Re: school problem

[Guest guest]

, It may not just be about the noise. The visual and olfactory overload may well be playing part in this also. The lights, the constant flurry of ohter kids and their activity, and the smells of the food cooking, and/or the smell of the other kids (breath, sweating, etc) can all combine to push his ability to process it all. I'm an NT adult, but I wouldn't want to sit in that cacaphony, either. Does have an IEP? Has the school acknowledged his autism? If you want to ensure that he is under constant supervision during the school day, this can be addressed in an IEP. It can even specify that he be allowed to eat in a quiet place. (Don't go with just what the school tells you they can or can't do, this is an issue with potential legal aspects) Get as informed on the law as you can, it will put you in a better position to advocate for

throughout his schooling. You will find excellent information at www.reedmartin.com . is the premier special ed attorney, and the site has TONS of information that you will find very helpful. Being that is 5, you have about 12 more years to go with him and his brother attending school, you'll need this information for a while. Let us know how it goes, Joy <shellivester@...> wrote: I have a 5 year old son who is mildly autistic. In the cafeteria at lunch on Monday the teacher noticed having trouble being in the room. The next day when I took him to school he threw a fit when I tried to take him into the cafeteria for breakfast. All of a

sudden the teacher is saying that has sensory issues. I haven't taken him in for 2 days now. I won't until he is ready. This is her first and only autistic student. She is taking her first workshops this school year. He is in a class with students who are diagnosed with PDD/NOS. His twin is also diagnosed with PDD/NOS. I am familiar with this diagnosis and these children in his class. These are children that just aren't ready to be mainstreamed. I am worried that something happened in the cafeteria when his teacher wasn't looking. His teachers assistant has duty this week unloading children from cars so she is alone with the children in the cafeteria. She has to unload children from 3 buses. She leaves the children alone in the cafeteria while she does this. Who watches my child? When I took him in on Tuesday she said I could leave him and then

she left to get a bus and started banging his head. HELLO!! He didn't want to be in the cafeteria for one. Okay I have some issues. What is going on with the cafeteria. Can he really have sensory issues all of a sudden when we have never seen any? He has never had a problem in the cafeteria before Monday. She wants to put fuzzy earmuffs on him. That is what she said. WHo is this woman?Does anyone know anything about sensory stuff? Thanks

What are the most popular cars? Find out at Autos

[Guest guest]

YEP<YEP>YEP. My guess would be it is a sound sensitivity. There are WONDERFUL listening programs available that did wonders for my twins! Their biggest problem was sensory issues. Is this the only room he has trouble with? What about the gym? If it's a sound thing he will have the same reaction in there- don't like the echo. Cody wore headphone (used at shooting ranges) for the first few years. After a couple of years of AIT he has NO sound trouble- maybe I should try it?lol Good luck. Deb C. <shellivester@...> wrote: I have a 5 year old son who is mildly autistic. In the cafeteria at lunch on Monday the teacher noticed having trouble being in the room. The next day when I took him to school he threw a fit when I tried to take

him into the cafeteria for breakfast. All of a sudden the teacher is saying that has sensory issues. I haven't taken him in for 2 days now. I won't until he is ready. This is her first and only autistic student. She is taking her first workshops this school year. He is in a class with students who are diagnosed with PDD/NOS. His twin is also diagnosed with PDD/NOS. I am familiar with this diagnosis and these children in his class. These are children that just aren't ready to be mainstreamed. I am worried that something happened in the cafeteria when his teacher wasn't looking. His teachers assistant has duty this week unloading children from cars so she is alone with the children in the cafeteria. She has to unload children from 3 buses. She leaves the children alone in the cafeteria while she does this. Who watches my child? When I took

him in on Tuesday she said I could leave him and then she left to get a bus and started banging his head. HELLO!! He didn't want to be in the cafeteria for one. Okay I have some issues. What is going on with the cafeteria. Can he really have sensory issues all of a sudden when we have never seen any? He has never had a problem in the cafeteria before Monday. She wants to put fuzzy earmuffs on him. That is what she said. WHo is this woman?Does anyone know anything about sensory stuff? Thanks Deb C.

[Guest guest]

Louie had this problem starting when he was about 6 or so. We gave him

a Walkman radio so that he could damp the incoming " outside noise " with

the volume control on the Walkman. Louie liked the idea of being to

adjust for his comfort level throughout the day. So you might try that.

Annie, who loves ya annie@...

