Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 The law requires peple under the age of 18 to take drivers ed in order to get a d.l at that age. After 18 you can learn how to drive anyway you want so long as ayou pass the test. YOU do not have to take drivers ed to graduate. IT IT NOT a requirement to graduate. This is not an interpretation of the law. Thousands of students graduate withouttaking drivers ed...not just students with disabilities. I do know some people who have used drivers ed and modified for a studnet with dis. THe idea wasinclusion learning safety in the streets, understaning the signs that sort of thing. A family could use that same time to help a non-driving student learn how to use public transit or safely walk to destinations. Best of luck, Cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Hi -- My son took driver's ed, (he took it his senior year) and really wanted to drive. He brought home the book and we went over the material every night, I don't think too many modifications were made while he was in class. The behind the road was exciting, he took it once, did OK (I'm being nice) I asked the school if he could take it again, they said yes, but I'd have to pay for the class again. (I asked if I paid 3 X's the amt, could they take him out for 1.5 hours at a time?, they said NO, but if needed he could take it again.) When he went to take his permit test, I arranged to have the test read to him. (If you call ahead and make an appt, they can set this up) He passed his driver's test on the 1st time, but from beginning the process to the end it was about 1.5 years. He now drives to our house (4 miles away), the Jewel, my mom's -- but that's about it, which is fine. Kay Kayjhart40023us <Jhart40023@...> wrote: Hi,I have two teen-agers with Down syndrome. Is anyone familiar with the law regarding driver's education class being a requirement for graduation? This isn't about evaluation through rehab services but rather whether it is mandatory to complete the classroom portion of driver's ed in order to graduate.If so, does anyone have suggestions about modifications for this class?Thanks in advance for your help!Jo-Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 And ...our son has Down Syndrome, and we knew after a few attempts at go-karting, while he is very enthusiastic, he was not going to drive. We did not even want to give him the drivers ed study we did not want to let him think this was going to be an option.We did not want to give him false hope. His judgement and reflex are both way too slow. Cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 My son would love to drive but it could never happen. He can not even read well enought to read street signs. We tell him he is very lucky as he has his own driver, mom or dad.Cindi Swanson <cbswanson@...> wrote: And ...our son has Down Syndrome, and we knew after a few attempts at go-karting, while he is very enthusiastic, he was not going to drive. We did not even want to give him the drivers ed study we did not want to let him think this was going to be an option.We did not want to give him false hope. His judgement and reflex are both way too slow.Cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 It is not a mandate. My daughter graduated without taking the classroom. I think "legally" even blind students need to take this class, but most schools will let you opt out. Richterjhart40023us <Jhart40023@...> wrote: Hi,I have two teen-agers with Down syndrome. Is anyone familiar with the law regarding driver's education class being a requirement for graduation? This isn't about evaluation through rehab services but rather whether it is mandatory to complete the classroom portion of driver's ed in order to graduate.If so, does anyone have suggestions about modifications for this class?Thanks in advance for your help!Jo-Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 23, 2007 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 Jo-Ann, We are in District 99 in Downers Grove. The classroom portion of Driver's Ed is a graduation requirement, but reading the other posts, it seems that this must be a decision made at the school district level, and not mandated by the state. My son is in the Multi-Needs program, and seeing the work that has come home, the curriculum is definitely modified. While it is highly unlikely that my son will ever drive or live independently, he is without a doubt learning the basics of safety, roads signs, etc. Just this week his class visited the DMV and had State ID's issued. (One less thing for me to do with him!) While it certainly depends on each child and family's decision about opting out of such a class, I can say with certainty that it is a good choice for my son to be taking this course. Of course, the downside is that we are voluntarily creating another backseat driver in our family! Donna > > Hi, > > I have two teen-agers with Down syndrome. Is anyone familiar with the > law regarding driver's education class being a requirement for > graduation? > > This isn't about evaluation through rehab services but rather whether > it is mandatory to complete the classroom portion of driver's ed in > order to graduate. > > If so, does anyone have suggestions about modifications for this class? > > Thanks in advance for your help! > Jo-Ann > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 24, 2007 Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 My daughter's High School tried this and I told them basically to stuff it! I said she needed classes that would actually benefit her not waste her time and build false hopes. Sherie Dvorak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Boy, this group is so informative. I have wondered if my son with autism could ever learn to drive. He is good with maps and knows when I am lost. I never thought about state or education rules about driver's ed though. Thanks for posting your question and to all who responded. You are all better than the Who Wants to be a Millionaire " lifelines " . You are all real lifelines. Thanks for sharing (and caring). Sherelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 My daughter, who has down syndrome, does not drive, but took the classroom portion of drivers education twice. She never had a desire to drive, but we wanted her to have the experience and allow her to develop the confidence to try if shw wanted. Although she never did drive, it was not wasted time. She learned the rules of the road and has become an excellent back seat driver!! And ...our son has Down Syndrome, and we knew after a few attempts at > go-karting, while he is very enthusiastic, he was not going to drive. We > did not even want to give him the drivers ed study we did not want to let > him think this was going to be an option.We did not want to give him false > hope. His judgement and reflex are both way too slow. > Cindi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 Sherelle: I think we all benefit from everyone's experience and knowledge. Thanks for your supportive words! Co-moderator, Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeldegskb@... Re:Driver's Education Boy, this group is so informative. I have wondered ifmy son with autism could ever learn to drive. He isgood with maps and knows when I am lost. I neverthought about state or education rules about driver'sed though. Thanks for posting your question and toall who responded. You are all better than the WhoWants to be a Millionaire "lifelines". You are allreal lifelines. Thanks for sharing (and caring).Sherelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2007 Report Share Posted March 25, 2007 did get instruction on safety in the community and does know several important sight words and signs. But he never had to take the classroom or driving portion as he can not read enough to get much out of it. He probably could have taken it if we wanted him too but I knew he will never drive and I think the time was better spent on community safety, walking, bus travel, signs, etc, Maybe that was used in place for Drivers Ed. It has been awhile as is almost 26 but everyone has to do what they think is best. ShirleyVicki Niswander <vniswander@...> wrote: My daughter, who has down syndrome, does not drive, but took the classroom portion of drivers education twice. She never had a desire to drive, but we wanted her to have the experience and allow her to develop the confidence to try if shw wanted. Although she never did drive, it was not wasted time. She learned the rules of the road and has become an excellent back seat driver!! And ...our son has Down Syndrome, and we knew after a few attempts at > go-karting, while he is very enthusiastic, he was not going to drive. We > did not even want to give him the drivers ed study we did not want to let > him think this was going to be an option.We did not want to give him false > hope. His judgement and reflex are both way too slow.> Cindi> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2007 Report Share Posted March 26, 2007 Sherrie, I can understand how you feel. I admire you for voicing it. There are a lot of people who can't or don't drive. Besides, I think in this case this means less worry for you. I would think that our children might focus on the rules of the road and may even learn them well but a lot of driving involves watching other drivers and dealing with those situtions. Out there on the road everyone is not following the rules. It could be a lot to deal with. Kudos for making the right choice for your family. Sherelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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