
Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group
Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.

deleted_user
Well I got an iep scheduled for my son and the night before the meeting - the school psy. called and said she disagreed with Cody's doctor's diagnosis (autism & adhd), and he was not learning disabled so if we were to hold the meeting in the morning she would have to say this. I asked how she could determine this and she said threw the testing she had done- I asked when did you do the family part of the testing- she than said that is what she was calling about, so I answered her questions- and agreed to reschedule the meeting as I felt I was being threatened if I did not reschule he would get no services----
She called me the next morning and stated now it would take longer as I gave her addtional information- I asked what information- she said the testing from his doctor( WHICH I REMINDED HER SHE HAD )
Also the fact the speech person had to test him future now- I told her that was done monday also- she said no ( i know he was taken out of class- I know the speech person)
Anyway-- o my god I am so frustrated- they dont want to help him because he is higher functioning than kids they have seen with Austim- she has said that often. ( so this is not a part of him)
So where do i go now - he is strugleing with every subject(flunking) and is frustrated- and his aggression is getting worst- he says he hates school, wants to die, no one understands him, I worked hard to get him where he is and dont know where to go from here- he had speech delays, lack of eye contact, eating issues, social skills delayed, stomach problems, - so I went to work with him at the age of two- now that he shows few outward signs he cant be autistic---Right????
Someone please point me in the right direction-
She called me the next morning and stated now it would take longer as I gave her addtional information- I asked what information- she said the testing from his doctor( WHICH I REMINDED HER SHE HAD )
Also the fact the speech person had to test him future now- I told her that was done monday also- she said no ( i know he was taken out of class- I know the speech person)
Anyway-- o my god I am so frustrated- they dont want to help him because he is higher functioning than kids they have seen with Austim- she has said that often. ( so this is not a part of him)
So where do i go now - he is strugleing with every subject(flunking) and is frustrated- and his aggression is getting worst- he says he hates school, wants to die, no one understands him, I worked hard to get him where he is and dont know where to go from here- he had speech delays, lack of eye contact, eating issues, social skills delayed, stomach problems, - so I went to work with him at the age of two- now that he shows few outward signs he cant be autistic---Right????
Someone please point me in the right direction-
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Also get EVERYTHING in writing, if they tell you no for something ask them for it in writing so if you do go up the chain you it's not just hearsay. A lot of times if you ask for it in writing they will suddenly be able to do what you asked because they were being lazy in the first place and just didn't want to do it. Sad to say but it's true. Feel out the other evaluators of your son, I highly doubt the school psych was the only one to see him. (The Autism Specialist in our school district wouldn't say he was Aspergers but everyone else in the room was there when she went down the criteria sheet for autism he meet almost everyone of them, so even if she wouldn't say he was, his IEP is written as Aspergers. And he hasn't been diagnosed by a doctor yet.)
And even if the psych didn't feel he was needing services ask for the meeting anyway. They should send you a letter of notification for the time and date, take the time to contact as many of the evaluators and ask them to come to the meeting. It should be his case manager taking care of arranging the meeting, hopefully not the school psych, contact that person or your son's teacher to find out who tested him. If only one person has tested him then I would contact the school's special ed teacher and ask what's up. Keep contact with your son's classroom teacher for updates on his days.
I know it's a lot of time, but play the intested almost obnoxious parent. One of the best pieces of advice I've ever gotten was "You are your son's advocate, if you don't do it who will?" Be calm at the meeting, be strong, hold your ground, listen to what they have to say but be willing to speak up for what you know is right. Make sure you have a full copy of your doctor's evaluation, any chance he or someone from his office could come speak for him? Make sure you have a few copies.
If the psych is still giving you problems make a meeting with the school principal and hopefully you're son's teacher also so there is someone else there that can support your observations of his behavior. Explain to him how it will benefit the school to have him in the right program, I know it sucks to have to go that way, but there are too many people that just lay down and take whatever the school district tells them will be done and they are not the only expects. Autism is called a spectrum because it is so wide and varying. Do not sign and IEP you disagree with. You do not have to, at the first meeting they should tell you how the appeals process in that district works at least who to contact. Make sure you show them how interested you are in that and if they don't give it to you, they are doing it wrong! It should be something you have to sign for.
Lastly I would look into other schools in the district that are more willing to help your child, and make sure to bring that up at the meeting, ask around for names of teachers, get their opinions of the situation, how they would handle it. There should be parents that come to the center you work at that have some names of teachers or schools that have better prepared teachers, special ed teachers and teams of evaluators.
Please check out wrightslaw regarding IEP's they have fab. infor!
Kris