Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
This is warning to any parents with special needs children--especially AUTISM-- considering a move to Virginia: DON"TDO IT!!
Autism Help Lacking, Study Says
By Chris L. Jenkins
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Public services for Virginians with autism suffer from poor organization and limited resources and fail to offer help early enough. Many school systems also are unable to meet the needs of their autistic students, according to a report released yesterday by the General Assembly's lead audit review agency.
"To date, there hasn't been a central agency in Virginia that has handled autism. Autism systems in Virginia tend not to be coordinated, which makes it difficult for parents and families to figure out how to get help," said Nathalie Molliet-Ribet, project leader for the study. "And many in the school system lack adequate training to fully meet the needs of children who might require extra help and assistance."
****
You can look up the full report online. However, back to the point of services. I will even go as far to say beyond autism, children in special education are left behind--even neglected--by poorly trained staff, poorly trained administrator's and indifferent superindendent's.
This is even beyond Arlington and Fairfax. I will extend this to Richmond and Newport News and out to Danville areas. I looked up and read countless due process hearing cases and these areas had numerous cases to read. I think it was a case in Richmond where a school district hired Supreme Court Justice Renquist' former law firm to defend the district. (Renquist had to recuse himself from the case for that reason.) Does it make you wonder why don't the school's just put that defense fund directly into the schools and the entire education system?
Here in Arlington, parents with an autistic child have 2 options. First option is for children that have no language skills or functional life skills--Typically called classical autism. There is a self-contained classroom for these children in specific schools. I know parents that have picked up their children and it was evident that their child had been left sitting in their own feces for many hours. Children have been illegally restrained many times. One Fairfax parent put a tape recorder in her child's wheelchair to hear what happened in her daughter's day at school. The mother was dealt the ultimate blow when she listened to her daughter being called a f***ing retard, and an idiot--repeatedly. The mother got an attorney and sued the school district.
The other option is a mainstreamed classroom. Children here are integrated with their typical classmates with accommodations. Some children may have headphones on to block out stimulating noises or even have a closed off area to read and do work as the visual field around them is over-stimulating. Some of these chidlren are, "pulled-out" to receive special education services by "trained" staff.
Even in this least restrictive setting, here in Arlington, parents have found their children being restrained--illegally--by staff. Other students are slipping throught the cracks as teachers send these kids out of the classroom either due to distruption--or because the child is upset and needs a quiet space to calm himself down without riducule from his peers. The end result is that the child then does not receive any instruction for how many ever days this happens.
Many teachers are unprepared for special needs kid's and the county has been grossly negligent in providing adequate training by highly qualified specialists (required through nclb) with scientifically proven methodologies as required by congress through IDEA 2004.
Staff hired as experts do minimal training in the schools if at all. Many special education teachers have little experience working with autistic children. Principals do do require them to take training courses as is aligned with our new superintendent's motto that principals ought to have autonomy in how they run their schools. This lack of oversight gives principals the power to essentially, "opt out" of requiring staff any specific training for their staff. Principals typically have to be asked--or begged by a parent--to ask that one of APS, "autism experts" come in to give training to staff if a new child is identified. Would you be suprised/shocked to know that the training consists of a one hour session?
Surely, the complexities of autism would require more than one hour of instruction. The autism experts are not even based in the schools; they are not a part of the classroom setting. Many, "higher functioning" autistic children can be successfully educated in a mainstream setting. Provided that staff is properly trained. It can be that basic and NOT cost prohibitive.
There is another little know option--the final option--the worst--is Interlude. This is for kids with behavioral problems. Most kids will not be SOL tracked here. From what I know now about Arlington, I would be willing to bet that many kids in this program are just undiagnosed. It's amazing how many teacher's write off a kid based on behavior (mostly boys) instead of analyzing the behavior or having the child assesed for special needs. Help isn't always expensive. Letting a child slip through the educational system and then paying for them in an institutionalized setting is.
What I have learned is that in states like New York and New Jersey and Minnesota; they are getting it right. They have created model programs to replicate. I researched and I asked. Arlington doesn't have to reinvent the wheel. In the meanwhile, Virginia's (Arlington, too) reputation is that of being the second worst jurisdiction in the country for parents to have a special needs child. Texas is the worst.
Thanks for this post, I found it very interesting. I'm the mother of a 3 1/2 year old boy who just got diagnosed (by Loudoun County) as having autism. Not classical autism (he talks though is almost 2 years behind and his social skills are very poor). I personally just think that he is who he is and wouldn't categorize him as being autistic. Anyway..
I haven't heard these negative things about special education in Loudoun County but we're so new to this that we haven't had the chance to pay close attention to what's going on. What I have understood, though, is that there can be major differences between the way counties handle special education and how trained the teachers are. I guess we'll find out soon enough as my little guy enters the school system in about a month. So far, the county people from the social worker to the therapists and psychologists have been amazing.
