Tzoya, Thank you for the website address. I know that my posting sounds harsh. I have been talking with everyone. School and County. Have written letters. Basically, I'm being told their hands are tied. They are under contol of this child's parents. Either cater to their son or else. That is what I'm hearing in so many words. Well, there is more than one child in that classroom. All the other children are suffering because of this one child. Maybe my actions will wake up the parents. You can not sit back and let the school babysit your child. You cannot think that it is okay for your child to hit, scratch teachers, nurse, aides and other children. This is not an occasional occurance. This is an all day thing. This child is intelligent. He knows exactly what he is doing. I can tell there must be little or no discipline at home.
Thank you for all of your suggestions!
Another parent in Florida...there are getting to be quite a few of us! I agree with Emerald ... have you spoken to the principal/team about this?
It's unfortunate that someone with a child with autism can not show more tolerance.
I'm not sure how you have so much information on this child, and what their behaviors are, but if all this info is true, then the school is violating this child's privacy by telling you anything about this child.
A lot of children with autism have aggressive behavior, it does not mean it is bad parenting - again to assume that is showing a complete lack of tolerance, and a major lack of understanding of autism.
Since there is no way you can possible spend the whole day in the class, and you have no right to observe this other child, then I have to take what you say as someone that is overreacting.
Please remember every child is entitled to a fair and appropriate education - not just those that behave up to your standards. It's not so much that the "school's hands are tied", but that the law allows all children to go to school.
No Smith22, I'm not over reacting. I'm mad. I have been in the classroom all day observing. I am aware of what is going on. I also have a child with autism. It is not a lact of tolerance or understanding. I have to a right to observe my child and what is happening to my child. You are right. I have no idea what is going on at this childs home. They may be the perfect parents or they may be abusing this child.
Tell me Smith22, why does this child have the right to hurt my child?
Unless the schools in Florida are completely different than the ones here I am having a hard time believing that the school is offering the "catering" you are saying.
A lot of parents of special needs children have to fight tooth and nail to get even a few services provided...therefore I can't see a school just sitting back and letting the parents run the show when it comes to their child, especially when the behaviors are as bad as you say.
No it's not ok for this child to be hitting, biting etc. But he is a child with autism and this is a cry for help. He is trying to communicate something and the teachers are failing to understand. They aren't there to babysit, they are there to educate. It is a shame that you are saying that the rest of the class is suffering, but I look at it as bad teachers, not bad kid!!
Maybe do some research...give them some suggestions...I was just told about something called FBA...someone comes to the school with the sole purpose to figure out what is causing the child to behave the way he is, then offer solutions to fix this problem.
I'm sorry if I am sounding harsh here also, but again this is very close to home for me. The only difference is the teachers in my sons case are trying to fix the problem. They remove him from the room if behaviors begin...they try to calm him and help him. My son is mainstreamed in a public school and they are finding ways to help him I would assume that a class specifically for children with autism would have the means to help him even more.
I would stop and analyze the situation a little more before you run to a lawyer. Please take a look at how this school is handling the situation. If an aide might be available to help your child in mainstream classroom, why isn't their an aide for this boy to take him out of the classroom when these behaviors are occuring. It could be a million things from sensory to frustration...But by all means, my first thought would NOT be that this child lacks discipline or is just a brat.
I'm having an issue with my child's self-contained autism classroom. There is a violent, disruptive child in this classroom. I will not tolerate my child being hit or hurt by this child. I've observed the classroom. They are doing the best they can to redirect and calm this child. However, they can only do so much. This is a safety and educational issue. A large amount of time is being spent calming this child.
I need an advocate or lawyer. What are my child's rights? Can I press charges? Can I demand my child be removed from this room? What if I want my child in a regular ed classroom with a one on one aide?
Can someone tell me how to locate an advocate or lawyer? I've contacted our CARD UCF caseworker. She is out of town until next week. We live in Central, FL
I'm new to the board. I would appreciate any advice.
Thank you!
This is the list, from www.copaa.org of attorneys from Fla. willing to take clients. This is the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys and is the most well-respected spec ed advocacy organization in the country. You can start there.Can't you just talk to the school...tell them your concerns and maybe ask for a transfer...I don't see any reason to be pressing charges for anything. I understand your concerns but being a parent of a child that has those types of issues in school, I think I would be shocked and hurt if I found out another mother felt the need to press charges!
I agree that something needs to be done to help this child, but putting that kind of strain and stress on the family and school is only going to make the situation that much harder, IMO.
Sorry.