"How do you get the most of the public education program for your autistic child?"

How old is your child?  If he is not yet school aged, he is entitled to federally funded intervention from birth (or whenever diagnosis is made) to age 22 and sometimes beyond.

 

StopAutismNow ( I think that is how to type it in) is a very informative and helpful website.  Educate yourself about autism and your rights as a parent and your child's rights. 

 

School districts are normally very willing to meet the needs of all children.  If you find you are having difficulty, gently ask for more testing or for written explanations of their IEP (Individualized Education Plan).  Be sure to request layman's terms because the med-speak can be altogether confusing.  If you do not think that your child is getting something that he/she should be, then request it.  See if it is possible.  The worst they can do is say no.

 

Special Ed. Laws are very specific and identifying needs and/or interventions is also very specific. It can be frustrating for both parents and educators.    Educate yourself about interventions that are appropriate for your child and take them in writing to your school.  Start with the classroom teacher (they will greatly appreciate it) and then go to the principal or specialist.  Get written recommendations from your doctor.  Whenever you give something in writing, keep a copy. 

 

If you establish a good working relationship with your school, you will be your child's best advocate.  And the school district will be more willing to listen to you if you are positive and agreeable.  But don't drop the ball.  Keep in close contact with school.  I recommend checking in at least by phone once a week, and in person once or twice a month. 

 

By the way...I am a teacher, not a parent of an autistic child.  I have had the distinct pleasure of working with autistic children many times, and it has been my joy to do so.  All of the things I have suggested are within your rights. 

 

May God bless you, your child and the rest of your family.

We have had an interesting journey with our Autistic son in a public school.
I would say that the best advice I got from another parent is a support group was, "Do not go in uninformed or prepared".  When you have any meetings about your child and any concerns you have, document different examples of the difficulties your child is having.  If their language is unusual, write down exactly what they have said.  If it is fine and grosse motor issues, record the times when your child has had problems and his or her reaction after finding something difficult.  Do they give up easily, or not try something for fear it might be too hard.  Also record unusual or concerning behaviours from home so that you can see if the child's behaviour is consistent at school and at home.  Sometimes the autistic child puts so much effort into behaving at school, that they melt down once they get home.  Keep all these examples so it gives your child's case workers a better idea of who you child is.  Also, go into meetings not only with your concerns, but offer some solutions.  I have found out that my child wont eat the lunches I pack, but he was sitting with his teacher eating the pecans and almonds the teacher brought for lunch.  So I offered to pack nuts for him to share with his teacher or give the teacher a packet of nuts a week to help supplement his lunch.  If it is motor issues, ask if an Occupational Therapist has been scheduled to see him.  Buy him triangular pencils to use if the school doesn't supply them.(Faber Castell make some fantastic ones in thick and thin)   Our son needed left handed scissors, a small thing, but easy for me to do to make the work he does for his teacher easier.  Have a diary between the teacher and you, so if your child has had a bad morning, the teacher can have heads up before he gets into the day, he can also let you know of any  issues have come up through the day. If he needs visual prompts velcroed to his table, buy the sticky back velcro and offer to laminate and cut out the cards for the prompts.  If the school has said that they will supply a laptop or quickpad, follow it up.  Ensure they know that you are chasing them for your child's support.  Make sure any changes to your child's Negotiated Education Plan are done only with your knowledge and support.  Most of our public schools have great teams to work with our kids, and show a lot of love and care for the parents who need their support.  But I have also found that there are a handful of bods, maybe even one, who think they can make decisions on your behalf and not tell you.  After fighting with this situation for almost 18 months, I was told that because my son was not violent, he was not a priority.  I thought that because he had not produced written work in this time period, that he WAS a priority.  So, we transfered to a new public school, and before the term was half way through, he had classroom support and meetings with Autism SA set up to update his NEP.  I get follow up on any situations that have come up through the day and follow up on any suggestions they may have for me to do to make things easier like appointments with Behavioural Optometrists and Peadiatritions. Show them that you are actively involved and interested.  If you show this, then they are more than happy to go out of their way to help you.

These books have been fantastic for me to get people to understand autism. I highly recommend them.

I raised a handicaped child he was not autestic but I new several familys who had a child with autisism. They had disasters in public schools at the time. It is better now but not much. Many school districts will pay for a autistic child to go to a special needs school . Many do not. Our school district does and we had many families move her just for that benifit.

 

As you must know unless the child is socialized and the autisism broken down so they may interact  in public, public school is impossible. Children are cruel and any one different will be made fun of. My son had both mental and physical disabilities from C.P.He could function but had a hard time. The school could not meet his needs totally and I am sorry that I did not send him to private school. He did not want to go to a special needs school, he said he did not want to be differnet. It breaks your heart. So my advice is to go to a school that can do as much as possible for your child. I wish you the best

This is an outstanding website with lots of information about special ed issues.  Mr. Wright is a lawyer and parent advocate.  The only way to get the best education for your child is to be educated about the process, IDEA, NCLB, and your state laws.  You will find a wealth of information on Wrightslaw.com.  Good luck to you.

You can also buy the books from Amazon. Read some of the reviews. I think you'll be pleased with what you read from other parents.

you will have to do ALOT of work, but i really believe that a number of school districts are really getting on the ball about servicing the learning disabled.

 

first and foremost, you will have to contact your school principal, and the school district.  your school may not be able to handle it, but depending on the size of your school district, you should be able to find a school that has special education services.

 

don't let the district give you the run around or make you wait.  if you feel you child is not getting the attention they deserve, you need to make them listen.  there is probably a special needs education coordinator at your district.....

 

this process will probably be more frustrating before it gets better.

 

i hope this helps!