Public School Offers Mom $86K to Keep Autistic Son Out Of Classes...

[orangecrush]

http://gma.yahoo.com/public-school-offers-86k-keep-autistic-boy-130414447.html

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2412313/Autistic-boy-offered-86-000-kept-public-school.html

[stroked89coupe]

Wow

[Labyrinthine]

I feel like we are missing information. Why don't they want him there?

[ICANHASMUNY?]

 

The autistic student's education plan includes learning how to write down his name and phone number incase he gets lost, communicating with words on his iPad and about hygiene

 

I think the school has a point;

 

If he's 21, and still can't write his name and phone number, and has to learn to use an I Pad to communicate about hygiene, ( ie; "I need to go to the bathroom")

 

He's at the far end of the Autism spectrum, doesn't talk, can't communicate and really probably shouldn't be in school.

 

there's limits on what you expect schools to do, this IEP isn't about behavior or academic achievement, since most 2nd graders can manage this.

[Tigz]

If at age 21, he can not write his name on a peace of paper (and I presume the school has been working on this achievement for many years now) What makes her think one more year and he will suddenly be able to write his name an communicate his needs?

Personally, I think she is just looking for a free babysitter. Most parents, at least I hope, realize when there is nothing more that can be done that can't be done at home or in a group home setting. As heart breaking as the second option is, I am afraid that is where he will end up eventually since his family won't be able to take care of him forever.

[futurehomeowner?]

yep I counter them with $120K and take the money and move him to a private setting.

[Fuerza]

yep I counter them with $120K and take the money and move him to a private setting.

 

A check from the state of California would probably bounce... Just sayin. lol

 

Seriously though, its a tough situation. The guy will always need care. I honestly think should would be better off taking the money and hiring a private tutor to get her son to the educational level she feels comfortable having. Maybe the school can't handle the case?

[Echo_X]

Tigz: Desperation leads to delusion.. You would be surprised at what parents of autistic children are prepared to believe..

 

I tended to agree that it sounds like shes looking for someone to dump him on for as long as she can... but people will believe a lot.. It's hard to say what this woman believes..

Edited September 6, 2013 by Echo_X

[Tigz]

Why should the school give them $120K? I mean, they didn't make him autistic.

 

Lets say, using 2010 data, that it costs approximately $10K per ("normal") student in CA. Let's add 10% for inflation, so $11K. Lets even go one further and double it, in case there is extra money coming in...so $22000.

Now lets triple that since he has special needs..... that is $66K. (yes, I know that it may cost more because he is so severely disabled).

I really hate to sound hard hearted, but where do we stop? When does one child....one who will probably live his life out in an institution because he is so severely disabled that he will not be able to live on his own....have the right to so much more education dollars than any other child who WILL be able to learn, and will be able to lead a productive life.

I support special education 100%, I really and truly do..... but there needs to be some common sense thrown into the mix.

[Echo_X]

My assumption, without having looked up any information on the subject, is that it has to do with a legal statute of some form. Statute may establish a specific amount which the school board or educational institution must compensate a disenfranchised student where it may be established that they (the student) were denied education based on prejudice of race or disability..

[ICANHASMUNY?]

My assumption, without having looked up any information on the subject, is that it has to do with a legal statute of some form. Statute may establish a specific amount which the school board or educational institution must compensate a disenfranchised student where it may be established that they (the student) were denied education based on prejudice of race or disability..

 

I really doubt that California has any statute on the books allowing a public institution be prejudiced on race or disability....

 

it's more likely what their lawyers thought would be the value of institutional care for the year.

 

hope a judge finds a way to tell the truth to this lady which doesn't involve teams of medical experts costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

[Echo_X]

Actually I was thinking more it might be a federal statute...

[Tigz]

We do have laws that say that a child must be educated, even if they are disabled (physically, emotionally, mentally, or has a learning disability) I know there are some federal ones, and probably some state laws as well.

