If the school district places a student with asperger syndrome and anxiety into a school for Emotionally?

Question

Disturbed students and it's just not working out, could they just put the student on homebound instruction? the schools for kids with autism are for more severely disabled students as in nonverbal and it wouldn't be an appropriate setting for them. It wasn't working out because the people had severe behavioral problems, were violent, and were bullying the student. The student with AS doesn't have behavior problems. Their emotional issues are anxiety and depression, and the ED setting doesn't seem appropriate.

Answer 1

Hello,

It basically comes down to identifying what will be best for the student. If homebound instruction would be best, and someone can prove that to the school board, then they would be more likely to comply. From my experience, school boards tend to want to save money, and so will do whatever they can to cut corners.

I agree that the school for emotionally disturbed does not sound like a good place for this person, especially someone who already experiences anxiety issues.

You mentioned that regular classroom instruction did not work. There are a few possible options here, but I would say that the key to success here, are identifying what the problem spots were (even if it was just one great big mess), and trying to find an evironment where these problems are either minimized or non-existent.

For this, you should really consult the team of people helping this student. Are there other therapists, etc. on board?

The solution might be homebound instruction. Or perhaps private instruction (with say a one-on-one therapist) in a private room/special ed classroom at the school might be an option. And if the school has no rooms, you might consider asking to use like the back room of a library, or something that doesn't get used very often. My guess is that there is a room available somewhere.

If this were the case, it might be possible to identify and deal with the issues as they come up in a more therapeutic environment, and perhaps even incorporate some social interaction as well.

Of course, the same could be said of homebound instruction, depending on the people giving it, and the circumstances.

Definitely consult the team (therapists, doctors, etc.), identify the problems, and decide on some goals. Then decide the best way to meet the goals.

Good Luck.

Jessica

www.sensoryintegrate.com

Answer 2

Yes, homebound services are an option.  As part of the IEP team, I would try to go half-day before going to fully homebound.  It's easier education wise - try doing a bio or chem lab at home!  It's also better and easier for the child to practice social skills and to transition back to the full day at school.  Take a child out of the school for six months and think about the anxiety of returning to school again.  It would be tough.

Edit -  I'd look into the programs offered in neighboring counties and districts.  If the school system can not provide something that will work for him, that is always an option.  This may be especially true if you are in rural area.   I would like to ask what is causing the regular classroom with modifications to be ineffective?

Answer 3

I would visit all placement options in the district personally and see if there is an option that would be appropriate.  If not, I would push for your local school, perhaps resource and mainstream with an aide.  Students like this generally do better with a smaller class size, less disruption.  Are there any mixed disability sdc's in the area?  Since he is on an IEP, they can/should individualize the material to meet his level no matter where his placement is.  Just because he's in special education  doesn't mean he needs lower academic expectations.

Answer 4

Get and IEP meeting stat! You need to voice these concerns to the school board, they have to find an environment that you the PARENT feels comfortable with, if you believe your child is better suited elsewhere, make it known.

I have a son with asperger's and tourette syndrome, so I know what you're going through, I've had to do many a battle with my school district, you have the final say in placement, if you don't like where your child is, they have to do something about it. As far as homebound instruction, I could have had my son take that route, but I really feel it's important for kids to have the socialization of going to school, especially kids with special needs. Take care, and good luck!!!

Answer 5

schools for students like this are hard to find....you can ask for home schooling as a temporary solution until an appropriate placement can be secured..

it sounds as if an OHI (other health impaired) classification woudl be more appropriate

He can be placed in an SLD type class where the students have avergae intelligence, but it might be boring if he is above average

Answer 6

Call a meeting to discuss his IEP.  You have the right.

Explain this is not working, ask for suggestions.

He is supposed to be able to be in his appropriate and least restrictive environment.  If that isn't where he is, call a meeting and discuss the options.

Answer 7

The school has to provide an appropriate free public education.  If there isn't a setting they have to create one or pay for one.  You need to file due process.

My son is PDD.NOS, he did not meet criteria for the autism program because he is too high functioning.  He is in a full-inclusion classroom where up to 33% of students are identified as sp. ed.  There are also TAM classrooms, self-contained, LRE, integration A, or B.  Also he could have a 1:1 para, which depends on where you live as to how hard it is to get one.

The AS student should not be serviced with the autistic children, or the emotionally disturbed children.  Either setting will increase the AS students anxiety.  Where we live AS students are in the reg. ed setting with support through accommodations.

His classification needs to change, anything would be better.  OHI is commonly used, LD, speech/language, or developmental delay.

I would not recommend home instruction for an AS student.  AS students do fine academically, they lack socially.  So to avoid a social environment is going to handicap him for the future since he will be growing up and living independently.  He needs to work on the challenges of social skills, not avoid them.

I do agree with you that no social interaction is better than negative interaction.  I think he can function in full-inclusion with support.  My son does (PDD.NOS)

Answer 8

It makes no sense to put a child (or an adult) suffering from depression and anxiety into a group of people with violent behavior problems so they may identify him as the weakest link and therefore their collective target.  This is asking for the child to be abused and to further the child's depression to the point he may attempt suicide.  A depressed child needs to be in a small setting with a very loving environment to help him begin to believe life can be good and that he can recover.  Homebound instruction, time spent with a truly loving parent or guardian who will not abuse him, is indeed a much better option even if the formal education turns out to be less rigorous -- the child needs his emotional pains dealt with appropriately even more than he needs formal schooling.

Answer 9

Wow thats a hard question....if it were up to me, I would think maybe homebound instruction might work, but a student with asbergers (spellcheck!) needss some kind of social environment. Perhaps, if homebound instruction were administered you could find a homeschool group to work with. Personally I have found that homeschooled kids are less rude to others, but thats just my experience. Either way, a student with asbergers needs just as much (if not more) social education and training as they do academic training. I dont think an ED setting would be a good option because that can get to be a really unstable atmosphere. But by all means, do some real research, dont just go by what you hear on Yahoo answers, ask Dr's, teacher's, etc and make a balanced decision.

Answer 10

Your district is fairly pathetic if they placed an Asperger's child in ED. Don't let this happen again. This  child does not belong in any kind of ED program because his behavior in based in a lack of understanding of pragmatic language and social behaviors. That is really sad.

This child would best be served in a classroom for high functioning autistic children or even an Asperger's class. I doubt very much if your district is sophisticated enough to have gone that far, but they do exist in other places. I'm sorry this kid had to go through this experience. It is sad.

Go to the Wright's Law website to find out what the district must legally provide.