FreddiesGhettoTrench: Remember - I said that I was talking about UK schools - so that makes the picture a little different.
I am not disrespecting you or your brother, but, over here, such concerns as the ones I mentioned above - are very real indeed.
To start with "bussing" is NOT an issue. It is the responsibility of All parents - and All kids to make their OWN way to school. Even the poorest of poor have to walk to school if they can not afford car-rides or busfairs. In very special cases transport may be available at a subsidised cost for those in large rural areas, but in the main, in the UK, it is the PARENTS responsibility to bring their child to school.
If things are different in the US - you are lucky.
Over here, "Special needs" schools are few and far between. Because we adhere to a mis-guided "Social-inclusion" poilicy "special-needs" kids ARE included in mainstream schools, and mainstream classes. Often, very qualified classroom teachers, are expected to deal with special-needs children, but they have NO or very little Special-ed training - which benefits no-one.
Over here, it IS true that a child with special needs - can consume a teacher's time and resources at the DETRIMENT and DISRUPTION to the remainder of the class. That may seem fine for the needs of that individual child, but that cannot be fair on the other thirty chidren - can it? What about their needs to a "proper education"?
As I keep saying, if you have different programmes in the US - you are lucky, and I do believe that your brother deserves better, but I can assure you things are worse elsewhere, and particularly in the UK, where too many politicians, parents, social workers, and do-gooders have thier fingers in the pie.
Let's be honest here - "Social Inclusion" is education on the cheap. It simply is - "let's take all kids, (whatevere their specialist needs) and stick them in the same classroom, because all kids are equal and have equal rights. Philosphically speaking that may be correct, but in the real world, it just does not work, as the truth is we need to spend more money on special schools, and special education. (But that is just MY opinion).
I would just like to see a return to old fashioned common sense, where teachers are left alone to teach, and every child has the opportunity to fulfill their potential, without having to go through all this liberal red-tape (and "rights") in the classroom - because the so called "rights" of one - can often impinge on the "rights" of another - and that is not fair either.
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We are indeed spoiled in America with regard to public education although many Americans take for granted what is made available, yet still complain it's not enough. We have bus service, we have Special Education teachers, Speech Pathologists, Social Workers, Nurses, School Based Health Centers where children can receive free immunizations, Occupational Therapists, Alternative schooling for those children that are behavior issues and can't function in a regular setting. We have Home-Bound schooling if a child has say, a seizure disorder and can't leave home to be schooled. We have whole disciplinary teams that will visit children in their homes to teach them and provide therapy where needed.
FGT, I don't know why your brother is sent two hours away each day for schooling. That is hardly beneficial to him. It would take me all day and night to type what I think should happen with your brother. Bottom line on his situation, he needs an advocate or a case manager to advise on his educational needs, manage his medical care, psycho-social care, and this is at the very least. Many times parents of special needs children take on this role, but it is understandable if this role is too stressful for a parent and this is where the advocate or case manager comes in to play. They are a support system to the family and the child, ad advisor.
Is he on any medications or is he in any therapy sessions to help him develop coping skills for his anger outbursts and behavioral problems? Who is in charge of making sure that he is receiving the appropriate services is the main question I have. Does he have a physician that is in charge of his medical care? What does this physician say? Does he have a therapist or social worker that is in charge of his pyscho-social well-being? What do they say? This all can't be blamed on the school district. The school district does have a responsibility to provide access to education for your brother but from your description of him, he's not capable of functioning well enough at this point to be in that environment. Why is this? There is some reason for this. Every Autistic child I know is in a school setting on some level. Infact, most can be integrated in to regular ed for most of the school day, and attend physical education classes as well. It's a wonderful thing.
Your brother seems to be needing a lot more than what the school can do for him on the whole. Right now there are issues with him that need to be addressed before he can benefit from being in any sort of school setting in my opinion. Right now, there are bigger fish to fry with him.
FGT, I don't know why your brother is sent two hours away each day for schooling. That is hardly beneficial to him. It would take me all day and night to type what I think should happen with your brother. Bottom line on his situation, he needs an advocate or a case manager to advise on his educational needs, manage his medical care, psycho-social care, and this is at the very least. Many times parents of special needs children take on this role, but it is understandable if this role is too stressful for a parent and this is where the advocate or case manager comes in to play. They are a support system to the family and the child, ad advisor.
Is he on any medications or is he in any therapy sessions to help him develop coping skills for his anger outbursts and behavioral problems? Who is in charge of making sure that he is receiving the appropriate services is the main question I have. Does he have a physician that is in charge of his medical care? What does this physician say? Does he have a therapist or social worker that is in charge of his pyscho-social well-being? What do they say? This all can't be blamed on the school district. The school district does have a responsibility to provide access to education for your brother but from your description of him, he's not capable of functioning well enough at this point to be in that environment. Why is this? There is some reason for this. Every Autistic child I know is in a school setting on some level. Infact, most can be integrated in to regular ed for most of the school day, and attend physical education classes as well. It's a wonderful thing.
