WE DID IT! WE CHALLENGED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WE WON. WOO-HOO!!!!!
We have been going back and forth for months and months with evaluations and meetings and a whole lot of in your face, "Um, No" 's.
I know Aaron is someone that avoids confrontation at all costs- he grew up this way and he actually does that now for a living, he is the peacemaker of the Insurance Claims world. Well, fortunately, I am am NOT. I don't work for anyone except for my son and I love a good fight. I can think quickly on my feet and I love to read and educate myself on subjects that put me in a position of power. Unfortunately that is exactly what is needed, POWER.
Education is POWER and I knew that from the get-go. The school district is a bureaucracy and they assume you know nothing. They make sure they hand you a little tiny pamphlet that has basic information on it as to where to go to obtain information on your rights (not your actual rights of course because they don't want you to find that out easily!!) They make you sign saying that you received said pamphlet, and that is that.
I think I purchased every book I could find on special education law in Ohio and the rights of Autistic children under IDEA(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)- which is the law used to provide a child with Autism a special education. I attended support groups and seminars on how to navigate and beat the system. I learned how productive a special education attorney can be and I now know where to turn if I ever need for consultation again. I spoke with parents with children of all ages that have beat the system. I basically decided I wasn't going to be railroaded..EVER. I will hold the cards and never settle for anything less. I will be objective and consider the opinion of school "experts", but I will never let them sway my decisions, as I know they are opinions backed by money and time, NOT the best interest of NATE. I will try not to burn bridges along the way- but I now know they see me comin. I have set a precedence of what is to be expected and they will be begging to work with Aaron instead..hehehe. I look at it this way...they will hate me. They will roll their eyes. They will be annoyed by my letters, my insistence, and my interjections. BUT..they will eventually respect me. They will some day see that I am involved with my child. I have dedicated my adult life to his education and care and I will push everyone around me to help Nate be all that he is capable of being. I will settle for nothing less.
We are not supposed to talk about our IEP meetings..specifically...but I will say that Nate is getting speech therapy multiple times a week, with a therapist that is going to become part of our team. She will coordinate all our programs so that they are a cohesive and consistent across all therapists. Nate will also we taught by therapists trained in the fields of Autism, American Sign Language, and Picture Exchange Communication. Nate will also be in a room free of all food and animal allergens. He will be under the care of staff trained in the administration of his emergency medications.
We are optimistic about the upcoming school year. Our goal is to main stream Nate in 2011/2012. We are well on our way to getting there. Cross your fingers for Nateman and send him encouragement. He is facing an uphill battle and he needs all the help he can get.
We have been going back and forth for months and months with evaluations and meetings and a whole lot of in your face, "Um, No" 's.
I know Aaron is someone that avoids confrontation at all costs- he grew up this way and he actually does that now for a living, he is the peacemaker of the Insurance Claims world. Well, fortunately, I am am NOT. I don't work for anyone except for my son and I love a good fight. I can think quickly on my feet and I love to read and educate myself on subjects that put me in a position of power. Unfortunately that is exactly what is needed, POWER.
Education is POWER and I knew that from the get-go. The school district is a bureaucracy and they assume you know nothing. They make sure they hand you a little tiny pamphlet that has basic information on it as to where to go to obtain information on your rights (not your actual rights of course because they don't want you to find that out easily!!) They make you sign saying that you received said pamphlet, and that is that.
I think I purchased every book I could find on special education law in Ohio and the rights of Autistic children under IDEA(Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)- which is the law used to provide a child with Autism a special education. I attended support groups and seminars on how to navigate and beat the system. I learned how productive a special education attorney can be and I now know where to turn if I ever need for consultation again. I spoke with parents with children of all ages that have beat the system. I basically decided I wasn't going to be railroaded..EVER. I will hold the cards and never settle for anything less. I will be objective and consider the opinion of school "experts", but I will never let them sway my decisions, as I know they are opinions backed by money and time, NOT the best interest of NATE. I will try not to burn bridges along the way- but I now know they see me comin. I have set a precedence of what is to be expected and they will be begging to work with Aaron instead..hehehe. I look at it this way...they will hate me. They will roll their eyes. They will be annoyed by my letters, my insistence, and my interjections. BUT..they will eventually respect me. They will some day see that I am involved with my child. I have dedicated my adult life to his education and care and I will push everyone around me to help Nate be all that he is capable of being. I will settle for nothing less.
We are not supposed to talk about our IEP meetings..specifically...but I will say that Nate is getting speech therapy multiple times a week, with a therapist that is going to become part of our team. She will coordinate all our programs so that they are a cohesive and consistent across all therapists. Nate will also we taught by therapists trained in the fields of Autism, American Sign Language, and Picture Exchange Communication. Nate will also be in a room free of all food and animal allergens. He will be under the care of staff trained in the administration of his emergency medications.
We are optimistic about the upcoming school year. Our goal is to main stream Nate in 2011/2012. We are well on our way to getting there. Cross your fingers for Nateman and send him encouragement. He is facing an uphill battle and he needs all the help he can get.
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