--

Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the 'Titanic' who waved

off the dessert cart.

- Erma Bombeck

[Guest guest]

a- I am so sorry that happened to . I was crying while

reading. Okay, still crying. :-( That is so horrible that someone

could do that to our children. 's teacher called me today and

said he went into the cafeteria for lunch but he still won't go near

it for breakfast. I wish I knew what happened.

> What is going on with the cafeteria. Can he really

> have sensory issues all of a sudden when we have never seen any?

He

> has never had a problem in the cafeteria before Monday. She wants

to

> put fuzzy earmuffs on him. That is what she said. WHo is this

woman?

> Does anyone know anything about sensory stuff? Thanks

>

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

's teacher called and said he went into the cafeteria for lunch

today. He still won't go near the cafeteria for breakfast. I sure

wish I knew what happened Monday morning.

>

> I have a 5 year old son who is mildly autistic. In the

> cafeteria at lunch on Monday the teacher noticed having

trouble

> being in the room. The next day when I took him to school he threw

a

> fit when I tried to take him into the cafeteria for breakfast. All

> of a sudden the teacher is saying that has sensory issues. I

> haven't taken him in for 2 days now. I won't until he is ready.

> This is her first and only autistic student. She is taking her

first

> workshops this school year. He is in a class with students who are

> diagnosed with PDD/NOS. His twin is also diagnosed with PDD/NOS.

I

> am familiar with this diagnosis and these children in his class.

> These are children that just aren't ready to be mainstreamed. I am

> worried that something happened in the cafeteria when his teacher

> wasn't looking. His teachers assistant has duty this week

unloading

> children from cars so she is alone with the children in the

> cafeteria. She has to unload children from 3 buses. She leaves

the

> children alone in the cafeteria while she does this. Who watches

my

> child? When I took him in on Tuesday she said I could leave him

and

> then she left to get a bus and started banging his head.

> HELLO!! He didn't want to be in the cafeteria for one. Okay I

have

> some issues. What is going on with the cafeteria. Can he really

> have sensory issues all of a sudden when we have never seen any?

He

> has never had a problem in the cafeteria before Monday. She wants

to

> put fuzzy earmuffs on him. That is what she said. WHo is this

woman?

> Does anyone know anything about sensory stuff? Thanks

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I know....it took me sometime to get over this. Here's the kicker....the aide was going to school to become a CNA. Well, that makes me cringe. Will she abuse some elderly person someday?????

a-- "" <shellivester@...> wrote:a- I am so sorry that happened to . I was crying while reading. Okay, still crying. :-( That is so horrible that someone could do that to our children. 's teacher called me today and said he went into the cafeteria for lunch but he still won't go near it for breakfast. I wish I knew what happened.

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[Guest guest]

Sheila, that doesn't make any sense. It sounds discriminatory to me. In the

district I work in we have wheelchair accessible busses. Some of the kids stay

in their wheelchair on the bus, and others transfer to a regular seat and the

wheelchair is secured. Where I live, we have a group called Pacer that is

wonderful with these type of issues. I got this from their website. I do not

know

how helpful the group from PA is, but you might want to check it out.

Parent Education Network This is for Pennsylvania.

This is the e-mail address in case the link doesn't work.

http://www.parentednet.org/

Good luck. Kim

In a message dated 9/24/2006 9:11:29 AM Central Standard Time,

mannas_mom@... writes:

Any advice or experiences others have had would be greatly

appreciated. Anyone here located in PA?

Thanks.

Sheila

[Guest guest]

Sheila,

ALL Schools are suppose to provide Transportation in the Public Sector.

We have what is called Little buses which comes straight to the Door and picks

the child up. I would call the Board of Education. Find out more as Children

can not be Discriminated against as the Transportation issue. I myself

choose to Drive my kids to and from School. Then after a Incident which

was almost ran over by one of the Busses on School Property. I knew right then

no matter what no School bus rides for her.

The District does have to provide Transportation for the Student. Have

you talked with the Principal or the Counselor? Do you have a 504 plan or IEP

for your daughter?