I don't have a problem with that at all....I think it is wonderful that they can't turn a child away because he/she might have a problem learning in the "conventional" manner. But like I said before, some common sense has to be used. There is a big difference between someone who is blind, deaf, ADHD, dyslexic, and yes even autistic - and someone who has such a severe disability as this young man, or someone who is profoundly intellectually impaired to the point that they will never be able to live on their own and will probably be institutionalized when their parents/caregiver die or are no longer capable of taking care of them.

Yes, they need fundamental training (which can, as in this case, take years), things like learning to tie your shoe, or spelling your name can be as momentous an occasion for these children and parents as much as a student being valedictorian and getting into Harvard is for another student and parent. But I think the place to teach these things - again, for the most severe cases - should not be in the public school setting, but rather in a specialized setting. One that has highly trained professionals working with them....Neurologists, Psychiatrists, case workers, physical and occupational therapist, etc.

[gemsnewday]

I've kept my mouth shut until now.

 

When Armstrong said she tried to intervene, the teacher ignored her, she
said. When David spit the food out, she says the teacher pushed it back into his
mouth and he eventually vomited.

"She would push his head in the bowl, make him spit in the bowl and stir it
up and make him eat it," Armstrong said. "Her methods are bizarre."

 

Her "methods" are not bizarre. This is abuse. (most likely due to lack of staff training in working with more severely affected persons). The reason doesn't matter....it is abuse.

 

I will agree that public school is not the place for everyone with a severe/profound disability. Especially when there is a blanket mindset that public school must be accessible and all children are entitled to an education. The key part of the equation that is and has always been missing is consideration of the individuals CURRENT level of functionality, and what type of instruction would be beneficial to that person. I agree that children who are more capable should NOT be denied their education due to disruptions caused by one student in the classroom.

 

Take my son, for example. I did not send him to school at age 3 to be taught to read and write. I sent him in hopes that he could be taught to be in public without inappropriate behaviors. That he could learn some form of communication (or several forms: sign, icons, gestures...whatever would let others know what he needed) I had him saying words or word approximations (not many, but not totally mute as he is now). I wanted him to learn to put his clothes on and take them off. Do some common chores. Play games. Do arts and crafts.

 

Thankyouverymuch, they managed in 3 weeks to undo what it took me 3 years to teach him. Because they were not/are not equipped to deal with more profound individuals. They are used to dealing with teaching en masse, and that usually doesn't work with those lower on the spectrum. They are not trained properly to handle aggressive or other inappropriate behaviors.

 

I, too, witnessed school staff trying to force my son to drink (tilt head back and pour liquid in his mouth then hold his jaw shut). They had the balls to send a note home the day before saying he was striking the teacher. When I watched quietly through the small window in the door, I saw him flailing because he was choking!

 

Was that the right thing to do? Because they wanted him to take a drink? Would you let someone do this to your child? Or do what that teacher did with food with your child or adult relative who could not speak for him/her self? Would you allow someone to do this to your mom or dad or grandmother? It happens far more than you think.

 

It is very easy to sit back and say take them out of the public schools. Ok. Then what do we do with them? Lock them up as small children in institutions? Lock them away in the attic or cellar? How many of you have visited a group home, ICF, or institutional setting?

 

The solution is to move away from the "inclusive" setting mentality and recognize that not all children can function or learn in a typical classroom environment. You have to start where the child is functioning and build on that. All of them can learn. They may be limited in WHAT they can learn, but they can learn. WE have to learn how to reach them and teach them whatever skills they are able to learn. There is no shame in having self contained classrooms. The shame is putting them in typical classrooms when a self contained classroom is more appropriate.

 

I took him out of public school for this type of abuse. He couldn't function there and they didn't know how to help him.

