Re: 7 year old walk home from school during the day!!!!

[Guest guest]

I just think wow, why didn't the teacher go after him?

April Barker wrote: I don't write in much

but I need some help.. My 7 year old son who has pdd-nos today. walked home from

school by him self during the school day. He is in a 2nd grade mainstream class.

He has use of content mastery. He does very good with grade level work with

support. Today I sent money to school with him for a Staff vs. student

Volleyball game that is on Friday . They are also selling popcorn and candy at

the game so I sent a 1.00 for the game and a 1.00 in change for the snack stuff.

The teacher called up to her desk and told him to take the change home he

just needed 1.00 for the game. So that is just what he did. He walked out of the

class down the hall turned down another hall and walk out front door of the

school and the almost two blocks home and knocked on the door and told me his

teacher told him he just need the one dollar not two and gave me the change. Ok

, Like any other mother I flipped out,crying

and scared to death about how, why and how could this be, and all the what if's

that could of happened to him.

I was on the phone to my husband when I answered the door and found our .

He left work and was on his way home. His teacher called after had been

home for 15 min to tell me was missing and to see if he was here. I told

her he was here and the my husband and I would bring him back to school when my

husband got home.

So we take him back to school and have and informal talk with the principal,vice

principal, speech teacher , teacher,my husband and myself. They told us how they

went about looking for him and all I told them how scared I was and of the what

if's they could of happened . They told us how they would do social stories with

him in speech . How they could make it on paper and tape it to his desk so he

can see it and read it. The teacher said she would be more carefully about how

she worded things to . Other then that the only other thing they could do

would be to put him in a Rise class.

How would you all respond to this and what would you do as the parent? My

husband said he thought the should give the teacher some help with an aide. Can

with get this by law . This would not be one just for my son but one for the

whole class. I need help with how to handle this. The teacher really is a good

teacher and she is great with and is dong good as far as the work and

learning . He is on grade level for everything some days it just harder to get

him to focus . When he has this he goes to the content Room and does it there

mostly just for a quiet place to do it, sometimes he needs help but most of the

time the papers are marked to little to no help from them. I just don't know

what to do.. or what I can get them to do . What would you do in my place??? Any

help anyone could give would be Greatly welcomed!!!!!

Thanks

April Barker

mom of (Pdd-nos) in

Crowley ISD at

Parkway Elem

[Guest guest]

She did not know that he left she said she talked to another student and then

picked up a book that she was going to read to the class and called all the

class to come seat down in front of her and then that is when she looked around

and did not see and asked everyone where is . One of the kids said he

walked out of the room. Then she went looking around for him in the bathrooms

and the lunch room and my daughter class room , all over the school. I don't

know how long he had been gone out of the room before she knew he was gone or

how long it took him to get home. All I know is that he was home for 15 min.

before she called me .

Re: 7 year old walk home from school during

the day!!!!

I just think wow, why didn't the teacher go after him?

April Barker wrote: I don't write in much but I

need some help.. My 7 year old son who has pdd-nos today. walked home from

school by him self during the school day. He is in a 2nd grade mainstream class.

He has use of content mastery. He does very good with grade level work with

support. Today I sent money to school with him for a Staff vs. student

Volleyball game that is on Friday . They are also selling popcorn and candy at

the game so I sent a 1.00 for the game and a 1.00 in change for the snack stuff.

The teacher called up to her desk and told him to take the change home he

just needed 1.00 for the game. So that is just what he did. He walked out of the

class down the hall turned down another hall and walk out front door of the

school and the almost two blocks home and knocked on the door and told me his

teacher told him he just need the one dollar not two and gave me the change. Ok

, Like any other mother I flipped out,crying

and scared to death about how, why and how could this be, and all the what

if's that could of happened to him.

I was on the phone to my husband when I answered the door and found our .

He left work and was on his way home. His teacher called after had been

home for 15 min to tell me was missing and to see if he was here. I told

her he was here and the my husband and I would bring him back to school when my

husband got home.

