Hello, I am a parent of 4 children and my oldest is 10 yrs. old and has autism. He has had the same paraprofessional (aide) for 5 years now. She is wonderful with him and really is like a second mom to him. I have just found out that our school has not rehired her for this upcoming school year. I find this devastating. I am really afraid my son will be set back and stop talking again. He has just really started talking this last school year. His progess has been amazing and it is due alot to his aide. She works very hard with him. It seems to me that she does more of his teaching than his teachers do. I do not know the laws or what I can do about this. I know the school has to provide his education and his aide, but what about taking this one away from him. I have told them they can't just change things on him without prediction, but apparently all my talking has done no good. I do not believe they thought about the stress this is going to cause my son. They are distoying his world. Please can anyone help me?

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I really am not sure how much this will help. I do not have this issue. I would simply explain to them how important routine is for children with this specific diagnosis. Maybe you could find a psycologist to come in and speak on his behalf. You could also try to find an advocate that would help fight for what is best for your child. I am not sure how your school system works, but here, I have an agency I can call and they send an advocate with me. I am in a fight right now for individual speech therepy, They assigned me an advocate because they know how to work the system better than I do. Good luck. I hope you get her back!!!
Joanne

Thanks so much for your reply. Since I posted I got in touch with MPACT and they have instructed me on how to address the board and they will also go with me to our IEP. My sons family doctor has also written a letter to our school board on my sons behalf. I will present our case to the board on July 24th. MPACT informed me that there is nothing I can do legally, to get her back, but if I can get the board to see our side and understand more about Autism maybe they will change their mind. I have a cordinator from our local Regional Center and she attends our IEP's with me. The board really blind sided us with this one. Thanks again. I am glad to get any idea that might help.

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Last year my daughter lose the aid she had had for years. The aid requested to go with her but the school wont let her.She was wonderful with her. I know how you feel have you talked to the school board meembers.?

I am do to speak to the school board on July 24th. I am typing up a letter to give to each board member with the definition of autism and introducing my son personally. This will follow with my reasons for wanting my sons aide to stay with him. I also have letters of concern from his specialist, family doctor and therapist. I am hoping this does some good, but I won't count on it. Did they replace your childs aide or just take them away completely? Thanks for your comments. I am glad to know I am not alone with these battles.

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Hi,
If your child has an IEP than you can request her
to be your childs aide. I did with all of her therapist. And now my child will be going to kindergarden I request her aide and they had to do it. This was due to her routine that had to be followed everyday. I hope this helps!

Crystal

I feel like there is nothing I can do now. I went to the school board and did not rehirer her. I requested they put their decision in writing. So I have that. I don't feel like they listened to anything I had to say. I even had letters from my sons specialist and therapist telling them that this was not a good idea. That routine was very important. They choose to ignore this. I don't know what to do now. My sons IEP states he is to have a full time para, but doesn't specify whom. I never thought they would do this. I wonder if i can sue for endangering my child. The para they have hired has no training what so ever with autism. Please, does anyone have any ideas on what I should do next.

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Hello,

Have you tried talking with the "Head Honcho" in the Special Ed Department of your school district? If not...try this. If this doe's not help try the Special Ed Department in your state. There should be someone there who can help. Just keep climbing the ladder until someone helps and don't give up.

Rachel



[This message has been edited by *Rachel K* (edited 08-04-2003).]

I am so sorry to hear your news. I cannot beleive they have assigned your child to someone with no experience. What, is your child their guinea pig? I really have no experience with this issue. My suggestion would be to scream it from the rooftops. Let everyone know!!! Tell the papers, the news channels, anyone that will listen. Schools do not like to be in the news. The squeeky wheel always gets the grease. It is really auwful that we have to play dirty sometimes. I do not want to get you into any trouble with the schhols. I am not sure of any legal actions you can take. I am sure showing up to the school with an attorney is not only legal, but very intimidating to the school board. Maybe give that a try. After all, what can it hurt?? I am also going to ask my care manager about this. She has been fighting the school boards a lot longer than I have. Hang in there and good luck!!!
Joanne

Have you asked why they did not rehire the original aide and why they hired the one they did? I would get this response in writing too. There may have been a legitimate employment reason that is being kept private or it may be that the Board replaced her with a lower paid employee because of her lack of experience. If this is the case then I would try again by asking if your son's well being really is worth a specific $$ amount saved.

This may not be a popular answer, but they may be concerned that your child will become too dependent on that particular aide. Sometimes we like to stay in the same routine just like our child does because it makes life easier, but if we allow the child to always stay in the same routine are we teaching them that things are always going to stay the same. It might be helpful to allow the child to meet the aide several weeks before school. Also, letting the child know what to expect and that this will be a different person but that person wants to help you too and so forth. Just a suggestion.

[This message has been edited by cutup (edited 08-19-2003).]