desperate help needed for meeting tomorrow - Autism Spectrum Message Board

peebswear · 09-17-2002, 03:12 PM

We just moved to South Carolina and are having trouble getting my high functioning autistic 4 1/2 yr old the services she needs. At first we were told she would be bussed to a larger school in the county, but in the meantime they wanted her to start here. She's in a full day 4 yr old kindergarten and is not receiving any services. The teacher has been complaining that she's throwing off the make up of the class and sent a not home today saying that I was expected at the school for a meeting tomorrow. I want to come armed w/ information on what services she should be receiving thru the school, but do not know the school systems that well here. She was receiving 10 hrs of one on one in addition to a 3 day half day preschool before we moved. Can anyone give us some advice and also let me know what services your child receives through the public school district? Thanks so much for listening to my panicked rambling.

miseryweeps · 09-17-2002, 05:11 PM

It is not about what she is entitled to recieve through the school district. it's about wht she is entitled to through the state and fedeal education programs. She's 4, so she still qualifies under Head Start if she is special needs. Look at your state's education department's site and look for special populations. It will tell you about what she is entitled to. In Texas, however, the school districts have to have a certain number of elgible students to have to be required to provide services in their district. Therefore they do have the right to advise a student go to another district. Check out the site. If the meeting is after 9 or 10 am that gives you a few hours to CALL the education department and speak with someone who can help you out more...Good luck. Let us know what happens.

Nicksmom · 09-17-2002, 06:08 PM

first off....a days notice is not enough time to plan on what your child needs. Go into your meeting tommarrow and see what they have to say and then tell them you want to set up an IEP meeting. Then you need to get an advocate because schools don't always comply and it's very stressfull. It took me a year to fight for occupational therapy twice a week, a behavioral therapist, and a private aid. My son was a little hyper and distrupted the class and I had complaint everyday. I told them if they cannot handle my son, I want him to have a private aid. That aid was taught how to calm him and when he was distrupting the class, instead of making him live on time out...she would take him into the office where we kepted a mini trampoline so he can get all his energy out and frustrations....by doing that for 5 min. he would calm down. But that is my son...you need to figure out what helps your child focus and calm down and have that put into her IEP so the school can work with her.