ReadabilityLocal School District Versus My Autistic Son
by Timothy Imholt
Normally when I write a BLOG I rarely make it about things going on with me. Today I feel that I must rant about a local issue that is impacting one of my two sons.
I have a son who is autistic. He is a mild case, highly functioning but he is also at a very crucial point in his development (3.5 years old).
For those who aren’t familiar with the available services for these kids there are some amazing ones here in this state (if you can get to them).
Each child is evaluated by teams of professionals and given what is called an IEP (Individualize Education Plan). The parents and the school district review the plan (that the team comes up with) and it is eventually agreed upon. These plans are designed so that kids who are autistic (or have other problems) can start even with other kids when you get to the actual k-12 program.
It is a system that is far and gone above the one that was around when I was a kid. It really does make a difference in the lives of these children.
We recently moved from one school district to another in the same State. When we called the new school district and tried to enroll our son that is when all the fun started.
We did what any good parents would do. We called the enrollment office at the new district and said, hey we live here now, our son has this IEP from the other Massachusetts district, let’s get him enrolled.
They said (on the first call) that they were between sessions and everyone was out of the office so we would have to call back.
Fast forward a week, we call back, and were told that we have to bring his documented IEP into this one person at the district.
My wife takes the IEP in, drops it off, of course that person isn’t there, so it is left with an administrator who says it will get to this one, and only one person, who is permitted to review it and get the ball rolling.
Fast forward another few days, we call back and we get voicemail. We dutifully leave a detailed message and get no return call. I could repeat that story several times with many more unreturned calls.
Well, go forward another few days, the school year starts…still no return call.
Now school has been in session a week and we continue to leave messages, call, email, and yet we get nothing in return.
Now, if you have an autistic child, or know someone who does you know that breaks in services for these children can be very detrimental. They can drive them backwards in a big hurry and that is not what you want.
Now luckily my wife and I are in a position where we can get him some level of service privately (not nearly what he needs). We are doing that so at least it isn’t a total break. But if these services are going to be offered and advertised the least the people charged with enrolling students can do…is return a phone call. Just once.
Now that I am paying the taxes in this state that pay for these services I think I should be able to take advantage of them. Apparently paying taxes doesn’t imply that the services you pay for are yours to take advantage of. So, I will pay for them a second time and go private but unfortunately no everyone has that ability.
I will continue to fight the school district, as my son, as does everyone else’s (and daughter) deserves better than this. But I can’t help but wonder, if I were politically well connected, if I were, perhaps, related to someone at the school district, would things be different? The world may never know, in the mean time I will continue my crusade to get my son all of the services he is supposed to receive through the taxes I continue to pay.
Now, I find myself wondering what happens more and more as common core is implemented. I wonder if the commonality will be this type of service across all portions of the educational spectrum. I sure hope not. But there is always Catholic School!
I wonder if the State will reimburse me the taxes I pay for these services, as I had to go pay for them privately? Probably not. We can always dream I suppose.
by Timothy Imholt
Normally when I write a BLOG I rarely make it about things going on with me. Today I feel that I must rant about a local issue that is impacting one of my two sons.
I have a son who is autistic. He is a mild case, highly functioning but he is also at a very crucial point in his development (3.5 years old).
For those who aren’t familiar with the available services for these kids there are some amazing ones here in this state (if you can get to them).
Each child is evaluated by teams of professionals and given what is called an IEP (Individualize Education Plan). The parents and the school district review the plan (that the team comes up with) and it is eventually agreed upon. These plans are designed so that kids who are autistic (or have other problems) can start even with other kids when you get to the actual k-12 program.
It is a system that is far and gone above the one that was around when I was a kid. It really does make a difference in the lives of these children.
We recently moved from one school district to another in the same State. When we called the new school district and tried to enroll our son that is when all the fun started.
We did what any good parents would do. We called the enrollment office at the new district and said, hey we live here now, our son has this IEP from the other Massachusetts district, let’s get him enrolled.
They said (on the first call) that they were between sessions and everyone was out of the office so we would have to call back.
Fast forward a week, we call back, and were told that we have to bring his documented IEP into this one person at the district.
My wife takes the IEP in, drops it off, of course that person isn’t there, so it is left with an administrator who says it will get to this one, and only one person, who is permitted to review it and get the ball rolling.
Fast forward another few days, we call back and we get voicemail. We dutifully leave a detailed message and get no return call. I could repeat that story several times with many more unreturned calls.
Well, go forward another few days, the school year starts…still no return call.
Now school has been in session a week and we continue to leave messages, call, email, and yet we get nothing in return.
Now, if you have an autistic child, or know someone who does you know that breaks in services for these children can be very detrimental. They can drive them backwards in a big hurry and that is not what you want.
Now luckily my wife and I are in a position where we can get him some level of service privately (not nearly what he needs). We are doing that so at least it isn’t a total break. But if these services are going to be offered and advertised the least the people charged with enrolling students can do…is return a phone call. Just once.
Now that I am paying the taxes in this state that pay for these services I think I should be able to take advantage of them. Apparently paying taxes doesn’t imply that the services you pay for are yours to take advantage of. So, I will pay for them a second time and go private but unfortunately no everyone has that ability.
I will continue to fight the school district, as my son, as does everyone else’s (and daughter) deserves better than this. But I can’t help but wonder, if I were politically well connected, if I were, perhaps, related to someone at the school district, would things be different? The world may never know, in the mean time I will continue my crusade to get my son all of the services he is supposed to receive through the taxes I continue to pay.
Now, I find myself wondering what happens more and more as common core is implemented. I wonder if the commonality will be this type of service across all portions of the educational spectrum. I sure hope not. But there is always Catholic School!
I wonder if the State will reimburse me the taxes I pay for these services, as I had to go pay for them privately? Probably not. We can always dream I suppose.
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Tim,
Get the EC/Special Education administrator on the phone.. Follow up with a note return receipt requested. (Make them sign for it.) You have my email in your system. Send me a note if you don’t get action this week!
To only have one person who does the review and implantation of an IEP is in my opinion foolish at best and criminal at worst. If the contact person can’t even return a phone call, they should not be in the position they hold. If they are out, then say so on their voice mail. Give an alternate contact or just maybe…have an assistant? That is pathetic of the school district to do and allow to happen. While I cannot speak to the taxes in your area, I know ours are up there in the area my family lives in, and like you we have found difficulty in getting the school provided services despite what the IEP states. Worse, we actually had a provider (and I will use that term very loosely in describing this waste of carbon/oxygen thief of a person) who because we did not want a certain type of communication device literally REFUSED to help us, or even provide information/background to a different provider (same field) due to change in school. This is the accepted behaviors of the districts.
We have had to go to the school district superintendent because of these types of issues, and we refuse to bow down to the political garbage the district spout such as budget, staffing, or just average old time per day. Like you we pay taxes, so if your district states you are eligible for those services, FORCE them to provide them. Talk to the superintendent, go to the school board meetings bringing the issues to light. And if that does not work, don’t bother with mediation, go to the news/blogs and get the issue brought forth and embarrass the district.