School administrators don't believe ...

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
School administrators don't believe ...
4
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 10:15am

in Autism Spectrum Disorders (unless the child is classic autistic). My first grader son has been suspended for the last 2 days of school. His regular teacher was out of school on Weds. My son hit the substitute when a DVD she played for the class was too loud. I really think there was some button pushing on the part of the substitute and the principal.

The principal drew a line in the sand and said, "If you hit anyone one more time, you're out of HERE." What do you think my son did? He took a swipe at the substitute as soon as he got back into the classroom.

Then, I got a snide letter from the school telling me to take corrective actions at home so that behavior like this doesn't happen next year. I have an IEP meeting this morning to sign-off on a re-evaluation for him. He's not getting appropriate services at school. This is why his behavior appears uncontrollable to them.

Of course, the principal recommends Ritalin and discipline at home at each of these meetings.... as if I'm merely a permissive parent. It burns me up. Sometimes I wish those school administrator types would have a child or grandchild like mine. It seems like you have to have one or being highly educated to really see what's going on with our kids.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 2:58pm

You need to go over thier head to the district. YOu need to tape record all meetings and get all other interactions in writing. Even if that means that you write a letter to them yourself stating your understanding of the encounter and send it certified and dated. You need to get some help if you can by way of an advocate or educational consultant. Hopefully there are free or low cost ones around or someone you know who can come with you and....

I really really think you need to call your state department of ed and find out the procedure to file a complaint with the state.

That is all absolutely rediculus and I can't tell from just what you wrote but I would be willing to be some is illegal.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 3:38pm

Hi. you and your child are in trouble if you do not fight the school district on this one. Perhaps you should consider getting an advocate or even a lawyer. Very likely you should consider getting OUTSIDE evaluations from highly reputable doctors that not only diagnose and spell our your son's strengths and weaknesses, but explanations and recommendations, such as how ASD impacts behavior.

The principal is breaking the law mentioning Ritalin. He is NOT a medical doctor and the law is specific that they cannot say this to you about Ritalin or any other drug, yup, they cannot even suggest it. Bring a tape recorder to the meeting, tell them you are recording. If you have the principal saying things like that in court, you have proof that they are out of compliance there.

GO TO IEP Board here at IEP. Ask, ask, ask. Those gals are experts. Your child needs an IEE - an independent outside eval - AND an FBA - functional behavioral analysis - and you ask for it (in writing, gals at IEP Board will give you templates for these letters and tell you how to send it, etc.) and by law the school has to do this! And if they deny you, there are further legal steps.

You CANNOT allow this school to essentially abuse your son by refusing to recognize his disabilities and punish him for behavior that is really coming from this plus lack of accomodations (the abuse). The accomodations he needs to receive are his right by law, and if they refuse you, they are so out of compliance and breaking the law. Should you have to go all the way to due process, once this has all been proved against school district, they could be in danger have having to pay out a lot more than just to get the services they should have given in the first place. People get compensatory money as well. They are big time playing with fire and betting on you being one of the millions of parents who don't know any better and just let them do it!

It is the school's job to be on top of what your son needs in order to provide him with a free and appropriate education, and they are trying to pass the buck. They legally cannot do this, but the trick is getting them to follow the law! Sadly, your story is not uncommon. But there are definitely ways to fight, to get your son's rights.

Good luck. Continue to ask questions here, too, many moms here have had to do this fight over and over.

yours,

Sara
ilovemalcolm




Edited 6/15/2006 3:46 pm ET by ilovemalcolm
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 3:54pm

We had the IEP meeting today to initiate a full re-evaluation of my son and it will include an autism rating score. It was a friendly meeting and I feel like I'm getting a lot of support from the ED teacher, regular teacher, social worker, and school psychologist. The principal seemed happy because autism services would mean a placement change. I would like to see my son in the aspergers classroom. However, my fear is that his behaviors won't be acceptable even with a placement change. We'll see how it goes.

If they deem him ineligible for any autism services, then I will put my request in for an independent evaluation. I do have a child advocate that I can draw into this if I need her.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 7:09pm

I had a similar issue, although my kids are at least classified. I

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com