Teacher's aids

Has anyone with an AS child had luck getting their kidlet an aid for the classroom-my school seems to have trouble following my son's IEP, so he gets frustrated and is suspended from school constantly.

Michelle, Hi, as far as I know your son can't be suspended from school because of his disablity. I would fight the school for an aid for your son. If they are not following your son's IEP, then you need to ask to have it reopened. Fight them!! A good friend of mine has a web sight and is pretty up on the laws. www.autismlink.com I wish you all the best!! Kristin

Thanks Kristin, I'll definately take a look at that.

Hi Michelle, I am a volunteer parent advocate and also mommy to a 7-year-old high-functioning/high-maintenance PDD-NOS boy! You need to request (in writing) that the IEP team hold a "manifestation hearing" which will determine whether your child's behaviors are the result of his disability. If it is agreed that the behaviors are stemming from the disability, they CANNOT continue to suspend him. Instead, they must work on developing a "Behavioral Intervention Plan" which addresses the antecedents and consequences of his behaviors. In other words, they must investigate to find what triggers his behaviors and work up ways to address and extinguish the behaviors. You may want to request (again, in writing) a "Functional Behavior Assessment" which is where the school takes actual data on setting/participants/triggers/outcome over a period of days. (NOTE: You also might want to consider bringing in an outsider to do this as most school personnel are not truly qualified to take this data objectively in my opinion.) Each state has Parent Information and Training Centers to assist you in this process, with volunteer or paid advocates. Try doing a google search for your state and PITC and see what comes up. If you have problems finding your center, I will be happy to help you locate. -BJ

CALIFORNIA Parent Information and Training Centers: Exceptional Parents Unlimited 4440 N 1st Street Fresno, CA 93726 (559) 229-2000 (559) 229-2956 (fax) [email protected] Parents Helping Parents of Santa Clara 3041 Olcott Street Santa Clara, CA 95054-3222 (408) 727-5775 (408) 727-7655 (TDD) (408) 727-0182 (fax) [email protected] DREDF 2212 Sixth Street Berkeley, CA 94710 (800) 466-4232 (510) 644-2555 (TDD available) (510) 841-8645 (fax) [email protected] Matrix 94 Galli Drive, Suite C Novato, CA 94949 (415) 884-3535 (415) 884-3555 (fax) 1-800-578-2592 [email protected] Support for Families of Children with Disabilities 2601 Mission #710 San Francisco, CA 94110-3111 (415) 282-7494 (415) 282-1226 (fax) [email protected]

I also have a son with AS-I had trouble getting him special ed, but I found that requesting a congressional review did wonders to get things moving. Get in touch with your local US congressman and your US Senators. If you have good ones, you will see feathers fly trying to help you. I know you posted this almost a month ago, but I thought you might find it helpful-Dana Hornby