Children with IEP's Need Choice

Tax Credits for Special Needs Support is Expanding~This is a good foot forward. Instead of burying parents and teachers in the mountain of paperwork and countless endless meetings, special education, like all education, should be child-focussed. It's a wonder a parent gets anything done in today's environment where 90% of marriages of people with autistic children end in divorce. This unusually high statistic is just one indicator of the many challenges facing parents with autistic children.

Families and communities are organizing to bring support to special needs children who are just trying to be kids. Parents with autistic children shouldn't have to care about national test scores nor should they have to move every time their child is trapped in a system that promises the hope of education and tragically fails a child. Nor should they spend their time worrying about such issues given the increased stresses they already must overcome.

In 2000, Florida enacted a scholarship program allowing parents with children with disabilities to choose a school--public or private--to serve their child. By 2003, over 8000 children with disabilities in Florida attended 464 private schools. The program enjoys continued success. Empowering parents to make the best choices--whether it's a school or a service--for their children makes emotional and economic sense.

All Students Need Choice, and an IEP Really Student Need It

Every child has different required needs. The education program is set up to educate the children, unfortunately, not all children are properly educated. Children with special needs face an even greater hardship. These children should be given a FAPE (fair and appropriate public education), however, this is not always provided. Some schools are simply not equipped to provide this. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is meant to provide protection and entitlement to a public school education and services for children with disabilities. There are approximately 6.5 million children receiving services under IDEA. It is estimated that there are anywhere from 560,000 to over one million people with autism. According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, there are almost 131,000 students in Missouri suffering some sort of disability.

Not every child with a disability will have nor will require an IEP (Individualized Education Program). But some will need one to thrive in their schools. Every school that receives special education or related services must employ an IEP. The teachers, parents, administrators, and professionals will all help to make sure the child is getting the educational services they require. Some schools do not provide all the services needed, and the students may need to attend another school, at least part-time.

Missouri needs to make sure special needs students have choices available to them if their schools cannot give them what they need. Rural students have an especially difficult time because of the lack of available options. These students need some choices. Their future rests in the hands of the schools and we need to assure they have a chance at success.

Special Needs Children Need a Choice

Currently, there is no cure for pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). However, there are treatments, such as certain types of medication to address specific behavioral issues as well as therapy specialized to fit the child. In addition to medication and therapy, children with a PDD may need additional education requirements.

The public education system may try to help those with special needs, but they may not be able to do so. Some states have enacted laws that allow parents of special needs children to make a choice for their child’s education.

Missouri has about 4,200 known cases of young people with a PDD. Many of these children are not receiving a free appropriate public education (FAPE), which the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says they must. Parents of a special needs child need an avenue to change schools if their child is not receiving a quality education. It is not a one size fits all equation. Each child has his/her special requirements and we need to strive to meet those. By not allowing a child to move schools, we are depriving that child of a chance --- a chance that we should all have.

Autism Laws

The U.S. Department of Education clearly lays out the laws regarding education and people with disabilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is to ensure a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and provide other services to assist in educational requirements. This also includes an individualized education program (IEP), which tries to make sure a child is getting FAPE. The team consists of the parent, the student, and at least one regular education teacher, one special education teacher, and a representative of the public agency. If they cannot all agree on the specified IEP, the parent can request a hearing to solve any disagreements. On a local level, the Office of Special Education, monitors the compliance to IDEA and has representatives for each state. Even with the laws working, there are still many special needs children that are not being adequately and appropriately educated.

There needs to be a channel that easily allows parents to choose a school that can educate the children. Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, and Arizona have passed autism legislation. Florida’s laws are ideal in that it applies specifically to a child with an IEP. Missouri desperately needs similar legislation to help protect the special needs children. Missouri currently serves more than 4,200 young people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and we need to strive to ensure all these people are given a chance at a quality education.

A special needs child needs some choices

There are five disorders that are included in the Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD); autistic disorder, asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), rett’s disorder, and PDD-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). According to the CDC, the numbers born with autism or another of the PDDs is on the rise. In 2007, one in every 150 births was afflicted with autism. According to the U.S. Department of Education, autism is growing at a rate of 10-17 percent per year. More and more children are affected, and we need to make sure we are caring for them adequately, which includes their education.

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) assures a free and appropriate public education for every child with a disability. This means a child in public education should be free, and appropriate for his/her age, ability, and developmental level.

A child with special needs has different educational needs. Some schools may not be able to provide for those students adequately. Those children should not be denied the chance at a good education; they need the option of switching to a school that has the capabilities of educating them properly.