So we take him back to school and have and informal talk with the

principal,vice principal, speech teacher , teacher,my husband and myself. They

told us how they went about looking for him and all I told them how scared I was

and of the what if's they could of happened . They told us how they would do

social stories with him in speech . How they could make it on paper and tape it

to his desk so he can see it and read it. The teacher said she would be more

carefully about how she worded things to . Other then that the only other

thing they could do would be to put him in a Rise class.

How would you all respond to this and what would you do as the parent? My

husband said he thought the should give the teacher some help with an aide. Can

with get this by law . This would not be one just for my son but one for the

whole class. I need help with how to handle this. The teacher really is a good

teacher and she is great with and is dong good as far as the work and

learning . He is on grade level for everything some days it just harder to get

him to focus . When he has this he goes to the content Room and does it there

mostly just for a quiet place to do it, sometimes he needs help but most of the

time the papers are marked to little to no help from them. I just don't know

what to do.. or what I can get them to do . What would you do in my place??? Any

help anyone could give would be Greatly welcomed!!!!!

Thanks

April Barker

mom of (Pdd-nos) in

Crowley ISD at

Parkway Elem

[Guest guest]

It is their job to keep your child safe while at school. How was he

able to jsut walk out of class and out of the school without anyone

stopping him? How long did it take for them to notice he was missing?

I would be furious. Any number of awful things coudl have happened,

and then all theyw ould do is say how sorry they are?

If I were you, I woudl demand an aide for my son. He needs an aide to

help him focus and to keep him safe. If they don't want to provide

this service which I feel is in keeping within the spirit of FAPE, then

call Advocacy Incorporated and get an advocate to go to an ARD with you.

They provide thsi service free of charge.

Shygirl

[Guest guest]

Actually I think his teacher sounds lovely and careful and diligent in how you

describe her. I imagine she feesl terrible and given your description of how

well your son is doing that must reflect on her ability to be a good teacher

also. Its a good bad situation. I would not make her feel worse I would try to

contain the situation and implement the type of goals suggested. I would

take her words, cut and paste to the ARD, then modify as needed.

I doubt this will ever happen again, the teacher will be on heightened alert.

Looking at the big picture it seems an honest mistake and our kids are so rule

bound you could develop some rules like: always ask the teacher when you want to

leave even if you think she said go home. Or never go out the front door without

going in to the office first to let them know..

It doesn't sound like your son is a runner where this is a constant risk that

would require an Aide

I know the shock must have really distressed you, but what a classic story, a

perfect illustration. You must write it up and send to Wayne Gilpin at Future

Horizons publishing company to use.in his Loving and Laughing with Autism books.

I do not mean to minimize your distress by saying any of this. It was a shock

but I do think the school cares and will make some changes for you.

Diane

shygirl75158 wrote:

It is their job to keep your child safe while at school. How was he

able to jsut walk out of class and out of the school without anyone

stopping him? How long did it take for them to notice he was missing?

I would be furious. Any number of awful things coudl have happened,

and then all theyw ould do is say how sorry they are?

If I were you, I woudl demand an aide for my son. He needs an aide to

help him focus and to keep him safe. If they don't want to provide

this service which I feel is in keeping within the spirit of FAPE, then

call Advocacy Incorporated and get an advocate to go to an ARD with you.

They provide thsi service free of charge.

Shygirl

[Guest guest]

Point well taken, Diane, but I guess I was imagining my son doing this

and he does not have an adequate sense of danger, and I just can't

imagine...

This year they weren't goign to see tht he got into the building in the

morning and no one was going to make sure he got from point A to point

B.

I think safety issues are a big concern for our kids, but this child

seems to be muchmore high functioning than my son if he can be

mainstreamed without an aide, so I could be wrong...

I was a teacher for fifteen years and I was jsut surprised that a seven

year old could get outside the buildign without anyone noticing.

Shygirl

[Guest guest]

Are you on Medicaid and do you know about Medicaid waivers for your son, CLASS

and MDCP and IN & FS

you can email off line. Its a long wait 6 -8 years but a source of funding to

pay for things he needs

dvmurrell@...

shygirl75158 wrote:

Point well taken, Diane, but I guess I was imagining my son doing this

and he does not have an adequate sense of danger, and I just can't

imagine...

This year they weren't goign to see tht he got into the building in the

morning and no one was going to make sure he got from point A to point

B.

