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Hearing for autistic child starts today
Published Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Snow Rodgers thinks she knows what’s best for her autistic 6-year-old son.
So does Suffolk Public Schools.
The School Board has begun due process hearings against Rodgers for not agreeing to placement in the program they suggested. Rodgers said she and her husband have not yet heard an arrangement from the school that they feel is acceptable for their son.
Rodgers’ son, whom the News-Herald is not naming because he is a minor, is currently in an Early Childhood Special Education reverse mainstream program at Northern Shores Elementary School. In the reverse mainstream program, there are children with disabilities in the same classroom as children without disabilities, so that the children who are reaching their developmental milestones can serve as role models for the others.
Rodgers said her son met all of his goals set for him last school year. However, the school system’s recommended placement for this school year was at a Southeastern Cooperative Education Program (SECEP) classroom at Booker T. Washington Elementary School.
“I stressed concerns about the fact that he was going to be on a bus for almost an hour,” Rodgers said. “It would really mess with his sleep patterns,” which have been a concern in the past.
After the Rodgers parents declined that proposal, the school system suggested another classroom at Elephant’s Fork Elementary with a group of 8- to 11-year-olds.
“I didn’t think that was age-appropriate,” Rodgers said. She also felt that program was too restrictive, and wants him to be in the least restrictive environment possible.
The parents and special education team then went through a series of meetings to try to find an acceptable solution. Rodgers made several suggestions, and the school personnel did not accept them, she said. They also continually suggested the same things she had already declined, she said. The school officials wanted her to put him in a SECEP program.
“They tried to really bully me into accepting that proposal,” she said.
After several more meetings, the situation ended up in a mediation meeting.
“That meeting was really unbelievable,” Rodgers said.
No conclusion was reached during the mediation, and Rodgers sent a letter to Superintendent Milton Liverman to inform him of some complaints she had regarding the meeting. His response was to say that they were taking her to due process, she said.
“He didn’t respond to any of the issues.”
Rodgers said she has become frustrated with the way the schools have handled the situation. She looked into private education options, but finances are a barrier to those programs, she said.
“I’m not saying I have a perfect son,” she said. “He does have some behavior issues that can be managed if the right intervention plan is in place.”
For example, her son wants to have a drink from the water fountain every time he sees it, and doesn’t understand why he can’t. He also has trouble transitioning from one activity to another. However, his behaviors don’t hurt anybody else, and they are manageable, Rodgers said.
“I’m in agreement with everything other than they want to put him with older children,” she said.
“I just don’t think they have given my son a fair opportunity at this point in time.”
Sandra Witcher, the director of special education, did not return a call Wednesday for comment.
The due process hearing begins at 9 a.m. Thursday in a conference room at the Pruden Center, 4169 Pruden Blvd. It is open to the public, and is scheduled to last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Check the News-Herald later this week for details.
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Comments
Posted by momofsix (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 8:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know this child he has tantrums with blood curling screaming and violence. His teachers are always trying to help him. My opinion is that this mother is a liar.
Posted by SPEAK (anonymous) on November 2, 2008 at 8:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know the Suffolk Public School System take seriously the "No Child Left Behind Act". Does this only apply to nondisabled students? It seems these parents only want what is best for their child, to have the school system to take into account the proximity of the school to their home like any other parent, and to not to have their child misclassified and put in an inappropriate placement like any other parent.
To Momofsix, I do not know your situation, but I can assume you only want what is best for your child. Calling this mother a liar is out of line. This mother states she agrees with the school system, she just does not agree to where they want to place her child. This mother does not need your name calling. The parents, the child, the teachers and the Suffolk Public School System need your prayers.
Posted by ladyblue (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know what it is like to go against a school system. Those parents have a definite fight on their hands.
To Momofsix, how could any real mother make such a hateful comment. I would never want anyone to make a comment like that about one of my children. I only hope that you never experience someone make such a judgmental comment about one of yours.
Posted by byrd4all (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope everything works out in the best interest of the child, My prayers will be with the family. Fight for your child and never get tired and give up your child needs you to fight his battles now. I tip my hat off to you for going the distance. To Momofsix my prayer also goes out for people like you, dont try and knock someones situation until you can say you have been in a simular situation. A true mother will fight for her child just as this child's mother is doing, a child will call names as you are doing grow up.
Posted by childrenarethefuture (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Momofsix...I was really outraged and cannot believe that there are people such as
you with such nasty negativity. Clearly you perhaps do not know the meaning of
"Our children are the future!" I have two children one, which is severely disabled and the other, which has always been in, advanced classes and not a darn thing wrong with him. I have the best of both worlds!
