Getting No Where Fast | Autism PDD

Give yourself a big pat on the back...BRAVO!!!

Here's the list:

MasonsMom,

 Since in the same classroom isnt an option for you-what is the school suggesting? Have you researched what else is out there?

 I know how you are feeling-I was at this stage awhile back with my sons school-not trusting anyone...Its a lonely place to be. You feel you are all alone and they just keep pushing you down so to speak...I sooo know how you are feeling......

What helped me was to get some letters going-that way they know you mean business. That way it wasnt just me being bombed in a meeting-my emotions didnt get in the way and I could rationalise everything. My letter went to the spec ed director and I got an apoligy letter and a "we will make it right" deal now :)

This is what I think you should do-it will get their attention and they will then HAVE to figure something out. I think you could just say something like you feel it is a safety issue etc, and you as a parent do not feel comforteable with this teacher  etc. Tell them you are willing to work with them in helping them figure out an alternative-kwim? Tell them you would appreciate their response back in writting....

Do you have any type of Disability Center or Parent Center in your state-they dont have to be near you. I had no idea until I looked them up online. They have been advising me and that way I at least know that the law is on my side alot of the times. I hav enever even met the people, yet they have been suggesting thinsg and have been extremelly helpful when i dont knwo where else to turn.

  Try and find somthing online like that.

Dont give up fighting for your child MasonsMom-you know in your gut that what you saw was wrong. Let that Momma bear come out-but do it in a way that will GET their attention.  Hang in there-it will get better-Im proof that a disasterous situation can turning ard :)

  Good luck and keep us posted.

   Love ya,

    Tammy 

Mason's Mom- I am so sorry that you are going through this and still haven't come to a resolution with the school.  I know you are frustrated for what you saw and the position your son was put in.  I can only imagine how horrifid you were walking in and seeing your son being treated that way.  I am hurting for you and Mason that there can't be a "fix" so that he can get back in school.  I am going to tell you somethings, speaking from a teacher's point of view.  BUT, I am in no way implying that I think you are wrong or should just give it up.  I do think, however, that in order for you to come to terms as to why the school won't admit you saw something wrong being done, you are going to have to accept some "unofficial, unspoken school/teacher rules."  Again, I'm not saying accept them and put your son back in the classroom.  You have stood your ground and demanded a new placement and it looks like you are probably going to get that.

I have witnessed this same situation happen to a co-worker before, now i wasn't in the situation so I couldn't comment on what happened or didn't happen.  But I do know that school officials questioned everybody in the class (aides) at the time the parent said this happened.  They also questioned the teacher and heard what the parent had to say.  The school determined that what the parent saw was simply not what was happening.  It was taken out of context by the parent.  If this school stands up and even so much as hints that they think this teacher did something wrong, then the school has the responsibility of fixing that problem and repremanding the teacher.  I am not saying I don't think the teacher did something wrong, but in the school's eyes she didn't and they will never, ever wavier from that thinking.  They can't let on that she did something wrong, but continue to leave kids in her care.  I believe this is why you are getting the run around about the teacher's actions from everybody at the school.  This is why nobody's is owning up to the fact that maybe what you saw was not the best behavior for a teacher or para pro.  But if they admit they think that, a whole new can of worms opens up for the school system. 

I do think it's wrong that a school, any school, would rather protect it's image than it's children.  But they have obviously decided to stand beside this teacher and claim she did nothing wrong, period, bottom line.  Instead of dwelling on the fact that you saw your son being bullied and the school not accepting that, forget about it. Forget about that teacher, write her off, stand your ground and continue to demand a new placement.  Stop putting your energy and attention on this teacher and what she did and not owning up to it and spend that time and energy getting him a new placement.

I've not come accross this situation before.  In the situation I witnessed, the system met with the parents and discussed the findings of talking with the teacher and the pare pros and their side of the story.  The teacher was given some guidelines to follow in the future should she come accross that same behavior and how she would handle it, and the child returned to the classroom.  I don't know what happens when  parent continues to demand a new placement and not send their child to a particular class.  But I'll guess we'll find out because that is what you are going to do.  Continue to advocate for your son and his safe placement.  They have to provide something.  They can't MAKE you send him somewhere you don't want to.

Did you ever write a letter asking for home bound services until this matter is resolved.  Because they haven't resolved this and his is still out of school, the system is liable for providing his services anyway.  You need to send them a letter tomorrow stating that he has missed X amount of days and you expected it to be resolved before now.  You are seeing that it is taking longer than you first expected and you are requesting home bound services for Mason until he can return to school.  They have to do this so fight for that to. You are letting them get away with his education.

Keep us updated!!!