Expert: Tim Runner - 9/2/2008

Question
My son was deaf for 8-10 mos as an infant.  Since then he has had extensive therapies and activities with "normal" peers.  Although no neurological "defects" his neurologist gave a PDD diagnosis as his symptoms were on the low end of the spectrum.  He is now 5 1/2 and the school (that provided his ESE Pre-k) refuses to Maintstream him in Kindergarten.  He KNOWS he doesnt belong in an ASD class, feels segregated and frustrated by other kids he describes as "creepy."  He has some remaining minor receptive language issues that need a visual prompt now and then (point) but even his Neurologist says hes "asymptomatic."  Do you know what rights, if any, we have to get him into maintstream K in the FL school system?

Answer
Carol Ann,

As parent, you have the right under the law to ask for an assessment for your child to see if he is ready for main-streaming. The school district has 15 days from the time they receive your written request to prepare an assessment plan for your son. They need to include a non-verbal intelligence test. Once you sign this plan, they have 60 days to conduct the assessments and report the results in an IEP.

I suggest that you get a letter from his neurologist stating his diagnosis and his recommendations for school placement (maybe something along the lines: His hearing challenges should not keep him from participating in a normal class when given visual prompts. You give a copy of this letter to the school's assessor as soon as possible. The doctor should also say that placement in ASD classes is not recommended.

As parent, you have the right to refuse to sign for placement in an IEP where you do not agree with what is being offered. Obviously, it can be a fight, but the doctor's letter should help a great deal.

I wish you and your son the best,
Tim Runner, Education Advocate
You can learn more at my web site:
www.special-education-answers.com