5 yr old barred from field trip!

October 9, 2002

THE IDEA requires that all children with disabilities in a public school

have access to same curriculum and extracurricular activities as non-

disabled peers. An ARD committee should not be barring a kid with autism,

for example, from a field trip.

The law requires accomodations for these activities just as it requires

accomdations for the typical school day. Accomodations can be a one on one

aide. The schools have to provide the accomodation if that is what is needed

for the child to participate.

My son, for example, has written into his IEP that for any dance ( he is 130

), sporting event, after school activity, etc, he will have an aide that is

familiar with him and his IEP so that he can attend these functions and be

successful.

Having said that, if there was an activity that I thought my son would not

do well on, I would simply not send him.

But, take a class trip to a petting farm:. Provide the child w/ an aid.

Develop a schedule that he can understand ( pictures - Bus ride, cows,

sheep, horses, picnic lunch, restroom, movie on chickens, Bus back to

school), allow the attendant to modify the schedule if needed by the child,

ensure all postitive supports are in place, have a back up plan if child

becomes over stimulated - maybe the aide and child go back to the bus and

listen to music)...all this takes is thinking things through. IT is not

Rocket Science.

Do not let ARD committees or teachers make blanket decisions. Out kids can

learn to be successful and enjoy most, if not all the activities of their

peers.

My son's folder teacher encouraged her AU kids NOT to go to school the pep

rally - too nosiey. However, I pushed for my son to go and he loves them! He

loves the music, the cheerleaders , and the fact the school mascot - a

mustang - is usually brought in and he gets to pet it. He also loves school

dances though he does say it gets loud.

look to build bridges not barriers.

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