[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

[David Chan]

Dear Terry, Michelle, and Jenny:

I felt great empathy when reading about Terry's experience with
her son and applying to have him attend a Christian school
which has obviously served other kids with autism well in the
past. It must be some relief and solace to you, Terry, that your
son is welcome in his current public school situation.

Let's face it, the problem has nothing to do with individual
families, their autistic children, or for that matter, with this
particular school in question. The real problem here is that the
public school system has failed miserably to meet the needs of
many, many kids with autism, forcing many parents to explore
the under-resourced world of independent schools. Michelle is
absolutely right–each independent school is limited in its
capacity to serve kids on the spectrum. Needless to say, this is
small consolation when it's YOUR child they're saying no to.
Terry, it sounds as though the entire scenario was not handled
with much delicacy, which is very regrettable. My guess is that a
well-meaning but uninformed person made a generous promise
to you that the school administrators were not able to deliver
on., Again, this is small consolation. However, if independent
schools were adequately funded, the outcome in this situation
may have been much more positive.

What's even more deplorable is that a significant chunk of our
tax dollar is funding schools that have let out children down.
How ironic that many of our kids are doing better in the private
system that receives only half the funding of the public system.
The only way this is going to change is to enact much stronger
legislation to safeguard our children's needs being met in ANY
school they choose to attend. In short, the powers that be have
to be scared into doing right by our children.

I, for one, would give my eye teeth to be able to bypass funding
the public system, and pour my tax dollars into the independent
school my son attends, where he has done amazingly well.

Ladies, don't let this issue divide you– the problem is endemic
in our educational system.

An opinion from one who's been there. . .

Julia
Mr. P's mom

[Jenny Obando]

sorry for the multiple posts

Jenny

[Jenny Obando]

To Terry Abrey

Regarding the Christian school, my son who is also autistic attends this school, and we have found great acceptance,compassion,understanding and support there. Although I agree with Michelle,that they can be a bit unorganized they have been very supported and open to our needs and requests or suggestions.

When we approached the school two years ago,we were told our case would have to be discuss with the school board before they would accept my son for sure, so we registered him and after they weighted in all the facts they made their decision.

One thing to consider is that there are already two children with autism with two aides who will be in your son's class for next year. I am sure that would be a big issue .I cannot see how they can have 3 aides and 3 children with autism in the same class.

As Michelle mention there is only so much a private school is able do, because of the resources they have, unfortunately private schools don't get the same funding a public school gets.

I will too talk to the school regarding your case since I strongly feel this is not the way the school portraits itself . Actually there are children with a disability in almost every class in this school. Discrimination is not what the school practices.

Respectfully

Jenny Obando

[Jenny Obando]

To Terry Abrey

Regarding the Christian school, my son who is also autistic attends this school, and we have found great acceptance,compassion,understanding and support there. Although I agree with Michelle,that they can be a bit unorganized they have been very supported and open to our needs and requests or suggestions.

When we approached the school two years ago,we were told our case would have to be discuss with the school board before they would accept my son for sure, so we registered him and after they weighted in all the facts they made their decision.

One thing to consider is that there are already two children with autism with two aides who will be in your son's class for next year. I am sure that would be a big issue .I cannot see how they can have 3 aides and 3 children with autism in the same class.

As Michelle mention there is only so much a private school is able do, because of the resources they have, unfortunately private schools don't get the same funding a public school gets.

I will too talk to the school regarding your case since I strongly feel this is not the way the school portraits itself . Actually there are children with a disability in almost every class in this school. Discrimination is not what the school practices.

Respectfully

Jenny Obando

[Jenny Obando]

To Terry Abrey

Regarding the Christian school, my son who is also autistic attends this school, and we have found great acceptance,compassion,understanding and support there. Although I agree with Michelle,that they can be a bit unorganized they have been very supported and open to our needs and requests or suggestions.

When we approached the school two years ago,we were told our case would have to be discuss with the school board before they would accept my son for sure, so we registered him and after they weighted in all the facts they made their decision.

One thing to consider is that there are already two children with autism with two aides who will be in your son's class for next year. I am sure that would be a big issue .I cannot see how they can have 3 aides and 3 children with autism in the same class.

As Michelle mention there is only so much a private school is able do, because of the resources they have, unfortunately private schools don't get the same funding a public school gets.

I will too talk to the school regarding your case since I strongly feel this is not the way the school portraits itself . Actually there are children with a disability in almost every class in this school. Discrimination is not what the school practices.

