I have a son that is 9 he is deaf and also has autisms ith multiple disabilities.student He is the only deaf/autistic student in our county, his iep states that he is to have a interpreter with him at all times. But the Board of Education says they do not have one, they have had a ad placed for over a year now and he still does not have one . They placed him in a kindergarten class last year for children with special needs he was suppose to be in the 3rd grade then. Now he is in a first grade class and he is suppose to be in the 4th grade and his teacher does not know any sign language . He is not on grade level he is way behind and has no way of communicating.Does anyone have any advice ??
mom of a deaf child with autisum
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whatdidyousay!
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I am not sure where you live but in my state if school if not able to work with a student that has learning disabilities the city or town has to pay to have the student go to a school that can teach the child. You should check out what your child rights are , this should be some web sites on line and list of places that can help you. You'll need very proactive b/c funding it being cuts for kids with LD. Good luck .
whatdidyousay!
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I am guessing it's too far for a school bus to travel and the city does not want to pay for this. How far is the deaf school from where you live ? I looked it up and it about a 3 hours drive. That would mean a long drive for your child .
Is he severe multiple disablities or just autism plus dhh? How severe is the autism? Is it more Asperger's or classic autism?
You may have to move anyway....I know you can't just move on a moment's notice.....but unfortuantly deaf classic autism really does require SPECIALIZED education, that you wouldn't find at a program/school for the Deaf....it's just like the way deaf-blind children require DB programming, and not all schools for the Deaf offer D-B programming....What I WOULD do however is visit the School at Cave Springs and get him evaluated...See what they say/reccomend ....It's tough b/c classic autism is low incidence with the dhh population...You'd need a deaf special needs program...How far away are you from Atlanta? Equally as distant? Atlanta also has Atlanta Area School for the Deaf
mom of a deaf child
He has low functioning autism,he has other disabilities also. I visited the school in cave springs it is the perfect fit for him .
He has low functioning autism,he has other disabilities also. I visited the school in cave springs it is the perfect fit for him .
whatdidyousay!
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Do you think you'll be able to find a new job easily if move there?
whatdidyousay!
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I agree it's hard to just get up and move , I am trying fix up my condo so I can move but I will not know anyone in a new town . You'll just have to give yourself time to made plans , do you have any family close by?
It is hard....but its also not too unusual for parents to move for deaf school....even nowadays.
What I would do, is research schools with good autism/multiple disabilties programs and see if it might even be worth it to move out of state....There are some decent programs.....Maybe we could suggest some specific schools for you to look into...Is he on the level of "deaf-blind" without the blind if that makes any sense? I don't see mention of a special needs program...what are his other disabilties?
A
atmannel
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Seen this before they are legally required to provide interpreting services according to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). You should seek legal action to ensure he is getting the rights and services he deserves.
Lau2046
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When I was at college, I had to hire a lawyer who specialized in disability advocacy. Essentially my school refused to accommodate my disability - hearing and math. It was pretty unbelievable in this day and age, but I had to hire her twice - at the undergrad and graduate level. An LD lawyer could force the school to comply with federal law requiring accommodations. Financially, it might make more sense than moving. Moving involves more than simply relocating: you need to consider work, the loss of friends, the support of family...and it can be isolating if you have no one. I'd advise against it. A legal resolution would be cheaper and you'd keep your support system.
Laura
here's an org that could help you! American Society for Deaf Children - Deaf Autism America
Bebonang
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I agree with Tousi. I don't know why your son, aged 9 years old, could become a residential student in the Deaf school, even if it is about 3 hours drive between your home and Deaf school. That can be arranged if you want him to attend Cave Springs Deaf school. Yes, he can be bused traveling going home to you and then return back in time for classes.
That is your decision. I really believe he need to go to the Deaf school where they have autism program for him to feel comfortable and happy to be with other children like him and to learn lessons in school. You have to listen to his needs which he need help very badly. Being in the mainstream or hearing schools does not help him to learn and be social with normal hearing students. So pay attention to his needs. It is important. Hope that help.
Yes... He is in the grey area (ie kinda too young for res schooling...I think most kids should wait til 4th grade/middle school) but at the same time if he's old enough to sleep over someone's house, he could res school it.....The only issue I have with that suggestion is that he may be developmentally too young to understand about going off to live at school due to his multiple issues...On the other hand,. there ARE children who are developmentally like him who are in the dorms or at other residential schools/nursing homes..Also, it could give you a break.....I don't want to sound "stick all kids with severe disabilities in the attic/res school" but, at the same time it's important to acknowledge that raising a kid with severe issues can be really exhausting....it could give you a break...you could see him on weekends, and vacations, and even visit him a lot! It's very easy to burn out with a severe kid...It could also only be a temporary placement(until you find a job closer to the school...and remember you could live out an hour away from the school, and he could still be a day student ) .....I'm thinking maybe with intense immersion with ASL and teachers who are trained in Deaf Special Needs education, he could aquire skills that he couldn't in his current setting...and it could turn out that he might be smarter then anyone ever thought! Maybe a good idea might be to see if they have a trial period, so he could stay in the dorms and see if that works....Hope this helps...and yeah I know it would be very hard to dorm him....Still it could help as a temporary solution!
Bebonang
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He may be old enough to be 9 years old. He can not be that young like you mention that he is too young to live in residential school. :roll:
They might have special cottage or dormitory for him to be taken care of with his autism. But you have to understand he need help in learning ASL and having both teachers and students communicating in ASL. So if his mother can not be there in Cave Springs, then the solution is for him to live in the residential school with other Deaf and autism children. I know it is a lot of work but housekeepers and staff will be there for him when he need help.
He may be old enough to be 9 years old. He can not be that young like you mention that he is too young to live in residential school. :roll:
They might have special cottage or dormitory for him to be taken care of with his autism. But you have to understand he need help in learning ASL and having both teachers and students communicating in ASL. So if his mother can not be there in Cave Springs, then the solution is for him to live in the residential school with other Deaf and autism children. I know it is a lot of work but housekeepers and staff will be there for him when he need help.
That's true he isn't SUPER young......(ie 3/4/5/6 years old is definitely too young to dorm it, except in exceptional cases) I'm just saying he's in the "grey area" for dorming it...Just saying that 9 years old does seem to be a little young to go off to res school, that's all.....but then again...this does seem to be an exceptional case! I know there used to be lots of 8/9/10 year old kids in the dorms not that long ago......
But yes, you're right.... They will most likely have a special cottage/dorm for him with specially trained houseparents.....This actually might be a REALLY good temporary placement for him..... From what the mom says it sounds like her son is Deaf-Blind without the blind....Not say ...severely multi but he functions on the level of a Deaf-Blind with other disabilities kid....(most non Usher's DB are multihandicapped...There are some "classic severe multihandicapped" kids but the functioning level varies hugely)