Your brother seems to be needing a lot more than what the school can do for him on the whole. Right now there are issues with him that need to be addressed before he can benefit from being in any sort of school setting in my opinion. Right now, there are bigger fish to fry with him.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]<b><font color = "crimson">ThomasQuinn wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Sarajane, for once in your life try to see things from someone else's point of view as well.
They can't adapt the whole school to him, you'd harm the others that way. If it's him or the rest that has to go, it's going to be him. If he's autistic, he'll need to go to a special school, such as the one my mum used to work at, where they can handle him, and are trained to do so.[/QUOTE]
He DOES GO TO A SPECIAL SCHOOL. I have said this about sixty times. He goes to a SCHOOL FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN!
They can't adapt the whole school to him, you'd harm the others that way. If it's him or the rest that has to go, it's going to be him. If he's autistic, he'll need to go to a special school, such as the one my mum used to work at, where they can handle him, and are trained to do so.[/QUOTE]
He DOES GO TO A SPECIAL SCHOOL. I have said this about sixty times. He goes to a SCHOOL FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN!
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lisser wrote: [/QUOTENAME]We are indeed spoiled in America with regard to public education although many Americans take for granted what is made available, yet still complain it's not enough. [/QUOTE]
It's not that it's not enough. It's that around here it's run by incompetents.
[QUOTE] Many times parents of special needs children take on this role, but it is understandable if this role is too stressful for a parent and this is where the advocate or case manager comes in to play. [/QUOTE]
We don't need a case manager, my father is plenty advocate for ten people.
[QUOTE] Is he on any medications [/QUOTE]
They (school district) were trying to force him on a medication that had far too many side effects, so we refused that one, but we have said we wouldn't be opposed to a mild anti-depressants.
[QUOTE] or is he in any therapy sessions to help him develop coping skills for his anger outbursts and behavioral problems? [/QUOTE]
They may have these at his school, I don't know.
[QUOTE] Who is in charge of making sure that he is receiving the appropriate services is the main question I have. [/QUOTE]
Us, i.e., his family. We lean on the school district, since we can't decide what school he goes to. The district is in charge of placing students, and without a school voucher program we're stuck in this district.
[QUOTE] Does he have a physician that is in charge of his medical care? What does this physician say? Does he have a therapist or social worker that is in charge of his pyscho-social well-being? What do they say? [/QUOTE]
We bring him to a pediatrician. His problem is not a physical problem, and we don't need a social worker.
[QUOTE] This all can't be blamed on the school district. [/QUOTE]
Oh yes it can.
[QUOTE] The school district does have a responsibility to provide access to education for your brother but from your description of him, he's not capable of functioning well enough at this point to be in that environment. [/QUOTE]
Yes he is. He does not have tantrums every single day. He has them every once in awhile, if people piss him off.
[QUOTE] Why is this? There is some reason for this. Every Autistic child I know is in a school setting on some level. [/QUOTE]
What do you mean "why is this?" Because the district keeps doing things to his education. My brother does fine in school as long as the district stops pulling stunts like they do.
[QUOTE] Infact, most can be integrated in to regular ed for most of the school day, and attend physical education classes as well. It's a wonderful thing. [/QUOTE]
My brother does not talk, so putting him in a regular high school class would not be very useful, now would it?
[QUOTE] Your brother seems to be needing a lot more than what the school can do for him on the whole. Right now there are issues with him that need to be addressed before he can benefit from being in any sort of school setting in my opinion. Right now, there are bigger fish to fry with him. [/QUOTE]
There is not "bigger fish to fry". He is currently in a school that is suited for his needs, as they told us the last three were. This one is a private school. The private school is dealing with him fine, it is that the district keeps pulling stunts.
It's not that it's not enough. It's that around here it's run by incompetents.
[QUOTE] Many times parents of special needs children take on this role, but it is understandable if this role is too stressful for a parent and this is where the advocate or case manager comes in to play. [/QUOTE]
We don't need a case manager, my father is plenty advocate for ten people.
[QUOTE] Is he on any medications [/QUOTE]
They (school district) were trying to force him on a medication that had far too many side effects, so we refused that one, but we have said we wouldn't be opposed to a mild anti-depressants.
[QUOTE] or is he in any therapy sessions to help him develop coping skills for his anger outbursts and behavioral problems? [/QUOTE]
They may have these at his school, I don't know.