Robbin

[Guest guest]

You know, that is a good point. I will have to look carefully at her

504 plan. As I recall, it does mention transportation, but I will

have to look it over carefully to make sure it is not a load of

waffle like the rest of the plan. I was totally unprepared for a 504

meeting when it occurred. I was told that we could schedule a

meeting prior to the start of school to " meet the teachers " . When we

showed up for the " meet the teachers " , we were handed copies of a

504 plan for everyone to go over. The " plan " basically states what

services my daughter had at her old school, followed by " this

possible need will be determined by OT/PT evaluation " or " will be

looked into " . I thought this was a temporary draft until the records

from the previous school were transferred (although of course I

brought copies of everything with me when we moved), but I am unsure

how to proceed to request any changes now. Do I have to give a

certain amount of time for everything to be established or can I

state that I no longer agree with the plan as written?

My daughter reported that they had a fire drill last week while she

was using her wheelchair at school. The fire exit for her classroom

is NOT accessible, and the teacher made her get up out of her

wheelchair to take the chair down a sidewalk curb in the parking lot

during the evacuation. Can you imagine?! I am having a very hard

time looking at this situation from a tird party point of view,

because the things they are doing or NOT doing just are not making

sense. I am fearful that the school's lack of attention is

ultimately going to physically harm my daughter. She is an increased

fracture risk, both from muscle disease and from medications for her

arthritis, and on the days that she is able to walk, she is expected

to walk up and down a very long set of stairs to access the ball

field used for recess/PT. She has complained twice that she gets

sore during/after going up or down these stairs, but she is not

assertive enough to say anything to her teachers.

Thank you for your advice. And thanks for letting me vent.

Sheila

>

> The District does have to provide Transportation for the Student.

Have you talked with the Principal or the Counselor? Do you have a

504 plan or IEP for your daughter?

> Robbin

>

[Guest guest]

Kim,

Thank you very much for the link! I will be contacting them on Monday.

I knew the bus thing seemed unreasonable, but I am having a hard time

looking at the situation from a third party point of view. It is good

to hear that there are others who transfer from their wheelchairs on

the bus, so now I know to stand my ground with this, that it is not an

unreasonable request!

Sheila

>

> Parent Education Network This is for Pennsylvania.

> This is the e-mail address in case the link doesn't work.

> http://www.parentednet.org/

>

> Good luck. Kim

>

[Guest guest]

Sheilia,

No way they made her get out of the wheelchair and walk? Now I do know

something about that. was in a Wheelchair and her class was on the 2nd

floor. She had access pass to use the Elavator also. BUT in case of a Fire

they had to use the steps.

Now The Principal came to us while I was Volunteering at the school and said

he would like and I to see something. He said now Here is the plan

just in case anything came up. He brought out 2 Teacher's MALE ones. They were

's carrier's. They went through the Fire Drill with her in the

Wheelchair. The Principal said Now Mr so and Mr whatever. and your Job

is

to make sure you all know what to do. They did the fire drill 1 more time.

The Principal said now if isn't in her wheelchair BUT has to use

Crutches this is the same way. 1 s her. He said ok Now even if is

having a good day. She is to come to the top of the steps and you guys CARRY

her down the steps. But is the one you will be dealing with. If she

can't make it to the steps go find her. Now this was their plan. So maybe you

need to write it down as to the access of her School. You might be able to

make this CLEAR to all the Teacher's who work with her.

Now the 504 should have been gone over 1 by 1 and if there was to be any

changes you should have brought it up. But the Transportation issue should be

in that plan also. Now if the 504 plan does need to be Updated. PLEASE write

down what need's to be updated and meet again with the people at School. Be

firm and make sure you do not walk out without Paper's in hand.

Robbin

[Guest guest]

Dear Sheila,

Although I have no experience with what you are

dealing with (my daughter's pauci-articular JRA is

well under control, so we don't have school issues), I

am from Pennsylvania. Let me say that I am so sorry

that your daughter and you have had such a horrible

experience with your school district.

Besides the great advice that you have already

received here, I would strongly recommend that you

contact the Arthritis Foundation. They have people

that can stand with you and arm you with all the

knowledge that you need to go to battle with the

school district regarding this issue.

Pennsylvania has three AF chapters. I live in the

central part of Pennsylvania (the burg area),

and we are served by the Central Pennsylvania

Arthritis Foundation (office located right in

burg). I know there is an Eastern chapter (in

Philadelphia), and there is also a Western

Pennsylvania chapter (probably in Pittsburgh, I'm

thinking). Although I don't have their phone numbers

right with me, I'm sure the information would be

available through at http://www.arthritis.org. I

personally know the personnel at the Central

Pennsylvania chapter, and I know for sure that they

would help you. I've met a few people from the

Eastern Chapter, and I believe they would be just as

helpful.

