Forum Index
»
Schools and Education General Discussion
how to deal with MoCo administration re autistic child accosting other kids in 1st grade class
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
Would appreciate any suggestions from parents who have dealt with this issue and have constructive suggestions, esp. those in MoCo.
My first grader has an autistic child in his class who is prone to hitting, tackling and choking other students when his routine is disrupted or he is upset. The child is assigned a paraeducator who is supposed to be with him at all times. The adminstration does not inform the parents of these incidents unless your child was sent to the nurse's office as a result. I am very concerned about escalating violence and disruptions to the classroom environment, the impact this is having on my son and his classmates, and the risk of future, more serious incidents which could involve serious harm to another child, particularly since this child is older and bigger than his classmates. I spoke to the teacher, principal and guidance counselor after the first violent incident, then at the suggestion of the teacher, my husband and I met with the then-acting principal after my son was struck and sent to the nurse's office. The principal explained that in order to escalate the matter to the Administrative Offices, there would need to be complaints from other parents.We were informed that the child acted out when the para-educator assigned to him was not in the classroom. We were assured that procedures were put in place to ensure that a para-educator assigned to him would always accompany the student and that this would prevent further incidents. I have reached out to the other seven parents whose kids were accosted by this child and am organizing a meeting with the principal and the PTA. I'd like any input from parents who have dealt with this and have suggestions. At what point is the administration compelled to remove a special needs child who is repeatedly attacking other kids during class? Are there any "key words," "code words" buzz phrases we need to use to motivate them to action? Do we need to cut to the chase and show up to the meeting I am organizing with other parents with a lawyer? The current situation is unfair to everyone involved - the teacher, the special needs child, and the other students. |
Anonymous
| I'm afraid I am no help. My DC is autistic, goes to public school (not in MoCo), but is not in a class with neurotypical kids. Violence is unacceptable, and "can" be managed in a child with autism. He shouldn't get a pass on inappropriate physical contact just because he's autistic. I hope the school is telling the parents of the child with autism about this. They should know as well. Good luck with everything. |
Anonymous
This comment is QUITE helpful. The kid shouldn't get a pass. Good luck. |
Anonymous
I have a child with a disability who was repeatedly accosted by another student on the spectrum for 3 years. Both were in advanced academic classes in FCPS. The school administration did NOTHING and used suspension against my child when the other one would jump on his back at recess. Held on fully suspended off the ground to my child's neck. I saw the bruises - suspension for my DS IF he retaliated physically to get the choking kicking kid off his back. Even got a little to close at the urinal. Now the school deemed that kid more important than mine even for things like property destruction. The perp knew what he was doing and bragged about being untouchable for his actions. |
Anonymous
| I think the fact that the child is autistic is irrelevant. The school has an obligation to protect your child. I had problems with one of my kids being a victim of bullying. The school did nothing until I told them that the next time my child told me he got hurt, I was calling the police and demanding that the offender be arrested. My child has not been physically assaulted since. |
Anonymous
IME FCPS is very big on sweeping this stuff under the rug. I have been told by several people (one of who is a FFC special ed teacher) that the only way to be sure that the situation is addressed is if physical harm is done (hitting, biting, etc) is to call the police and file an assault charge. Don't get me wrong. I fully support inclusive classrooms. It takes more than 2 teachers and a teachers aide to run one of these classes successfully. If a classroom does not have this, all of the children are at risk. The bullying thing is even harder to address. Often the counselors MO is to take the victim aside and ask "what could you do differently to keep from being bullied?" : O instead of presenting consequences to the offending party. |
Anonymous
|
PP, can you talk to the child's parents? Not in an angry or accusatory way, but making sure they know that the care they expect for their son is not being given. They're probably thinking that the aide is always with their child, helping him to navigate the challenges of the school day. It sounds instead like the aide a) is not continually present and b) isn't doing a good job of helping the child manage his reactions -- so he's missing out on a whole lot of learning and positive interaction with his peers.
