Last Month I published
my article on the effects motor-planning deficits have for those with autism at my column on Examiner.com.
I used Brandon, my son, as an example again. I tried to be "objective" at reporting this science. A good "twiend" of mine on twitter, EquiisSavant, shared a news story about the study involved and I was shocked that there was science out there supporting this idea and yet, STILL, administrators muck around with providing services to children who need them.
When I lived in Massachusetts, I'd read horror stories of parents battling schools for basic services, like PT and OT. I'd have some sympathy for them, but because I had never had to battle the school there, I had no idea how truly stressful that is. Now, I still haven't had to go through much battles because I gave up and went a different route (only 2 more days til institutional public school is OVER!). But just the small battle I gave added to my stress levels. As a person with autism myself, it was difficult for me to face these people in a meeting and to tell them off when I wanted to.
I admit I was passive-aggressive with it all and just gave the principals a letter saying I was withdrawing them w/o even giving reasons. I just cited the laws that said I could do so.
I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings because I honestly felt that even had we worked out the minor details of what the boys' IEPs were lacking, they still wouldn't be able to provide an appropriate environment. According to the AAP's clinical report, a child with autism should be in an instructional environment w/small group and low student:teacher ratio. I was told they do not have money to hire enough teachers to provide a substantially separate classroom and they didn't have the space. The resource room had been taken over already for a regular education classroom and pull-out services were completed in the hallways outside of the classroom at a table.
I felt sympathy for them, but if they're not going to be able to provide an appropriate environment... then I had to let go. And thankfully, in Oklahoma, there are no restrictions placed on homeschooling... only that the children must attend school for 180 days a year. The rest is up to me.
Besides... I like the control.
How do you handle/cope with battling the schools for services not being provided but are necessary?
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Comments (4)
AWESOME!!! Maybe I should move to OK?
I am a fighter when it comes to my son. I am lucky that I haven't had to have a full fledged blow out with the school system when it comes to services, but I have certainly thrown my weight (proverbial!) around if I feel he's not getting what he needs. I know my rights and have no problem using them. :)
@keystspf@xanga - Sure! I could use a new neighbor :)
@aspergerninja - The school failed to tell me that my sons were NOT receiving OT and PT. For a year and a half. They sent home progress reports. I noticed that no one from OT or PT ever attended the meetings though and when I asked about it, that's when I found out that *I* was supposed to get a scrpt for those services and they outsource it to consultants. :/ they shoulda told me LONG before that.. like when the time came for the first progress report "Sorry, we have nothing to say before the boys aren't receiving services" would have been nice
And, btw, thank you for clarifying the weight was proverbial! I had a vision of you taking your stomach and throwing it at an administrator.. while not correct it was funny :)
I can only say, "Thank God I'm not the parent of an autistic child!".I think the stress of the meetings would be unbearable. i hate meeting authority figures and filling out any sort of form (I have not applied for jobs on occasion because I have found the application forms too daunting). I admire all those who are prepared to fight these battles, I hope their children some day relaise their parents are heroes.