OK....the background.....Erin's team ( with the exception of me )have decided she needs out of district placement.
I'm not convinced on what I think is best yet, I have seen a couple of programs, have some more to visit and I'm just not sure what is the right thing to do.
So the problem for the meantime is how to get the most success with where she is at the moment. Her first day was yesterday and I got a note saying she had a lot of behaviors and aggressions. I feel like they have "given up" at school and are not handling her as she needs to be.....they set a tone over the summer that let her know she is basically the one in charge and it seems to be continuing,
I have voiced my thought SEVERAL ( hundred) times that she needs only 1-2 aides to work with her and really bond with her vs. the revolvong door of aides that she currently has ( 5-6 aides in room work with her throughout the day) So on any given day she could potentially work with 3 idfferent people and then the following day 3 more different people....no consistency at all.
Now at home....she is NOT perfect by any means....but she knows I am the one in charge and she responds accordingly.....how do I get this to carry over .....how do I get them to be in charge when franklky.....they have already washed their hands of her and are bascially biding their time to be done with her ??
I am in close communication with her teacher.....but my thought is she needs 1 or 2 aides ONLY and the consistency and she is dead set against giving her anything like that....so now what ?? Do I just keep pushing it ? Demand it ? Tell them I want a complete new hire just for Erin ? What would you do ? Has anyone been through this already ?
And I should add for those that don't know us well.....Erin is 7....almost non-verbal and has dual dx of PDD NOS and Down syndrome. She started taking some meds in June and it has made a LARGE differnce at home.....but not at school.....any thoughts would be great.....
And.....I'd like views on public vs. private.......It is obvioulsy a very personal, very individual decision......but just wondering what you all think the pros & cons are for the 2 diffferent school situations......thanks !!
Also....I have a question on the language in IDEA.....from what I understand, public schools must teach children in the LEAST RESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMNENT......I'm pretty sure I understand this concept and the reasoning for it.....BUT.....I'm wondering if the school has the right to tell me that what I am asking for is "too restrictive" and therefore they can't/ shouldn't be expected to accomodate that....becasue that is what they told me at my last IEP....
I thought that wording was meant to protect the child and not allow the schools to restrict access.....but if I am the one who is requesting a more restrictive environment.....am I wrong to think a public school can/should give that ? If a MORE restricitve environment is needed.....then is private the next logical step ?
Because that is what my school is telling me.....are they correct ? allisa39331.3406828704The LRE means the placement that is closest to the placement that the child would have been placed in had he or she not been born with a disability as long as that child can make measurable progress in that environment, given supports, services and accommodations. PROGRESS is what determines what is the Least Restrictive Environment for YOUR child. In order to place any child in a MORE restrictive environment (which might be the LRE for THAT child), an IEP Team must put, in writing, WHY a less restrictive environment won't work. They need to do this in the IEP and also in a document called Prior Written Notice. YOu need to search these terms at www.wrightslaw.com to learn more. If you refuse to allow a change in placement after the school district INSISTS, you can KEEP your child in her CURRENT placement by asking for an Impartial Hearing. This is called "stay-put" or "pendency." While you and the school district are not agreeing, your child keeps the last agreed upon IEP until a Hearing Officer decides what's best. This is the way parents can stop the school district from doing something they don't want. However, it's a temporary fix. In order to prevail at a hearing, you must prove that the less restrictive environment WILL work for your child. I would suggest getting a local lawyer if it comes to that.
I agree that it sounds like the school district has given up, when they say that she needs to be placed out of district. I'm no expert on the American education system, but I assume that isn't the cheapest solution for them so they must really feel they're out of options.
IMO, saying an individually assigned aide is "too restrictive" sounds bogus if they meant it as applicable to "least restrictive environment". But it is a situation that limits their administrative flexibility.
If I were in that situation, I would maybe try and get an individually assigned aide for a trial period.
I hope someone has some experience to share with you.