[FEAT BC Admin]

In this discussion area, please feel free to share your experience in implementing A.B.A. programs in the school system. We would particularly like to hear from those parents who converted their school teams to A.B.A. We’d like to hear the nightmares as well as the success stories.

Any insight that can be shared by school-based special education assistants to help parents would also be very meaningful.

Topic

[Sabrina Freeman]

I’m replying to Carol’s question about full-time verses half-time SEAs (aides) in the school system. I’m hoping that parents on the list who have fought and won for full-time coverage will add to my post; in the meantime, there are a few pieces of information that may help you in your fight. First, you should know that every school district receives $4000 per normally developing child (it used to be $3000 but I think they recently raised the amount to $4000). When a child is classified as autistic, that child’s school automatically receives another $12,500 to educate that child. Unfortunately, $16,500 is slightly less than what a school district requires for a full-time SEAs. Many school districts top up this amount to be able to give the child full-time coverage. Part of the reason they do this is because parents demand it. Another reason they do this is because for some children a half-time aide will put the child at risk. In fact, in Langley (my personal favorite district), an autistic child with insufficient coverage walked away from the school and it took the school 3/4 of an hour to notice he was missing! In addition, Michelle Weis took the Langley School district on two years ago when she fought to have a full-time SEA with her child. Michelle won that battle which resulted in every kindergarten and grade one child with autism receiving a full-time aide.

Every parent must decide whether they can live with the rationing of SEAs for children who still need full-time support. It is sometimes a good idea to speak with other parents who battled the school district on this very point. In addition, I suggest that anyone encountering problems with a school district, download the FEAT of BC Education Brief from the FEAT BC web-site: http://www.featbc.org/downloads/education.pdf

In this brief, there are some regulations relevant to our children that you may want to use in your fight.

Sabrina

[Carol Ywan]

Hi all,
My son is going to kindergarten this Sept. The school district people told me that due to the budget, he will have to pair up with another child for one SEA (Delta district). Any idea about what kind of approach I can take to get him a full-time SEA, if possible. Or that just won't happen at all?
Carol Ywan

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