MyFox
 

Samantha Drake: My Thoughts, My Words, My Life

by samdrake from Missouri City, TX

Last Post 83 days, 19 hours Ago


Trouble at my son's school
May 1, 2008 | 7:28 AM
Category: News
Report This Post

     Just as a reminder I have a 6 year old kindergarten son who has autism. What prompted my series of blogs is his recent difficulties focusing and functioning at school. I was informed that my son was having some trouble with his behavior. He began displaying feelings of anger and aggression. When I received the notice I quickly began trying to work with the school to discuss options to tackle the unwanted behavior. I initially received quick responses to my e-mails and telephone calls. I was told that I would be informed within the week about a day where I could have an ARD.
     It is important for parents to know what their rights are. It is also the responsibility of the parent to make sure that the school does what they are supposed to do to educate your child. I have been trying to communicate with my son's school in order to have an ARD review for his behavior intervention program. I have yet to receive a response. I am frustrated with the faculty at Hunters Glen Elementary School. They have really dropped the ball with my son. I feel as though they are not knowledgable with dealing with children who have autism. Then they only respond to my e-mails when my son is behaving inappropriately. My main focus is finding out what triggers the inappropriate behavior in order to prevent the outbursts. The approach the school seems to be trying to implement is wait until there is a problem and then react. This is unacceptable.

7 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 7
Page 1 of 1
mcpoohbear1 read my blog
May 1, 2008 | 2:41 PM

The deal with schools is they can't ignore you if you show up and get in their faces.My daughter needed to be tested for dislexia and the school refused to answer any of my e-mails or return any of my phone calls.One day I just showed up and requested to be seen by the principal. When I was finished (politely)voiceing my concerns we filled out the nessicary papers and my daughter was tested the next day.They can't ignore you if you don't let them.
Foehammer read my blog view my photos
May 1, 2008 | 3:54 PM

I have to agree with you there. I had to have a talk with the principal at my daughter's school this year as well. Phone calls were never returned and letters were never answered. But when you walk in...it's a entire new ball game.
petsareus read my blog view my photos
May 2, 2008 | 11:20 AM

My oldest daughter had testing done in RI and had dyslexia and other problems. She was reading at a fourth grade level. We moved to Texas all school paperwork transferred and it was a fight until she graduated. She graduated from Cy-Fair High school at a 4th grade reading level, never learned cursive writing. Every ARD was a fight, the principle at Arnold middle school said we need to send your other child to High School just so we never have to deal with you anymore. It seems nearly impossible to get the schools to do what they are told. It is a fight all the time. My daughter is very successful now making good money. Beware the system is not in your favor unless you learn your rights. Need help let me know. Many of the principles don't care nor the teachers, but there are ways to make them do as they are told. I learned that especially dealing with my son whom has a severe case of Down;s syndrome. They also have a form of autism. I proved neglect and abuse with him. When I arrived in TX we got the paperwork with proof of neglect from the state of Ma. It also happened in one teacher in the school and the principal just ignored the proof and guess what the teacher got a promotion to work in the special education department. It has been a fight with my son for years even though I love the special school he is in there are still issues, at the last ARD meeting it was still necessary to bring up state standards for these children. Learn them!!! Even when I walk in the schools they pretend to agree but still do their own thing!!!!!!
I-RIGHT-I view my photos
May 2, 2008 | 2:42 PM

Public education was never intended to handle special needs children. It's not fair to anyone.
petsareus read my blog view my photos
May 2, 2008 | 6:56 PM

this message is for I-RIGHT-I look up the word public, since when is an education nt fair, in your world all the children would be perfect sit there like robots and never have a problem.
Take a moment and look around you no is perfect including you and this ignorant response you left
PBMom read my blog view my photos
May 3, 2008 | 12:12 AM

I-Right-I is repeating this theme on many other blogs.

Have you been to Wrightslaw.com yet?

Remember this: If it isn't written, it wasn't said. I wouldn't count on email. Very few school districts have regulations regarding email being part of the child's school record, so if you are formally requesting an ARD, put it in writing, and you can do one of two things -- Wrightslaw recommends handing it to someone, and you take the person's name who you handed to. I prefer return receipt requested. If you ever wind up in mediation or due process, you'll need paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. If you discuss something on the phone, follow it up with a letter reviewing what was said in the conversation and what action they said they would take within X time period. Wrightslaw's book From Emotions to Advocacy has great samples of good letters to write.
samdrake read my blog
May 3, 2008 | 2:48 AM

PBMom I absolutely have been to the Wrightslaw web page. My next two blongs will be about the importnace of documentation and different programs and services that I have found helpful in my struggle with autism. I have been keeping track of every e-mail I've sent out and I copy them to different members on my son's "education team".

As for I-Right-I,I understand that he/she is suffering from a inferiority complex which causes him/her to behave inappropriately in order to get attention. From here on out I will not respond to the ignorace. For all I know I-Right-I is a "special needs" individual him/herself. I would say that by his/her inability to communicate and behave in a socially acceptable manner shows that he may be displaying some autistic characteristics him/herself. Ignorace isn't always bliss. I'm sure they have some painful situation that they are dealing with and so lashing out at individuals who are innocent is the easiest way to handle the pain. The sad part is that nobody cares about the comments being made, they simply show the ignorace stored in his/her mind, body, and soul.
Page 1 of 1


Write your comment below:




samdrake

My name is Samantha Drake and I'm a 24 year old college student and mother. I currently attend the University of Phoenix-online. I will be graduating with my BS in Psychology in June. My son, Marquell, is 6 years old and has autism. He was diagnosed in early August. We started testing him when his speach was not developing at the normal rate. He has had speach therapy since he was about 4 years old and it has been an uphill battle from there. I know that with time everything will get better but until then we are working together until that time comes.

Member Since: 5/1/2008


 

RSS: XMLWhat is RSS?