[QUOTE] Who is in charge of making sure that he is receiving the appropriate services is the main question I have. [/QUOTE]
Us, i.e., his family. We lean on the school district, since we can't decide what school he goes to. The district is in charge of placing students, and without a school voucher program we're stuck in this district.
[QUOTE] Does he have a physician that is in charge of his medical care? What does this physician say? Does he have a therapist or social worker that is in charge of his pyscho-social well-being? What do they say? [/QUOTE]
We bring him to a pediatrician. His problem is not a physical problem, and we don't need a social worker.
[QUOTE] This all can't be blamed on the school district. [/QUOTE]
Oh yes it can.
[QUOTE] The school district does have a responsibility to provide access to education for your brother but from your description of him, he's not capable of functioning well enough at this point to be in that environment. [/QUOTE]
Yes he is. He does not have tantrums every single day. He has them every once in awhile, if people piss him off.
[QUOTE] Why is this? There is some reason for this. Every Autistic child I know is in a school setting on some level. [/QUOTE]
What do you mean "why is this?" Because the district keeps doing things to his education. My brother does fine in school as long as the district stops pulling stunts like they do.
[QUOTE] Infact, most can be integrated in to regular ed for most of the school day, and attend physical education classes as well. It's a wonderful thing. [/QUOTE]
My brother does not talk, so putting him in a regular high school class would not be very useful, now would it?
[QUOTE] Your brother seems to be needing a lot more than what the school can do for him on the whole. Right now there are issues with him that need to be addressed before he can benefit from being in any sort of school setting in my opinion. Right now, there are bigger fish to fry with him. [/QUOTE]
There is not "bigger fish to fry". He is currently in a school that is suited for his needs, as they told us the last three were. This one is a private school. The private school is dealing with him fine, it is that the district keeps pulling stunts.
If I may put in my 2 cents and a few thoughts, since I myself am Aspergic...
[QUOTE][QUOTE]Is he on any medications[/QUOTE]
They (school district) were trying to force him on a medication that had far too many side effects, so we refused that one, but we have said we wouldn't be opposed to a mild anti-depressants.[/QUOTE]
Anti-depressants work well, especially considering that many Autistic and Aspergic people can potentially suffer severe depression in their adult years.
I myself am on an anti-depressant called Citalophram (also known as Celexa), of which I am on a 20mg dose once daily.
Perhaps you should ask your brother's physician about trying him on that one. It works really well.
Alternatively there is another anti-depressant I know of called Paxil (I don't know its other name, but you can Google it)
Does your brother suffer from either ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder / Attention Hyper Deficit Disorder) by the way?
[QUOTE][QUOTE]or is he in any therapy sessions to help him develop coping skills for his anger outbursts and behavioral problems?[/QUOTE]
They may have these at his school, I don't know.[/QUOTE]
I think that's what the need of an aide (assistant) is partially for, so they can spend time with the Autistic individual to try and teach them, or help them adapt, to social norms, ie. behaving, not having fits, etc.
I'm only speaking on my personal experiences.
Most autistic individuals are different, so I wouldn't know how your brother would adapt to having an aide (though it certainly helps if the aide will do special things, like give him treats or backscratches for good work - I've always used to suck up for backscratches from all the female assistants I ever had)
[QUOTE][QUOTE]Does he have a physician that is in charge of his medical care? What does this physician say? Does he have a therapist or social worker that is in charge of his pyscho-social well-being? What do they say?[/QUOTE]
We bring him to a pediatrician. His problem is not a physical problem, and we don't need a social worker.[/QUOTE]
It's true that it is not a physical condition (despite the fact that it affects the brain a lot), but I don't see eye-to-eye with you when you say that you don't need a social worker for him.
Now, I can't say I know what goes on in your household, but why would you say that you don't need a social worker for your brother? At least not one that takes him out to give you guys a break (aka. temporary relief), even if it's for 2-4 hours each week?
[QUOTE][QUOTE]Infact, most can be integrated in to regular ed for most of the school day, and attend physical education classes as well. It's a wonderful thing.[/QUOTE]
My brother does not talk, so putting him in a regular high school class would not be very useful, now would it?[/QUOTE]
It doesn't matter if he talks or not. If he has an aide to help him do his work (as I have seen with another severely autistic boy I did volunteer work with about 2 years ago, named Thomas, and he doesn't talk either!), then at least he will have some sort of work to hand in that the school and/or the district can give him marks for and let him advance further until and including grade 12, even if he won't be able to do courses that would normally otherwise let people enter College or University with (eg. Mathematics 30 Applied / Pure, Science, etc.)
