Is my son's school out of line with handling his Autism/PDD?

Question

My 8 year old son is educated in a special ed (ED Unit) in the mornings and in mainstream class in the afternoons, he has Autism Spectrum Disorder and PDD-NOS diagnosed. We have reported the school 3 times to Dept of Education for "handling" of him, they call it physical restraint, but I have witnessed it and often unwarranted and quite forceful as a first point of action when he is distressed or agitated. His self esteem is suffering and he is afraid of one of his teachers so much he has not been regularly at school, we are going through a formal investigation into the incidents including the fact that they were not reported to Dept of Ed (covered up) by the School Principal. We are desperate, this is our son's 4th school in the last few years, what do I look for in a new school? I am terrified that the same or worst will happen again. Please, any advise on how to find a good school that cares for kids with autism (I am in NSW, Australia)

Answer 1

I am in vic and recently moved here for my 8 y.o son  with aspergers. He is going to a regular state school that has many kids with with varying degree of autism. The school has been brilliant with tapping into help for him. It is a great relief not to feel alone anymore dealing with him. I moved to this town because they also have a specialist school (which he doesn't need) and a very strong home schooling group. I thought if he didn't go well at his current school which had a reputation for teaching kids with different disorders then home schooling was the path for us.

I was upfront with the school as to what he was like and what i thought we needed. I have worked hard at forming communication both with principal and his teacher. Good luck , I understand how hard it is to see your child unhappy and struggle to make it all ok for them. I'm currently trying to find a support group nearby, perhaps if there is one nearby you the parents there will be able to give you more info on surrounding schools.

Answer 2

You may want to search for private schools who specifically educate children with special needs.  If there are no such schools, you may want to find another school or talk to the principal about not wanting your son restrained (for the time being). Here in the states, parents must approve a behavior intervention plan in the students IEP (individual education plan) in order for their child to be restrained.  Is this the case in Australia? If so, maybe you may need to take a look at your child's records to verify why they are restraining your son and you did not approve this.  

Before going to another school, I recommend observing the class that your son would first be placed in, then talk to the teachers and paraprofessionals in the classroom.  Ask them about discipline/classroom management and what do they do to redirect behavior and what happens when a student does not comply.  Teachers who work with students diagnosed with PDD-NOS or other spectrum disorders are sometimes trained in Applied Behavior Analysis and should not always have to resort to physical restraining unless the student is endangering other around him or himself.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

From what I understand from my studies in disability restraint should be a last resort. And if he is afraid of one of his teachers due to the point that he wont go to school then there is definitely a problem.

I don't know about NSW schools but they probably have a list of schools, including special schools (which is what an autistic school would be listed under).

If his behaviour is an issue he should have a behaviour modification plan included as part of his IEP

Answer 4

As a teacher of students with Autism and other moderate to severe/profound disabilities, I can tell you that here in Florida we are trained in Non-violent Crisis Intervention.  It is used to restrain a student when they are in danger of harming themselves or others.  I know that I am required to complete a form each time stating the specifics of the incident.  EVERYONE should be required to do that.