Asberger's services/accomodations for middle schooler suggestions/exp.?

Question

my son will be entering 6th grade, 1st yr. middle school here, from special sheltered inclusion program elsewhere, a huge step. I have the meeting with school district (Commitee on Special Education here in the states) soon to help determine what will help him in his adjustment, and am afraid of being uninformed. Can't afford advocate fee ($500 here!) I will go to www.wrightslaw.com (org?) site later today. any parents or teachers, etc. out there who can tell me how (& which) types of help were beneficial? people say getting an aide, for example, can backfire cause they don't have special training. he will have to be in regular class. he is not athletic, definitely cut from a difft. bolt of cloth, and I fear he will feel like he doesn't fit in. (a valid concern here) He is also funny, sometimes well liked. but can get very discouraged. lonely. what has helped that you've noticed? I'd be grateful for any answers. Our district will try to save $, maybe at his expense. I feel unprepared

Answer 1

What is your fear?  Transition periods, academics?

It helps to be more specific when asking questions when it comes with kids with Asperger's.  Aspie's are very different when it comes to needs - but can also be very similar.

Feel free to message me.

Answer 2

You can get help for free thru your state dept of education. Call them and ask them for info on the federally funded special education parent advocacy agency.

Answer 3

You are in a difficult situation.  The transition to middle school is tough already, but then it sounds like you are also transitioning from a very protective environment.  A one on one aide can be helpful but if your child is able to handle regular academics then the worry with an aide is that socially it will make him appear more different.  The district may want to protect him or his academics may indicate he would handle this new environment better with a more protected academic environment, say RSP (resource specialist classes) or SDC (special day classes).  If they have a good staff they will know when to transition him more so that he can be successful and accomplish his objectives.

I am a middle school special education teacher in California.  Some of your options will depend on the state you are in.  Since every state interprets IDEA a little differently.  The number one thing for you to know is that as the parent you have more power then the district.  Get a copy of the parent rights from the district and read them.  Ask them if their are any parent organizations that can help support your son.  We have a great organization called Parents helping Parents here.  

Now for his transition.  You need to get him familiar with the school and at least some of the teachers before the start of next year.  I've gotten students into my program that have completely regressed behaviorally and academically because of the new situation.  I would suggest 2 or 3 visits to the school during school, maybe a period close to break or lunch or the last one of the day.  That way you and your son can observe the classes and then spend some time talking with the teacher.  

It sounds like your son will also need some emotional support.  If the district has a school psychologist on campus maybe he can have time with them or a school counselor in his IEP.  Otherwise someone should agree to be his touch point on campus so that if he needs time to pull it together or someone to tell something to he knows when and where to do that.  I had one student we gave an envelope address to one of the office staff to and when he needed a break he could pull it out and ask to deliver it.  then the person he talked to in the office would jot a note and send it back to the teacher with him and none of the other students were the wiser.

Answer 4

I'm a school psychologist who facilitates meetings such as the one you are facing.  You know your son and they don't.  Bring with you a list of his strengths and your concerns and be confident that they should be addressed.  His plan should be unique to him so no one else's matters.  What does he need to get through the school day?  Does he need to learn more social skills?  It should be part of his plan.  Could he be in a small group that meets weekly to help with friendships?  His new teachers need to be told about his strengths, interests and vulnerabilities so they can help him be a full member of his class.  A para can help, but dependency grows also and at his age, he'll make fewer friends if he has a "grown up" hanging around him all the time.  Also, perhaps your district has an ombudsperson who could support you in the meeting.  good luck!  I love kids with Asperger's.

Answer 5

The school will likely take the incoming IEP as an interium and most likely will do an evaluation (depending on when the last one was)

What would be the most helpful is to make a list of what your son needs to be successful - and think of tools not people.

For example - typical accomodations for students with ASD diagnosis

- extended time on tests and assignments

- take tests in a quiet place

- predictable beginning and task closure

- safe place to process and get back on track

- assistance in organization (maybe check in and check out with materials.

- access to social skills or friendship groups.

- visual supports or schedules

- access to word processing for longer written tasks.

- student group projects organized or facilitated participation

ASD specialist to consult with team.

In any event those are some good starting points for adaptations - see if that gets you to a point where you find some that fit your situation.

Answer 6

Make sure you get everything in writing, get all eval. reports performed by the state no less than 48 hours before your meeting, get Prior Written Notice to all services that are proposed or refused.  This is  your paper trail. Learn your parental rights and look for the timelines for the process.  Don't sign anything you don't agree with and take it home if you want more time to review it.  It can be returned to the state after you review it.  Don't feel pressured to sign.

File complaints with the state if they don't do what they are supposed to do. Check the state Dept. of Ed. web site for info on advocates, state employees that are there to help the parents.  We have a man who is the Complaint and Resolution Specialist that will address all questions.  He is paid by the state to help parents and to review complaints that are filed.

Depending on where you are there may be a support group that will help locate an advocate....ours was a $300 retainer, worked off of that, then $60 per hr.  He was well worth it.

He gave advice over the phone for free.

We are in Va, he travels the state to help kids in need.

Kirsten Hargis

Answer 7

I am an aide in the special education department at a high school... we are very well trained on how to best work with our students and i think you should really fight for an aide if you think it would benifit him!