Re: could use some advice

[Guest guest]

You might consider having his clinical dx changed to ASD. AS falls under the ASD heading, and most schools are familiar with ASD and the areas which your ds will need extra help. In either case, the first thing the school should do is a behavioral assessment, and a Psychological assessment, the results will help guide them as to the areas of need for your ds. This shouldn't take no more than 30 days... (thats the time allowed in my state of MN).

The time to bring in the Big Guns, is when your sons educationsl goals are not being met and the school is not attempting to get him the help he needs. One thing I found that worked quite well to start a fire under the administration, was to ask them during an IEP meeting, if they knew of a good parent advocacy lawyers in our county. Believe me, this gets their attention.

I also keep an email conversation going, to keep the dialogue open and to stay informed of any progress and/or concerns. Ask the Shrink that did the dx, what your next step should be; locate a behavioral Psychologist, a Socialization Specialist, to work on social cues and facial recognition, MH professional to talk with, etc.. Also, get a MH Case worker assigned through your county mental health services... they will be helpful in guiding the school process (attending IEP's) and be a reference for resources and support groups available to you in your community. Good Luck ! !

From: david <sd97613@...>Subject: ( ) could use some advice Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 2:02 PM

I dont know where to begin... My son is 15 and was diagnosed with AS last May "oficially" we have moved ALOT so school has ALWAYS been a problem. He has a diagnosis and an IEP which I am happy for the help but it feels like a double edged sword. Dealing with the school is like dealing with the Mob and it gets worse every year. At our latest meeting one of the teachers litterally started shaking and two others flat refused to believe Aspergers was real and if it was that my son didnt have it. With the shrink who gave him the diagnosis in the room. She called me later to apoligize and told me my son might have to be a patsy so this school will take this seriously and others behind him will get help!!! I feel so overwhelmed and on the verge of tears all the time HOW do I protect my son?! He is so sweet but how much can I ask him to indure? Any advice is welcome we are even concidering a

lawyer but we are out of our element and taking on the school district just makes me feel sad and real tired. thanks sd97613------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hey...I have some really important information....

Please remember that an IEP is a LEGAL CONTRACT....it must be followed. No execuses such as too many students in class or I didn't get to read it etc. And, the same goes for the Behavior Plan...it too is a LEGAL DOCUMENT.

As parents with children with IEP we DO have a LOT of POWER!!!!!! If the IEP is not followed...you have a GREAT reason for a due process meeting. Schools are terrified of being sued...

Remember this...YOU Have the UPPER HAND. Schools don't want you to know this but you DO!!!!!! They (school) will try to overwhelm you...they will bring in lots of staff at an IEP meeting. Don't let them frighten you....you have the lead!!!! Believe me..you do.

Watch was the SDIs are. Make sure they are specific. And, don't let them tie two major subjects together...such as reading and writing or writing and spelling. Make thing Specific to YOUR child's needs...they must follow. And, if the SDI says modified tests...then it must be modified specifically for your child....not all the Spec Ed. students....modification MUST be specifically modified to accommodate YOUR child. If there is only one modified test for all the Sped students...then it is not following your child's IEP. The test must be modified for YOUR child (not modified for all the students with IEP). If one of the modifications states your child to get a study guide...that doesn't mean he gets the same one you hand out to everyone because then it is not a modification.

Don't let the school walk all over you because they can't. An IEP and Behavior Plan are LEGAL BINDING CONTRACTS!!!!!!

jAN

<font face="arial black" color="#bf00bf">Janice Rushen</font>

<font face="Arial Black" color="#bf00bf"></font> & nbsp;

<em><font face="Arial Black" color="#7f007f">"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"</font></em>

From: david <sd97613@...> Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 3:02:13 PMSubject: ( ) could use some advice

I dont know where to begin... My son is 15 and was diagnosed with AS last May "oficially" we have moved ALOT so school has ALWAYS been a problem. He has a diagnosis and an IEP which I am happy for the help but it feels like a double edged sword. Dealing with the school is like dealing with the Mob and it gets worse every year. At our latest meeting one of the teachers litterally started shaking and two others flat refused to believe Aspergers was real and if it was that my son didnt have it. With the shrink who gave him the diagnosis in the room. She called me later to apoligize and told me my son might have to be a patsy so this school will take this seriously and others behind him will get help!!! I feel so overwhelmed and on the verge of tears all the time HOW do I protect my son?! He is so sweet but how much can I ask him to indure? Any advice is welcome we are even concidering a lawyer but we are out of our element and taking on the school

district just makes me feel sad and real tired. thanks sd97613

[Guest guest]

Sorry for the typos...I am really tired from working in school all day after a

bad night.

I mean to say...watch what SDI (specifically designed instruction) are put into

the IEP. Make sure they are specific to your child's needs. And, don't let

them bunch things together for goals...such " ny will read 138 wpm after 3

testings...and he will be able to spell 98% of his words correctly. NO NO NO.

