Home Instruction Question

[flutterby]

GFG is on homebound because her anxiety is incapacitating. She wants me to attend her sessions (5 hours a week) with her home instruction teacher - which takes place at the local library - because 1) her anxiety is through the roof, and 2) she's having to teach the teacher how to do math, etc.

I was told that I am not allowed to attend these lessons, per the home instruction teacher's preference. It was not written into the IEP as such - I'm thinking because it isn't enforceable. I have a call into the state DOE, but I don't know how long it will take for them to get back with me. Can they really not allow me to attend? At 5 hours a week, most of the instruction is going to fall onto me and it would be extremely helpful if I knew what they were doing at the lessons. SD said that it's going to fall onto GFG. When you read below, you'll see why that just isn't going to happen.

Following is what our psychologist noted on the forms required in order to obtain home instruction:

Behavior Problems: GFG cannot identify and express feelings she has or identify what others are feeling or intending - extreme social skills deficit. She becomes OCD - gets a thought and cannot let it go. Gets stuck and can't take in new information - reacts by extreme fear; cries, paces, holds head in hands, gets very angry when others try to talk to her.

Specify reasons why it is impossible for this student to attend school: Anxiety causes GFG to shut down. She hears sound, but can't process what is said or apply it to problem solve. Social skills deficit cause her to misinterpret what teachers say to her. Her thoughts are totally concrete. If someone said "lets kill 2 birds with one stone", she would become hysterical about animal cruelty.

Probable period the student will be unable to attend school: Indefinitely - certainly the rest of the school year. This is one of the most complicated learning disabilities I have seen in all my years of experience. (I've been HS teacher, school psychologist, and have been a clinical psychologist since 1972.)

[StepTo2]

Would it help at all if you were in the library, just not at the table/carrel/whatever? Then GFG would know you were there, but you wouldn't be "attending".

Also, if it's not in the IEP, it doesn't exist, LOL - you know how the schools do it. I don't see why you can't.

[TeDo]

I don't care what the IEP or the teacher says. I did this exact same thing with gfg1 in May. The SpEd teacher pulled me aside (we were in the library) and said she would really prefer that I not attend because they need to build a rapport with him and yada yada yada. I looked her in the eye and said "he is homebound for a reason and if he needs me to feel comfortable being here, I WILL be here as long as he needs me". The principal called the next day and said the same thing SpEd said. He got the same response. As my advocate said, the library is a public place so it's not like they can do anything about it. At the last IEP meeting the last week in May, the SpEd admitted that gfg1 would have never even showed up if I hadn't been there and thanked me for being there.

Since gfg is homebound because of anxiety and needs you to be there, BE THERE.

[flutterby]

They threw it out there that if GFG can't do this on her own, then they can find a seat for her in another program (they like to use scare tactics). I pointed out that the program is for behavior disordered kids. SpEd Director responded that "not doing school work is a behavior problem". Because putting an autistic, anxiety disordered kid in with kids with explosive behaviors, drugs, etc, is such a great idea. I'm looking for information on line, and am waiting for the DOE to call me back. I'm so tempted to send her an email and tell her that unless she can give me the law that states that I cannot attend, or that they can pull her from the program should I choose to attend against their wishes, that I plan on attending. But, I'm going to wait for more information.

I hate this school.

[InsaneCdn]

Do NOT give them any forewarning that you are coming against their wishes, UNLESS an advocate or lawyer or somebody from DOE says to do so.

SHE needs YOU there.
Even the pdoc says so.

Can you get something in writing from the pdoc that all school interactions MUST BE WITH PARENT PRESENCE?

[TeDo]

I really like that idea Insane. Wish I had thought of that back when I needed it.

[flutterby]

State DOE told me to request a copy of their policy that states that a parent cannot attend. Barring that, another IEP meeting needs to be held, However, since this took place outside of the IEP meeting, so to speak (she told me before the meeting that she needed to talk to me about an email she received from the home instruction teacher, but waited until the IEP had been updated and signed to address it) it doesn't seem to be an IEP issue. So, if she can't produce a copy of their policy, or even if she can, I guess, but the policy makes my child unable to access services, then I am to move forward with mediation.

There is no law stating that I can't be there. However, the home instruction teacher may have been told to walk out if I show up. The way the library is set up, there is no where I can sit where GFG can see me while she is meeting with home instruction teacher - so that is not a viable option. The state DOE said, "it shouldn't be this difficult". Yes, we all know that.

[StepTo2]

Heather, our state DOE doesn't exactly know what we deal with on a day-to-day basis, do they?!

[TeDo]

If the teacher gets up and walks out if you show up, THEY are not providing the services they are LEGALLY obligated to provide. That alone would be a HUGE lawsuit waiting to happen.

[flutterby]

Here are the emails back and forth so far (I cc our Support Administrator with MR/DD):

SpEd Director -

Please provide me with the school policy that states that parents are unable to observe their child's home instruction lessons.

Thank you.
Heather


Heather,
The Board Policies are on our website. School visits are in policy 9150 and AG 9150. If you are unable to access them on our website, let me know. I do want to clarify that our conversation today was not about you "observing" the home instruction. Rather we were discussing your participation and engagement in the home instruction lesson time.

You will note from our policies that observations must be approved in advance and the school visitor must not interrupt the educational process. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,
SpEd Director


SpEd Director -


I specifically asked about "observing" today, more than once. I am trying to get my daughter through school and to graduate. We are going to have to work something out, because Wynter's disability is not allowing her to access services without my presence at this time.

Heather



Heather,
Please read the policies on observing instruction. You can observe for a limited time with advance notice when it is not interfering with the educational process. I don't have any documentation that says that GFG cannot attend home instruction sessions without you being present? Do you have that?

GFG seemed to do well in ECOT last year. She earned credits in several courses. Have you considered that as an option? You would be able to present with her at all times.
SpEd Director



SpEd Director-


The "Physicians's Report to Determine Studenty's Eligibility for Home Instruction" as filled out by Dr. Psychologist states, "...gets stuck and can't take in new information...", "Anxiety causes her to shut down...social skills deficit cause her to misinterpret what teachers say to her." Therefore, if she shuts down and misses what is being taught, or comes home with assignments and thinks the teacher said X, when the teacher meant Y, I am unable to help her. I have sent countless emails to teachers in the past asking for clarification because of this issue. As she only has 5 hours of instruction per week, that won't be so easy to do.


We have considered and dismissed ECOT as an alternative.

I'm now going to request that we move forward with mediation.

Heather