Re: News Article in our Local Paper

November 5, 2006

We had meeting #3 on Thursday and we are VERY close to putting this

IEP to rest. The major component is the behavior plan. I think I

just have some descriptive and wording changes I will request. We

are just going to do the rest in writing as we have met for 8 hours

this year.

Among the flurry of emails I am sending off to our principal this

weekend was a thank you for a few things. Some of the fifth graders

do a weekly news show that's broadcast to the school, then on the

high school cable channel. My son is on the news team for fall. He

interviewed the VP the first week and did a great job--listened well

and responded with appropriate comments.

This week he did community connection, which were local events. For

this week, there is a new segment, " Did you know? " You get to report

on a fact that would interest people, but that they wouldn't know

about. Does that sound tailor made for an Aspie or what?

I have no idea what you writing style is, but I just wanted to

encourage you not to make it accusatory. Make it more along the

lines of " I can see what those other district boys have accomplished

with the support they received, we wish the same success for our own

son. These are his current needs. Let's meet and discuss how we

can address them. "

And when something is working, thank them for it. They hear a lot of

complaints, and everyone likes kudos that are often not expressed.

JMO,

Jackie

On Nov 5, 2006, at 9:07 AM, andysally82 wrote:

> I am so angry at our school that I could just scream. I just read

> an article in our local newspaper in New Castle, PA about two boys

> with Aspergers and all the support the school is giving them. How

> these two boys have become so successful because of the support of

> the autistic support teacher, and the coaches for the football and

> track team. How one is working writing articles for a small paper

> published weekly and one has a volunteer mentor working with him.

>

> My son gets no autistic support, and we have to sit down with all

> the teachers on Tuesday to develop a behavior plan because of his

> speaking out so much. My husband and I have spent the weekend

> getting a letter composed to the school about this and asking why my

> son is so different from other aspie's that he doesn't get the

> support needed.

>

> I think it is great what these two boys have accomplished and I

> think it is great that they have all these supports, I am just angry

> that I can't get it for my son. I am also taking the article to the

> meeting.

>

> Thanks for letting me vent.

>

> Sally

>

November 5, 2006

Sally,

You should take that article with you to your meeting and suggest strongly

that your school find out what they do that works. If they had the names of

the kids in the article maybe you could talk with their mom and find out how

she got the support she did and then you can ask for the same thing. We did

that last year and for the most part we were getting what we wanted only

problem was the principle really wanted him out of her school, she has a

reputation for only wanting to deal with the perfect student. My son is

doing better in the school he is in but I don't think academically he is

getting anywhere and I'm not sure he will pass the 4th grade proficiencies

he has to take this year.

But my husband isn't worried because he feels he is getting more of the

social skills he really needs and to him that is more important right now.

Suzanne

-- ( ) News Article in our Local Paper

I am so angry at our school that I could just scream. I just read

an article in our local newspaper in New Castle, PA about two boys

with Aspergers and all the support the school is giving them. How

these two boys have become so successful because of the support of

the autistic support teacher, and the coaches for the football and

track team. How one is working writing articles for a small paper

published weekly and one has a volunteer mentor working with him.

My son gets no autistic support, and we have to sit down with all

the teachers on Tuesday to develop a behavior plan because of his

speaking out so much. My husband and I have spent the weekend

getting a letter composed to the school about this and asking why my

son is so different from other aspie's that he doesn't get the

support needed.

I think it is great what these two boys have accomplished and I

think it is great that they have all these supports, I am just angry

that I can't get it for my son. I am also taking the article to the

meeting.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Sally

November 5, 2006

In a message dated 11/5/2006 9:12:51 AM Eastern Standard Time,

andysally82@... writes:

My husband and I have spent the weekend

getting a letter composed to the school about this and asking why my

son is so different from other aspie's that he doesn't get the

support needed.

Just remember that it is not a given that every student with autism will

receive the same services. An IEP is an independant/individualized plan. You

have to constantly ask questions about what kinds of programs and services are

available and prove the need to have your child participating in those

programs. To the school these kinds of programs = big $$. Pam

November 6, 2006

Try to put focus on your child's specific needs. Get data to support whatever

you are asking for. Use the article you found as a guideline to help you see

what services are available.

Roxanna

( ) News Article in our Local Paper