If you can get this child's parents on board, agitating for a better environment, you might make more headway than if it were framed as an "our kids against their kid" issue. (Please know that I say this not to minimize the trauma your child and the others have experienced -- what you describe sounds absolutely awful. But this way you can hit the school administration on multiple fronts.) |
Anonymous
|
OP here, thanks for your comments. My Darling Husband has already said that if our son is hit again, we will call the police. My immediate concern is psychological harm. My son claimed he was ill today, threw up, and then later my husband found him drawing a picture of this special needs child choking another child, and children lying in the nurse's station. My son admitted he didn't want to go to school because of fear.
Seriously, we wouldn't want to go to work in an office setting with random violence. It wouldn't be tolerated. Our kids count on school to be a safe place. And yet the principal told me that he can't promise it won't happen again. I am really in shock that MoCo school officials think this this is acceptable. |
Anonymous
| Your child is suffering. I'd call the police now. Though the delay may be problematic. I'd simply explain that we didn't realize the extent of the assault until he started exhibiting these things you describe and talking about it. You realized it was more severe than you thought. And file a complaint. |
Anonymous
|
Formal Complaint Process with school system (since it seems the "informal" complaint process with school administrators has been exhausted).
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/complaints.shtm How to file a formal complaint When a concern or complaint is not resolved through the informal process, you may initiate the formal complaint process outlined below. The complete procedures for the formal inquiry and complaint process are contained in the Montgomery County Public Schools Administrative Regulation KLA-RA: Responding to Inquiries and Complaints from the Public (22K PDF). The first step in the formal process is to obtain MCPS Form 270-8: Complaint from the Public (20K Adobe Acrobat PDF document that you may fill in on-screen, print, and distribute copies as directed) from the school or from any of the offices listed above. Complete Part I and return it to the principal's office. You may attach descriptive or supportive information to the form. Keep a copy of the form and any attachments. When your complaint form is received at the school, the principal or designee should contact you within three (3) work days to establish the date, time and place of a meeting to discuss your concern, if such a meeting has not already occurred. Usually, this meeting will take place within ten (10) work days. Within 10 work days of receipt of the written complaint, or this meeting, if any, the principal should respond to you in writing with a decision. Sometimes a complaint or its resolution may be too complicated or, for other reasons, cannot be decided within 10 work days. In such cases, the principal will contact you within the first 10 days and arrange for an extension of the decision for no more than an additional 10 work days |
Anonymous
| PP, thank you so much. If anyone else can help, I am trying to find online a policy for MoCo re school violence - I've seen individual school policies about a child's right to a calm, non violent classroom, but I can't find it for MoCo as a whole. I can't really call now because my son is home with me (my husband has finally left for work as I was away in meetings all morning). |
Anonymous
| OP again to the person who posted the link - actually, the informal process has not been exhausted, but this is good back-up to have. I have organized a group of parents and we are scheduling a meeting with the principal and assistant principal and the PTA co-president (who has been very helpful and supportive). |
Anonymous
| OP, I assume you're being discreet deliberately here, but any chance you'll share the name of the school? This story really worries me as my child is entering elementary school this fall in MoCo. In any case, best of luck. |
Anonymous
|
OP here, I'd rather wait until this is over with.
Don't worry, there are apparently nightmare stories like this all over Fairfax County, judging from the prior responses, as well as MoCo. I had friends tell me of similar situations in CA and GA in private schools. Homeschooling is only way you can 100% protect your child's environment....and that has downsides, obviously. When people say "advocate for your child," it is code for: be nosey, volunteer, get to see what goes on, talk to your child.... whn |
Anonymous
|
School Safety Hotline:
In an effort to provide students, staff, and parents/guardians an anonymous way to report safety and security concerns, SAFE SCHOOLS HOTLINE is staffed 24 hours a day/7 days a week and does not utilize Caller ID. Remember, safety and security of our schools and facilities is everyone’s concern, and these concerns need to be reported in a timely manner to a responsible adult or through the SAFE SCHOOLS HOTLINE. Montgomery County Public Schools SAFE SCHOOLS 24-HOUR HOTLINE: 301-517-5995 From a Student's Guide to Rights and Responsibilities. I didn't read it, but you might find something pertinent. http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/students/rights/pdf/StudentRightsResponsibilities.pdf |