feel the breakdown is with the

> implementation and lack of training with paras and teachers. There seems to

not be a

> place for our kids with HFA or aspergers, there is either the ED classroom

> or significant needs, neither are a good fit for HFA and aspergers, which

> in turn leads to the lack of training and implementation. My recommendation

> as one parent to another is to keep the autism classification as this

> classification might benefit your child if the school is not able to meet

their

> needs.

>

> Dawn

>

May 21, 2010

DS is categorized under Autism. That classification brings with it an

entire new section of his IEP - Autism Considerations. The section contains

the following items:

1. Verbal and nonverbal communication needs

2. Social interaction skills and proficiencies

3. Needs resulting from unusual responses to sensory experiences

4. Needs resulting from resistance to environmental change or change in

daily routines

5. Needs resulting from engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped

movements

6. Need for any positive behavioral interventions, strategies and supports

7. Other needs which impact progress in the general curriculum, including

social and emotional development.

We address DS' needs in each of these seven items and what supports we are

putting into place to assist him where there is a deficiency. My school

district uses EasyIEP and this section is literally triggered by choosing

Autism Spectrum Disorder as the classification. If he were classified as

OHI (Other Health Impaired), this section wouldn't be in his IEP. I don't