i was wondering if anyone here has any stories about themselves, their children, or people they know who have been placed in special education with severely autistic children or those with mental retardation?
i've heard about students being inappropriately placed--particularly during the eighties when aspergers wasn't formally diagnosed--only to face detrimental ends. has anyone here had to deal with something similar?
Fortunately, we live in a district that is hot on the inclusion trail. My HFA/PDD-NOS son is in regular ed class with support in speech therapy and OT consult. I thought that most districts were moving in that direction. The school system in my county is horrible. If the child doesn't fit the norm then they are seen as a problem that had to be dealt with.
I take my daughter out of town to another system. I LOVE THE SCHOOL. Its a small community school. They actually said to me, "We are the education experts, but your the expert on your daughter. Let's work together." They are willing to do whatever is needed to help my daughter. Full inclusion was top priority for her. I spend alot of time working with her teachers. When she started school there, they let me volunteer in the library for the first few weeks so I could be close in case there were problems. She has sensory issues. After a few weeks I was offered a job in the cafeteria so I could be close. I declined because I thought it would be best for my daughter if I slowly pulled back. She was spending too much time wanting to come find me for no reason.
I could go on and on about the teachers and staff. They are all wonderful.
I recommend to anyone having trouble with their childs school. Go searching!! I actually drive over 20 miles everyday to go to a different public school system. I admit I'm lucky that they don't require tuition because we are from a different county. I can't afford it. It takes a ton of gas. It keeps me from being able to work. My husband doesnt make much, but we don't care. I know how horrible the schools are in this town and I can't win with them.
You mean go searching for a different school? Unless you have alot of money, you are pretty much limited. I know I don't have alot of money and I have two schools generally to choose from. One in a safe zone and one in the shootout gallery zone. With Jeffrey it seems to be every other school he has success with. Also it depends upon whether you let a school get away with things or not. If they can they will try to get away with stuff, even minor stuff.