I would fight the school. I have many times for my son. Also what you can do is to contact the head of your district thru New York state. Whenever I have a problem with a school following my son's IEP I don't bother with the district office I just call the head in Albany. In my phone book they are listed in the New York State section and look under special education. These people can really get the ball rolling. Keep me posted
Kathie
We live in NY state. Our almost 4-year-old started special-ed preschool in January for severe autism. He goes to school 25 hours a week. He has a personal aide; receives OT 2x a week (30 minutes each time); ST 4x a week (his IEP says he is in a 3:1 setting, but he can be seen 1:1 at times). His teacher, ST and OT are "trained" in ABA and use it as a "strategy" in teaching him.
When we had Nathan officially diagnosed his neuropsychologist and developmental disabilities pediatrician suggested ST 5x a week and 40 hours of therapy (to include ABA). We recently became aware of a therapy service through our town and our service coordinator put us in touch with a parent advocate (who is free through the therapy service). She looked at his papers and said that it should be an automatic that essentially nonverbal autistic kids get ST 5x a week and it should be noted in his IEP that he gets it at least 2x a week 1:1; extended school year. Also that he should be getting ABA as a therapy (not as a strategy - meaning that someone comes into his room and works with only him 1:1 everyday) and that the school should be providing his additional 15 hours of ABA therapy when he's not in school.
When I called to set up a CSE meeting the chairperson immediately called me back and was defensive about the situation. She stated that he is down as 3:1 in ST so that other kids can be invited in for things such as learning to "take turns". They don't typically put them in ST 5x a week because the classroom has "language based activities". Also she stated that ABA was only used as a "strategy" (as opposed to a therapy). She pretty much downplayed any of my feelings and said that we could schedule a "parent conference" to discuss if we needed to change things around in another 3-4 weeks. She stated that it was good that we were seeking outside agencies, but that it was ultimately up to the CSE committee as to what they were going to be doing with his IEP. She became very defensive when I said that we were seeing a parent advoate (which is ridiculous because the "rights" booklet that the school gives out includes names of parent advoates).
After our meeting with the parent advocate I had been so excited. She said that Nathan was a great candidate for ABA and she could see him going far with it. She talked about getting the 40 hours of therapy and the additional speech. I actually felt encouraged that he could overcome all of this. Then I talked to the CSE chairperson and I felt like a balloon with all the air being deflated. I've been stressed for the past 3 days and can't sleep.
I've read of many cases on message boards where when the parents start requesting for things to be done that the school fights them tooth and nail (of course, it's costing them additional money). I know that the services Nathan gets through school that some states don't even offer that. Don't get me wrong, I have been VERY happy with the progress that Nathan has made since starting school in January. He has gone from saying 2 words in December to new words everyday. He signs and uses a word board. He plays with his brothers instead of sitting in the doorway zoning in his own little world. He has imaginative play now. He has really come a long way and I know it's because of school.
We recently applied for a Medicaid waiver so from my understanding regardless he will be receiving ABA therapy through the local therapy service (maybe I'm wrong on this though, I don't know for sure). I'm not a confrontational person (though I will be if it involves getting Nathan what he deserves).
What would you do? Fight the school (with the assistance of the parent advocate)? Or wait until we know if he will receive therapy outside of school with the Medicaid waiver. I don't want to be enemies with the school yet I want the best for Nathan.Hang in there...and listen to these gals....they know their stuff! Read the books and read all the links you can on wrightslaw.com....it will make you stronger and give you so much knowledge.Listen to the advocate, ask questions of her, and fight the school. HOwever, remember that sometimes you can win the battle , you may choose to do something different. Each IEP is another opportunity to "fight." When your child is old enough to officially get an Autism label in NYS, he will qualify for the services under 200.13 in the Part 200. YOu might as well get started finding your way around NY sites, so go to www.nysed.gov and search Part 200. Then go to 200.13 and you'll see that in NYS, children with autism are guaranteed DAILY speech therapy -- half hour with one or two in the room or 60 minutes with more in the room. There are also other guarantees for children with autism in our state.
Thank you both sooooo much!!
Nate is getting 30 minutes with 1-3 kids in the room 4 times a week. Then they are saying he has "language based activities" in his classroom which is a 12 kids, 1 teacher and 2 aides (one of which is supposed to be his personal aide and I'm POSITIVE works with other kids).
The more I read the more my will to fight is getting stronger!
Most schools don't give that amount of services/ You can do private also. It is way better anyhow. Daniel had 60mins. weekly and they downed it to 45 mins. weekly with no st even at his 3 year revaluation to tell us why. Here our services are a coop privided so our countey shares the therapists. Se fulltime rooms all the kids get st there it's group done. Medicaid cover's private services!
Clinical services are 1:1! This is different then school services.