Our own experiences with our local school district

have been extraordinary, and we do not plan to move

out of our district until our kids are finished with

school. (I wish everyone could have school personnel

and administrators like we have.) Again, I apologize

profusely on the behalf of Pennsylvanians for the

experiences you have had. Simply appalling.

And by the way . . . . since you're now in

Pennsylvania, we're planning to host the national AJAO

conference in Hershey, PA, July 1-4. I hope you'll be

able to save the date and plan on coming! So many

resources will be available to you there (AF

information and support, parental networking,

informational sessions---including one on school

issues, etc.).

Tammy (Mom to , age 9, with pauci-articular JRA

and related uveitis)

--- Sheila <mannas_mom@...> wrote:

> Hello everyone. I have a situation that I just can't

> understand.

> Does anyone on this list have a child who sometimes

> requires a

> wheelchair to get around at school? My daughter uses

> a wheelchair

> when she has flares. We just moved to Pennsylvania

> from California,

> and I am finding so much resistance at her new

> school, I am beyond

> frustrated. Because Miranda only uses a wheelchair

> for flares (and

> because I used to drive a small car), I chose a

> wheelchair that

> folds up like a stroller. It is not certified for

> transportation,

> meaning that Miranda needs to transfer to a seat on

> the bus. That

> sounds simple enough, right? Well, the

> transportation company will

> not transport the wheelchair folded up because they

> say they have no

> way of securing it on a regular bus. I recommended

> that they

> transport her on the wheelchair bus, locking the

> wheelchair in the

> normal fashion, and transferring Miranda to a seat.

> They will not

> consider this option, either, indicating that they

> don't know if the

> tiedowns will work. So, I basically have a school

> district that is

> refusing to transport my disabled child to school,

> although

> transportation is provided for all other children in

> the district. I

> have acquired a power wheelchair for Miranda, but

> discovered that it

> does not have built-in tiedown hooks. Does anyone on

> this list have

> experience with transporting wheelchairs to school?

> What kinds of

> things did you need to do to arrange transportation?

> The sad thing

> is, I believe that other disabled children are being

> transported to

> school with mobility equipment like walkers and baby

> strollers, but

> I have no proof other than seeing them being

> off-loaded from the

> wheelchair bus. I believe that my daughter is being

> discriminated

> against because she has a disability that sometimes

> (but not always)

> limits her mobility, and also because she uses a

> service dog for

> walking support (which is also not being allowed to

> accompany her to

> school.)

> Sorry this message is so long. I really don't know

> what to do here.

> For now, I have no choice but to transport both of

> my children to

> and from school, but I am not sure how to change the

> situation. The

> school district recommended that I leave Miranda's

> wheelchair at

> school so they would not have to transport it!

> (What? Like she won't

> need it anywhere else but at the school?)

> Any advice or experiences others have had would be

> greatly

> appreciated. Anyone here located in PA?

> Thanks.

> Sheila

> (From CA to PA, regretting the move)

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Sheila,

Most of the new Schools here are 1 story. But the Older Schools have 5

stories to them. I think it was space and also exercises for the kids to run up

the steps lololol. I noticed how would use the steps and I knew it

was hard for her even when she wasn't on Crutches. Honey. Watch a child on

crutches trying to get up and down steps. Dang near cause them to fall either

way. So this is a very good Issue to have in place for your daughter.

was allowed to have 1 child go with her in the elevator. Just in

case the thing got stuck lololol. Ok I thought of a lot then. Our children as as

important as anyone at the School So we have to protect them more and also

make sure they have every advantage the next child has. Even if it requires

more effort on the Adult Teachers part. Ask this Question a lot if you run into

any Negative talk. Reverse the Table on the Teacher or Principal.

What would you do if my child was Your child? What if it was You in my

seat. You tell me what you would do so we both know lololol. Now this put's

them right on your level. You want to be Fair about everything. They also want

what is best for their own child. Dang near put some Teacher's in tears when I

asked them that Question. Cause they seen me in front of their school. Seen

me wrestle with getting the Wheelchair out of my little car. Seen Me lift

out of my car and put her in the wheelchair. Get all her school stuff

and lock up my car then with a SMILE I wheeled her to her class room. This was

every morning she attended school. Plus I went to her class and wheeled her

back to my car and reversed what I did that morning. I would go to the Grocery

store and do the routine. Even seen Teacher's there but never did they see me

without a Smile. Was funny though as pushed the buggie I pushed

. But you know Only 1 time did ANY ONE come out to my car and ask if I

needed help with . Even if it was POURING down rain. I managed on my

own.