[QUOTE][QUOTE]Is he on any medications[/QUOTE]
They (school district) were trying to force him on a medication that had far too many side effects, so we refused that one, but we have said we wouldn't be opposed to a mild anti-depressants.[/QUOTE]
Anti-depressants work well, especially considering that many Autistic and Aspergic people can potentially suffer severe depression in their adult years.
I myself am on an anti-depressant called Citalophram (also known as Celexa), of which I am on a 20mg dose once daily.
Perhaps you should ask your brother's physician about trying him on that one. It works really well.
Alternatively there is another anti-depressant I know of called Paxil (I don't know its other name, but you can Google it)
Does your brother suffer from either ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder / Attention Hyper Deficit Disorder) by the way?
[QUOTE][QUOTE]or is he in any therapy sessions to help him develop coping skills for his anger outbursts and behavioral problems?[/QUOTE]
They may have these at his school, I don't know.[/QUOTE]
I think that's what the need of an aide (assistant) is partially for, so they can spend time with the Autistic individual to try and teach them, or help them adapt, to social norms, ie. behaving, not having fits, etc.
I'm only speaking on my personal experiences.
Most autistic individuals are different, so I wouldn't know how your brother would adapt to having an aide (though it certainly helps if the aide will do special things, like give him treats or backscratches for good work - I've always used to suck up for backscratches from all the female assistants I ever had)
[QUOTE][QUOTE]Does he have a physician that is in charge of his medical care? What does this physician say? Does he have a therapist or social worker that is in charge of his pyscho-social well-being? What do they say?[/QUOTE]
We bring him to a pediatrician. His problem is not a physical problem, and we don't need a social worker.[/QUOTE]
It's true that it is not a physical condition (despite the fact that it affects the brain a lot), but I don't see eye-to-eye with you when you say that you don't need a social worker for him.
Now, I can't say I know what goes on in your household, but why would you say that you don't need a social worker for your brother? At least not one that takes him out to give you guys a break (aka. temporary relief), even if it's for 2-4 hours each week?
[QUOTE][QUOTE]Infact, most can be integrated in to regular ed for most of the school day, and attend physical education classes as well. It's a wonderful thing.[/QUOTE]
My brother does not talk, so putting him in a regular high school class would not be very useful, now would it?[/QUOTE]
It doesn't matter if he talks or not. If he has an aide to help him do his work (as I have seen with another severely autistic boy I did volunteer work with about 2 years ago, named Thomas, and he doesn't talk either!), then at least he will have some sort of work to hand in that the school and/or the district can give him marks for and let him advance further until and including grade 12, even if he won't be able to do courses that would normally otherwise let people enter College or University with (eg. Mathematics 30 Applied / Pure, Science, etc.)
FGT, many children and adults with autism are non-verbal. There are multiple children in our special needs class at my school that are not verbal (some have autism, some not) yet are integrated in to regular ed classrooms. Communication is not all verbal.
It is wonderful for them to be able to interact with the other children and it is also good for the other children to learn about children with special needs. There are no negatives to having him in a regular ed classroom as long as it's beneficial to him and is not taking away from the other children learning.
I would not be so quick to blame every road block on your brother's school district. Work with them, not against them.
It is wonderful that your father is taking on such a dedicated role in your brother's life but if I were him, I'd not be so quick to deny any assistance or support that I could get if I were in this situation. It's not easy.
Take care.
It is wonderful for them to be able to interact with the other children and it is also good for the other children to learn about children with special needs. There are no negatives to having him in a regular ed classroom as long as it's beneficial to him and is not taking away from the other children learning.
I would not be so quick to blame every road block on your brother's school district. Work with them, not against them.
It is wonderful that your father is taking on such a dedicated role in your brother's life but if I were him, I'd not be so quick to deny any assistance or support that I could get if I were in this situation. It's not easy.
Take care.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]for me to poop on wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]John S Stuart wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Tough call, but as an independant, you "also" have to feel for the teacher - and other kids.
I mean - my child is at the same school. Class of 30. But "his" education is deprived because this kid with special needs not only hogs all the teacher's attention, but, can also flair up at any time because of what "normally" could be perceived as an insignificant incident.
At the end of the day, my kids education, and safety "may" suffer, and who cares about his rights?
Then on the way home on the bus, other issues are raised where your kin can be a danger to himself and others, and perhaps for the needs of the many (re "Star Trek II") out-weigh the needs of the few?
Don't get me wrong, I am only acting as devil's advocate, and I do have a sensitive, sympathetic nature, but I blame the schools system - not the kids - and certainly not your brother.
My own cousin has severe cerebal palsy (is that the correct term - I'm old enough to recall when he was a spastic), but he attended a recognised Special Needs school which individually addressed his specific learning difficulties - and he loved it. There was no stigmatisation attached, and other kids just viewed him as "normal".