 

I cry frequently for my son, and others like him. I don't cry easily. I am aging, and I know one day I won't be able to care for him. I pray his sisters will step up and keep him so he doesn't have to go to one of those places. Somewhere where the solution is to warehouse him and give him strong psychoactive meds so he is a walking vegetable, and stick him in the corner all day. No more sweet personality and happiness for him. I've seen too, too much over the last 20 something years. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

I was one of the lucky ones. I found ways to keep him and teach him over the years since I pulled him out of school. He is doing more than anyone thought he ever could achieve. He will lose all of that in an institution. I see it daily. It breaks my heart. My soul aches for my son and others who are treated so poorly because they are less able.

 

So...what should we do with him and others like him? Where do they go? What do they do? Who will care for them and love them and make them feel valued?

 

[Tigz]

Some cities have specialized schools and training facilities. Jacksonville used to have one such school. It was called Pine Castle. It was started by a group of parents of children with severe developmental disabilities. They were able to get financial backing. Eventually the school system started special ed programs in the late 60s or early 70s so the "school" portion of it wasn't needed ay more. Pine Castle eventually turned into an organization for helping adults (many of whom were originally in their schools back in the 50s) They provide training and continued education and they have a couple of group homes. It is a terrific organization run by people who really care.

So there are people and organizations that truly want to help. I think they probably have a better grasp on what is really needed than the local school systems.

[Labyrinthine]

My nephew is deaf. In all likelihood he was probably born deaf, although due to a number of events we will never know for sure. But we do know that he is currently deaf and was not diagnosed as deaf until he was 3 (prior to which they had diagnosed him with low functioning autism - which we now know he does not have). He is five and is delayed slightly in speech because he received his first implant last year. He is intelligent, socially above his peers and above his peers in all other aspects except verbally. In that area he is slightly behind but catching up rapidly. My sister was informed he may not attend school this year at the public school. They don't have the budget for a translator (for what, I'm not sure, he has an implant, he can hear and he speaks English) and since she cannot hire a private one he cannot go.

 

She is fighting this, but its too late for this year. I'm angry about this. But the boy in the original post? I can kind of see the school's perspective. Is this last year really going to help? And damn, that "teacher" is inept - why would you even want your child there?

[gemsnewday]

Tigz: Most school districts had some sort of segregated "special needs" school long ago, but due to regulations had to desegregate and bring those classrooms into the mainstream. I personally don't agree with mainstreaming unless the student is more capable and can actively participate with or without an aide (and not be disruptive). My son was not one of those, and they tried to include him in that mindset by requiring that he attend 15 minutes of "homeroom" each day. Most teachers and kids were great and included him to the extent he was able. It was the one teacher who excluded him from activities and parties in the class, forcing him and the aide to sit in the back and just watch the kids eat/drink have fun.

 

For every good group home that you find, or organization that is privately funded/funded by tuition/funded by grants, I can show you dozens of them that are just warehouse facilities. Nationwide. And the level of care is so poor and the residents are not treated well. The same applies to skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes).

 

The problem is that there is some misunderstanding, or miscommunication, that NCLB requires mainstreaming of all students. This was likely fueled by overzealous parents who wanted to make their children normal, coupled with the hope/wish/dream that somehow forcing the child to be around "normal" children would be the magic pill. It should be based on the student's ability to function in a given setting, and if a more restrictive setting is more appropriate for meeting that student's needs (self contained versus mainstreaming), then that is the placement the child should receive.

 

 

Lab:

 

This is kindergarten, right? They are denying him access to public school for Kinder? What are the school district requirements for students to attend Kindergarten in her city? they cannot discriminate against him due to "lack of funding" for an interpreter. It may not be too late for this year, especially if she can document they are discriminating admission based on disability (need? for an interpreter). She may be able to get extra help with him to make up for lost time (remediation) to help him catch up.

 

If she isn't already familiar with IDEA and her state's education statutes related to special education, then she should definitely get to work. I can tell you from 20 something years advocating for my son and others, this is just the beginning. If the parent doesn't know the requirements, they will be steamrollered by the districts. There are some that do the right thing, but most don't.

