Expert: Tim Runner - 1/12/2012

Question
Hi Tim, Thank you for responding to me. I am resending my question with name changed and no gender for my child.
My autistic child is due for a 3 year IEP review and will be entering high school in the Fall. Have been receiving spec ed since kindergarten under autism eligibility.Never received regional center services. Since behavior is good and excellent grades in all honors classes we are getting hints that spec ed may end.I was told they want to do testing but have not been told yet for what reasons or type/s of testing.A full battery of tests were done by the school 3 years ago finding severe sensory problems, severe exec functioning difficulties and again the label of autism. I'm afraid new testing may try to get rid of the testing already done.I believe all the testing that was done then is valid and affect my child today. Middle school has been great and offered many supports to ALL students but next year that will all change.And I know there will be a great deal of stress as students are expected to function independently at the high school level. At 14 years old my child can't safely cross a street or parking lot, especially busy ones, paces or rides in circles very fast  after school ,and at times dangerously, for upwards of a few hours daily. Has difficulty with problem solving and horrible time finding things even when item is right in front.
We are told since student is doing well in school and these problems only appear at home the school is not responsible to help.

Answer
Linda,

The school can not assess your son without your permission. There are State and district tests they can administer if you have given your permission in his IEP, but any other assessments can not be done until you have signed an Assessment Plan. Your son must be assessed in all areas of identified and suspected disabilities. He needs to be assessed for his inability to function safely in the community. He should be assessed for social skills and pragmatics, and he should receive Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) by a SIPT certified OT for his sensory challenges. And his executive functioning must be assessed. These things don't just go away with time.

A child can not be exited from special education until he or she has met all of their goals and demonstrated on standardized assessments that they no longer have the disability they are being being tested for. Just because a student does well with grades does not prove that his disability is gone. I represent many kids with Aspergers (on Autism spectrum) that are doing great in Honor's Classes, but can't interact socially with others nor can they keep organized without help. Sensory issues don't go away. It should be more difficult to exit a child from special education than it is to get them into the program in the first place.

If the school tries to exit him, don't sign anything allowing them to do so and get a good advocate to fight the school.

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