I know that there may be philosphical arguments against this - In my opinion only (and I'm not an educational psychologist) and hey it's only a question - why is it that equal integration in "normal" schools isn't seen for what it is - a cheap and failing alternative for providing specialist care, attention, and facilities for those who really need this service?
I mean you can't expect a cheap off-the-peg suit to compare to an expensive made-to-measure individualised tailor-made suit, so why does education expect a "one-size-fits-all" mentality to work with children's wants and needs?
As I said, I do not wish to upset or offend anyone, but, I do think it is unfair for all concerned, for authorities (and yes even some Bolshi parents) to ignore such glaring differences, and to lump all kids together like some kind of sheep. [/QUOTE]cmacadamy.org works
[/QUOTE]
cmacadamy.org works
The link does not work. Could you post one which does?
I mean - my child is at the same school. Class of 30. But "his" education is deprived because this kid with special needs not only hogs all the teacher's attention, but, can also flair up at any time because of what "normally" could be perceived as an insignificant incident.
At the end of the day, my kids education, and safety "may" suffer, and who cares about his rights?
Then on the way home on the bus, other issues are raised where your kin can be a danger to himself and others, and perhaps for the needs of the many (re "Star Trek II") out-weigh the needs of the few?
Don't get me wrong, I am only acting as devil's advocate, and I do have a sensitive, sympathetic nature, but I blame the schools system - not the kids - and certainly not your brother.
My own cousin has severe cerebal palsy (is that the correct term - I'm old enough to recall when he was a spastic), but he attended a recognised Special Needs school which individually addressed his specific learning difficulties - and he loved it. There was no stigmatisation attached, and other kids just viewed him as "normal".
I know that there may be philosphical arguments against this - In my opinion only (and I'm not an educational psychologist) and hey it's only a question - why is it that equal integration in "normal" schools isn't seen for what it is - a cheap and failing alternative for providing specialist care, attention, and facilities for those who really need this service?
I mean you can't expect a cheap off-the-peg suit to compare to an expensive made-to-measure individualised tailor-made suit, so why does education expect a "one-size-fits-all" mentality to work with children's wants and needs?
As I said, I do not wish to upset or offend anyone, but, I do think it is unfair for all concerned, for authorities (and yes even some Bolshi parents) to ignore such glaring differences, and to lump all kids together like some kind of sheep. [/QUOTE]cmacadamy.org works
[/QUOTE]
cmacadamy.org works
The link does not work. Could you post one which does?
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]John S Stuart wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]for me to poop on wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]John S Stuart wrote: [/QUOTENAME]Tough call, but as an independant, you "also" have to feel for the teacher - and other kids.
I mean - my child is at the same school. Class of 30. But "his" education is deprived because this kid with special needs not only hogs all the teacher's attention, but, can also flair up at any time because of what "normally" could be perceived as an insignificant incident.
At the end of the day, my kids education, and safety "may" suffer, and who cares about his rights?
Then on the way home on the bus, other issues are raised where your kin can be a danger to himself and others, and perhaps for the needs of the many (re "Star Trek II") out-weigh the needs of the few?
Don't get me wrong, I am only acting as devil's advocate, and I do have a sensitive, sympathetic nature, but I blame the schools system - not the kids - and certainly not your brother.
My own cousin has severe cerebal palsy (is that the correct term - I'm old enough to recall when he was a spastic), but he attended a recognised Special Needs school which individually addressed his specific learning difficulties - and he loved it. There was no stigmatisation attached, and other kids just viewed him as "normal".
I know that there may be philosphical arguments against this - In my opinion only (and I'm not an educational psychologist) and hey it's only a question - why is it that equal integration in "normal" schools isn't seen for what it is - a cheap and failing alternative for providing specialist care, attention, and facilities for those who really need this service?
I mean you can't expect a cheap off-the-peg suit to compare to an expensive made-to-measure individualised tailor-made suit, so why does education expect a "one-size-fits-all" mentality to work with children's wants and needs?
As I said, I do not wish to upset or offend anyone, but, I do think it is unfair for all concerned, for authorities (and yes even some Bolshi parents) to ignore such glaring differences, and to lump all kids together like some kind of sheep. [/QUOTE]cmacadamy.org works
[/QUOTE]
cmacadamy.org works
The link does not work. Could you post one which does?[/QUOTE] just google cma
I mean - my child is at the same school. Class of 30. But "his" education is deprived because this kid with special needs not only hogs all the teacher's attention, but, can also flair up at any time because of what "normally" could be perceived as an insignificant incident.
At the end of the day, my kids education, and safety "may" suffer, and who cares about his rights?
