Parent Advocacy: Failure is NOT an Option
And so it begins.... Some of you may know that big kid was diagnosed with Autism. He was also born with Spina Bifida. Two different diagnosis independent of each other. However, those clinical terms do not, I repeat do NOT define big kid. Who is big kid? A charismatic, loving, funny boy who loves animal facts, dinosaurs, music and art. The ladies love him, the boys see him as a little brother. He's a big kid with a big smile and a big heart. Seeing big kid walking down the hall in school is like Walking into a bar where everybody knows your name. I mean, the kid is like the mayor!
This comes to no surprise to me. After all, his name as chosen very carefully. Our first born son needed to have a strong name, something with meaning and purpose, just like him. Once we set our eyes upon his name and finding out about his Spina Bifida, it was only right to name him so. He is strong and like Santa, he brings joy. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children. It just gets better and better.
Meaning & History: Nikolas
From the Greek name Νικολαος (Nikolaos) which meant "victory of the people" from Greek νικη (nike) "victory" and λαος (laos) "people". Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop from Anatolia who, according to legend, saved the daughters of a poor man from lives of prostitution. He is the patron saint of children, sailors and merchants, as well as Greece and Russia. He formed the basis for the figure known as Santa Claus (created in the 19th century from Dutch Sinterklaas), the bringer of Christmas presents.
Due to the renown of the saint, this name has been widely used in the Christian world. It has been common in England since the 12th century, though it became a bit less popular after the Protestant Reformation. The name has been borne by five popes and two czars of Russia.
Big kid has been going through some tough times at school. His current school cannot provide him with the appropriate setting for him. He's currently in an inclusive class with 32 kids, one Special Ed teacher and one General Ed. Big kid does much better in a smaller class setting. Fewer kids and more individual attention along with his related services would be ideal. He is struggling. Every day is a challenge. As his mother, I know first hand how frustrating it can be for both him and our family.
Upon having his IEP revised (individualized educational plan), to reflect his new diagnosis of autism, the school recommended he attend another school with a smaller class setting 6:1:1 ( no more than 6 kids, 1 teacher and 1 assistant) for autistic kids. This was revised back in December.
My parental rights state that we are o receive a placement letter within 60 days of the IEP. If a placement letter is not received within 60 days, a Nickerson letter will be sent ( a voucher allowing us to place big kid in a nonpublic school paid for by the Dept of Ed). Well fast forward and it's been 90 plus days and neither letter has been received. No word from the DOE. So guess what? My rights have been violated. The time as come to be my sons advocate and fight for a proper education for my kid. He will not fall through the cracks. Not on my watch. NO WAY.
And so the process begins. I've been working with an advocate setting the wheels in motion. A complaint has been filed and a mediation or impartial hearing will be set into motion. In the interim, I'm gathering all of my documents, evaluations and researching no public schools that would be a fit. don't know how long this will take, but my intentions are to never give up. It's tough being a full time working mom, wife, sister, daughter (insert more "hats" here) and now advocate. But guess what? Failure is NOT an option. Big kid WILL be placed in a proper setting. He WILL get a proper education. He WILL thrive. He WILL because I WILL.
We have a long road ahead, but we will not give up. My hope is that we can resolve this by June and big kid can attend a new school in September.
So to our guardian angels, your mission is to persuade the powers that be here on Earth to place big kid in a supportive learning environment. Lord, grant me the patience, guidance, knowledge and understanding to see big kid through this. I WILL, through YOUR WILL. Together WE WILL see this through. Amen.
This comes to no surprise to me. After all, his name as chosen very carefully. Our first born son needed to have a strong name, something with meaning and purpose, just like him. Once we set our eyes upon his name and finding out about his Spina Bifida, it was only right to name him so. He is strong and like Santa, he brings joy. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children. It just gets better and better.
Meaning & History: Nikolas
From the Greek name Νικολαος (Nikolaos) which meant "victory of the people" from Greek νικη (nike) "victory" and λαος (laos) "people". Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop from Anatolia who, according to legend, saved the daughters of a poor man from lives of prostitution. He is the patron saint of children, sailors and merchants, as well as Greece and Russia. He formed the basis for the figure known as Santa Claus (created in the 19th century from Dutch Sinterklaas), the bringer of Christmas presents.
Due to the renown of the saint, this name has been widely used in the Christian world. It has been common in England since the 12th century, though it became a bit less popular after the Protestant Reformation. The name has been borne by five popes and two czars of Russia.
Big kid has been going through some tough times at school. His current school cannot provide him with the appropriate setting for him. He's currently in an inclusive class with 32 kids, one Special Ed teacher and one General Ed. Big kid does much better in a smaller class setting. Fewer kids and more individual attention along with his related services would be ideal. He is struggling. Every day is a challenge. As his mother, I know first hand how frustrating it can be for both him and our family.
Upon having his IEP revised (individualized educational plan), to reflect his new diagnosis of autism, the school recommended he attend another school with a smaller class setting 6:1:1 ( no more than 6 kids, 1 teacher and 1 assistant) for autistic kids. This was revised back in December.
My parental rights state that we are o receive a placement letter within 60 days of the IEP. If a placement letter is not received within 60 days, a Nickerson letter will be sent ( a voucher allowing us to place big kid in a nonpublic school paid for by the Dept of Ed). Well fast forward and it's been 90 plus days and neither letter has been received. No word from the DOE. So guess what? My rights have been violated. The time as come to be my sons advocate and fight for a proper education for my kid. He will not fall through the cracks. Not on my watch. NO WAY.
And so the process begins. I've been working with an advocate setting the wheels in motion. A complaint has been filed and a mediation or impartial hearing will be set into motion. In the interim, I'm gathering all of my documents, evaluations and researching no public schools that would be a fit. don't know how long this will take, but my intentions are to never give up. It's tough being a full time working mom, wife, sister, daughter (insert more "hats" here) and now advocate. But guess what? Failure is NOT an option. Big kid WILL be placed in a proper setting. He WILL get a proper education. He WILL thrive. He WILL because I WILL.
We have a long road ahead, but we will not give up. My hope is that we can resolve this by June and big kid can attend a new school in September.
So to our guardian angels, your mission is to persuade the powers that be here on Earth to place big kid in a supportive learning environment. Lord, grant me the patience, guidance, knowledge and understanding to see big kid through this. I WILL, through YOUR WILL. Together WE WILL see this through. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment