(No subject)

[Guest guest]

I am copying a letter that I have just finished and plan to hand carry to my

son's school in the morning, make that THIS morning. I have not had any sleep

and am a bit ticked, to say the least.

Please email me any feedback that comes to mind as you process what you read.

Also, please let me know how toileting is handled with your special needs child.

As some of you know, Alden is in grade 1 in an exclusive classroom that

basically mainstreams, sort of. While the EPISD system says that it is working

toward inclusion, they distinguish inclusion and full inclusion in writing.

They call their program of special education a " system in progress " that has

been working toward full inclusion for the last 10 years (how long is this going

to take because they are FAR, FAR from any real inclusion with children like

Alden!). If you have the time, google EPISD and look at their special education

information. Any feedback is welcome. Thanks. Kiersten

My letter with {names removed}:

It has come to my attention that {my son}is using the student bathroom

facilities with the teacher outside of the door and standing in the hallway. He

is being coached to do his " business " from a distance due to the privacy needs

of the other students. I understand that older children have been in the

restroom at the same time as {my son}, and that on more than one occasion {my

son} has left a stall with his pants down around his ankles. Mrs. {son's

teacher} informed me that when she reminds {my son} to return to the stall to

pull up his pants, he complies.

This is not acceptable. {My son} should not be using facilities for toileting

with the other non-disabled or disabled students. His disability affects

multiple areas of difficulty in regards to toilet training. His low muscle tone

effects digestion, bowel function, and thus training. His short arms make

learning to physically and successfully pull his pants up and down a hit and

miss adventure. His developmental stage makes him vulnerable to others and also

could result in a bowel mess, if he is not assisted. At times, his pull-up may

tear, which is what I found in his pants on the day that he " leaked " all over

his clothes. Perhaps if he had had the proper assistance, his pull up could

have been changed before it leaked. The age of 8 is the AVERAGE age of

successful toilet training for children with Down Syndrome. He has not had

early success, but he certainly is not late in this training, either.

While it may seem inconvenient, he should be taken to the restroom on a

semi-regular basis, in a private setting, with the teacher, nurse, or

appropriate aid to assist him when necessary. He should NOT EVER be subjected

to humiliation nor should he be set up in this way for future bullying, teasing,

witnessing of inappropriate behavior, or molestation. It only takes a second

for a child to be abused and this setting is NOT a safe environment for {my

son}.

I understand that the problem has come about due to the distance from the

classroom or PE setting to the nurses' office and that the student bathroom

facilities are closer. It is true that when we discussed placement for {my

son}, we were assured that toileting would not be a problem as there was a

bathroom in the classroom. Due to the classroom being moved to a room with no

toileting facility in said classroom, apparently this procedure was thought to

be appropriate. It is not appropriate, not only for {my son}, but also for ANY

child with developmental delay. Other schools that I have observed have not

even subjected 5th grade students with Down Syndrome to use the student

facilities. The standard procedure in inclusive settings is a private setting,

usually the nurses' office, to safeguard that student from harm or humiliation.

If a parent should request their child be " included " in toileting as the other

students, then that would be their

decision along with the school. The educators and school system should already

have safeguards in place for students with developmental delay regarding

toileting, changing of clothes for gym (when appropriate), and any other

situation in which such a child may be vulnerable.

If another aid or paraprofessional needs to be brought on board in order to

accommodate {my son's} toileting needs, then that needs to happen, ASAP. I am

convinced, however, that a safe system could be implemented, as it has been in

previous inclusive settings in which {my son} has attended, with a little bit of

thought and scheduling. I am upset that trained professionals in the area of

special education did not think this through and have put my son in this

position. In the meantime, {my son} will be taken to the nurses' office on a

regular basis starting immediately, and given the privacy that he deserves to

learn this skill.

This notice needs to be added to {my son's} current IEP. I am also requesting,

at this time, that an ARD be scheduled ASAP.

Thank you.

Kiersten L. Newby

CC {name}: Director of Special Education/EPISD