Don't give up on the schools. If enough parents express concern about something tha's not being handled well they're usually pretty responsive. You might want to talk to your school board and/or your county supervisor member if you're not happy with something. They're your schools.
I think that it probably differs by school. We've had a great experience with my son's non-categorized preschool class. He has severe apraxia and mild autism. His teacher this year and last were phenomenal and the aides are outstanding. He has an AMAZING occupational therapist through the school system. She emails me every week regarding his sessions. They really care about the kids. I have to say this was the case when we were involved with Childfind through the City of Alexandria. We have been down this long road for over three years now and we have had very positive experiences.
EuroExpat, please let me know if you'd ever like to talk. My son is a year older than yours, and if you ever need anything, please let me know. Although we are in Fairfax County, parents truly have been my greatest resource.
The small student/teacher ratio alleviates much stress in the classroom for this age group, but still before the age of five, you don't have all of the neurological issues revealed yet. It WILL get increasingly more challenging for your child in school as your child gets older and deficits are more noticable and your child is seen as different--by peers and teachers. The social isolation (from being different) will probably be more heart-wrenching but the academic issues will be noticed about the same time. It's quite a blow to the child and the family.
The rude awakening happens in elementary schools. You have all said the exact same thing about services that other parents have said. Things seem great now. Wait till you have to file papers to see your child's O.T.'s notes about an incident. You have a hard road ahead of you, I promise you that. There's hundreds of parents that have walked in your shoes that would tell you your wake up call will come. I promise that.
Elementary school is when the battle begins and your lives as parents will forever be changed. Your days will be devoted to documenting conversations in the attempt to keep the facts straight because the principal or teachers will deny they spoke with you or assure you that your child is doing fine even when your child tells you otherwise. However, the fight for your child's life will catch up to you in middle school.
There's a op/ed piece in the Post by an Arlington parent which details her autistic son being beaten up repeatedly in middle school (please look it up--very recent) APS did nothing to help this child even with repeated pleas for help by the parents. The final straw was when the boy was beaten and put in the E.R. You'll find out that it's almost a secret society among the principal and staff to conceal what they don't do and the hideous things they do, do. More proof that Arlington fails miserably at helping all it's kids.
I wonder if there are local support groups for parents of autistic children? If your doctor doesn't know of one, maybe the county has information about one. A group like that could be a great resource for information (not to mention the emotional support).
I wonder if there are local support groups for parents of autistic children? If your doctor doesn't know of one, maybe the county has information about one. A group like that could be a great resource for information (not to mention the emotional support).
Yes there are some. I haven't attended any meetings yet myself but am looking forward to the support of other parents.
You have a hard road ahead of you, I promise you that. There's hundreds of parents that have walked in your shoes that would tell you your wake up call will come. I promise that.
Elementary school is when the battle begins and your lives as parents will forever be changed.
Of course the road ahead will be tough. But they way you put it (I might be misunderstanding - sorry), you sound very discouraging. We're in the point of our life right now where we take things one day at a time. If life gets really tough in elementary school, we'll deal with it then. But I'm not about to give up on our county's special education system before we have even entered it. Anyway, thanks for the heads up. My intention was never to put my kid in school and not be actively involved in his education and therapies so now I'll know to keep an extra eye on things.
This is a sensitive topic that certainly raises emotions. We're all in the same boat. Good luck to you.
I wonder if there are local support groups for parents of autistic children? If your doctor doesn't know of one, maybe the county has information about one. A group like that could be a great resource for information (not to mention the emotional support).
Thank you, Normie. I am not alone in this. What I've written is a shared sentiment by all the groups I belong to. (Wish I could have read about services here before we moved to Virginia 2 years ago.) There are several groups in the area and we are active within the community. We have met with the super and the board of ed.. I'm not fighting this alone by any means. I wanted to reach out to any potential, "lurkers" that would otherwise assume the entire educational system is great for all here. If I could sell my house right now, I'd pack my family up and move to New York. Potentially, a plan for not too far off.
Thank you, Normie. I am not alone in this. What I've written is a shared sentiment by all the groups I belong to. (Wish I could have read about services here before we moved to Virginia 2 years ago.) There are several groups in the area and we are active within the community. We have met with the super and the board of ed.. I'm not fighting this alone by any means. I wanted to reach out to any potential, "lurkers" that would otherwise assume the entire educational system is great for all here. If I could sell my house right now, I'd pack my family up and move to New York. Potentially, a plan for not too far off.
This has been very interesting. It's a side of a community that you don't often see unless you're dealing with it. It might help people who are thinking about moving here to list other cities you'd recommend as places to move if you do have autistic children. Sounds like New York is one. What are some other good places?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Pre-schooler's issues are still emerging