Then on the way home on the bus, other issues are raised where your kin can be a danger to himself and others, and perhaps for the needs of the many (re "Star Trek II") out-weigh the needs of the few?
Don't get me wrong, I am only acting as devil's advocate, and I do have a sensitive, sympathetic nature, but I blame the schools system - not the kids - and certainly not your brother.
My own cousin has severe cerebal palsy (is that the correct term - I'm old enough to recall when he was a spastic), but he attended a recognised Special Needs school which individually addressed his specific learning difficulties - and he loved it. There was no stigmatisation attached, and other kids just viewed him as "normal".
I know that there may be philosphical arguments against this - In my opinion only (and I'm not an educational psychologist) and hey it's only a question - why is it that equal integration in "normal" schools isn't seen for what it is - a cheap and failing alternative for providing specialist care, attention, and facilities for those who really need this service?
I mean you can't expect a cheap off-the-peg suit to compare to an expensive made-to-measure individualised tailor-made suit, so why does education expect a "one-size-fits-all" mentality to work with children's wants and needs?
As I said, I do not wish to upset or offend anyone, but, I do think it is unfair for all concerned, for authorities (and yes even some Bolshi parents) to ignore such glaring differences, and to lump all kids together like some kind of sheep. [/QUOTE]cmacadamy.org works
[/QUOTE]
cmacadamy.org works
The link does not work. Could you post one which does?[/QUOTE] just google cma
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Inu-Liger<h6>-a.k.a. Richard Guilbault- wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
[QUOTE] Does your brother suffer from either ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder / Attention Hyper Deficit Disorder) by the way? [/QUOTE]
Not that we know of.
[QUOTE]
I think that's what the need of an aide (assistant) is partially for, so they can spend time with the Autistic individual to try and teach them, or help them adapt, to social norms, ie. behaving, not having fits, etc. [/QUOTE]
He has an aide at his school.
[QUOTE]
Now, I can't say I know what goes on in your household, but why would you say that you don't need a social worker for your brother? At least not one that takes him out to give you guys a break (aka. temporary relief), even if it's for 2-4 hours each week? [/QUOTE]
Why would we want a government busybody whom we barely know to watch a family member for 2-4 hours each week, we he is out of the house 10 hours a weekday anyway?
[QUOTE] It doesn't matter if he talks or not. If he has an aide to help him do his work (as I have seen with another severely autistic boy I did volunteer work with about 2 years ago, named Thomas, and he doesn't talk either!), then at least he will have some sort of work to hand in that the school and/or the district can give him marks for and let him advance further until and including grade 12, even if he won't be able to do courses that would normally otherwise let people enter College or University with (eg. Mathematics 30 Applied / Pure, Science, etc.)[/QUOTE]
My brother is in an ungraded school, and he does do work at that school. It would not suit him to put him in a mainstream school at all.
[QUOTE] Does your brother suffer from either ADD or ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder / Attention Hyper Deficit Disorder) by the way? [/QUOTE]
Not that we know of.
[QUOTE]
I think that's what the need of an aide (assistant) is partially for, so they can spend time with the Autistic individual to try and teach them, or help them adapt, to social norms, ie. behaving, not having fits, etc. [/QUOTE]
He has an aide at his school.
[QUOTE]
Now, I can't say I know what goes on in your household, but why would you say that you don't need a social worker for your brother? At least not one that takes him out to give you guys a break (aka. temporary relief), even if it's for 2-4 hours each week? [/QUOTE]
Why would we want a government busybody whom we barely know to watch a family member for 2-4 hours each week, we he is out of the house 10 hours a weekday anyway?
[QUOTE] It doesn't matter if he talks or not. If he has an aide to help him do his work (as I have seen with another severely autistic boy I did volunteer work with about 2 years ago, named Thomas, and he doesn't talk either!), then at least he will have some sort of work to hand in that the school and/or the district can give him marks for and let him advance further until and including grade 12, even if he won't be able to do courses that would normally otherwise let people enter College or University with (eg. Mathematics 30 Applied / Pure, Science, etc.)[/QUOTE]
My brother is in an ungraded school, and he does do work at that school. It would not suit him to put him in a mainstream school at all.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lisser wrote: [/QUOTENAME]There are no negatives to having him in a regular ed classroom as long as it's beneficial to him and is not taking away from the other children learning. [/QUOTE]
Regular education classrooms in my district consist of 99% of the students throwing things at one another. So, no, that's not going to work. My brother already goes to a school that suits his needs.
[QUOTE]
I would not be so quick to blame every road block on your brother's school district. Work with them, not against them. [/QUOTE]
My school district is made up of the most incompetent group of people on the face of the earth. At the high school, students have taken a dump in a stairwell and they still have not figured out who did it. People keep writing the N-word on the bathroom walls. The bathrooms themselves are smokestacks and either the floors are covered in liquid and/or there's no toilet paper. Students broke in last year and stole an entire cart of laptop computers. And that's not even everything.
