July 13, 2008 8:55 AM
Alex Barton - Florida wants to hear from other families
As I wrote in my article Including special needs children in class: Is it worth it?, what happened to Alex Barton the day his kindergarten teacher had his classmates vote him out of the class should never have happened.
Our hearts ached for Alex and his mother - and hundreds of you responded with an outpouring of love for both of them.
I've had several conversations with Melissa since then, and though life hasn't been easy and there is much road left to travel on behalf of Alex and other children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), that kind of outreach is like a touch from God, giving encouragment and strength when they are needed.
Melissa is setting up a website/clearinghouse/advocacy center for families affected by autism - I will announce it here when it goes live.
But in the meantime, here is some great news -
After PSL autistic boy's case, Attorney General weighing more complaints from parents By Colleen Wixon (Contact) Saturday, July 12, 2008TALLAHASSEE — Stemming from its investigation into a Port St. Lucie autistic boy voted out of kindergarten, the state Office of the Attorney General is looking at how children with autism are treated in Florida schools.
"We want to understand this issue on a more global scale," said Sandi Copes, press secretary for the Office of the Attorney General in Tallahassee. "To see if there is an underlying problem."
Since the office's initial investigation into the case of 5-year-old Alex Barton, several people with autistic children have come forward with their own complaints, Copes said.
Parents are expressing frustration their complaints haven't been heard, so the Attorney General's office wants to talk with them to see if there's any way to help, she said. Those discussions could take place in the coming weeks, she said.
Read entire article here.
Self-protective bureaucratic systems change only because one person has the guts to take them on and not give up until there is justice - not just for themselves but for all.
Thanks be to God, Melissa has always thought beyond the immediate circumstances to the larger issue. Keep her in your prayers and keep Florida's government authorities also in prayer as the wheels slowly begin to grind.
who are called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28
Posted in Alex Barton, Autism, Disabilities, Inclusion, Public schools | Permalink
Comments
When my son was to start school in a new system, I had to battle with the administration just to get him into sp. ed classes!
I got the feeling that they didn't feel his diagnosis was an actual special need. (He is dx as bipolar with LD; he also has some autistic symptoms). They wanted to put him in a mainstream classroom and if (when) he failed, THEN they would start testing him, and THEN they would give him an IEP.
Despite already having been tested and qualified for services in another state, and despite having physician letters.
I wrote a five page letter quoting federal law and pointing out that if he were blind, the school system would never throw him in a regular classroom with no accomadations to see "how he did with it". Knowing the law, and letting the schools know that I know the law, was the only way we got services.
It's easy to discriminate against "invisible disabilities." He looks fine, so shove him in a corner and he'll be fine.
Posted by: Milehimama | July 13, 2008 11:13 AM
Milehimama - I know what you mean - my daughter had a diagnosis of PDD-NOS and the school dragged their feet to evaluate her until I got an attorney involved. Since they didn't see my daughter's "issues" then they thought she was fine. I was shocked the day of the IEP when they read the evaluation results and agreed that she needed special services.
She is going to remain mainstreamed but will be pulled out three times a week fro special ed sessions because her main issues deal with anxiety and social issues - hopefully this will help.
The legal system in Florida is very damaged - the Department of Education does not even follow Federal IDEA laws that state when a parent requests an evaluation, it is to be completed and staffed within 60 days from the date of consent. In Florida - they say 90 days - and schools do not even abide by that! I was passed the 90 days with my daughter and still nothing.
Praying for some positive changes to be made so our children do not have to suffer any more.
Posted by: Krystal - momofautism | July 14, 2008 2:19 PM
