Re: Autism Clusters in Broward Elementary schools

[Guest guest]

My son attended the cluster at Fox Trail Elementary 2 years ago for

kindergarten. It was the biggest mistake of his life. He is very

high functioning (PDD-NOS), was in a class of 6 kids with a teacher

and 2 aides (who were lovely people). He learned almost nothing and

I had to fight constantly to get the school to do anything. They

did not challenge him, did not offer him services without my forcing

it (like speech, OT and behavior therapies), did not explore any

form of mainstreaming. I can't comment on the cluster programs at

other schools, but stay away from this one.

-- In sList , " FND Broward "

wrote:

>

> If a student is to be placed in General Ed - they almost always

attend their

> home school.

> Autism Clusters in Broward Elementary

schools

>

>

> > We are considering a move to your area. My son is in 3rd grade

and

> > would be considered high functioning. I am concerned about what

> > the " autism cluster " means for him as far as placement. He has

always

> > been in a general education setting with support from an aide or

> > resource teacher at times. When we lived in Georgia as he was

> > entering Kindergarten the IEP team (with the exception of my

husband

> > and I) reccommended placement in the general education setting,

but

> > wanted him to go to a cluster school where support staff was

housed

> > instead of our neighborhood boundary school with his friends and

> > brothers and sisters. We moved out of county to secure a

neighborhood

> > school placement. I am tired of fighting with school disticts and

> > don't even want to go there again!! Does Broward county to

anyones

> > knowledge require the student with autism to attend a cluster

school

> > even if he is in the regular education environment full time and

would

> > need only some support in the classroom during specific times

(eg.

> > language arts or something like that)? Currently, we are in

Illinois

> > and he is in a reg ed 3rd grade with an aide assigned to the

classroom

> > at our neighborhood school. Thanks in advance for any

clarification

> > on what exactly a cluster school means.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Im sorry, but I have to disagree with this last post. My son went to Fox Trail for 6 years and it was the BEST decision we ever made. The cluster program was wonderful, they challenged him and kept the work at his level. He was mainstreamed for increasing amounts of time throughout and was eventually fully mainstreamed for 4th and 5th grades. It wasnt always easy, however,the school was wonderful to work with and very willing to hear my concerns. The administration is 100% dedicated to children with special needs. The principal of the school knows every child in the cluster classrooms.

Along time ago, after moving my son from school to school every 6 months-someone wonderful said to me...."Find a school and make it work". It worked for my son.

I hope it works in middle school as that is our newest adventure.

Best regards, Weinkle

[Guest guest]

Neither Broward or any other county anywhere can require a child regardless of his/her label to attend a "cluster" class. Decisions about placement must be made on a child's unique needs, and the fact that your child is already in a general ed. class will work in his favor if you want to continue placement in general ed.

Hertog, J.D.* M.A.FounderFlorida School Partners, LLCEducational Consulting Services4000 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Ste. 470Coral Gables, Florida 33146ph: fax: Hertog@...www.FloridaSchoolPartners.com *Licensed to practice law only in New York State

[Guest guest]

A heartfelt thank you to all who have taken time to respond to my

request. I think I am starting to see a clearer picture of what

Broward County's range of placements look like in general. The

term " cluster " was confusing for me as I had in the past experienced

this term to mean a school where staff trained in Autism were

staffed. Even the kids who were in regular education full time had

to go to the " cluster " school, but not necc. a smaller type of

seperate classroom at the school. I think I am " hearing " from you is

a cluster class is another term for a self contained autism

classroom and certian schools have those classrooms. Staff trained

in autism would could be accessed at any school if needed? I have

an inclusion mindset versus a " mainstream " mindset. I assume

placement is in a regular education homeroom and classes and if

individual pull out is needed for IEP goals, then that is done. In

my mind " mainstream " means the student belongs to the special

education teacher and then is brought to a regular education

environment on occasion, but his " belonging " is to the special

education classroom. I would accept nothing else for my son other

than full inclusion with supplementary aids and services inside of

the regular education classroom. That is where his IEP goals could

me met and is least restrictive. Right now that is how the IEP

placement is written and his support is in the form of an aide for

the classroom at our home school. I would bring that with me to FL

and expect it to be followed upon enrollment....BUT I know that the

school administrators attitude makes all the difference in the

success of inclusion. I agree that you make it work, but would at

least like to come into " friendly " territory since I do have that

advantage just coming to the area. I truly appreciate all the

comments as they help me to see many viewpoints and try to bring

them all togther to help make some decisions. One of the " joys " of

having a child with autism is being apart of an amazing community of

kids and thier exceptional parents and professionals who work along

with us.