District won't move Liam's placement
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| Tue, 12-04-2007 - 4:08pm |
We have been less than thrilled with Liam's placement this year. He's actually in the same class with some of the same students as last years, but it's a new teacher. She does not get Liam at all. Half the time I feel she expects more from him as he's the most verbal one in the class. And I defintely get the feeling she sees him as more an EBD student than an ASD one. She certainly treats him that way.
Although we are seeing some more defiant and impulsive behaviors at home, he only gets physical in school. They even had to restarin him yesterday; I haven't had to restrain Liam in months; maybe even a year.
We have been asking for a review in placement, and dh had a meeting with the director of the spec ed dept that oversees this class (it's a sattelite class of the severe spec ed school that actually incorporates several districts). Today she emailed dh that as all other k-3 autism classes are the same as his present class, there essentially is no where to put him....WTF!!!!!
We have implied that it's the teaching style that seems to be triggering his behaviors, as when in the reg 2nd grade class for math and reading he has no problems at all. I know he's not ready for full inclusion, but it says a lot if he only acts as badly as he does in his self contained class. I wanted to move him after the Christmas break as it seemed to be a good transition time, but at this rate that's a big "IF."
Ideally the new elementary homeschool that opened this year would be perfect but it's only a rumour there'll be an autism unit next year. I do know of a more verbal class in a school in our district and we were hoping to move him there, but the district really is digging their heels in. Dh thinks it's that they don't want to endorse a move due to conflict with a teacher; in all honestly I could give two flying fecks for the politics; I want him out. How do we approach this?
Dee






Dee,
First of all I have to say that those new pictures of Roan are gorgeous! OMG she is a beaut!
Secondly, I am sorry you guys are goign through all this. It's been going on for awhuile, and I know it is stressful on everyone. Especially Liam.
In all honesty, I am not sure where to go with this. You could say that the class is too restrictive, because he is the highest functioning one there, but I am not sure what options that leaves you. If all the other clases are at the same level, you can't argue for a placement there, and full inclusion won't work. However, I don't think you can move a childs placement under IDEA because his teacher is crap -more's the pity. Do they have any co-teaching models? (half specEd/half GenEd) nearby because it sounds to me that tht might suit Liam. IOf there was a class like that near you, you muight want to look into it for him.
Do you have anyone you can ask locally? a parent supporrt group or an advocate? That might be the way to go. They may know of options available to you that we have not thought of. -Paula
-Paula
www.onesickmother.com
Edited 12/4/2007 5:48 pm ET by cl-specialmomx2
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Ta Paula,
I actually got the gumption up to send a proper rquest to the director. No point beating round the bush any more. Here's what I sent: fingers and toes crossed. I changed names and school names for obvious reasons: cybersapce and all.
my husband forwarded your email from today (Dec 4th, 2007). At the end of the day he and I are terribly disappointed with the level of services Liam has received this academic year. Last year Mrs. M seemed to connect and understand where Liam came from and was excellent in collaberating with adjunct and specialist staff: inc OT and the behavioral specialist. This year a great deal in the curriculum has changed, including for the most part, communication with home.
I am sure Ms. J is qualified, however, all I can say is Liam has taken several steps forward (last year), only to take several more back, since Ms J became lead teacher. I am formally requesting that we seriously look at placing Liam elsewhere after the winter vacation. I understand there is a more verbal class at M elementary that may be a better place fore Liam.
In essence I would hope and request that A elementary (homeschool) create a unit for the many autistic students in the area starting Aug '08. (Especially as I also have a 4 year old with Asperger's starting Kindergarden next August).
I have to say my husbnd and I are specifically requesting that Liam be moved from where he is at present to his regular placement, which would be M elemantary as soon as possible,
Sincerely>
Sounds perfectly reasonable to me! I hope it bears some fruit. I see you posted in the Special education plans board as well. Good idea! That might be able to give you some better pointers than I can.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
-Paula
(who is freezing her bum off in NY)
-Paula
www.onesickmother.com
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Dee,