School Resources - Best place to look?
Hi, I'm mom to a senior who's in the wrong school placement and don't know where to look for information about schools that might be more appropriate. You think I might know that by now, but we've struggled through his entire educational career... He was adopted at 8 from another country and entered kindergarten at 8 not knowing any English. He struggled greatly and was diagnosed that summer with BP and PTSD. We had a one-on-one aide and RSP support for several years, then various SDC's w/a few attempts at partial mainstreaming. We had Lindamood Bell programs - through the school and nonpublic - because he has language processing issues - and then a couple of nonpublic schools that didn't work. Then finally in 10th grade after two years of SDC's and a complete deterioration, he was recommended for residential placement through AB3632, which was a Godsend. (He was hospitalized during the assessment, which I think caused them to take his mental health issues more seriously.) He made SO much progress in the residential program, therapeutically, socially and academically. But after a year and a half, he was discharged and placed in a non-public school. Summer school was stressful, with him complaining about a chaotic environment, rough "gang" kids sent there for getting in trouble repeatedly, lots of acting out.. He was feeling threatened and extremely stressed. Day 3 of the first semester of senior year (today) resulted in an incident that escalated to him threatening to throw a chair out the window and being "taken down" by staff. He refuses to go back - and frankly I don't blame him. He is 19 and not conserved so he can make that call. So now we are looking for a different school setting and I don't know where to turn.... Suggestions? Please?!
Hi Shannon - what part of California are you in?
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Shelle, 49 in So Cal - Celexa 20mg, Xanax 0.5mg rarely as needed
Family Response Team member and CABF Support 11
rmadmom@hotmail.com
Single Mom to Rachel, 12 - BP, anxiety, ADHD (or maybe not) - Lamictal 200mg am+Seroquel 50mg am/200mg early pm, Therapeutic School
We also have Birdie, the love bird - she bites; and Scarlett, the kitten - she does too
FROM CABF: Do not start, stop, or change medication or other treatment for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
I would call for an emergency meeting with the special ed folks who made this arrangement -- it does sound like the wrong school for your ds. In general, there should be more than one placement available (depends on the area), and so you could request a transfer to a more appropriate program. Best to do it in writing as well, but a phone call requesting an emergency IEP tomorrow morning is where I would start.
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Joan in CA
Co-Moderator of Dual Diagnosis/Substance Abuse group with Becky
Family Response Team Volunteer
Link to my bio: http://www.bpkids.org/user/29354
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We're located in Long Beach - near the southern border of LA County and northwest Orange County - CA
The district's non-public schools administrator retired last year and there's a new woman who isn't as familiar with schools.. She suggested a couple to look at. We visited one today and will look at the other tomorrow. I'm not sure that either seems like a good fit. The school my son was in while in residential was a GREAT fit for him. But it would mean 2+ hours in a cab on crowded LA freeways each day and that doesn't sound good at all.
Shannon