Post by Joy on Oct 17, 2008 22:29:09 GMT -5
So I walk into the fabulous A+ elementary school that has promised a prime education experience for my son Mason, for what I thought was a routine IEP meeting. The school had called me the day before because mason went into Sensory overload in the cafeteria and another student got hurt,, so I wanted to make sure and address this and see about how much OT time he was getting and if it needed to be adjusted. What I walked into was a complete ambush, disguised behind false smiles and fake sympathy. The picture they painted of my child was horrific. According to them, he had been terrorizing the class. He was aggressive, abusive, and violent. He was kicking, hitting, biting and spitting on other students and they were at their wits ends with him. I was shocked. Not once in the 2 months that he was there had I gotten a note, a phone call, a conference request indicating that he was out of control. I would pick him up in the afternoon and his teacher would open the car door for him and say "He had a great day, mom! see you tomorrow" In addition, the OT present at the meeting said she had only seen him once and that was simply for observance and he was perfect model behaviour. Now I'm told that he is knocking over the other childrens blocks, attacking other students when they come near the teacher and pulling the fire alarm. Every other caretaker that he's ever had, has given me nothing but glowing reports of his co operative and loving attitude toward everyone. I didn't know what to say.
1)What has happened in this 2 month period that has completely sent him over the edge?
2) If he was as horrible as they say he was, why was it not documented and i was not informed immediately?
3)Why did the teacher and director of the Exceptional Children program keep knocking down and disregarding every suggestion and explanation intended to help the situation?
I have never met the child they described to me. After 2 1/2 hours of debate, the principal looked at me and said that they did not have the experience or training to deal with Mason's needs and it might be in his best interest if I sent him to a special ed class at another school across town. I feel deceived and manipulated. I wasn't aware when we all sat down in the previous spring preparing for his arrival into the school that not one single person under that roof knew anything about taking on an autistic child. His main teacher said that the special ed teacher "stole her thunder" because it was her that sat with him one on one and taught him how to spell his name. My request for more OT and a Behavioral Assessment Report as well as a personal helper to deal with him one on one in the class room was met with negative response. So now they want me to put him in a class with other children that have equal if not worse behaviour problems with a low expectation of success. (I have a friend who works there, she's upset they want him to enter her class) In addition I got the "if his behaviour doesn't improve we may have to suspend him to protect the other children in his class" speech.
Moral of the story, Educators are not always educated. I am asking, no begging, for help in encouraging this school to hire a one on one helper with autistic experience to be with Mason thru out the school day. This would help keep him in a mainstream setting while he is transitioning and learning proper social skills. The principal was an advocate of this but was met with opposition. If you could just take 5 minutes out of your schedule and drop him an email, praising him for his efforts and encouraging him to continue to push for the necessary help needed to bring Mason to his full potential. If he knows that he has the support of others, he will be more inclined to insist the school board comply to whatever it takes to allow Mason to stay in the school that he is now accustomed to. Please, please, please, help me.
Principals name: Trevor Putnam Principal of Central Elementary, Waynesville, NC
email-- tputnam@haywood.k12.nc.us
thank you for your assistance and help
Joy
1)What has happened in this 2 month period that has completely sent him over the edge?
2) If he was as horrible as they say he was, why was it not documented and i was not informed immediately?
3)Why did the teacher and director of the Exceptional Children program keep knocking down and disregarding every suggestion and explanation intended to help the situation?
I have never met the child they described to me. After 2 1/2 hours of debate, the principal looked at me and said that they did not have the experience or training to deal with Mason's needs and it might be in his best interest if I sent him to a special ed class at another school across town. I feel deceived and manipulated. I wasn't aware when we all sat down in the previous spring preparing for his arrival into the school that not one single person under that roof knew anything about taking on an autistic child. His main teacher said that the special ed teacher "stole her thunder" because it was her that sat with him one on one and taught him how to spell his name. My request for more OT and a Behavioral Assessment Report as well as a personal helper to deal with him one on one in the class room was met with negative response. So now they want me to put him in a class with other children that have equal if not worse behaviour problems with a low expectation of success. (I have a friend who works there, she's upset they want him to enter her class) In addition I got the "if his behaviour doesn't improve we may have to suspend him to protect the other children in his class" speech.
Moral of the story, Educators are not always educated. I am asking, no begging, for help in encouraging this school to hire a one on one helper with autistic experience to be with Mason thru out the school day. This would help keep him in a mainstream setting while he is transitioning and learning proper social skills. The principal was an advocate of this but was met with opposition. If you could just take 5 minutes out of your schedule and drop him an email, praising him for his efforts and encouraging him to continue to push for the necessary help needed to bring Mason to his full potential. If he knows that he has the support of others, he will be more inclined to insist the school board comply to whatever it takes to allow Mason to stay in the school that he is now accustomed to. Please, please, please, help me.
Principals name: Trevor Putnam Principal of Central Elementary, Waynesville, NC
email-- tputnam@haywood.k12.nc.us
thank you for your assistance and help
Joy