Respectfully

Jenny Obando

[Terry Abrey]

Hello:
Thank you for your email.
I am happy that your child has been accepted and they treated you with
respect. I think that is wonderful.
Unfortunately our son was not treated in that manner, nor were we ever told
of the ratio. We were clearly told that the environment would not be suited
for our son. My email is candid and true. If you note, we did write a long
letter, made a couple of calls, to discuss further, and no response. We
only spoke with them directly the next day. Please remember, they
approached us, and as you know, how challenging it can be, how our hopes and
dreams were answered, or so we thought, when we first started the process.
We did not even think of autism and approach, but they clearly told us their
policy, which we qualify, i.e. Christian, in good standing, financially
stable and can afford the difference, we expressed that clearly. You need
to know that our little boy is precious (quiet, no biting, banging, mostly
reading, computers, math) and to have him observed, without contacting us,
and letting us know over the phone the next day he will not be accepted,
made us feel like they personally discriminated against the little guy. I
know those are harsh words, but it was a complete turn about face which we
could not understand. Please note, our original visit was for our daughter
who is in grade six and we wished for her to have a private school education
in high school, they never even responded to us about our daughter. They
never discussed her application if it was not accepted or denied. Even when
we wrote the letter, there was no response. When we discussed this
situation, as soon as it happened, with our church, people were in an
uproar. We have tried, and have no choice but best to move on. Perhaps
you can express the feedback that we have and how they are now perceived in
the community. And possibly other children and parents will not be treated
in this manner. How unfortunate, especially for our children.
Again, I thank you for your feedback. I should let you know he is loved
and cherished by his teachers, classmates and SEA at his public school. The
principal was pleased we did not leave, "because they are great children".

[Deleted User]

Hi Terry,

I was blown away by your posting because the school you are speaking of is the school that my son, who is autistic, attends and we have had an amazing experience. The school was a bit hesitant at first but has become some of our greatest allies and incredibly supportive of our family and particularly of our son's program.

Just to clarify, No they do no supply the aide, you need to find your own. but they allow you to send in your own therapist – Bonus. They pay them on their payroll, not even close to equal to that of the public system and yes you have to pay the balance i.e. if they run out of funds which is almost guaranteed because our lovely government not only prevents us from proper treatment in the home they also attempt to prevent you from choosing a school environment that suits your needs by nt giving private school an appropriate level of funding.

In regards to the school, it may be possible that the reason they were unable to accomodate you is because of their limitations on how many special needs they can accomodate. It is a small school and has only one class per each grade. There are already 2 children with ABA programs in your son's grade (therefore 1.5 aides in the class).

I know from experience they are VERY restricted in what they can accomodate because they do not receive the same funding as a public school – less than half actually. The school has had to come up with guidelines on how many extra needs they can have in the classroom before they will overburden their system.

I don't know that this is the reason but am just suggesting one possible reason. I do know I discussed with one of the teachers once that their limit on "extra" needs per class.

We have had great experiences at that school but I have found that they are rather err disorganized. I would speak to them further and find out exactly why they feel this won't work. And about your money that I believe you are trying to get returned.

I definatly think you should discuss with them how you feel you were treated. They need to know that they are putting across this image/perspective and that it is not acceptable. Please feel free to email me privately if you want to talk more about this

Michelle_Karren@hotmail.com

[Terry Abrey]

Hi:
I applied at a Christian School in Maple Ridge for my daughter, who is a typical student. We took the tour of the school, and then mentioned to the school, that we have a little boy in Gr. 1, who is autistic. The tour guide, stated oh is that why you chose our school. We have a few autistic children, and we welcome they greatly, I suppose you will be bringing your own trained SEA. We were stunned, thrilled, high fives all around, and asked to set up the process for our daughter and our son. We filled out the documentation, paid the $300, submitted everything and got a sitting for an interview. We were thrilled. We brought in our daughter, and left our son in Gr. 1 not to disrupt his schedule and would set up an appointment for him. They spent 10 minutes talking about our daughter, but over an hour about our son. They wanted a Christian person to be our SEA, and we said no problem. They talked about the financial support, and we would pay the difference. Again, no problem. But one of the teachers, kept focusing on his behaviour issues, which he doesn't have any, he just verbally communicates very little, and is soft spoken when he does. He knows his alphabet, can count to 100, great on the computer, sight reader, and is learning phoenitics, knows his shapes, time, coins, etc. Quite a bit for the little guy. The teacher also stated, I noticed he has a low IQ, and is slow from Sunnyhill. I was a little suprised because I do not recall that in the letter, and Sunnyhill didn't focus on that. Anyhow, they wanted to see him in action at his school. I said, sure, we will let our school know, and let us know, so we could be there too. I called the principal to let her know that same day, and she informed me the Christian school has already spoken to them and asked about the financial aid. I was a little surprised, but everything seemed o.k. The school had our phone numbers (many) to call us. They called us at home, when we are at work, and told us it was 11:00 a.m., they would like to visit the school, and would like us to get back to them, if we had a problem them going it alone. We didn't get the call until 5:00 p.m. and called them. They phoned us back the next morning, and said, too bad, they visited the school at noon. They concluded that he had a good environment and best we keep him at the public school. They could not provide an SEA, Case closed. We couldn't believe it. They approached us, were so positive, we went with it got our hopes high, and then turned around and made us feel our little boy was not welcomed. I am still shocked, and hurt. My husband, our Christian friends, could not understand. We even followed up with a letter. Never did see the money, nor receive a responce.
Has anyone had an experience such as this?

TVA

[Jenny Obando]

We are in Maple Ridge, and it is a christian school

Jenny

[Marie and Dwight Anglehart]

Jenny,

My son is only three, but we want to start planning ahead for school. Private school is one option we're considering. What area of Vancouver/lower mainland is the private school that your son attends?

Thanks,
Dwight

[Author]

Replies