11-09-2006, 08:43 PM
School systems are required to provide a free, appropiate education. Write some letters to the board and even your state government. Outline the specific things students with autism need in education: like sensory integration and social skills training. You can argue that these are fundamentally different than the education requirements for MR students. Contact legal aid- or if you can afford a lawyer please consult with one. There should be a specific class for students with autism, especially Kanner's autism. Threaten to sue. Threaten to sue everyone that gives you crap. If you can actually do it, more power to you. Get the other parents involved. Try to organize a community rally for the other parents and interested educators (who might not be held liable in any possible lawsuit since they showed intent to help by showing up[of course worded a little more sublte and diplomatic]. Pass out literature. You can type paphlets at the local library if you don't have a computer. If all else fails, get some poster board and hold a demostration at the board office. If they run over you and your child it hurt your child for the rest of his life. Let them know that and let them know you won't stand for it. At the very least write a solid, charged letter(diplomatically) with your idea for a class(like the sensory integration and so on) and demand for appropiate education and willingness to sue and mail it-- or better yet take it down there and hand it to the appropiate person with a brief overview of the letter's intent. Bug them to death. Send tons of thank-you notes for their time and consideration of your correspndence(and hopefully that of the other parents as well) with subtle(or not) requests for updates or plans and ideas for the neccessary free, appriate education your son deserves. AND rub in the fact the it's his federally protected right. I have found that mentioning federal rights and the ADA and IDEA and other laws frequently gives more merit to the lawsuit threats and something solid for them to worry about. KEY WORDS: FREE, APPROPIATE EDUCATION, LAWSUIT, FEDERALLY PROTECTED RIGHTS.