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Autism/transportation to school

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Expert: - 12/23/2010


Question
Hi! I have been having trouble with the school district and my autistic son getting to school.He is 8 yrs old and I have called numerous times on behalf of getting him picked up at the house instead of the corner,which is a block away.I was wondering if there was a law that states that a special needs child such as my son needs to get picked up at the home instead of a block away.The drivers excuse is that it is a no outlet but,we have a big driveway and plenty of space to turn around,even Fed-Ex and UPS trucks turn around in the alley because it is fairly large.I've been having alot of trouble getting my son to school because of the weather with it either snowing or raining outside and it is extremely hard to get him out the door to go up a block to get on the van.Any help would ever be appreciated.I'm at my last end right now of not knowing what to do.
Have A Very Merry Christmas and Thank You!

Answer
Josette,

Transportation for the special education student is at the discretion of the IEP Team. You should call for an IEP Team Meeting to address your transportation issues. You should discuss this situation with your son's medical doctor. If he or she feels that it is best for your son's health and safety for your son to be picked up in front of your home rather than having to walk a block, you should ask the doctor to put this in writing so you can present it at the IEP Team Meeting. Unfortunately, the law does not directly address your concerns other than to say that the safety and wellbeing of the student must be taken into consideration in preparing the IEP. If the IEP Team does not agree with you and does not put in his IEP the requirement that he be picked up in front of his house, you can file a welfare and safety complaint with your State's Department of Education. Include the note from his doctor in this complaint.

I have some clients that have had bus problems, and I have had the school district to agree to pay them by the mile to transport their child to and from school. The normal mileage rate paid is what the IRS allows.

I wish you and your son the best,
Tim Runner, Advocate
Advocates for Kids
Email: timrunner@cox.net
Phone: (949) 582-3601
You can learn more at my web site:
www.special-education-answers.com

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Tim Runner

Expertise

Questions concerning autistic student special education: IEP, assessments, Due Process, mediation, resolution conference, federal law, state law, qualifying for services, residential treatment, special day classes, resource specialists, procedures, having your child assessed, adaptive PE, speech & language, non-public school, FAPE, tuition reimbursement for private schools and treatment centers .

Experience

I have been an education advocate representing students and parents for six years. My experience includes: representing my clients in IEPs, SSTs, Due Process, review assessment results for my clients and for other advocates, and mediations. I have represented clients with learning disabilities, autism, Downs Syndrome, cognitively challenged, emotional problems, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and physical disabilities. I have also represented clients to County Mental Health Departments and Regional Centers. My clients range from pre-school to college students in California and various other states.

Education/Credentials
I have a degree in Mathematics from the University of California with minors in Psychology and Physics. I also studied applied statistics in the field of psychology at both the undergraduate and graduate level. I have taught college classes, conducted seminars, written articles for various publications, and testified as an expert witness.

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