How do you fight a school's decision to see a child?( see details)?

Question

I am a military spouse, and my son attends school on a military base. he is in need of physical therapy weekly because he was born with bi-lateral clubfoot. There are no physicians in our area to see him so we have to travel 100 miles each week for him to be seen. His school offers therapy, and has many openings. They will not see him because he is not mentally handicapped. I think this is crazy. I have to pull him out of school for an entire day each week to travel when there is someone here, and the only reason they wonlt see him is because he is not LD. How would I fight this or even voice my opinion?

Answer 1

talk to whoever is in charge (ie the school board)

file a descrimination petition with the state (wherever you live)

or if you want to go all out you could sue them for denying medical care.

Answer 2

Ask to be heard at the next PTA meeting, if they say no then I'd show up anyway. Be strong and don't take "no" for an answer...you are your childs best advocate.


One thought though, some schools require that a "Special Education Specialist" or a teacher with more education in teaching and working with learning disablities be present when helping children (or even adults) with special needs. I'm not saying this is the case but you may want to ask the school superintendant in your childs school. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Therapies through the school are only for conditions which directly and adversely affect a child's learning, or access to the learning environment. If your child is learning within average or better expecations for his grade level, can reasonably navigate the school site, and can take PE without modifications, then he does not qualify for PT through the schools. If he needs modifications for PE, but otherwise does fine, he may be given a 504 (through the Americans with Disabilities Act) instead, which does not qualify him for therapies.

Your child may indeed qualify for services under Orthopedically Impaired, if his condition is severe enough to adversely affect his educational performance. Usually children qualifying as OI are on crutches, walkers, or in wheelchairs (the need for technology supports interferes with navigation in the school setting). If your son is using assistive technology/equipment, you may have a case using the school site navigation issue. You may need to find a parent advocate (a parent whose been through it before and has some training).

Parent advocate groups (which include military family supports) and information to start your own advocacy for your child:
http://www.stompproject.org/ (military families advocacy support)
http://www.cfs.purdue.edu/mfri/pages/news/Empowering_Parents.htm
http://www.taalliance.org/centers/index.htm
http://specialedlaw.blogs.com/home/parent_advocacy/index.html http://www.parentadvocacy.net/?gclid=CL_XgsO5woUCFRo6GAodDl7RqA

Here are some sites if you have questions about your son's severity of disability, and whether or not you can find a way to have the school provide the therapy:

http://www.livoniacsd.org/CSE/504%20vs%20IDEA.pdf
http://www.rsf.k12.ca.us/~mabbate/Qos.htm (basic definition is #5.. scroll down)
http://framework.esc18.net/documents/14_Ortho_Imp.htm (sample checklist with related law links...happens to be for Texas)

Answer 4

dont yell at them set up a meeting and explain your reason, that you dont like your son missing so much school and it would be so much easier for him and you. offer to more. if they say no dont yell say ok and leave and try again in a week or two.

Answer 5

KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE DISCRIMINATION, DOESN'T IT?? SEEMS TO ME THAT MOST TEACHERS DON'T LIKE THEIR STUDENTS TO MISS ANY SCHOOL. I'M SURPRISED THEY DON'T SPEAK UP FOR YOU! YOU WOULD THINK BEING ON A MILITARY BASE WOULD BE ONE THE BEST PLACES TO BE AS FAR AS PEOPLE TRYING TO HELP OUT THOSE WHO ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES. I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK!!!

Answer 6

I am surprised that the military superiors cannot help you with this.

Answer 7

can talk u to the school board

Answer 8

contact your local social services and tell them your problem.