My son was diagnosed with autism and the school wants to place him in ppcd but I know they have classes for?

Question

autistic kids specifically. why would they not place himthere. we have a meeting next week but wanted to know what you think. he's 5 and I know he needs the help asap especially verbal skills & behavior changes.

ppcd stands for preschool program for children w/disabilities...kids with celebral palsy, MR & other handicaps are included.

Answer 1

It is possible that the school in which your son is attending does not have the program required to meet his needs. If the school recommends another school, they are legally bound to pay for it. If you are confused and concerned, call PACER. They are professionals that can give you valuable information, as well as attend the meeting with you and your son. PACER is a program that advocates for the least restrictive environment for a child, with their disability in mind as well as the schools resources. Call them and you won't be sorry. They know the right questions to ask the school and they will work with you, as the parent, to get all of your son's needs met. They will be a GREAT resource for you and they will guide you with information and options otherwise not mentioned in a school meeting. Too many schools leave options out and focus on what they want to deal with. Sometimes this is due to a lack of resources in the school, but also a lack of motivated school officials. Be an informed parent and call the advocate you and your child need.

Answer 2

I don't know what a ppcd class is but as a special education teacher I don't like classes for just autistic kids. Many autistic children have behavior problems and being around others with behavior problems only encourages it. If they are around their regular peers they are more likely to pick up more age appropriate behaviors. Also if possible it's a good idea to have students with special needs in regular classes where they can learn not only behavioral but also academically. However if you decide that your child would do best in a class for autistic kids stick to it and let the school know.

Answer 3

I do not know what PPCD stands for but it may be a less restrictive setting than the class for kids with autism. Schools are required to place children in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) where the student can be successful with supplemental aids and services. This requirement comes from the Federal special education law (IDEIA). Another benefit of not placing a child with autism in a class for kids with autism is that he may have access to typically developing peers in the PPCD class. It would be important for your child to have typically developing peer role models, especially in the area of social/emotional development. Feel free to ask your child's school psychologist or special ed teacher. Ask to visit the PPCD classroom. Ask questions of that teacher. Ask what the difference is between the two settings and how it will benefit your son to be placed in the PPCD class. This is your child, and you have a right to be a part of this decision. Ask your school psychologist or special ed teacher for a copy of the procedural safeguards. Ask questions until you have a clear understanding. Good luck to you and your son.

Answer 4

I am a special ed. teacher and would agree with the placement. These classes are specifically designed for children with special needs that can be addressed at all times. Behavior modification can be focused on and he will probably have a behavior intervention plan drawn up that will address his behavior problems. The class usually is small with an average of 6-8 kids and has one teacher and aide. Try it and as another pointed out, you can always request a change of placement if it does not suit his needs. When you go into the meeting called an IEP meeting they will address everything they will teach him (academically, socially, etc...) in one year. It is very important for you to give the teachers your Input. Don't be shy to tell them areas you want addressed. You will go to the meetings once a year to develop new goals. Hope this helps. There are several good websites to look at especially advocating help for autistic students. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I'm not sure what ppcd is, but for awhile there I thought my daughter had autism. There are sooo many programs out there. Ask your local DES office for some references. I know that there are special schools out there and it will be completly paid for by the government and they will even bus your child directly from your home to the school. maybe also ckeck with your local social security office for references. My mom was an aid in a class for autistic children. I will ask her and see what else I can find out for you. You want to have choices and not just do the first thing someone says.
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I don't know where you live but this is a place I looked into. It's caled SIRRI. Go to www.sirriaz.com Maybe they can give you some answers or refferals for where you live.

Answer 6

When a child is diagnosed with special educational needs, the school system will generally start with the least resticitive, most integrated placement possible. This could be one reason. Another could be that your child needs to be placed in a class for assesment purposes before he can be declared eligabe for the more specialized class. Both of these situations are extremely frustrating when, as a parent, you know where your child should be and will be best served. When we first moved back to the DC area, my son had to go into a temporary class while the school evaluated him to determine the best placement. At this point my son was only minimally verbal and experiencing behavior issues that were being compounded by the tremendous stress of our move. We were told he would need to spend at least 30 days in this class to complete the assesments and decide on placement. I made it very clear I wanted things to be done as quickly as possible and made frequent visits to the class to see how things were going. I discovered they were unable or unwilling to do what was outlined in his current IEP. Every time there was a viloation, I made a call to the admin as well as to the district special ed office. In the end, it became very clear, very quickly that the temporary placement was not able to provide the needed structure and services. We recieved the best placement possible.

Check with your school district on the correct procedure. If your child has been diagnosed by the school and is going on an IEP and/or has one already, read the sections on allowable time for testing and placement. Be sure to remember that any of the time allowances are for claendar days, not business/school days. SO when it says they have 90 days to complete the testing..it is 90 days, not 90 school days!

If you son was not diagnosed by the school system,they are not legally bound to recognize the diagnosis a until they have tested him themselves. As soon as testing begins, you should get a copy of your parent rights...if they don't hand it to you, ASK for it. Read it, get to know it and don't be afraid to get angry when the school blows deadlines (as they almost all do).

If, after all the testing, you disagree with the results, you can formally protest and ask your son be retested by an independent source (at the school's exspense). Again..know your rights and the process! Good luck...

Additional comments on private placement...Unless a child demonstrates clearly that their needs are of a level that no placement in any program the district is feasable, private placement paid for by the public schools is usually the last option tried. Since it tends to be the most exspensive, schools will generally try to exhaust all other possibilities before agreeing to it.

Answer 7

PLEASE go to www.schwablearning.org to ask on their parent message board. There are so many parents who have been thru problems with schools who can help you. On the home page, there is a drop down box 'how can we help you'? Click on 'i need to connect with other parents'
then on the next page click 'parent to parent message board'
you have to sign up for free to post there, but it's all the help in the world

Answer 8

I think it would be a great thing for him. I am going to be a special education teacher and I am going to be working with kids with autisim and many other defects. GOOD LUCK!!