? about school, please help me - Autism Spectrum Message Board

concerned mama · 09-02-2004, 01:06 PM

I'm new here, and I need your help. I have a 9 year old son who has always had problems in school and at home. We've had numerous meetings with the school principal teachers etc. and have recieved no help. His teachers 1-3 grade all have a different opinion on what he could have ( inattentive add, asperger's syndrome, learning disibillity). Last school year in 3rd grade after fighting with the school for 3 years the school psychologists tested him for a learning disibilty. He said that they're was a discrepency in my son son's school work compared to his test scores, so that meant he didn't have a learning disiblity. The psychologists was rude,and only spent a few minutes talking to my son so how could he know this. Last school year my PCP also referred him to a neurologist, he is running a fragile x , and 3 other tests on him, he also referred him for a neuro assesment. We're still waiting on this because these specialists all have waiting lists up to 3 months. Mean while we've started a new school year, and again the school will not do anything to help him. Some of the paperwork we have from our visit to the neurologists says that he may have a devolopmental delay. Yet the school says that this is not a disibilty and that they will not hire an aide just to help him. We have a SSt meeting with the school on the 20th of this month, and we usually feel intimidated at these meetings, what kind of questions should I ask, should I have someone that knows about disibilties go with me? Should my son see a different specialists or are neurologist the ones that usually diagnose children with these types of disibities. I know this is long, but this is the 4th school year dealing with this. I am so frustrated I don't know what to do, I'm so happy I found this message board. We live in a smal town, and I didn't know where else to turn. TIA

concerned mama · 09-02-2004, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by concerned mama

I'm new here, and I need your help. I have a 9 year old son who has always had problems in school and at home. We've had numerous meetings with the school principal teachers etc. and have recieved no help. His teachers 1-3 grade all have a different opinion on what he could have ( inattentive add, asperger's syndrome, learning disibillity). Last school year in 3rd grade after fighting with the school for 3 years the school psychologists tested him for a learning disibilty. He said that they're was a discrepency in my son son's school work compared to his test scores, so that meant he didn't have a learning disiblity. The psychologists was rude,and only spent a few minutes talking to my son so how could he know this. Last school year my PCP also referred him to a neurologist, he is running a fragile x , and 3 other tests on him, he also referred him for a neuro assesment. We're still waiting on this because these specialists all have waiting lists up to 3 months. Mean while we've started a new school year, and again the school will not do anything to help him. Some of the paperwork we have from our visit to the neurologists says that he may have a devolopmental delay. Yet the school says that this is not a disibilty and that they will not hire an aide just to help him. We have a SSt meeting with the school on the 20th of this month, and we usually feel intimidated at these meetings, what kind of questions should I ask, should I have someone that knows about disibilties go with me? Should my son see a different specialists or are neurologist the ones that usually diagnose children with these types of disibities. I know this is long, but this is the 4th school year dealing with this. I am so frustrated I don't know what to do, I'm so happy I found this message board. We live in a smal town, and I didn't know where else to turn. TIA

sylvia32 · 09-02-2004, 04:14 PM

Hi my name is Sylvia. I was just wondering if you got the help you needed. I have a son who is also 9 years old. He has Autisum, and you would not believe what me and my husband went through the first two years he was in school. But i don't have any problems now. I learned a few things along the way. So if you still need help let me know Sylvia

ang64063 · 09-03-2004, 11:33 AM

Okay, first of all you need to get your child throughly evaluated. If you have a Hospital that has a department for developmental and behavioral sciences or a psychatrist that specializes in special needs kids that is close by, I would recommend you start there and see if they evaluate him. I know that it may take a while to get him in, but the sooner that you can get him in the better off you will be. You may even find that if the doctor has cancelations, you may be able to get in sooner that you had expected.

Second of all, the school cannot do anything for him until you get that diagnosis. Once you have a diagnosis, call the school and set up and IEP (Individual Education Plan) meeting for him. At that time they should have done their evaluation and will have some knowledge of what services he needs and is qualified to receive.

As for having someone come to the meeting with you and questions you should ask. I would take notes on the things that you see at home that he needs to work on (social skills, physical therapy, ocupational therapy, speech, things he can't do that other kids his age can, etc) and ask them if they can help him with these things. And as for having someone with you, you can always hire a lawyer or a child advocate to go with you. If you child sees any other specialists ask them to come to the meeting, you may have to pay them for their time, but if you feel that you cannot get the services you need, it may be worth the money.

sunnybrook · 09-03-2004, 11:34 AM

Hi Tia,

Welcome to the boards. I have a son that is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade he has Aspergers Syndrome and ADHD. I can understand your frustration with the schools.
Once your neurologist completes his evaluation that will help; they have to provide services if a doctor finds he has a developmental delay. One thing I have found out though is one of the hardest services to get is a one on one aide. Depending on your sons needs some possible services to ask for are occupational therapy ( helps with motor skills and sensory issues) , and speech. I hope this meeting goes better for you and that they start providing the help your son needs. Best of wishes to your family.