I think safety issues are a big concern for our kids, but this child

seems to be muchmore high functioning than my son if he can be

mainstreamed without an aide, so I could be wrong...

I was a teacher for fifteen years and I was jsut surprised that a seven

year old could get outside the buildign without anyone noticing.

Shygirl

[Guest guest]

ditto! i think the staff reacted well - discovering his dissappearance quickly

and searching all the usual places before contacting you sounds reasonable.

making the contacts, conducting the searches, could take up to 30 minutes.

teacher realizes how he takes her wording and vows to be more careful about how

she phrases things. i think you are fortunate to have a team with a conscience.

accidents happen, people lose their kids for 5 minutes all the time. even the

best parent at one time or another has messed up so i don't think the good

teacher should be crucified having to handle a handful of kids all at once.

besides, non autistic kids do the same thing. my brother actually went to

school when he was three. just to hang out with the boys on the field playing

football. then, when he six or seven decided he was done with school for the

day and came home around lunch time. told our mom the teacher sent him home

because he looked sick. she sent him back to school and watched him meet the

teacher at the door. at the time not so funny but mom laughs about both

incidents now.

Diane V Murrell wrote:

Actually I think his teacher sounds lovely and careful and diligent in

how you describe her. I imagine she feesl terrible and given your description of

how well your son is doing that must reflect on her ability to be a good teacher

also. Its a good bad situation. I would not make her feel worse I would try to

contain the situation and implement the type of goals suggested. I would

take her words, cut and paste to the ARD, then modify as needed.

I doubt this will ever happen again, the teacher will be on heightened alert.

Looking at the big picture it seems an honest mistake and our kids are so rule

bound you could develop some rules like: always ask the teacher when you want to

leave even if you think she said go home. Or never go out the front door without

going in to the office first to let them know..

It doesn't sound like your son is a runner where this is a constant risk that

would require an Aide

I know the shock must have really distressed you, but what a classic story, a

perfect illustration. You must write it up and send to Wayne Gilpin at Future

Horizons publishing company to use.in his Loving and Laughing with Autism books.

I do not mean to minimize your distress by saying any of this. It was a shock

but I do think the school cares and will make some changes for you.

Diane

shygirl75158 wrote:

It is their job to keep your child safe while at school. How was he

able to jsut walk out of class and out of the school without anyone

stopping him? How long did it take for them to notice he was missing?

I would be furious. Any number of awful things coudl have happened,

and then all theyw ould do is say how sorry they are?

If I were you, I woudl demand an aide for my son. He needs an aide to

help him focus and to keep him safe. If they don't want to provide

this service which I feel is in keeping within the spirit of FAPE, then

call Advocacy Incorporated and get an advocate to go to an ARD with you.

They provide thsi service free of charge.

Shygirl

[Guest guest]

AM not sure if this was meant for me or shygirl But any here goes:

We have just started getting SSI ,but because my husband gets paid every two

weeks and that two months out of the year he gets three pay checks on those two

months does not get it, the third pay check puts us over so he does not get

it then but does for the other ten months out of the year.This month that is

just what is going on.we just started last month and I signed up for it in Aug.

They told me that I should get Medicaid for but because of this month it

will not be started not sure I understand it all. I was told on the months he

get SSI he will get Medicaid too,but I have never got any paper work or anything

to fill out. Does this happen like this to any one else?

I have signed up for class but the list is long.It will be years before we get

any help there.

April Barker

Re: Re: 7 year old walk home from school

during the day!!!!

Are you on Medicaid and do you know about Medicaid waivers for your son, CLASS

and MDCP and IN & FS

you can email off line. Its a long wait 6 -8 years but a source of funding to

pay for things he needs

dvmurrell@...

shygirl75158 wrote:

Point well taken, Diane, but I guess I was imagining my son doing this

and he does not have an adequate sense of danger, and I just can't

imagine...

This year they weren't goign to see tht he got into the building in the

morning and no one was going to make sure he got from point A to point

B.

I think safety issues are a big concern for our kids, but this child

seems to be muchmore high functioning than my son if he can be

mainstreamed without an aide, so I could be wrong...

