About Michelle Fattig Expertise I can answer questions about educational testing, autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, Special Education, IEP, Learning Disabilities, Sensory Processing, Parent Advocacy, Response to Intervention, living and parenting with disabilities, parent rights in special education, school psychology, and more. I cannot provide a medical diagnosis.
Experience I am a school psychologist, medical technologist, author of the Annie Books series: Experience Aspeger's Syndrome and Attention Deficits Through the Eyes of a Child, RTI facilitator, ILCD facilitator, parent advocate, presenter, and researcher. My children and I have Asperger's, ADD/ADHD, and learning disabilities.
Organizations National Association of School Pyschologists, American Medical Technologists, Learning Disabilities Association of Nebraska
Education/Credentials Ed.S. in School Psychology, doctoral studies in SPED Law, SPED Systems Enhancement Leadership, and doctoral candidate Education Leadership. MT(AMT) and MLT(ASCP)
Question My almost 9 year old son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS in kindergarten. He was moved from our neighborhood elementary school to another one in the district because our school district only offered an autistic support placement for high functioning kids in that school. He is currently in 3rd grade and doing very. very well, spending most of his day in a regular classroom and 10% of the day in autistic support. Here's the problem. This elementary school does not offer autistic support for grades 4-6. He would need to go to yet another elementary school in the district (i.e. his 3rd in 4 years). If he was totally mainstreamed with itinerant support, this school district will make us send him back to the original school, which my son has already adamantly stated he will not return to, because his experience there pre-diagnosis was terrible. My son is just now starting to feel really comfortable socializing with his typical peers. Just the other day at recess he asked to join in a game of football with his typical peers!!! His typical peers at this school are very accepting of my son and his quirks. This school has a great sense of community and he really likes it. I fear the move to a new school will be devastating. Other parents of boys in the autistic support class feel the same way. How can we compel the district to keep these boys at this school?
Answer Numbers, numbers, numbers! If you have multiple parents involved the school is much more apt to listen! A great website for information on how to advocate for the Least Restrictive Environment and the right to serve your son in his own school is found at:
www.wrightslaw.com
Change is NEVER good for us, and having your physician or a psychologist write a letter stating that it would be in your son's best interest for continuity to receive a Free Appropriate Public Education in his own school would be a great start.
If you'd like me to help you formulate a parents letter or petition, you can contact me directly through our website www.anniebooks.com
The fact that your son is making friends and feeling like he fits in is very, very important for his emotional wellbeing. Children on the spectrum need routine, consistency, and continuity. With the right documentation and involving not only local parents, but also contacting your nearest Parent Training Center or Parent to Parent Network, should help you to get your son the services he needs in the environment he is comfortable in.
Good luck to you! My best wishes will be with you. Advocating is a struggle, but your son deserves the right to prosper in a healthy environment!