To the Rodger's family, which I have never met...,It is parents like you that make our world a better place. I was able to observe part of this due process and after hearing from both sides...it is clear that this handsome six year old (whom I might add was very well behaved when I observed) is lucky to have such caring parents that only want the best for him. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Has Suffolk Public School’s lost there mind? In my opinion it seems as if the school feels they are right and are not even willing to try to work with the parents. Shame on those individuals who choose to look the other way and ignore a chance to further educate our children. Choosing not to help each and every child to the best of their ability is appalling! It makes a person wonder how school staff members sleep at night when they are letting children slip threw the cracks.
Posted by ConcernSuffolkParent (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello,
As someone who attended two days of the due process, I must say that Suffolk Public school should be ashamed.
I heard his current teacher Mrs. Ahlgram state that instead calling an IEP meeting to revise the child behavior plan that she was told by Mrs. Bennet the principal of the school, not to, but instead just “document” his behaviors.
How can these people call themselves educators?
It was clear to me, that district goals was to cause harm to this child just win to due a process.
I hope theses parents sues the hell out of the district!
Momofsix you are nothing more then an evil, mean, person, and I will pray for your soul!
Concerned Suffolk parent
Posted by Advocate (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am the special education Advocate, that represented the Rodgers's family during this due process.
I am in the process of creating a Suffolk Due Process Blog on my website so parents who have children who receive special education services in Suffolk, can read about the intentional actions taking against this student, to deny him FAPE, and hopefully provide a resource to help other parents from having the same thing done to their children.
I will use the transcripts of the hearing to guarantee accuracy of what these "so called" educators said.
I am sure many of you will be amazed at the level of contempt leadership in the Suffolk City public schools have towards parents and children with disabilities.
One of the most outrages things during the proceeding, was when Dr. Witcher testified under oath, and pretty much stated she was refusing to provide additional support for this student in his current stay put placement to support his learning needs.
I hope that parents in Suffolk with take a stand to have leadership like this removed from your district.
Having a special education director who would rather have a child do poorly then take the needed steps to ensure his safety and learning needs is crime.
The Rodgers family will strongly consider appealing this case if they do not prevail in the due process.
I am also encouraging them to file a civil suit against the district and name Dr. Witcher specifically!
I will keep you all posted.
Cheryl Poe
Posted by Advocate (anonymous) on November 8, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Momofsix, it saddens me that you are so pompous and wicked that you would call the mother a lair without even talking to her. The only people who are untrustworthy about this case are you and the school district. You have no first hand knowledge about the specific needs of this student.
Yes he has tantrums but his AUTISTIC and IF the district was doing their job correctly, they would have created an BIP based on Functional Behavioral Assessment in his current setting, but they have not done that.
Nor have they honored the parent’s numerous requests to have the T-TAC Autism specialist come to the classroom to provide support and suggestions for the teachers.
Nor have they implemented any kind positive reinforcement system to support appropriate behavioral.
Nor have they developed a sensory diet to help him self -regulate when overwhelmed.
People like you......... should not be allowed to speak!
Cheryl A Poe
Posted by nirobi1221 (anonymous) on November 12, 2008 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like very much to talk to the parents of the child in a one-on-one conversation. I have an autustic child whom is now 21. She attended Suffolk public schools (SECEP) and came through fine.
The parents should take part in improving his education also. All the blame should not be placed just apon the school systems recommendations.
Personally, from what I see, the parents should give the SECEP program a try.
-Angela
Posted by 1kellydb (anonymous) on November 13, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a mother of three and my middle son is autistic. I observed some of the hearing and all I can say is thank goodness we don't live in Suffolk!! They aren't even *trying* to work with the parents! My heart goes out to that little boy and his parents. Things like this force parents to hire an advocate, Thank goodness they have a good one!
Posted by schoolcrazy (anonymous) on November 21, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It warms my heart to hear how a local parent with the help of an advocate stood up to the school district. Advocating for my child who is just dyslexic is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. This year I’ve thrown in the towel knowing the school will never teach my child to read. For the last 7 years I have been lied to, manipulated, abused and used, only to be turned over to a different administrator. All I ask for is what is required by law. My child now receives reading service paid for by me and my insurance company. Although I was able to walk away from the school for reading services daily I push to have accommodation listed in an IEP utilized. Last night I tossed and turned disgusted with the system, feeling like I have let down other parents who still believe the school has their child’s best interest at heart. I only wish I had the guts to file a civil rights lawsuit against my school. Apparently there is an administrator with God like qualities who sits at the school board office and decides which schools/children get the certified reading teachers to be successful in life and which one’s get the placebo.
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