These have to be two separate SDI's.

And, all the teachers MUST follow the IEP. If a teacher (reg. or sped doesn't

then they are breaking the LaW!!!!!) Don't let them get away with it.

I will post more tomorrow....I learned this from a LAWYER!!!!

Jan

>

> Hey...I have some really important information....

>

> Please remember that an IEP is a LEGAL CONTRACT....it must be followed.  No

execuses such as too many students in class or I didn't get to read it etc. 

And, the same goes for the Behavior Plan...it too is a LEGAL DOCUMENT.

>

> As parents with children with IEP we DO have a LOT of POWER!!!!!! If the IEP

is not followed...you have a GREAT reason for a due process meeting.  Schools

are terrified of being sued...

>

> Remember this...YOU Have the UPPER HAND. Schools don't want you to know this

but you DO!!!!!! They (school) will try to overwhelm you...they will bring in

lots of staff at an IEP meeting.  Don't let them frighten you....you have

the lead!!!! Believe me..you do. 

>

> Watch was the SDIs are.  Make sure they are specific.  And, don't let them

tie two major subjects together...such as reading and writing or writing and

spelling.  Make thing Specific to YOUR child's needs...they must follow. 

And, if the SDI says modified tests...then it must be modified specifically for

your child....not all the Spec Ed. students....modification MUST be

specifically modified to accommodate YOUR child. If there is only one

modified test for all the Sped students...then it is not following your

child's IEP.  The test must be modified for YOUR child (not modified for all

the students with IEP).  If one of the modifications states your child to get a

study guide...that doesn't mean he gets the same one you hand out to everyone

because then it is not a modification.

>

> Don't let the school walk all over you because they can't.  An IEP and

Behavior Plan are LEGAL BINDING CONTRACTS!!!!!!

>

> jAN

>  

> <font face= " arial black " color= " #bf00bf " >Janice Rushen</font>

> <font face= " Arial Black " color= " #bf00bf " ></font> & nbsp;

> <em><font face= " Arial Black " color= " #7f007f " > " I will try to be open to all

avenues of wisdom and hope " </font></em>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: david <sd97613@...>

>

> Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 3:02:13 PM

> Subject: ( ) could use some advice

>

>  

> I dont know where to begin... My son is 15 and was diagnosed with AS last May

" oficially " we have moved ALOT so school has ALWAYS been a problem. He has a

diagnosis and an IEP which I am happy for the help but it feels like a double

edged sword. Dealing with the school is like dealing with the Mob and it gets

worse every year. At our latest meeting one of the teachers litterally started

shaking and two others flat refused to believe Aspergers was real and if it was

that my son didnt have it. With the shrink who gave him the diagnosis in the

room. She called me later to apoligize and told me my son might have to be a

patsy so this school will take this seriously and others behind him will get

help!!! I feel so overwhelmed and on the verge of tears all the time HOW do I

protect my son?! He is so sweet but how much can I ask him to indure? Any advice

is welcome we are even concidering a lawyer but we are out of our element and

taking on the school district

> just makes me feel sad and real tired.

> thanks sd97613

>

[Guest guest]

Jan you are a fountain of great info are ever.

Any idea what to do with a sarcastic teacher? When my son doesn't want to do something he puts his head on the desk and says he is tired, his teacher told maybe going home and sleeping for half an hour wold help, so last night he was determined to sleep for HALF AN HOUR!!!!

Hugs

A very tired Lor B.

From: samk <jrushen@...>Subject: Re: ( ) could use some advice Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 0:30

Sorry for the typos...I am really tired from working in school all day after a bad night.I mean to say...watch what SDI (specifically designed instruction) are put into the IEP. Make sure they are specific to your child's needs. And, don't let them bunch things together for goals...such "ny will read 138 wpm after 3 testings...and he will be able to spell 98% of his words correctly. NO NO NO. These have to be two separate SDI's. And, all the teachers MUST follow the IEP. If a teacher (reg. or sped doesn't then they are breaking the LaW!!!!!) Don't let them get away with it. I will post more tomorrow.... I learned this from a LAWYER!!!!Jan>>

