Are parents of a special needs student unrealistic if they reject the special education services?

Question

Are parents of a special needs student unrealistic if they reject the special education services?

Answer 1

The offered special ed services have been deemed appropriate for the particular child. Unless there is a very good reason they should be accepted and welcomed.

Answer 2

NO. Most times schools are corrupt and ridiculous and will not give the correct services anyway.

Are you saying the services they are offering are bad, or the parent doesn't want their child in special ed at all?

In either case, parents have the right to refuse. Just write a letter to district sped director stating this. It HAS to be in writing to them.

If a school is pushing special ed for a child without parents requesting it, most likely the reason is they don't count scores that the sped kids make in state NCLB testing.

THey don't want to count the scores because the sped kids scores are usually low and this will prevent the school from getting more funds.

IT's about the money, not the child.

The school has to have LEGAL reasons for wanting a child in sped and give you the reason why in writing. Write and request 'prior written notice' for wanting your child in sped  (if in fact this is the case)

If they do not have legal reasons for wanting this, they will drop the whole thing because they will NOT put illegal reasons in writing.

Answer 3

In some cases yes and in some 'no'. If a student has made F's throughout their school career and they want to go to college, that's unrealistic. My son who is autistic has always gotten good grades and is in all regular ed classes. Back when he was in 3rd grade, they tried to convince us that he was EH and needed to be in an Eh classroom. I am so glad we didn't take that advice. He is a freshman now and is on honor roll, in show choir and runs Cross country.

Answer 4

Of course not. Every parent has the right to want what's best for his or her child and, let's face it, publicly-funded special ed. isn't it!

Answer 5

I wouldn't say they are unrealistic. Every parent has different goals for their child and different opinions of what their child will be able to accomplish and/or master. Personally I think they should take advantage. However, at the same time, for some students the educators seem to be nothing more than a babysitting service.

Answer 6

I rejected the special education services offered by my district because I knew that they weren't adequate for my daughter. I got her into a private school for children with learning disabilities. She's doing really well and starting to talk about which colleges she should apply to. So it would depend on which services that parents were rejecting. And whether or not they were seeking these services else where as I did.

Answer 7

First off, let me mention that I work in the public school system.  I am not a teacher, but a speech-language pathologist.  To answer your question, I think that you have to see what is being really offered.  

There is a wide range of services and service delivery options in the schools today.  For example, technically speech therapy for a child with a speech disorder is considered special education services.

I have met people who allowed their children to receive services, but not be placed in full time settings.  This way the children still are in "normal" classes.  These children may struggle academically, but the parent's felt that the social impact of the full time special education class was worse than academic struggles.  This is the decision that parent's need to make.  

I think you have to go in with an open mind -- and be prepared to stand your ground.  If you feel that the services/placements being suggested are not where you see your child then you definantly should speak up.

It is within your right to refuse all services if you wish; but be aware that you may want to hear out the school and negotiate what you feel is in the best interest of the child.

Answer 8

Yes, you are being unrealistic to reject any kind of help ...it is for your Special Child not you and how you feel......I  have an ADHD child and Special Education Services have help my son thru the transition of school & homework to be where he is at ...and I have him in regular school with Special Services not in any other classes out of his normal  routine...He is treated like any other student going to school... I am involved with his class, teacher and IEP teachers also.....any changes made I am the first to know......Because my child is Special  & very important.....I want him to grow up knowing he is no different than anybody else and will be able to take care of himself in the future with a carreer or job....

Answer 9

Coming from a parent of a special needs child.. I would say if they totally refuse all special ed services, they are absolutely being unrealistic. Without special ed services more than likely a special needs child will grow to be a special needs adult. I can say that without the services that my son has had, he would not be able to talk to this day. (he didn't start talking till he was 3 years old).

I do believe that there are special cases, for instance when my son started early childhood they wanted to massage his face, I asked them not to do this to my son because I felt that he didn't need this. But that was a very minor part of special ed services.