On The Fence

The hardest part of leaving pre-school with a child on the spectrum was not knowing where she would be attending kindergarten. The county only shows you an autism cluster program in your zone, so to me it was assumed that a cluster would be appropriate for all. When I mentioned to our well meaning tour guide at the Elementary school  that I would like to see a regular kindergarten classroom , she discouraged it. Crazed, knowing my child must fall somewhere in the middle , I asked the Director of the pre-school and all she could tell me bless her heart was that my child was "On The Fence". I say bless her heart because this pushed me to get my "Ducks In A Row". A mother has a wonderful ability to envision her child's future and see her child's options very clearly. I always say if you have a child with a learning difference you must have a plan A,B,C, and D at all times for all things. Wondering whats the big secret, I ate, slept, lived and breathed every day all day just  preparing for  "G's" transition IEP. I began to really see that the burden of proof is and will forever be on your child.These are the steps I took before my child's exit IEP from pre-school:

1) I researched Inclusion/least restrictive environment for weeks
2) I wrote letters to the county looking for answers and info
3) I got letters from therapist, tutors, and any extra activity she had participated in for independent proof of certain skills
4) I requested a copy of her records from pre-school.
Below is an example of a letter :

Dear Mr.

I am extremely concerned that *** ***** elementary has very limited options for my high functioning autistic daughter. The highest cluster at the site was clearly not even close to my daughters current level of performance(not even for 70%-30%) and the general education class possible had one aid that helped direct the entire class. There are three months of school left and my daughter is what they are calling on the fence, meaning to me that it could go either way. I feel I am being deterred from looking at other schools understanding that it is preferred by the county that student's attend their home schools. If the gap is so wide and I cant seem to get a straight answer about her placement next year it is only leaving my family and I  feeling victimized before our exit meeting has even taken place. Is Broward county in the practice of holding children's fates and futures over parents heads? What is the big secret all of a sudden about my child's placement? How can I properly prepare for a meeting when I am not allowed to know what the recommendation is before hand? It seems beyond unfair parents of average kid's know where their child will be placed but many ESE parents are put through much unnecessary undue stress and anxiety.

Sincerely,

This is not an example of a proper letter to obtain a service or to request something, that type of letter needs to have emotion out of it and stick to short facts with what you are requesting at the end. This letter shows the desperation I had after visiting/touring what was to be her elementary school autism cluster program. I do not believe inclusion is appropriate for everyone but clusters are not either. Placement is an important factor in your child's success whether they end up in  a cluster or general education classroom. Be able to prove your child abilities, look up sunshine state standards and make sure your child has as many of those abilities as possible, BEHAVIOR at this age is crucial for inclusion most people wont come right out and say "Hey it's your kids behavior". For some reason the most important things a parent needs to hear alot of professionals are still too worried about being politically correct to lay it out and say the truth. Only after you hear and accept the truth about your child can you change things for the better. If you see a certain behavior at home believe me they are doing it at school also.  Have common sense if your child is not potty trained yet total inclusion might not be the best place for them yet. Today I jokingly say she is an "On The fence Autistic" meaning she is on the fence with some autistic traits but not as close as she was at 3 to going over the fence into full blown autism.Set goals and don't wait for the school to achieve those goals, you make them happen with your child. For "G's" exit IEP from pre-school I wore a picture of her around my neck for all to see. Nothing gives me drive and determination like a child in need.