I’m so lost. Help!disciplinary process where he saw multiple doctors, therapists, social worker, psychologist. They unanimously came to a diagnosis of autism. Mild, but definitely autism. What I'm getting from the Regional Center, and the school district is "we don't see it". Worse, I had his IEP meeting Monday. They are STRONGLY pushing me to list his qualifying need or whatever as language and developmental delays, or something like that, not autism. Also, I read somewhere here today that they are not supposed to have pre-determined goals, but that's exactly what happened, they pulled out these papers that had the delays from reports I've never seen, and they based the goals on them. At no point was I asked what I saw his issues as being, or what I thought he needed help with, it was all already printed, and presented to me, along with the contract to sign. I told them my husband wanted to review them before we signed, but I've spent today doing research, contacting our local group (still waiting for a call back) and so on. Partly, once we got close to a diagnosis I contacted regional center, but because his 3rd birthday is next week (the school is on break next week) there was a big rush to get everything done, but now I'm not sure that what is being done is in my son's best interest, and if several doctors and other professionals say he has autism based on a summer of meetings and evaluations how can the school try and say otherwise after only 30 minutes with my son? Something smells fishy, and I don't want to sign the IEP until I figure out what's up... And regional center got us set up with the school, and disappeared, but my understanding is they provide services for kids of any age with autism, but regional center is saying no, that's the school district! Ack! Everyone is pointing fingers at everyone else. :( Hopefully some of these links will help....... I agree with Jean you need to try to find an advocate for you who will go to the meetings ith you NEVER EVER EVER go to an IEP meeting ALONE the school will take every advantage they can because you have no witness! Take an advocate another parent who knows your child or about autism but dont go alone! At this point learning what I have.... I would suggest for EVERYONE to take an advocate with them from day 1.... someone knowledgeable in the laws of special ed ...... Lets start letting the schools know NO ONE is going to just sit there and take their BS! They take advantage of the fact that the parents are overwhelmed from the dx so they talk like they are our best friend willing to help. (HA) Brings our guard down..... by the next IEP meeting we are exhausted and stressed and we "trust" them... little by little they get us and by the time we realize we are being jerked around its been years and now the school is in a pattern of getting over on us so they dont understand why we have a problem with services and why we are standing up to them. If that doesnt make us back down then they try to threaten us saying our kid barely qualifies for one service and doesnt meet the needs of another, they lie and say a concern you bring p isnt an IEP issue or another concern doesnt have an adverse educational effect on them! By this time your kid has missed MANY services they could have benefited from and arent, the trust with the school is gone, you and or your child and family are a wreck and you STILL NEED ANSWERS! EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE LAWS!!!! No one will help fight for your child except you! Call your states DOE and ask them if they have a booklet on the laws specific for your state and then know it by heart! OOPS Did I say all that? Here are those links for California California
Exceptional Family Support, Education and Advocacy Center
Loving Your Disabled Child Matrix Parents Helping Parents Autism Research Center Autism Research Institute Behavioral Analysts, Inc. & S.T.A.R.S. School CARE Parent Network Scientific Learning/Fast Foward FIND YOUR LOCAL Autism Society of America Chapter here http://209.200.89.252/search_site/index.cfm
California Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities
http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/ca.htm Unlocking Autism California State Reps
Individual's planning team. All eligible, but must be "cost-effective". California Medicaid: Department of Developmental Services (DDS): To find the location of your Regional Center: http://www.arcanet.org/map.htm#map California Children's Services pays for medical equipment and supplies. Read about CCS at: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/prp/cms/html/ccs.htm Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP): http://www.dhs.ca.gov/prp/cms/HTML/GHPP.htm DHS contacts: http://www.dhs.cahwnet.gov/home/comments.htm California Waivers (.pdf document):
Special Needs Advocate & Attorney CA
National Association of Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc
http://www.napas.org/other%20pages/Contact%20your%20P&A/ california.htm National Respite Service Locator California
http://www.respitelocator.org/searchStates.asp http://www.respitelocator.org/locatorsearch/searchpage.htm Advocate & Attorneys CA,
California State Resources
http://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/ca.htm This link lists sooooooooo many possible supports, I didnt even try to copy and paste it. We have some mebers here that live in Ca and can help. I think there you all have 'regional centers'. We dont have them here (or very many services of any kind). I understand exactly what you mean about feeling frazzled!Doh! I'm in Southern California. Sorry, I'm having one of those odd times in life when a whole bunch of life experiences are hitting all at once, so I'm a little, er, frazzled. :)Welcome and you need an advocate. What state are you in? I think everyone here could try to help more if they knew where you were, if you feel comfortable telling us- This is so sad and I am so sorry that you are going through this. I would not sign anything that siad that my child had anything other than what the Dr (S) had diagnosed. We dont have regional centers, here when my son turned 3 we lost EI and we lost any help.....Our state has a protection and advocacy department that refers me to WRIGHTSLAW web site.......Ok all, thank you so much! The school is on break next week, so I'm hoping that buys me a little time. I did call about my local group yesterday, got the name of another homeschooling Mom who's dd is autistic, and of an advocate, and i'm now on the mailing list, so I can join the group and start going to meetings. I've also contacted other support groups, so hopefully one way or another I'll have some idea of what steps to take next. I need to get the report from our HMO with the diagnosis of autism, which will hopefully be available tomorrow. I'm going to go down there myself and try and get it. If it's available, I'm thinking I'll call them and say I'm not understanding how part of the goals they outlined will help my son (which is true, I don't, seems to me like putting a band-aid on cancer) and that I have the autism diagnosis, when can we meet. I will have an advocate go with me, no more going alone. Thanks again for the help! Crystal I agree with Col....do not let them label him as merely S/L impaired...services there are minimal...in fact, I was told "he doesn't qualify for special education, only related services-ST"......this is without a doubt a way to avoid providing services...whereas with Autism, many kids need 1:1, sensory breaks, modified programs, etc. Like the others above have suggested...find yourself an advocate for sure. Also check www.wrightslaw.com for information, it's a great site...and your best bet to help your son is to know the law. Schools unfortunately do not help us on that end, and don't offer up information, so it is up to us to find the services available and fight for them based on our children's needs. Crystal..... DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! Any phone call follow up with a letter that outlines what was discussed and decided. Keep a copy for your records. Email serves as documentation too! Whoever dx'd your child with Autism - you should be able to call and have a letter put together stating they evaluated your child and here is the dx of that evaluation. Also any dr treating your child for autism can put together a letter. I am dr so and so who specializes in ________ . Child has a dx of -------, -------- and ---------- abd has been under my care with medication (if applicable) since date. S/He can further the letter with their recommendations for treatment if they will. Keep a copy of EVERYTHING and make sure EVERYTHING goes into your child's file! Sorry to hear that! Get an advocate! I am in No Cal and we found one through the local Family Empowerment Center. She is awesome and I regreat not finding her sooner! There are probably alot of services in So Cal, more so then in the rural area we are in. Good luck! I hope all goes well for you and your familyI have sat in on many IEP meetings as the classroom teacher rep..you need an advocate..it's extremely important..Schools are uncomfortable when an advocate is mentioned..Special ed teachers don't want to see them...true..so have one..a good one.. Think I'll look up something..has anyone ever told their local school district or system how much it will cost them to educate an ASD child if they don't offer EI and all that goes with it? That might be something to bring to the table.. sandance |
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Sorry Sometimes I just get so mad with the schools!