How can I get help in obtaining services that are
supposedly out there and available? My son’s
ISSP (IEP) looks fantastic on paper, but in
reality, most of the services are not obtainable
due to extremely long wait lists or shortage of
workers to completely fill the positions.
Answer
Developing a relationship with your son’s
school and creating an acceptable IEP, or
Individual Education Plan, is very important.
“How Well Does Your IEP Measure Up?” by Diane
Twachtman-Cullen and Jennifer Twachtman-Reilly is
a book that can help you grow to be a valuable
member of your son’s IEP team, giving you
insight into the IEP process. You’ll learn
about often-neglected areas that should be
addressed during the IEP meeting.
Your son’s school has obviously been
cooperative, working with you and acknowledging
his disabilities. However, without
follow-through, all you have is a stack of papers.
By law, your son is entitled to FAPE or a free,
appropriate public education due to his diagnosis
of Asperger’s Syndrome. His IEP is a legal
document. Your son’s school is legally
responsible to uphold the contents of his IEP.
There are procedures in place to protect all
parties involved in the education plan. However,
someone has to initiate these procedures.
At the time of your son’s IEP meeting, his IEP
team leader should have reviewed your state’s
laws and your rights as a parent of a child with
special needs. You should have been given a copy
of your state’s FAPE procedures and parent’s
rights handbook. Now is the time to review this
handbook and determine your first step.
You must initiate a legal procedure called due
process. Once you file due process, you will have
the opportunity to show proof that the school
system is not fulfilling your son’s services as
set in his IEP. Your parent handbook will outline
the steps you must take to begin due process in
your state. You, as the parent, are responsible
for holding the school system accountable.
Preserving your relationship with your son’s
school is very important. Even if you file for
due process, your son will remain in their care
until the process is resolved. You will want to
be comfortable with this arrangement. Remember to
maintain neutral communication. While this is a
personal matter in your life, this is not a
personal attack. Moreover, it doesn’t have to
become one.
Contact your state’s special education advocacy
support group. This group is in place to support
the families of special needs kids by offering
information and advocacy training services at no
charge. This group can guide you through the
legal process of receiving FAPE for your son.
The Parenting Aspergers Resource Guide: A Complete
Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed
With Aspergers Syndrome.
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