Expert: Paul Johnson - 2/10/2011

Question
Dear Mr. Johnson,

My son, Scott is 13 years old and has autism. He is in 7th grade in a special needs classroom in middle school.  He is verbal (yet conversation skills are poor) and has good behavior.  His attention span is poor in group environment (about 4 minutes) vs. about 20 minutes in a one on one environment where more visuals can be used.

My son loves school, and his teachers.  He is unhappy when he misses school!

My problem is he has not met any IEP goals for the last two years.  The first year the teacher wrote the IEP and included a few suggestions from me. He did not meet any goals.   The teacher insisted that he was making progress. However,  all improvements that he was suggesting were very general, and nothing specific.

  Knowing that he did not meet any goals the first year, I made a lot of  suggestions  for specific IEP goals the second year and he included every one of them.  

Long story short, the year is more than half through, and I know he will not be meeting any of these goals either.  He hasn't even worked on some goals that specifically stated "will work on twice a week".    Another goal (with four separate objectives as stated in the IEP) have been worked on "a couple of times" as said by the teacher, but this particular goal was going to be harder for him, and I know repetition would be key.

In the early years, Scott made great gains in an in home ABA program.  This program worked well for him because of his attention/focus problem.  I had my doubts before Scott attended this classroom that it would meet his needs.  I knew that the focus would be "group learning" not one on one, but was told that this would be an appropriate placement for him.

Now that I'm pretty sure that no IEP goals have been met (and barely worked on) for a second year, what can I do now to get more one on one support for him?  

I have asked for testing to measure progress, and they basically said that testing is done at his triannual review, and that is not until November, 2011.

What can I do?  Isn't it the law if it's written in the IEP that they at least attempt to work on it?

Thanks,

Missy Roy


Answer
Hey Missy,

Thank you for your interesting and challenging question.
I must admit I am not well versed in special education and the rights afforded. But I do know some things. I know you as a parent have major power over how things go in the iep. I do believe you are right that the school has a right to make an honest effort. You also have the right to have your son receive speedy testing/assessment when it is needed.

I would hope that there might be a charter school that is dedicated to address ASD's. There is one in my community that is a consideration for my 14 year old son. I think your next step is to take up your grievance to the director of the school district where he is being educated.