Hey...I have some really important information. ...> > Please remember that an IEP is a LEGAL CONTRACT.... it must be followed. No execuses such as too many students in class or I didn't get to read it etc. And, the same goes for the Behavior Plan...it too is a LEGAL DOCUMENT. > > As parents with children with IEP we DO have a LOT of POWER!!!!!! If the IEP is not followed...you have a GREAT reason for a due process meeting. Schools are terrified of being sued...> > Remember this...YOU Have the UPPER HAND. Schools don't want you to know this but you DO!!!!!! They (school) will try to overwhelm you...they will bring in lots of staff at an IEP meeting. Don't let them frighten you....you have the lead!!!! Believe me..you do. > > Watch was the SDIs are. Make sure they are specific. And, don't let them tie two major subjects

together...such as reading and writing or writing and spelling. Make thing Specific to YOUR child' s needs...they must follow. And, if the SDI says modified tests...then it must be modified specifically for your child....not all the Spec Ed. students.... modification MUST be specifically modified to accommodate YOUR child. If there is only one modified test for all the Sped students...then it is not following your child's IEP. The test must be modified for YOUR child (not modified for all the students with IEP). If one of the modifications states your child to get a study guide...that doesn't mean he gets the same one you hand out to everyone because then it is not a modification.> > Don't let the school walk all over you because they can't.  An IEP and Behavior Plan are LEGAL BINDING CONTRACTS!!! !!!> > jAN>

 > <font face="arial black" color="#bf00bf" >Janice Rushen</font>> <font face="Arial Black" color="#bf00bf" ></font> & nbsp;> <em><font face="Arial Black" color="#7f007f" >"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"</font> </em>> > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __> From: david <sd97613@... >> > Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 3:02:13 PM> Subject: ( ) could use some advice> >  > I dont know where to begin... My son is 15 and was diagnosed with AS last May "oficially" we have moved ALOT so school has ALWAYS been a problem. He has a

diagnosis and an IEP which I am happy for the help but it feels like a double edged sword. Dealing with the school is like dealing with the Mob and it gets worse every year. At our latest meeting one of the teachers litterally started shaking and two others flat refused to believe Aspergers was real and if it was that my son didnt have it. With the shrink who gave him the diagnosis in the room. She called me later to apoligize and told me my son might have to be a patsy so this school will take this seriously and others behind him will get help!!! I feel so overwhelmed and on the verge of tears all the time HOW do I protect my son?! He is so sweet but how much can I ask him to indure? Any advice is welcome we are even concidering a lawyer but we are out of our element and taking on the school district> just makes me feel sad and real tired. > thanks sd97613>

[Guest guest]

I agree with Jan who pointed out that the IEP is a legal contract and if

teachers resist following the IEP then your family (or another family in the

school district) can use the legal system to change things for the better for

all the kids with special needs that come after your son.

In the meantime, though, the clock is ticking and your son is suffering because

some teachers are deliberately not following the IEP and your school district

for whatever reason has not made it clear that the IEP is a legal contract and

so must be followed.

Do you have a lawyer or advocate? I recommend that you get one because if your

school district is like mine, then the school district will also bring a lawyer

to the IEP meetings as well, and the meetings will be run much more

professionally. I would recommend taping the meetings, too, because if you do

have to go to court, having a statement from an uncooperative teacher should be

enough to prove that the school district was breaking the law.

I'd like to be in the room and see the reaction from the lawyers if teachers try

say that AS doesn't exist or that the diagnosis is not real or that they just

aren't going to follow the IEP because they don't have the time or it's too much

trouble.

I would also look around for alternatives to the public school. Maybe the school

district has a charter school or online school that would work better for your

son. Check out the private schools and homeschools, just in case the public

schools become toxic for your son.

My son had some great teachers who went the extra mile, but the few who thought

that AS wasn't real - those are the ones that really crushed his spirit.

Eventually my son just refused to go to school at all. We got an advocate to

come to the meetings with us and then we got a lawyer. We never had to have a

hearing and so the out of pocket expense was minimal. I found a lawyer who

specialized in working with IEPs and the lawyer was great about asking me to

make some phone calls or making photocopies to help keep costs down.

Before the lawyer took our case, she asked to see my records. I kept records of

everything and so had plenty of documentation to show her. Our lawyer sent some

information to the school district's lawyer and that was enough for us to have

an IEP with no teachers present where the school district pretty much offered us

whatever we wanted. Eventually the school district agreed to pay for tuition for

a private school that specialized in AS. The positive change in my son was

absolutely amazing.

I wish you all the best.

[Guest guest]

If the teacher gets worse...maybe a change is needed. She probably doesn't understand AS....did you give her an informational sheet specific to your son? If this continues...I would try talking to her and if that doesn't work...speak to her supervisor...go up the chain.

Does you son have an IEP? If he does...maybe you should put in ...that he can get sensory breaks during the day....my son is allowed 4 breaks a day (he won't take them but they are there). Ask if the school could have a class on Asperger's for ALL the teachers. They could plan it for an Act 80 day.

Also, does his teacher truly understand that he takes things literally???? And, that she needs to watch what she says to him...put it nicely though!!!

