what should I do about this school district??

Question

My son is 12 years old in a special ed class--the 3rd week of school after leaving my house on his minibus the school called me to ask if I got him on the bus when I replied yes they told me that he was not there and I should call 911--I immediately went there called my family police helicopters we all searched for my son --to make a long short short he got off the bus walked to a nearby deli saw a friend of his and they spent the day together--reminer he is in special ed with a dx of hight functiong autism--the next day the principal called us in before the beginning of school to tell me that Conor would not be allowed back unless he was seen by a Psychiatrist and he would be home tutored-- to make a long story short again last Monday was his special ed meeting the read the report from the Dr. that we went to see and told me that if Conor wants to come back he would need medication (an antidepresseant and I would have to fill out a spoa report which is having a case manager

Answer 1

Let me preface this by saying I don't know the details; his IEP, beh history, etc... This info is vital to any decision...

I teach, and my first thought would be - does he have any history of this type of behavior? At first glance it seems the school over-reacted, but... if he has a history of walking off, then safety becomes a real concern.

If this is a first offense, basically ditching, then the school should attempt to work with him. Maybe he simply didn't understand the safety issue? If this is a continuing problem, then the school needs to take all necessary actions to protect him, including home schooling.

If it were my child, I'd try to have him in a class rather than home schooled. The school will have more resources to meet his needs. My opinion is meds are overused in general, but like I said earlier I don't know the specifics. Hope it works out well for you.

Answer 2

Overreaction. He got off the bus at school, I am guessing? Why didn't a teacher meet the bus. We do. I work in a public school,(usa) of 650 students and which happens to have 4 special ed programs in it. We meet the buses out front and at 3pm we stand and make sure the kids get on the buses. The buses are always late. A simple solution is to have the driver walk the kid into the office.
Home schooling is the most restrictive environment- how can they go from where he is to that in one sweep?
Read you rights (that thick packet you always get) and go above the school to the district office or contact the numbers on that packet which tell you how to fight for your son's rights.

Answer 3

Once you put him on the bus, it is the responsibility of the bus company and the school to ensure that your son doesn't disappear. However, as a previous answer said, if he has a history of wandering away it could be a very real concern. I don't know whether medication could help with this or not- that's what you need to find out from your doctor. Home tutoring is not the solution to a one-time disappearance- I'm assuming there is more to this story. If you don't know what it is, be sure to ask the school if there are other reasons that they are making these recommendations.

Answer 4

First off, bus companies are supposed to have someone on the bus to keep an eye out for safety issues on the bus.The bus driver cannot do this and drive.
Secondly, as long as I've had to deal with SPED, they cannot just tell you your child cannot go to school unless, blah,blah,blah.I understand your child got off the bus but the school also must understand regardless of the diagnosis, the childs functioning,etc, they cannot suspend for no reason.If it were my child, I'd call an immediate TEAM meeting and have something put in the IEP about the bus and school piece.Secondly, I'd go to the school board and if that doesn't work, I'd go to DOE.

My child has been involved with SPED and buses since he was 4, hes now 17.I have had several bus issues of him running of the bus and when I found out there was no monitor,I asked why.I know in Mass. there is suposed to be a monitor on all buses for the special needs kids,regardless of the issues involved.

Answer 5

ha! you read your rights for you have the power, but like the first responder, we do not know the details of his iep so we cannot give you any better advice that we have. i will repeat others here, they cannot send him straight home to be schooled, he has the right to be in the least restrictive environment. your child is a protected individual under IDEA, and he has certain rights. if that means that they have to get someone to meet him at the bus, they should have done that anyway, for all kids, then they will have to do that. also, they cannot just change his iep without your knowledge and approval, they have to have a meeting that includes you first. an iep becomes law once all is signed. but again, like the first gentleman states, does he have a history of this? first and foremost, his safety is yours and their first concern.

Answer 6

That is insane and a violation of your IDEA rights. If the school knew of his diagnosis it is their responsibility to make sure he gets to school after you have already done your part by getting him on the bus. They are lucky that you have not pressed charges against them and the bus company for neglecting your child!

Get a lawyer. If you cannot afford one try Legal Aid. They cannot demand that he take medication that is just so absurd. You need toc ontact a lwayer and a client rights advocate. Good luck!

Answer 7

first of all i would get a second opinion from another Dr one who specializes in that area of autism . Second sometimes you can ask for someone to ride the minibus with him to make sure he gets off the bus at school. I think his teacher should meet him at the van at the school. My daughter is a special needs too and rides a van to school also her teacher meets the van outside to get the students off their vans. Does your school district have a special education counselor? If so maybe you should talk to them. I would be very upset with the school district they are supposed to watch the children get on the van before school and after school. Its the schools responsibilty for our children while they are at school. Good luck

Answer 8

confident. maximum failing college districts are in very undesirable communities. the pupil fails because of the fact the mum and dad do no longer care, and the lecturers are frequently given danger pay because of the fact the colleges are downright risky. They spend maximum of their time purely conserving the scholars below administration. interior the uncommon occasion that a determine in a foul district truthfully cares approximately their youngster's coaching, that pupil could take transport of a voucher to attend any college they please.

Answer 9

go off on the school.threaten to call the news w/ the way they neglected your special needs child.call the board for a hearing.under the no child left be hind act he has a right to free & appropriate education. do not let them pressure you into anything unreasonable.drugs? that is definitely your call no one elses