Special Ed: Jumping Through Hoops for a Proper Education

As some of you know, getting big kid the right services and/or school placement has been a year in the making.  It all started last Spring when big kid began to exhibit some behavior issues.  He was acting out, having melt downs in school and at home, hitting, scratching and biting himself and others. I made sure he got an MRI to rule out a shunt malfunction, (shunt is fine) which led me to think as I suspected, a behavior issue.  By the time June rolled over, he had scratched his teacher just one week before the last day of school.  What was I to do?

As the summer progressed, we visited his neurosurgeon, neurologist and by the time school started again, we began to see a behavior therapist for an evaluation to determine the causes of the behavior issues.  Let me just say, this process is frustrating and daunting.  It took 2 months to get an appointment with the neurologist and 3 months to see the Behavior Therapist.  Over the summer I prepared a letter for the school requesting a series of evaluations on their end, while we conducted our own privately. I requested a functional behavior assessment, psycho-educational evaluation and psychological assessment to be conducted by the school. Privately, I had a neurodevelopmental pediatric evaluation.  All the evaluations lead to a diagnosis of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).  

In December of 2012, we had an IEP meeting to revise big kid's classification to Autism and recommend a smaller class setting at a specialized school (District 75).  Within 60 days of the IEP meeting /recommendation we were suppose to receive a placement letter OR a Nickerson letter which allowed us to select a non-public school that the DOE would pay for (Nickerson letter does NOT guarantee acceptance to the schools - it just says that the DOE will foot the bill). 

Fast forward to 60, 90, 120 days and we never received any information from the DOE.  The school was told big kid was declined placement at District 75 because he is too "academically advanced".  However, they never relayed that information to me in writing.  By now it was end of March into April when I sought out an Advocate to guide me through the next steps of filing an impartial hearing.  After numerous calls, messages, filing a complaint with 311, etc. we decided to take action.  I filed for an impartial hearing on April 15th. This seem to be the only way I was going to be heard.  Within a few days an IEP reconvene meeting was held. I brought my advocate along with my wish list.  To my surprise a representative from the CSE showed up in response to my impartial hearing.  I can't believe it had to go this far just to get an answer and services for my kid.  

As a result of the reconvene, the school recommended big kid to stay in the school, in the same inclusive class setting but with the following additions:

• full time 1-on-1 para (this person will be with him the entire day at school to help him redirect, focus, transition, assist with toileting, lunch etc.)
• counseling 
• continue with Speech, PT and OT 

At the request of the CSE placement representative, I met with her a few days later to discuss additional services that she could offer.  In addition to the services listed above, big kid will also be receiving:

• extended school year with transportation (summer school at a different school - his current school does not offer summer session)
• four hours of weekly tutoring at our home 
• additional Speech and Counseling sessions at school 

This seems like quite a potent cocktail, huh? I've agreed to give this a "formula" a chance.  Honestly, the idea of uprooting big kid and changing his entire educational world was not my intention. I want to give this a chance to see if this helps him.  I couldn't just dismiss this without trying it out.  I've given myself until January 2014 - only because these services are starting two months before the end of the school year which i'm not sure will be a good baseline.  Summer school will be different and then give Sept - Dec a chance for improvement.  If by January 2014, we do not see any better results, then we go back to filing another impartial and getting him placed in a private school.  

Just for laughs:  I met with the CSE on April 23rd.  On April 25th I received the Nickerson letter in the mail.  WTF???? This was priceless. Genius.  

I'm sharing this to inform, educate and potentially help anyone who may be going through challenges with the system.  It's a challenge raising a child, a bigger challenge raising a child with special needs and even a larger challenge navigating through the NYS education system.  All I know is that big kid will NOT fail.  NOT on MY watch.  

While I don't have much patience, I have learned to pick my battles.  Some I walk away from, and some, like this one, I was not going to lose. My battle isn't quite over.  The plan of action is in place.  Now it's time to test it out.  However, I am much more knowledgable now (and less patient) with the process.  Next time (if there is a next time),  I know my rights, I know my timelines and I can cut to the chase.  All this is driven by one simple thing:  LOVE.  I love my kid.  PERIOD.  Every freakn' gray I earned and it's worth it. He doesn't understand all of mommy's madness right now.  One day, I hope he will understand.  There is a method to my madness.  

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My "gordito bear" (chunky bear - a nickname I gave him when he was born)