I was a teacher for fifteen years and I was jsut surprised that a seven

year old could get outside the buildign without anyone noticing.

Shygirl

[Guest guest]

I don't want the teacher to get in trouble..But we do need to put in place

something to make sure this does not happen again. is and was safe this

time. It could of not have been that way very easily. There are so many what if

that could of happened and we all were very very lucky. I myself would like to

look at this a learning thing and put things in place to make sure it does not

happen again. Many good points were made so I can take to an ard meeting. I

really thought about it and I well call one so we can get things in his iep to

help him learn all of the social things he does not know and should be learning.

I not the kind of person to point fingers and blame the school for everything.

This happen and everone involed need to take a big breath and say ok " What can

we do to make sure this does not happen again? What can we do to help the

teacher and help my son? "

I really don't see why and aide would be bad. I think having that for the class

and to help the teacher and put new goal in 's iep can help resolve this and

keep another day like this from happening again. I know speaking for myself I

don't what to live it again and after seeing the teacher red eyes from crying

and the distress look on everyone else's face am sure they don't want to relive

that day again either.

April Barker

Re: Re: 7 year old walk home from school

during the day!!!!

ditto! i think the staff reacted well - discovering his dissappearance quickly

and searching all the usual places before contacting you sounds reasonable.

making the contacts, conducting the searches, could take up to 30 minutes.

teacher realizes how he takes her wording and vows to be more careful about how

she phrases things. i think you are fortunate to have a team with a conscience.

accidents happen, people lose their kids for 5 minutes all the time. even the

best parent at one time or another has messed up so i don't think the good

teacher should be crucified having to handle a handful of kids all at once.

besides, non autistic kids do the same thing. my brother actually went to

school when he was three. just to hang out with the boys on the field playing

football. then, when he six or seven decided he was done with school for the day

and came home around lunch time. told our mom the teacher sent him home because

he looked sick. she sent him back to school and watched him meet the teacher at

the door. at the time not so funny but mom laughs about both incidents now.

Diane V Murrell wrote:

Actually I think his teacher sounds lovely and careful and diligent in how you

describe her. I imagine she feesl terrible and given your description of how

well your son is doing that must reflect on her ability to be a good teacher

also. Its a good bad situation. I would not make her feel worse I would try to

contain the situation and implement the type of goals suggested. I would

take her words, cut and paste to the ARD, then modify as needed.

I doubt this will ever happen again, the teacher will be on heightened alert.

Looking at the big picture it seems an honest mistake and our kids are so rule

bound you could develop some rules like: always ask the teacher when you want to

leave even if you think she said go home. Or never go out the front door without

going in to the office first to let them know..

It doesn't sound like your son is a runner where this is a constant risk that

would require an Aide

I know the shock must have really distressed you, but what a classic story, a

perfect illustration. You must write it up and send to Wayne Gilpin at Future

Horizons publishing company to use.in his Loving and Laughing with Autism books.

I do not mean to minimize your distress by saying any of this. It was a shock

but I do think the school cares and will make some changes for you.

Diane

shygirl75158 wrote:

It is their job to keep your child safe while at school. How was he

able to jsut walk out of class and out of the school without anyone

stopping him? How long did it take for them to notice he was missing?

I would be furious. Any number of awful things coudl have happened,

and then all theyw ould do is say how sorry they are?

If I were you, I woudl demand an aide for my son. He needs an aide to

help him focus and to keep him safe. If they don't want to provide

this service which I feel is in keeping within the spirit of FAPE, then

call Advocacy Incorporated and get an advocate to go to an ARD with you.

They provide thsi service free of charge.

Shygirl

[Guest guest]

I agree...if he had been hit by a car, abducted or got lost, we'd all be

reacting quite differently right now. Thank goodness he is safe. I feel for you

and hope that they will get it together quickly. The school is so lucky you

chose not to go to the media with this and for that alone, they should get it in

order immediately, and work with you for the best outcome for your son. G-d was

certainly watching over yesterday! I am thinking an emergency ARD is

definitely in order.

Hang in there!

Fran

April Barker wrote:

I don't want the teacher to get in trouble..But we do need to put in

place something to make sure this does not happen again. is and was safe

this time. It could of not have been that way very easily. There are so many

what if that could of happened and we all were very very lucky. I myself would

like to look at this a learning thing and put things in place to make sure it

does not happen again. Many good points were made so I can take to an ard

meeting. I really thought about it and I well call one so we can get things in

his iep to help him learn all of the social things he does not know and should

be learning. I not the kind of person to point fingers and blame the school for

everything. This happen and everone involed need to take a big breath and say ok

" What can we do to make sure this does not happen again? What can we do to help

the teacher and help my son? "

I really don't see why and aide would be bad. I think having that for the class

and to help the teacher and put new goal in 's iep can help resolve this and

keep another day like this from happening again. I know speaking for myself I

don't what to live it again and after seeing the teacher red eyes from crying

and the distress look on everyone else's face am sure they don't want to relive

that day again either.

April Barker

Re: Re: 7 year old walk home from school during

the day!!!!

ditto! i think the staff reacted well - discovering his dissappearance quickly

and searching all the usual places before contacting you sounds reasonable.

making the contacts, conducting the searches, could take up to 30 minutes.

teacher realizes how he takes her wording and vows to be more careful about how

she phrases things. i think you are fortunate to have a team with a conscience.

accidents happen, people lose their kids for 5 minutes all the time. even the

best parent at one time or another has messed up so i don't think the good

teacher should be crucified having to handle a handful of kids all at once.

besides, non autistic kids do the same thing. my brother actually went to school

when he was three. just to hang out with the boys on the field playing football.

then, when he six or seven decided he was done with school for the day and came

home around lunch time. told our mom the teacher sent him home because he looked

sick. she sent him back to school and watched him meet the teacher at the door.

at the time not so funny but mom laughs about both incidents now.

Diane V Murrell wrote:

Actually I think his teacher sounds lovely and careful and diligent in how you

describe her. I imagine she feesl terrible and given your description of how

well your son is doing that must reflect on her ability to be a good teacher

also. Its a good bad situation. I would not make her feel worse I would try to

contain the situation and implement the type of goals suggested. I would

take her words, cut and paste to the ARD, then modify as needed.

I doubt this will ever happen again, the teacher will be on heightened alert.

Looking at the big picture it seems an honest mistake and our kids are so rule

bound you could develop some rules like: always ask the teacher when you want to

leave even if you think she said go home. Or never go out the front door without

going in to the office first to let them know..

It doesn't sound like your son is a runner where this is a constant risk that

would require an Aide

I know the shock must have really distressed you, but what a classic story, a

perfect illustration. You must write it up and send to Wayne Gilpin at Future

Horizons publishing company to use.in his Loving and Laughing with Autism books.

I do not mean to minimize your distress by saying any of this. It was a shock

but I do think the school cares and will make some changes for you.

Diane

shygirl75158 wrote:

It is their job to keep your child safe while at school. How was he

able to jsut walk out of class and out of the school without anyone

stopping him? How long did it take for them to notice he was missing?

I would be furious. Any number of awful things coudl have happened,

and then all theyw ould do is say how sorry they are?

If I were you, I woudl demand an aide for my son. He needs an aide to

help him focus and to keep him safe. If they don't want to provide

this service which I feel is in keeping within the spirit of FAPE, then

call Advocacy Incorporated and get an advocate to go to an ARD with you.

They provide thsi service free of charge.

Shygirl

[Guest guest]

It really sounds to me like the school, and especially that teacher, is as upset

over this as you are. Here's a great opportunity to work as a team and as you

said, make sure this doesn't happen again. I can see how a student can slip out

of class easily (teacher turns her head or is helping another student); it's

getting out of the school building that shouldn't happen.