Autism and Special Needs Students Need Some Choices, Especially in Rural Areas

Living in a small town does not allow for many choices. If I want groceries, I must shop at the local store, if I want my car serviced, there is one option, when I am sick or need a doctor, a few choices are available. However, when I make those choices, I am aware that if I wanted a better selection of food or a specialized job my mechanic may not be able to perform, or a second medical opinion, I can make the drive to another town or city. I have these choices and I am grateful for that. Something as trivial as groceries, I have the choice. Yet, when it comes to my children’s education, I am not that blessed. I have three healthy children with a quest for knowledge. Two of my children are satisfied and excelling in their schools. However, my third child suffers from autism and is struggling.

According to the Department of Education, every child deserves a ‘free appropriate public education’. It also clearly establishes the laws for children with disabilities and how those cases should be handled. My child needs an IEP (Individualized Education Program) but he is not receiving this. Our school is not equipped to handle his educational needs. Unfortunately, they say he cannot transfer to the district next door. I am willing the make the drive back and forth everyday if they would accept him; even though the government says the school should pay for this.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in every 150 eight year olds in the U.S. has autism. Most of those children need special educational services. Schools should be held responsible for making sure this is happening. If one district cannot provide the services a child needs, then a transfer to another district should be arranged. These children have a chance at being successful in their lives, but only if they have the proper foundation to build on. As a parent, I should have the choice to move my child to another school when I know things would be better.

Child with IEP needs more choice

Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders create many obstacles to fight, for the child and the parents. The government has set up ways to help these children. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was created to try to ensure that children receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and special services to assist in meeting their educational needs. Many of these children may have an individualized education program (IEP), which is one of the main ways to be sure these children are getting what they need. This consists of the parent(s), the student, a regular classroom teacher, a special education teacher, and representative from the school. All these players will help decide how the child needs will be best met. Unfortunately, living in a small town does not really provide for many options. There are only so many options available to the students here. However, a neighboring town may be better equipped to handle some of the special needs students. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to transfer a child into another district. All children deserve the right to an education. These children should have the choice to transfer to another district if that district would be better equipped for that certain child.

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Education Reform for Special Needs in Small Town

Smaller towns come with many advantages and disadvantages. The life free of traffic and overly busy stores it wonderful; knowing almost everyone in the town and having endless acres of undeveloped land is irreplaceable. Family is one thing that everyone values in our community and everyone prides themselves on raising their children well. However, the obstacles we face are devastating. One of the biggest burdens we face is the lack of educational options and the ability for reform within our few choices. City students may have the option of going to a different school, if it is affordable. However, in our community, we have one high school. The school board we have is what we have to deal with. The classes offered is all we get. For many students, this is may be fine. However, any child that may have different needs suffers. The U.S. Department of Education has clear laws about educating children with disabilities. Unfortunately, in our small community it is hard for our schools to fully meet the needs of special needs children.

Florida recently started an entire school devoted to children with special needs. With state and corporate grants, this was made possible. The Educational Services of America is a for-profit company, but one that seems to make it work. Smaller towns will most likely not be able to have something as large as Florida does, but we can strive to at least push for education reform in order to give all the children a chance in getting a decent education.

Serving Autistic Children Serves Society

In a heartwarming account, a story is told about a boy who was reccommended for institutionalization at the age of 3 because of his autism. His mother refused to institutionize him and instead, served up some hard-hitting advocacy. She found new ways to reach her son. At the age of 8, the boy suddenly started speaking in full sentences. Now at the age of 12, he has learned to fly and planes and hopes someday to become a pilot. His story is on of hope: "Emerging from Autism".

Not all parents with children who have autism can be that optimistic however. Failure to reach people with autism at an early age can have severe consequences, not just personally and financially for those individuals and their families, but for society as a whole. A recent Harvard study shows that autism costs the United States $35 billion a year. The Harvard study shows that direct costs of autism reach an average of $29,000/yr (outpatient services, prescription medication and behavioral therapy, etc.) and indirect costs varying from $39,000 to $130,000/yr (loss of productivity by autistic person's parents).

According to the Harvard study, autism affects about 1.5 million Americans, affecting 1 in 150 children (per Parents as Teachers), and is increasing at a rate of 10-17% each year.

Prevention and improved methods of treatment are imperative and timely, given the clear undeniable benefits in screening for autism at an early age. According to Parents as Teachers, "early detection and intervention can increase the likelihood that children can develop to their full potential." Aiding these children results in lower lifetime costs to society in support of an autistic individual. To that end, Parents as Teachers are initiating screening for autism for children by the time they are two, with the assistance of The Center for Disease Control's new autism screening guidelines.

The Childrens Education Alliance of Missouri (CEAM) is an organization in Missouri that advocates for the rights of parents to get the assistance their family needs to educate their children and are a powerful ally in the fight for rights. They dispel certain myths within the failing systems, such as: The Special Ed Myth: "Special education programs burden public schools, hindering their academic performance."

The Disabled Need Not Apply Myth: "Private schools won't serve disabled students."

Serving autistic children is not only the right thing to do morally, it simply makes financial sense for society to do so.