Then the middle school, people would sexually harrass or beat up other individuals and nothing would be done. A girl I know had "____ [her name] is a dyke" written on the locker room wall and it just stayed there the entire year. A girl with epilepsy had another girl throw basketballs at her head.
The district was, last year, in a surplus, and this year, with its new superintendent, it is 4.3 mil in the hole.
What more can I say??? They are INCOMPETENT.
Regular education classrooms in my district consist of 99% of the students throwing things at one another. So, no, that's not going to work. My brother already goes to a school that suits his needs.
[QUOTE]
I would not be so quick to blame every road block on your brother's school district. Work with them, not against them. [/QUOTE]
My school district is made up of the most incompetent group of people on the face of the earth. At the high school, students have taken a dump in a stairwell and they still have not figured out who did it. People keep writing the N-word on the bathroom walls. The bathrooms themselves are smokestacks and either the floors are covered in liquid and/or there's no toilet paper. Students broke in last year and stole an entire cart of laptop computers. And that's not even everything.
Then the middle school, people would sexually harrass or beat up other individuals and nothing would be done. A girl I know had "____ [her name] is a dyke" written on the locker room wall and it just stayed there the entire year. A girl with epilepsy had another girl throw basketballs at her head.
The district was, last year, in a surplus, and this year, with its new superintendent, it is 4.3 mil in the hole.
What more can I say??? They are INCOMPETENT.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lisser wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME] Not to mention how poorly teachers are paid. [/QUOTE]
My sons' grade school ART teacher had a salary of over $103,000 for 9 months work. Over $100,000 for a lousy art teacher in a public school ... and he is not even a very good teacher.
My sons' grade school ART teacher had a salary of over $103,000 for 9 months work. Over $100,000 for a lousy art teacher in a public school ... and he is not even a very good teacher.
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Rip Van Winkle wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME]Lisser wrote: [/QUOTENAME][QUOTE][QUOTENAME] Not to mention how poorly teachers are paid. [/QUOTE]
My sons' grade school ART teacher had a salary of over $103,000 for 9 months work. Over $100,000 for a lousy art teacher in a public school ... and he is not even a very good teacher.[/QUOTE]
What state is this??!! Is this public school? WOW!!! Our Asst. Superintendents don't even make that much. Our Superintendent does. I'd say the highest paid teacher in my district with a Rank 1 is about $57,000. That is with two Master's degrees, and about 27 years of experience. I am a 12 month employee, not 9 1/4 like teachers but I'd love to come to the district your son is in!!!
FGT, ok I guess your school district is incompetent like you say. Hopeless I guess. Good luck and I wish your brother success.
My sons' grade school ART teacher had a salary of over $103,000 for 9 months work. Over $100,000 for a lousy art teacher in a public school ... and he is not even a very good teacher.[/QUOTE]
What state is this??!! Is this public school? WOW!!! Our Asst. Superintendents don't even make that much. Our Superintendent does. I'd say the highest paid teacher in my district with a Rank 1 is about $57,000. That is with two Master's degrees, and about 27 years of experience. I am a 12 month employee, not 9 1/4 like teachers but I'd love to come to the district your son is in!!!
FGT, ok I guess your school district is incompetent like you say. Hopeless I guess. Good luck and I wish your brother success.
Do I detect a hint of sarcasm, Lisser?
[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]FreddiesGhettoTrench wrote: [/QUOTENAME]
My school district is made up of the most incompetent group of people on the face of the earth. At the high school, students have taken a dump in a stairwell and they still have not figured out who did it. People keep writing the N-word on the bathroom walls. The bathrooms themselves are smokestacks and either the floors are covered in liquid and/or there's no toilet paper. Students broke in last year and stole an entire cart of laptop computers. And that's not even everything.
Then the middle school, people would sexually harrass or beat up other individuals and nothing would be done. A girl I know had "____ [her name] is a dyke" written on the locker room wall and it just stayed there the entire year. A girl with epilepsy had another girl throw basketballs at her head.
The district was, last year, in a surplus, and this year, with its new superintendent, it is 4.3 mil in the hole.
What more can I say??? They are INCOMPETENT. [/QUOTE]
Let me say that I sympathize with your situation. However, everything is not so black and white, especially when it comes to school management. School districts are quite easy to blame, or put off as "incompetent," but even if the administration consisted of the most efficient, intelligent people, I still doubt your school would amend itself.
