Parents of special needs children?

Question

Has there ever been a time when your child's legal rights were violated, especially pertaining to the IEP?

I'm a special ed teacher. It seems like this happens to people I know frequently. Unfortunately, the parents where I work are poor, black/Latino, and not very savvy. I've seen several instances I believe were violations- failing to provide children with mandated services, misleading parents about certain procedures, and more. I feel so sick every time and I kind of believe that this happens very frequently all over. However, on the flip side, I do know that some parents are very well informed and know how to fight for their kids.

Have you ever experienced a violation? Or do you know of one?

Answer 1

I am one of those parents that has had to fight for their child over and over. Something really needs to be done to have services being automatically given to special needs kids. I had to do a lot of research to even find out about some programs. I've had to fight for others. I can't imagine what some of those kids go through because their parents are not advocating for them.

Answer 2

I had to fight for my daughter when she was at school, because the teachers would tell me she is very bright, but is struggling in reading writing etc, but would not have her assessed. So I went to my doctor and expressed my concerns to her, and she organized for my daughter to be assessed with a school psychologist, and pediatrician both diagnosing her as having dyslexia, ADHD & ODD, it was at this time I found out I had dyslexia too, hence my poor schooling, and inability to read until 14.

So I learnt as much as possible about dyslexia, and found strategies on how best to support her at home and school, basically I became her advocate, and teacher to the teachers, thankfully many teachers were very happy to use the tips & strategies, and many teachers came back to me wanting more information and ideas on how to support other students.

I guess I was lucky that I knew something was not quite right with my daughter, and I was not prepared to let her suffer the angst that I did as teen, so I pushed to get help, and when I realized that many teachers did not know much about dyslexia I had to be become my daughters advocate.

Because I ended supporting many other students with dyslexia and learning disabilities, one teacher suggested that I gain some qualifications, so I became a qualified Youth & Disability support worker.

But sadly I have met a few parents who do not understand the implications of their child's disability, and the impact of not having good early intervention programs, and educational plans in place for their child, mostly through no fault of their own, a low income and poor education, so they don't know what and which services are available to them, and if they are not told, then they never get the support or assistance they want or need.

I try to ensure parents (especially those mentioned above) are given as much information as possible, and empower them to ask questions, of teachers, aides, and psychologist etc, and tell them that if they don't understand something, they have the right ask questions, as they are the only advocate their child will ever have who truly has the best interest at heart. Saying that the is a lot of really good teachers, aides etc who do above and beyond their job to ensure students get the best education they deserve.

Answer 3

Yes, even though I worked in the same system where my child attended, I had to call meetings for infractions. I had to visit that school a lot. I made many phone calls. I think they hated to see me coming in the door. Fortunately, the principal and I were friends since our own high school days, although I always carried out my meetings or complaints with the assistant principal.

It was worse at middle school than elementary. It was a minor irritation when he was in high school. By then I had taught him to self-advocate and the middle school principal had moved to the high school.

However, I strongly feel that the special ed teachers at those locations had the responsibility to advocate for the children.

As a special ed teacher myself, I have never failed to march into a classroom and explain to a regular ed teacher how they were usurping the rights of a student. Then I had no problem going to the principal and reporting what I had done. We special ed folks are the front line defense of student rights at the school. That is part of our job.

Oh, I had a regular ed teacher throw a copy of classroom accommodations in my face. I've been snubbed, cursed, etc. but I'm not in this job to win a popularity contest, it's all about the student.

I have to admit it is particularly disturbing that one of his worst offending teachers at the middle school recently beccame the principal of an elementary school in our system. A more ignorant lout does not exist. This is the man that used to say, "Oh, I see your mom did your homework, again," just because he had dictate to a scribe as a modification for lengthy written assignments. Then announced to the classroom that my son cheated because he had accommodations. I wonder what he thought when my son became a Beta club member and scored in the 99th percentile on some of the end-of-grade tests. I couldn't possibly take the tests for him. Now I wonder what he thinks since my son was inducted into the international honor society for his major in college. Believe me, there is no way I can possibly coach him in economics.

Answer 4

I think the parents are taken advantage of in the low income/education level because others know they don't fully understand their legitmate rights.  They want to be fully involves but don't know how to go about doing it whan theyy feel like the under-dog.