Supplemental services for Special education Speech , OT, APE?

Question

After 2 1/2 very unsuccessful years of the local school district instructing my special needs child (Autism) and her failing to meet her educational goals, I have decided to not waste anymore time and Homeschool her myself. The down side is that I am being told that if she does not attend their school I will lose all her support services (speech, OT APE) First question is that legal under FAPE? Second question does anyone know of some good materials that I could use to get her services in the above areas I cannot afford private therapy. Moreover, feel stuck....? She is a bright child but needs to be taught to her needs and her method of learning not theirs....

Answer 1

Hello...I went through a similar situation. My 3 y/o daughter has Rett Syndrome (Autistic Spectrum Disorder) and she is considered somewhat vulnerable to illness increasing her seizures so decided to hold off on putting her in school. They had no problem with this and had her services come into the home (continued with infant program) and was just written into her IEP. In you daughter's case it seems like the school program is just not a good fit for her. Is she in ABA? Her IEP needs to be written in a way that WILL teach according to her needs. Has your daughter been tested for Rett Syndrome? I always ask when I seen a girl labeled as autistic because RS is commonly misdiagnosed as autism or CP and is a girl disorder, while autism is a boy disorder. There are ways of teaching my daughter that are different from autistic kids (she is highly social and very gentle) so maybe your daughter doesn't fit in with other autistic methods of teaching.

Answer 2

Do you think you're up to the challenge of educating your daughter appropriately? What about getting yourself an attorney and taking the district to court. If you can prove that her educational needs cannot be met by the district, they may have to pay to send your daughter to a private school for autistic children. You should research what schools are available in your area. And, document everything the school district does with her, especially any times they may have violated her IEP, individual education plan. Good luck and I hope you can find a way to meet her needs.

Answer 3

I am glad you are so concerned about your child but I don't think homeschooling is the right answer. It sounds like you are talking out both sides of your mouth. I am not happy about this but I still want all these other things for free. If you pull your child out of the public school system because you are not happy with they way they are educating your child that is your choice. I think everyone that has a child in the public school system has one problem or another with it. You leave the public school system you are pretty much on your own. Work with the school and her support staff person and get her IEP they way you want it. We all need to be advocates for our children but you have an up hill battle in front of you.