If you son doesn't have an IEP...get him one...and IEP is a LEGAL CONTRACT. Our school was scrambling to correct some of the IEP's. My son's was amended recently because they had things in there that he didn't need any more but since they were in there .....I could have made a stink if I wanted to...but he didn't need those accommodations. Since I work in the same school district...I try not to make too much of a stink....but believe me...if I have to I will. All his teacher know that I will advocate for him. And, I have been teaching my son to advocate for himself. I have always told him that teachers can not be disrespectful to him. And, if they are, I told him to nicely tell them. And, if they continue, he needs to go right to the Asst. Principal or his Case Manager. I told him not to worry as long as he is respectful, he has the right to tell a teacher that they

can not tell him he is lazy, stupid, dumb, etc. etc.

I will continue again tomorrow. I hope this helps. I was floored by what the lawyer said at the meeting. Wow! So, remember....WE as Parents truly have the UPPPER HAND...schools don't want you to know this but we do. We truly do and I want to let every parent know this!!!!

Jan

<font face="arial black" color="#bf00bf">Janice Rushen</font>

<font face="Arial Black" color="#bf00bf"></font> & nbsp;

<em><font face="Arial Black" color="#7f007f">"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"</font></em>

From: Lorraine son <lorrainedavidson12@...> Sent: Wed, November 18, 2009 3:59:45 AMSubject: Re: ( ) could use some advice

Jan you are a fountain of great info are ever.

Any idea what to do with a sarcastic teacher? When my son doesn't want to do something he puts his head on the desk and says he is tired, his teacher told maybe going home and sleeping for half an hour wold help, so last night he was determined to sleep for HALF AN HOUR!!!!

Hugs

A very tired Lor B.

From: samk <jrushen (DOT) com>Subject: Re: ( ) could use some advice Date: Wednesday, 18 November, 2009, 0:30

Sorry for the typos...I am really tired from working in school all day after a bad night.I mean to say...watch what SDI (specifically designed instruction) are put into the IEP. Make sure they are specific to your child's needs. And, don't let them bunch things together for goals...such "ny will read 138 wpm after 3 testings...and he will be able to spell 98% of his words correctly. NO NO NO. These have to be two separate SDI's. And, all the teachers MUST follow the IEP. If a teacher (reg. or sped doesn't then they are breaking the LaW!!!!!) Don't let them get away with it. I will post more tomorrow.... I learned this from a LAWYER!!!!Jan>> Hey...I have some really important information.

....> > Please remember that an IEP is a LEGAL CONTRACT.... it must be followed. No execuses such as too many students in class or I didn't get to read it etc. And, the same goes for the Behavior Plan...it too is a LEGAL DOCUMENT. > > As parents with children with IEP we DO have a LOT of POWER!!!!!! If the IEP is not followed...you have a GREAT reason for a due process meeting. Schools are terrified of being sued...> > Remember this...YOU Have the UPPER HAND. Schools don't want you to know this but you DO!!!!!! They (school) will try to overwhelm you...they will bring in lots of staff at an IEP meeting. Don't let them frighten you....you have the lead!!!! Believe me..you do. > > Watch was the SDIs are. Make sure they are specific. And, don't let them tie two major subjects together...such as reading and writing or writing

and spelling. Make thing Specific to YOUR child' s needs...they must follow. And, if the SDI says modified tests...then it must be modified specifically for your child....not all the Spec Ed. students.... modification MUST be specifically modified to accommodate YOUR child. If there is only one modified test for all the Sped students...then it is not following your child's IEP. The test must be modified for YOUR child (not modified for all the students with IEP). If one of the modifications states your child to get a study guide...that doesn't mean he gets the same one you hand out to everyone because then it is not a modification.> > Don't let the school walk all over you because they can't.  An IEP and Behavior Plan are LEGAL BINDING CONTRACTS!!! !!!> > jAN>  > <font face="arial black"

color="#bf00bf" >Janice Rushen</font>> <font face="Arial Black" color="#bf00bf" ></font> & nbsp;> <em><font face="Arial Black" color="#7f007f" >"I will try to be open to all avenues of wisdom and hope"</font> </em>> > > > > ____________ _________ _________ __> From: david <sd97613@... >> > Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 3:02:13 PM> Subject: ( ) could use some advice> > Â > I dont know where to begin... My son is 15 and was diagnosed with AS last May "oficially" we have moved ALOT so school has ALWAYS been a problem. He has a diagnosis and an IEP which I am happy for the help but it feels like a double edged sword. Dealing with

the school is like dealing with the Mob and it gets worse every year. At our latest meeting one of the teachers litterally started shaking and two others flat refused to believe Aspergers was real and if it was that my son didnt have it. With the shrink who gave him the diagnosis in the room. She called me later to apoligize and told me my son might have to be a patsy so this school will take this seriously and others behind him will get help!!! I feel so overwhelmed and on the verge of tears all the time HOW do I protect my son?! He is so sweet but how much can I ask him to indure? Any advice is welcome we are even concidering a lawyer but we are out of our element and taking on the school district> just makes me feel sad and real tired. > thanks sd97613>