school services for children with autism (Houston, Mart: school district, legally, bus)

[jmartinez123]

Hello,
I have a nephew in Kline ISD who attends school there, my sister is having problems with a bus driver who appears to not know how to work with children with autism. My question is: do staff receive any kind of specialized training prior to working with children with special needs?
Does this school district receive any kind or reimbursement for children with special needs?
What are her options in addressing issues with concerns with the people who work with her child?
Any kind of information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Julia Martinez

[Sugarlandbubba]

Originally Posted by jmartinez123

Hello,
I have a nephew in Kline ISD who attends school there, my sister is having problems with a bus driver who appears to not know how to work with children with autism. My question is: do staff receive any kind of specialized training prior to working with children with special needs?
Does this school district receive any kind or reimbursement for children with special needs?
What are her options in addressing issues with concerns with the people who work with her child?
Any kind of information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Julia Martinez

If you need special accommodation, try to talk to the driver if they are permitted to do so. If you're unsuccessful with the request, then call Transportation Dept at Klein ISD.

Special Education Parent Info - Klein Independent School Di...

[nana053]

Originally Posted by jmartinez123

Hello,
I have a nephew in Kline ISD who attends school there, my sister is having problems with a bus driver who appears to not know how to work with children with autism. My question is: do staff receive any kind of specialized training prior to working with children with special needs?
Does this school district receive any kind or reimbursement for children with special needs?
What are her options in addressing issues with concerns with the people who work with her child?
Any kind of information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Julia Martinez

Schools do NOT receive any funding for special needs students despite the persistent rumors to the contrary. Yes, they get some federal funds, but..these are not enough to pay for the services that are legally required, so the school and district has to come up with the shortfall.

As for training, it depends on what the school decides to do and usually it includes training for teachers not other staff. Is he on a special needs bus? Ime, those bus drivers do know something about how to interact with the kids, but it's hit or miss when it comes to individual bus drivers.

[SugLandDAd]

Schools have difficulty keeping bus drivers....most districts in the area frequently break their own internal rules for special ed transport. Special Ed busses are also supposed to have an aide, but frequently dont..they are supposed to have received training, but frequently dont.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by nana053

Schools do NOT receive any funding for special needs students despite the persistent rumors to the contrary. Yes, they get some federal funds, but..these are not enough to pay for the services that are legally required, so the school and district has to come up with the shortfall.

As for training, it depends on what the school decides to do and usually it includes training for teachers not other staff. Is he on a special needs bus? Ime, those bus drivers do know something about how to interact with the kids, but it's hit or miss when it comes to individual bus drivers.

Your first two sentences are completely contradictory. You say they don't and then admit that they do.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by bu2

Your first two sentences are completely contradictory. You say they don't and then admit that they do.

They get a very small amount and they have mandates to give certain services by law, so the district is actually out of pocket for special needs kids.

[SugLandDAd]

The school is out of pocket, only if they provide any special services...same with ESL......they don't mind signing you up, they then withold any significant assistance, requiring you to argue at the ARD for everything that your child needs.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by SugLandDAd

The school is out of pocket, only if they provide any special services...same with ESL......they don't mind signing you up, they then withold any significant assistance, requiring you to argue at the ARD for everything that your child needs.

I have an autistic grandson. If the school is following the law, then it will be providing services. You may disagree with the particular services and think your child needs something more or different, but they must provide services. Of course, sometimes parents have to fight for what they believe the child needs, but in my Houston suburb, my grandson has had all he needs until 5th grade and now that he is in 7th grade, he is getting what he needs again. His middle school here was an anomaly in that the school was (as it often is) focused too much on testing and did not really individualize as he needed. I wish that everyone could have as good a special needs team as we have had here (with the exception of middle school).