Now I live in the SOUTH. Ummmm Southern Hospitality? Southern Gentleman? Oh

HECk no way. lololol. But I can tell you 's friend's has helped me

and they sure enjoyed helping. Strange how this works too. As Adult's are

suppose to show kids by example. But the kid's was showing me that Kid's are

more

kinder than we give them credit for. I taught my kid's Kindness Respect.

Southern style. My Brother and Son both will open the door for women and will

help out if I ask. heck she will ask for help from these 2 just to keep

them in line of how a True Southern Gentleman is suppose to be lolol. And

she loves it. Well Get all of your paper's in order and be ready to tell them

what your daughter needs' not what she want's . Be firm about it. As she is

your child. Turn the tables some to lolol. Be sure to make it clear about the

Transportation and also the Exacuation Plan as this you can go straight to

the Fire Marshal and tell them about this situation and they will take over as

well. Ummmmm We want what is fair is fair right? Every child. So so foot work

for you but will have results soon.

With working now. I told her to be fair about all of it Not

because she has JRA but think about fairness. If one co worker get's sick she

also

has to think about what if she get's sick. As I told her if she get's sick

or flares it will take longer for her to get well. So if she has to work a

double do not fret as her co worker will be fair and work her shift. Fairness

Respect for other's.

Robbin

[Guest guest]

Oh my goodness, Robbin! You raise a really good point! Coming from

an area that had one-level schools, I never considered this problem.

Miranda does have an elevator key on the days she uses her

wheelchair, but there is no evacuation plan in place as of yet. I

had not even considered what would happen if she is on the second

floor during an emergency. I will be calling the school today to

request another meeting.

Also, I looked over the " 504 plan " that is currently in place, and

there is no mention whatsoever about transportation, so this will

also need to be addressed. I think we are due for another meeting

soon, anyway, since the OT/PT evaluations were recently completed.

Thank you so much for sharing your situation. I never would have

considered requiring an evacuation plan such as this!

Sheila

>

> Robbin

>

[Guest guest]

Tammy,

Thanks so much for the link. I don't know why I did not think of

that sooner. Miranda was an Arthritis Foundation client in San Diego

before we moved. I will contact them today, as well.

I'm glad to hear that you are also in PA. I live East of Pittsburgh,

so I suppose that will be the closest AF for me. Thanks for the info

on the conference. I will be sure to mark the dates. There is so

much I need to learn about this disease.

Sheila

>

> Dear Sheila,

> Although I have no experience with what you are

> dealing with (my daughter's pauci-articular JRA is

> well under control, so we don't have school issues), I

> am from Pennsylvania. Let me say that I am so sorry

> that your daughter and you have had such a horrible

> experience with your school district.

>

> Besides the great advice that you have already

> received here, I would strongly recommend that you

> contact the Arthritis Foundation. They have people

> that can stand with you and arm you with all the

> knowledge that you need to go to battle with the

> school district regarding this issue.

>

> Pennsylvania has three AF chapters. I live in the

> central part of Pennsylvania (the burg area),

> and we are served by the Central Pennsylvania

> Arthritis Foundation (office located right in

> burg). I know there is an Eastern chapter (in

> Philadelphia), and there is also a Western

> Pennsylvania chapter (probably in Pittsburgh, I'm

> thinking). Although I don't have their phone numbers

> right with me, I'm sure the information would be

> available through at http://www.arthritis.org. I

> personally know the personnel at the Central

> Pennsylvania chapter, and I know for sure that they

> would help you. I've met a few people from the

> Eastern Chapter, and I believe they would be just as

> helpful.

>

> Our own experiences with our local school district

> have been extraordinary, and we do not plan to move

> out of our district until our kids are finished with

> school. (I wish everyone could have school personnel

> and administrators like we have.) Again, I apologize

> profusely on the behalf of Pennsylvanians for the

> experiences you have had. Simply appalling.

>

> And by the way . . . . since you're now in

> Pennsylvania, we're planning to host the national AJAO

> conference in Hershey, PA, July 1-4. I hope you'll be

> able to save the date and plan on coming! So many

> resources will be available to you there (AF

> information and support, parental networking,

> informational sessions---including one on school

> issues, etc.).

>

> Tammy (Mom to , age 9, with pauci-articular JRA

> and related uveitis)

>

>