 

If he hears well with the implant, and does not need an interpreter (as determined and documented in writing by his physician or MD audiologist), then their argument is moot.

 

Here is a beginning reference site for her. She needs to go and look up her state's education laws and LEARN the parts that apply to persons classified as "Deaf". Then she needs to go through IDEA and learn the parts that apply to that classification. Unless Kindergarten is voluntary per state regs, (or regs state the district decides whether to have Kinder or not) they can't deny due to funding issues. That trick is as old as Moses.

 

Mom has to know what is required by law and fight to get what he needs.

 

www.wrightslaw.com

 

First stop: IDEA

 

they have links for IDEA and many other topics that will give her some direction. If you need help, feel free to PM. Hope this helps.

 

Gems

[Labyrinthine]

Hey Gems,

 

She is fighting. The biggest issue is she is livid that he has been labled "special ed." Educationally he is on track with his peers. He meets the standards to enter Kinder. He is communicative and she was willing to provide the teacher with the necessary equipment to communicate with him via his implant. The school is demanding he have a sign interpreter which makes NO sense since he doesn't know sign. He speaks.

 

But she is fighting, she's filed discrimination complaints. He'll be homeschooled this year. I think she should just continue to home school or private school him. This district is crap.

[Tigz]

Lab....
1. "Special Ed" does not necessarily mean that they are mentally deficient in some way. It means that the school "may" need to supplement his education or make for allowances.
Cochlear implants and hearing aids do not restore "normal" hearing. However, being that he is so young, this will become normal hearing for him and he will learn to adjust to it. (and probably already has).
However, he still may have problems with things like watching movies or in lecture situations as he gets older, which might require him to have someone take notes for him. (here is where having an IEP will come in handy).

About them wanting an interpreter.....they must have some screwed up paperwork somewhere, especially since he doesn't sign. Your sister is right to fight it tooth and nail. But if they won't let him in this year, it might be a good idea for her to home teach him and try to put him in the first grade next year so he won't be older than the other kids. If need be, they can move him back down.

[Labyrinthine]

I am aware that the implant doesn't restore normal hearing, but it is normal for him. He has had one for 2 years now and he "hears" perfectly fine.

 

As for "special ed" trust me when I tell you in this district it means disaster. He will be put in a different class, with students with mild to severe learning disabilities and he will never get out. The district is infamous for it. Its reprehensible and why she is fighting so hard against this designation. I could understand it if he didn't have the implant and didn't "hear" and didn't speak actively. But he does. He can learn just like every other student and deserves to be treated as such.

 

As it is, he is not going to be in the district this year. My sister won't allow it if it means he is designated special ed and they aren't budging. It looks like she might have to file with the courts since the district isn't budging.

[Tigz]

That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

I hope your sister is lawyered up, I know I would be.

[Echo_X]

There were a couple kids in my class who couldn't speak or express them selves at all.. Some of whom were a danger to them selves.. I remember there was this one kid who cut his face open with a piece of broken glass he found.. they rushed him to the hospital of course.. blood all running down his face and shirt... Half the time instead of actually teaching anything they would just give us crayons, glue, and Popsicle sticks... oh sure it was fun... didn't teach anyone anything though.. I remember asking to learn how to write cursive.. they told me no...my penmanship wasn't good enough... Come to think of it my penmanship still sucks..

 

Special Education is Geronimo . It's a place for the school to throw kids they don't want to deal with, and once you've been in special ed you aren't use to normal classroom environments which means you are *Admin removes vulgarity*ed on getting if you ever want to get out of it, and really *Admin removes vulgarity*ed if you actually do get out of it.

 

Yeah yeah Tigz. I know. It's my own fault for not having applied my self. My life and how much I've screwed it up is my own fault and I made my peace with that. But it doesn't change the fact that ultimately special education sets people up to fail. Unless they have changed it ALOT, it isn't "specialized education"... It's "big kid" daycare...