Activism Change

Drugged into complacency

Question:

After two months of hell in school, Andy had two good days this week. While I am greatly relieved that he’s not suffering emotional pain (he’s on enough Prozac now that he can cope with almost anything), I have this unsettled feeling that, because none of the external problems have been corrected (e.g., modifications in his educational program and teaching the staff about TS), we’re bound to repeat the storm again when this period of calm ends.  The teachers are saying, see, everything’s fine, now.  We don’t need any of the changes you are asking for, we know all about TS; you are just making a big deal out of nothing.  My feeling is that now that we are not in "attack and get defensive mode" is the time to work out prevention strategies for next time.  Tomorrow I meet with the CSE director (not our regular CSE meeting); she has spoken with the principal and the staff and they have told her all is going well and they don’t need any changes on the CSE level and they don’t need a staff development.  I need to convince her we do.  Maybe its better that my kid is on Prozac so he can withstand an oppressive system;  I won’t take Prozac (Lord knows I need it!) because I don’t want to get coopted.  I’m going to continue to take all this sh*t they’re throwing at me and maybe, maybe with all of your help, I can make the system a little better.  Judy

Response:

Judy, keep fighting.  The scary part about ts, which is something I’ve been saying to my school for a long time, is that you never know when it is going to explode.  We need to never stop fighting.  Nanci

Response:

In article <4eqjs8$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, heyjud…@aol.com (HeyJude49) writes: >The staff has convinced her that Andy’s problems are all in his head, >therefore medication is all that is necessary and the school does not need >to make any modifications.  I succeeded in getting her to  promise to put >the modifications I asked for in his IEP and have a staff development for >next year when he is in a different school.  She did say there will be >other problems next year though.  Our district is going through a budget >crisis, and many teachers and guidance counselors will be eliminated; the >teachers will probably start next year without a contract.  She said that >even though certain things are specified in the IEP, if the teachers don’t >have a contract they will not do them

Dear Judy, What would they do if Andy had cerebral palsy or some other obvious physical handicap?  You must get your doctor to stand up for Andy! Believe me when a doctor gets behind the child with statements in writing on their letterhead, the school will comply!  Then it won’t be just bending their rules, it will be medically necessary.  Have the doctor’s statements put into Andy’s file also and save lots of extra copies for future use.  I typed up what I wanted the doctor to say and took it into his office ( I went to 2 different doctor’s that Jason had seen).  One of the doctor’s xeroxed it onto his letterhead and signed it on the spot.  The other doctor added to the letter a preface, and put it on his letterhead and signed it.  It was the best ammunition I could have had!  The doctor’s were very willing to help Jason.  I don’t know about you, but the doctors get to know Jason very well and are frustrated with his situation.  They want the best for him, but medical science hasn’t found the way yet.  Maybe my research will help <sigh>.  Good luck.  The teachers will do what Andy needs, but they won’t listen to you and Andy unfortunately.  Your physician is your best ally in this situation! Bonnie Grimaldi    in Columbus, Ohio

Response:

>Pataki’s budget cuts in conjunction with the changes in the >reauthorization of IDEA will spell DOOM for many of our children unless >something is done.

Where can we get specifics on the changes in the reauthorization of IDEA so we can write letters to our Congressmen and Senators and specifics on Pataki’s budget cuts in special ed. so those of us in NYS can write to our state assemblymen?  Is there anything else you would suggest we do?  Any lobbying in Albany?     Judy

Response:

>Tell the CSE director that if the staff had a staff development, perhaps >Andy’s medications could be reduced or eliminated, and that you are very >uncomfortable with medicating him for them in lieu of modifications and >accommodations.

The staff has convinced her that Andy’s problems are all in his head, therefore medication is all that is necessary and the school does not need to make any modifications.  I succeeded in getting her to  promise to put the modifications I asked for in his IEP and have a staff development for next year when he is in a different school.  She did say there will be other problems next year though.  Our district is going through a budget crisis, and many teachers and guidance counselors will be eliminated; the teachers will probably start next year without a contract.  She said that even though certain things are specified in the IEP, if the teachers don’t have a contract they will not do them (e.g., have a meeting about Andy before school starts, participate in a staff development).  She did say they would handpick Andy’s teachers, but that it is likely the class sizes would be very large.  I have a serious question, here.  A friend commented to me yesterday about our school system, "the Titanic is sinking and they are putting your kid on a lifeboat with a hole in it."  Do you think this is pessimistic or realistic?      Judy

Response:

In article <4eqjs8$…@newsbf02.news.aol.com>, heyjud…@aol.com (HeyJude49) wrote:

|> >Tell the CSE director that if the staff had a staff development, perhaps |> >Andy’s medications could be reduced or eliminated, and that you are very |> >uncomfortable with medicating him for them in lieu of modifications and |> >accommodations. |>   |> The staff has convinced her that Andy’s problems are all in his head, |> therefore medication is all that is necessary and the school does not need |> to make any modifications. I do not know what modifications are necessary, but they have absolutely no business telling you that medication is necessary or "all that is necessary." That’s such a transparent run-around that it’s not even amusing. Re-evaluate what you think is necessary and seek compromise which enables the school to help you while completing its own goals. In the end, they cannot make demands of you; they are required by law to comply with your needs. At least that’s the story I’ve heard from various people more familiar with it than I am. You hold the trump cards in this hand, I think, but you might seek advice from legal counsel in your district before continuing. Shooshie

Response:

Shooshie writes: >Re-evaluate what you think is necessary and seek compromise which >enables the school to help you while completing its own goals

This is exactly what we’re trying to do.  It remains to be seen whether or not this is possible, but I’m giving it every chance.  Again, I bit my lip yesterday as I picked up Andy from the nurse’s office because he was weak from not having eaten or drank anything all day.  He told the nurse he thought it might be a side effect of his medication, and again the nurse told him its all in his head.  I’m keeping my mouth shut while we’re trying to deal with the misconceptions and lack of knowledge on an administrative level because I’ve already caused enough bad feelings among the teachers by trying to share info with them myself.                      Judy

Response:

Filed under: Lobbying

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