I don’t know what the best thing to do is | Autism PDD

Thanks Karen....sometimes I think I'm strong...but then sometimes I'm as weak as they come.  I feel cornered....but I sometimes think they are trying their best to make him want to quit...or me quit ...just so they don't have to deal with me.  I so need to find another school for him. 

[QUOTE=Virginia Greys]Thanks Karen....sometimes I think I'm strong...but then sometimes I'm as weak as they come.  I feel cornered....but I sometimes think they are trying their best to make him want to quit...or me quit ...just so they don't have to deal with me.  I so need to find another school for him. 

You've hit the nail on the head.  They do want you to just go away, and that's what they are up to.  They are counting on you're not knowing what you are entitled to.  And, you do need to find him a new school, as well

Off to a doctors appt.  Keep your head up...

As you all know...I'm in the middle of having another child study for services...since Greg was just dx with mild autism/aspergers.  He may have some other disorders that have caused the problems of learning...but we won't know for sure till the tests are done.  The school should be done by mid June...but then if I disagree with their tests...then he'll be tested during the summer some more.

Here's the problem actually ....my son is technically in the 10th grade (17 years old though)...however he only has 5 1/2 credits...because he either didn't take enough classes last year (because he was just getting started again and we (the guidance teacher and myself) thought it would be best to get him started with just 2 classes)...then last spring...we gave him the whole load of reg. classes.  However...he didn't pass the main core classes except for algebra.  This year has mostly been an entire waste...he's failing all core classes...and only passing the electives of art and rotc...and that isn't for sure...because he's having such a difficult time...he's given up and sleeping in them.

The school wants him to take summer school...however even if he takes summer school for English..it's only for one semester....he would have to take it this summer and next...just to pass (and it's not certain he would) the 9th grade english....and that's just english...what about all the other classes he's failing?

Next year....they could load him up on english 9th, 10th and 11th....but that would be too much for him too.  He wouldn't be able to take any electives...just core classes to try and get a standard diploma....even a modified diploma would require a lot of credits that he needs to get caught up with.  I just don't know if I should push for all these classes or push for less...or just have him take the sp. ed GED course...or the after school GED course so that he can hopefully get his GED that way instead. 

I want him to get an education...but at the same time....am I doing the right thing by him...by making him take all these classes and be in school for 4 or more years..just taking high school classes?

Now...if he gets a GED...there are still some programs available to him....through the school....but I'm afraid that is not the best thing either.  He has such potential......I don't want to fail him now though either.

Thoughts anyone?  Have I failed him?  Has the school?  What would you do?

Sometimes I feel that the school wants to wash their hands of him...just get him out so they don't have to deal with him....and I truly believe that if he stays where he is....that we're going to be dealing with this for a long time to come.  Even private schools have age cut offs....so I'm not even sure if that is the answer. 

He needs a tutor or even homebound instruction perhaps to help him stay on track....but can that even be done and how if so?

Okay...got to go to another job...later.
Diane, if he receives special ed services he has until he is 21 to get his general ed diploma.  Can't you spread everything out over a 4 year track so he can get all the necessary credits without totally overloading him?  This would include summer school as well, of course.  I hate the idea of academically overloading him, when clearly the school has yet to adequately assess his deficits so that they can properly educate him.  He deserves the opportunity to earn a standard diploma, and then go to college if that is what he wants.  The school has failed both him and you.  Keep pushing for all the testing so you can get a proper evaluation and move forward with making an appropriate educational plan for him.  Tell the school that you will not cooperate with making a plan until you get back all the test results.  Don't let anyone pin you to the wall when you aren't working with all the information you need to make a decision.Get in touch with your local adult services NOW.  The school disrtrict is actually supposed to help you do this. IDEA 2004 has made Transition more serious, with potential consequences for SD's, so there are MANY Transition Workshops out there. Perhaps your son will be more excited about Transition through Adult Services. Transition is SUPPOSED to be based YOUR SON's goals, not the school's or even yours.  You have A LOT on your plate right now. I hope you can get a GOOD ADVOCATE to help you. It's possible to learn about all of this yourself, but that will take lots of time -- something you don't have.  Get in touch with the Wrights, who are in Virginia. If anyone needed their help or help from someone they can recommend, your son does.  A good advocate can help your son see the light at the end of the tunnel and get him to be hopeful again.  It will be worth the money.At age 18, he'll be eligible for ADULT services. Those can be given IN CONJUNCTION with school services. It's VERY BENEFICIAL for higher functioning kids  to stay in school to have at least a year of overlap of these services.  I hope you know that the day he turns 18 you will no longer have ANY control over anything.  He will be an adult and will be able to sign for things himself unless you become his legal guardian BEFORE then. Actually, it's highly unlikely that a judge will make you his legal guardian is he is very high functioning.  However, he also will be eligible for SSI and Medicaid.  To get that, you'll have to show them an IQ score of 59 or below or a Vineland II adaptive score of 69 or below. The first is unlikely but the second is possible. During a reeval for special ed, they will HAVE to give him an IQ test, but you should also REQUEST the Vineland. That will give the IEP Team some good info but it will also serve to possibly qualify your son for SSI/Medicaid in a few months. Your son HAS to have a Transition Plan in his IEP. Go to your state ed website and search "Transition."  What I'd do, if I were you, is go for a 504 FAST. That can always turn into an IEP if he qualifies, but a 504 plan can happen quickly.  Go to www.wrightslaw.com to find out more about 504.  Getting one does not preclude getting an IEP. Once an IEP is approved, it supercedes the 504 since it gives all the benefits of a 504 and then some.  The truth is, getting up to speed on Transition may give you the answers you need.We already have an IEP.....and the school has already starting putting in transition plan...but so far they are just making a mockery out of it (as far as I can tell).  For instance..this year in January......we were chatting briefly about how Greg jumped into action and helped a boy that had just been hit by a truck .....my son saw the whole thing...he was standing at the front of the bus...and the boy that got hit...he was suppose to be getting on the same bus...but realized he had forgotten his books...and he saw that his mom's car was parked across the street...and he didn't see the dump truck coming right behind a few other large vehicles that were passing the bus (they ride public transportation...so cars don't have to stop)...and stepped out.  He didn't get head on...because the truck turned to avoid him...but still clipped him enough to throw him in the air some.  Greg just so happened to have his first aid kit (something that he had won...and kept carrying around (obsessive trait of his came in handy this time)...and told the bus driver that he was trained in boy scouts... in first aid..and pulls out his first aid kit from his pocket...and says...someone needs to call 9-11....all the other kids pulled out their cell phone...my son doesn't have one...and then the bus driver let him go help the kid that had blood spurting from his forehead....(sorry so graphic there).  Greg stayed with the kid till the paramedics showed up.

The sp. ed. teacher ...(his roster teacher) heard about the incident from Greg, but didn't believe him since Greg is notorious for embellishing ...until I told her that it was actually true. ;)  That's when the roster teacher that was writing the IEP and transition plan....starts weaving his transition...based on this incident...asking Greg if he wanted to go into rescue work...and maybe go into the military to get the medical training.  I was sitting there thinking..."is this how they come up with this stuff?"  I don't know if Greg will EVER be allowed into the military....and as for medical stuff....it's one thing to put gauze on a person's head....but completely different to be doing triage. (sp?)

Greg agreed to the ideas....because she was making it sound so cool...but he really wants to work with animals...not treating people.

I'm not looking forward to him turning 18...and I do fear that he will quit school...saying that he doesn't want to go anymore.   He is bright....but he needs help for now...while he can still get it and I can still encourage him to go.

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