Again, the teacher and the school sound pretty caring to me. I think an

emergency ARD would be in everyone's best interest to make sure this doesn't

happen again...believe me, they wouldn't want that liability! Wandering off

isn't limited to special ed kids...my GT son regularly takes it upon himself to

" help " kids find the restroom, office, library, etc., and is constantly trying

to leave class. This is something they should be concerned with for ALL of the

kids there. Someone constantly watching the front door (our front desk clerk

faces the main doors to the school and there are lots of windows, so it would be

almost impossible for a student to sneak out); a " beep " when the doors are

opened, cameras, etc. -- lots of options for not only your son's safety, but the

safety of all the kids.

e

fran katz wrote:

I agree...if he had been hit by a car, abducted or got lost, we'd all

be reacting quite differently right now. Thank goodness he is safe. I feel for

you and hope that they will get it together quickly. The school is so lucky you

chose not to go to the media with this and for that alone, they should get it in

order immediately, and work with you for the best outcome for your son. G-d was

certainly watching over yesterday! I am thinking an emergency ARD is

definitely in order.

Hang in there!

Fran

April Barker wrote:

I don't want the teacher to get in trouble..But we do need to put in place

something to make sure this does not happen again. is and was safe this

time. It could of not have been that way very easily. There are so many what if

that could of happened and we all were very very lucky. I myself would like to

look at this a learning thing and put things in place to make sure it does not

happen again. Many good points were made so I can take to an ard meeting. I

really thought about it and I well call one so we can get things in his iep to

help him learn all of the social things he does not know and should be learning.

I not the kind of person to point fingers and blame the school for everything.

This happen and everone involed need to take a big breath and say ok " What can

we do to make sure this does not happen again? What can we do to help the

teacher and help my son? "

I really don't see why and aide would be bad. I think having that for the class

and to help the teacher and put new goal in 's iep can help resolve this and

keep another day like this from happening again. I know speaking for myself I

don't what to live it again and after seeing the teacher red eyes from crying

and the distress look on everyone else's face am sure they don't want to relive

that day again either.

April Barker

Re: Re: 7 year old walk home from school during

the day!!!!

ditto! i think the staff reacted well - discovering his dissappearance quickly

and searching all the usual places before contacting you sounds reasonable.

making the contacts, conducting the searches, could take up to 30 minutes.

teacher realizes how he takes her wording and vows to be more careful about how

she phrases things. i think you are fortunate to have a team with a conscience.

accidents happen, people lose their kids for 5 minutes all the time. even the

best parent at one time or another has messed up so i don't think the good

teacher should be crucified having to handle a handful of kids all at once.

besides, non autistic kids do the same thing. my brother actually went to school

when he was three. just to hang out with the boys on the field playing football.

then, when he six or seven decided he was done with school for the day and came

home around lunch time. told our mom the teacher sent him home because he looked

sick. she sent him back to school and watched him meet the teacher at the door.

at the time not so funny but mom laughs about both incidents now.

Diane V Murrell wrote:

Actually I think his teacher sounds lovely and careful and diligent in how you

describe her. I imagine she feesl terrible and given your description of how

well your son is doing that must reflect on her ability to be a good teacher

also. Its a good bad situation. I would not make her feel worse I would try to

contain the situation and implement the type of goals suggested. I would

take her words, cut and paste to the ARD, then modify as needed.

I doubt this will ever happen again, the teacher will be on heightened alert.

Looking at the big picture it seems an honest mistake and our kids are so rule

bound you could develop some rules like: always ask the teacher when you want to

leave even if you think she said go home. Or never go out the front door without

going in to the office first to let them know..

It doesn't sound like your son is a runner where this is a constant risk that

would require an Aide

I know the shock must have really distressed you, but what a classic story, a

perfect illustration. You must write it up and send to Wayne Gilpin at Future

Horizons publishing company to use.in his Loving and Laughing with Autism books.

I do not mean to minimize your distress by saying any of this. It was a shock

but I do think the school cares and will make some changes for you.

Diane

shygirl75158 wrote:

It is their job to keep your child safe while at school. How was he

able to jsut walk out of class and out of the school without anyone

stopping him? How long did it take for them to notice he was missing?

I would be furious. Any number of awful things coudl have happened,

and then all theyw ould do is say how sorry they are?

If I were you, I woudl demand an aide for my son. He needs an aide to

help him focus and to keep him safe. If they don't want to provide

this service which I feel is in keeping within the spirit of FAPE, then

call Advocacy Incorporated and get an advocate to go to an ARD with you.

They provide thsi service free of charge.

Shygirl