Let me begin by saying that in order for a school to function, it needs money. The amount of money the government provides for a given school in the average district is very rarely sufficient. So how does the school get more money? The taxpayers have to vote on it. Taxpayers are divided into two groups of people: "those that care" and "those that don't." The latter group often far outnumbers the former group, so many of these are not passed.
Also, of the money that the school is given, most of it, if not all, must be spent very specifically. For instance, $3 million dollars is not just $3 million dollars; it is $3 million dollars that must be spent upon repairs of the school rooftop. It is $3 million dollars that must be spent by the biology department. It is not $3 million dollars to be used freely.
You are blaming the new superintendent for the 4.3 million deficit of your school, but I am sure he spent the money where it needed to be. There is never a reason for a surplus in a school district.
Might I also mention the almighty teacher's union that perpetually has all the school administrations around the nation by the balls. Basically, this means teachers first, then students. It's that simple.
Now, onto your complaints, which have hardly anything to do with a school's incompetence.
"At the high school, students have taken a dump in a stairwell and they still have not figured out who did it."
How is this incompetence? Firstly, who cares who did it? From what I hear, I'm sure the administration has much bigger things to worry about. This is a very insignificant, localized problem, to be maybe carried out by the vice principal, if he feels like it.
"People keep writing the N-word on the bathroom walls. The bathrooms themselves are smokestacks and either the floors are covered in liquid and/or there's no toilet paper."
"A girl I know had "____ [her name] is a dyke" written on the locker room wall and it just stayed there the entire year."
This seems to be a problem of the custodians, once again, not the administration. If maintenance does not want to do its job particularly well, there's little the administration can do to fix this. It's unlikely in any case that a janitor will really care about his job, anyway. Taking care of things that aren't one's property will always lead to negligence.
"Students broke in last year and stole an entire cart of laptop computers. And that's not even everything."
Okay? If my house gets robbed, that means I'm incompetent, right?
My school district is made up of the most incompetent group of people on the face of the earth. At the high school, students have taken a dump in a stairwell and they still have not figured out who did it. People keep writing the N-word on the bathroom walls. The bathrooms themselves are smokestacks and either the floors are covered in liquid and/or there's no toilet paper. Students broke in last year and stole an entire cart of laptop computers. And that's not even everything.
Then the middle school, people would sexually harrass or beat up other individuals and nothing would be done. A girl I know had "____ [her name] is a dyke" written on the locker room wall and it just stayed there the entire year. A girl with epilepsy had another girl throw basketballs at her head.
The district was, last year, in a surplus, and this year, with its new superintendent, it is 4.3 mil in the hole.
What more can I say??? They are INCOMPETENT. [/QUOTE]
Let me say that I sympathize with your situation. However, everything is not so black and white, especially when it comes to school management. School districts are quite easy to blame, or put off as "incompetent," but even if the administration consisted of the most efficient, intelligent people, I still doubt your school would amend itself.
Let me begin by saying that in order for a school to function, it needs money. The amount of money the government provides for a given school in the average district is very rarely sufficient. So how does the school get more money? The taxpayers have to vote on it. Taxpayers are divided into two groups of people: "those that care" and "those that don't." The latter group often far outnumbers the former group, so many of these are not passed.
Also, of the money that the school is given, most of it, if not all, must be spent very specifically. For instance, $3 million dollars is not just $3 million dollars; it is $3 million dollars that must be spent upon repairs of the school rooftop. It is $3 million dollars that must be spent by the biology department. It is not $3 million dollars to be used freely.
You are blaming the new superintendent for the 4.3 million deficit of your school, but I am sure he spent the money where it needed to be. There is never a reason for a surplus in a school district.
Might I also mention the almighty teacher's union that perpetually has all the school administrations around the nation by the balls. Basically, this means teachers first, then students. It's that simple.
Now, onto your complaints, which have hardly anything to do with a school's incompetence.
"At the high school, students have taken a dump in a stairwell and they still have not figured out who did it."
How is this incompetence? Firstly, who cares who did it? From what I hear, I'm sure the administration has much bigger things to worry about. This is a very insignificant, localized problem, to be maybe carried out by the vice principal, if he feels like it.
"People keep writing the N-word on the bathroom walls. The bathrooms themselves are smokestacks and either the floors are covered in liquid and/or there's no toilet paper."
"A girl I know had "____ [her name] is a dyke" written on the locker room wall and it just stayed there the entire year."
This seems to be a problem of the custodians, once again, not the administration. If maintenance does not want to do its job particularly well, there's little the administration can do to fix this. It's unlikely in any case that a janitor will really care about his job, anyway. Taking care of things that aren't one's property will always lead to negligence.
"Students broke in last year and stole an entire cart of laptop computers. And that's not even everything."
Okay? If my house gets robbed, that means I'm incompetent, right?