Having raised a child with Autism and a Neuro-muscular disorder, I understand the difficulties families face when planning for their child’s education. At one time my son was non-verbal and had sensory, vision and auditory processing difficulties. He had fine and gross motor skill deficits, and motor planning issues, which required physical and occupational therapies. He also had behavioral issues, social skill deficits and was a significant flight risk. Adding to the challenge, he had a genius IQ, which required advanced academic instruction to keep him engaged in learning. I battled daily with his IEP Team, attempting to get the services and supports he required and the advanced academic instruction that he needed.
To say that the school district set the bar low for my son would be an understatement. They recognized his disability and placed him in a self-contained Autism program, but they refused to see his extraordinary capabilities. While he had an IQ that placed him in the category of Genius, he was denied access to the Talented & Gifted programs he required.
At one particularly grueling meeting, I began to realize that the public school district was content to leave my son behind. The Case Manager expressed that his goal for my child was that he might one day reach a level where he could bag groceries. My son on the other hand, aspired to be a rocket scientist!
Rather than put the services and supports in place that would have allowed him to achieve in accordance with his capabilities, they attempted to dummy him down so that he would fit better into their program. My son's boredom and frustration with school led to low achievement, despondency, and unhealthy work habits. He became anxious and eventually developed a school phobia.
The procedural violations at our IEP Meetings were of such enormity that they significantly impeded my ability to participate in the decision-making process for my child to receive the free, appropriate public education for which he was entitled. I spent tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees, but it became apparent that my son was not going to make progress in public school. His self-confidence was at an all-time low and his anxiety had increased to an unhealthy level. I dis-enrolled him from public school, set up therapies on my own, and sent him to a private school. This quite literally drove me to bankruptcy!
The good news is that my efforts paid off. After receiving the appropriate therapies, my son made a great deal of progress. Eventually, the private school was able to focus on advanced academic instruction and they provided a wonderful counselor that focused on the life skills he needed outside of the classroom. He graduated from high school at sixteen, at the top of his class. He also made significant personal progress. He always had an interest in music, so he taught himself to play guitar and piano. His fine motor skills had increased enough that he was able to build his own computer. He had a strong interest in flight and built a flight simulator. He was involved with the Civil Air Patrol and participated in their cadet orientation flight program, where he learned how to pilot a plane. His confidence soared!
He enrolled at community college with a plan to take the core courses that would transfer towards his degree. During this time, he made the Dean’s List every semester, was inducted into several honor societies, earned his A.S. in Engineering and graduated with honors. He applied for transfer and was accepted at every university for which he applied. Currently, he is enrolled in a well-regarded university, pursuing his degree in Aerospace Engineering. In his free time, he tutors students in expository writing and calculus.
I tell my son’s story, not only because I am proud of his accomplishments, but because it is very important for other parents to know how much our children can achieve when their educational programming, supports and related services are appropriately addressed. My son is living proof of that. He is the reason that I advocate so strongly for other students.
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