why why why | Autism PDD

Please head Tzoya's advice and get an advocate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I am a BCBA and have worked for years as a professional with our school district....so they know me and know that I knew what the laws were and they STILL jerked us around until I brought an advocate.  They just sat there and looked at her.  They asked her if she wanted to add anything and she said "No, just as long as John's legal rights are not violated.....I have nothing to add".  She said with a smile!!!  We never had another problem with the district!!!Yes, I LIVE IN A PLACE WHERE OUR KIDS COME FIRST. BUT I THINK THEY MEAN NT KIDS. THEY GET A GREAT EDUCATION WHILE THE SPECIAL ED DEPARTMENT EITHER NEEDS TO GET A GRIP OR SOMETHING. ANYWAY, MY CHILD NOW GOES TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL. PLACEMENT IS EVERYTHING.For anyone who has a recalcitrant school disrtrict -- even rich "we don't have that HERE" school districts MUST obey the law.  I'd would STRONGLY suggest that you each get a good special education advocate.  Go to www.copaa.org and click on "find an atty/advocate." If you live in a rich area, my guess is that you have the money to spend on real, local help.  Think of it this way...if you don't get your kids help NOW, there will be no way you'll be spending the $$$ in their college funds anyway, so you'd be better off spending it on getting them the appropriate services. There are ways for you to get the services privately and seek reimbursement from your school district if the school district doesn't come up with the services themselves. To find out more about this, search 10-day letter at www.wrightslaw.comIt's not just your area.  The first week of school has just ended and the school has not contacted us about providing any of the services on the IEP.  In the last meeting (June) we were offered one placement that did not exist, and would not until after several months into the school year.  They are not answering e-mails asking about the lack of services.  They also promise a reimbursement for tuition from last year that they won't answer e-mails asking where that is.

One more experienced parent pretty much came out told me that the SD folks feel that they are just do there job by denying services as much as possible, and parents have to fight hard enough that the SD staff can justify to their bosses if they give in.
We tried an advocate, but went to a lawyer when the advocate was overwhelmed by the SD response.

Unfortunately we have to play the game since we cannot afford to go private.  I think that the SD plan is to make going private cheaper than fighting them.  It is sad to think that my tax dollars are helping them do this to my kids.

Ooooh, stink!  I know one of the more affluent SDs near us is one of the WORST for SpEd, too.  Was told they "warehoused" the kids ... the district I grad from, actually.  My mom had to move into assisted living recently and my brother tried to "cut us a deal" to buy her house!  I did not want it, and we had moved where we are, for the schools.  I am so glad, too, as, the more I read, the more pleased I am with our services.

It just seems so random -- some schools are so good for SpEd and others, not, and it is nothing to do with the quality of general education there.

I am so sorry for your situation, Micki.  It is TRULY not fair!

Hi Micki,

  

Tzoya, thank for the link.  As usual you are the voice of wisdom.  My problem is a bit of the opposite in that my dd is going to a school in a very poor neighborhood (our choice right now since it's a magnet).  However I do believe that the school get extra $$ for ESE kids and I've got to get an advocate to make sure that every penny that she's entitled to goes to her.  I am so disgusted with the schooldistrict I could spit. This is a wealthy
educated area and my ds actually does not need that much. I thought
we are reasonable people and do not expect miracles I am sure we can
just sit down with the sd and come to an agreement that works for both
of us.
I could go through pages of details but lets just say his IEP seems to be   
almost worthless and even the services that are written pretty specific I
have already been told are not going to happen. A friend of mine works in
special ed and says most of the IEP items in her school just get checked
of on paper but do not happen in real life. And hers is supposed to be
one of the best programs in a major metropolitan area.
Why does it have to be like this ? Why? I just don't understand. I mean
this is about kids's lives - why has it become this political deceptive
process. With all that money going to the process i can't even see how it
saves the disrict money.
Sorry for the vent - I am just sooooooooooooooooooooo sick of it.I am going through the same thing and it's only 2 weeks into the year.  I'm sending a written letter in on Tuesday requesting a new IEP meeting ASAP.  My dd's school doesn't have many ESE kids (it's a performing arts magnet) but nothing is getting done.  I am  but I will play it cool for now and it will give me time to get an advocate for my next meeting.  Best of luck. Dont feel bad about getting upset, if we as parents dont push for things to happen for our kids noone will. I have foud that the more the school hears from me the more gets done, I think its just because they want to shut me up, whatever works. Good Luck to all!
Copyright Autism-PDD.net