My son has had a really tough time in school. He was bullied all through elementary, from kindergarten to fourth grade. This year, he refused to go back to school, so I tried finding other schools, but none of them took him. We’re back at the public school now, but I feel like we’re stuck. He has an IEP for speech, but he also has autism, ADHD, and a few other challenges. I’ve tried asking the school if he could be placed in a class that would help him, but they keep saying no. I even asked about him being tested by a BCBA (behavior analyst), but they refused. They say his test scores are fine, but his report card tells a different story. In almost all of his subjects, he has 1s, which means he’s not even close to where he should be. It really feels like they’re just pushing him through the system. I’m at a loss here… what should I do?
I’m so sorry to hear that. I’ve been through something similar, and it’s so frustrating when the school just doesn’t seem to listen. Have you thought about reaching out to an education lawyer to help with his IEP?
@Darby
I haven’t really considered that. Do you think they could help push the school to actually do something?
@Darby
Yes, definitely. They know how to navigate the system and can help advocate for the support your son needs. I’d say it’s worth looking into.
Ugh, this sounds rough. The school really should be doing more for him. Have you tried reaching out to the state department of education? They might have more power to get things moving.
Dallas said:
Ugh, this sounds rough. The school really should be doing more for him. Have you tried reaching out to the state department of education? They might have more power to get things moving.
I haven’t yet, but I might need to. What should I tell them?
Dallas said:
Ugh, this sounds rough. The school really should be doing more for him. Have you tried reaching out to the state department of education? They might have more power to get things moving.
You can file a complaint and report that the school isn’t providing the necessary support. They can help push the school to act. Also, you could ask for mediation if needed.
I totally get where you’re coming from. It’s exhausting when schools don’t listen, especially when you know your kid needs more help. Have you thought about getting an educational advocate? They could really help with the IEP process.
@billycole
That sounds like a good idea. I’ll look into it. I just want him to be in a place where he can actually thrive.
@billycole
For sure, an advocate can make all the difference. They can help you navigate the system and ensure your son gets the right accommodations.
Have you considered homeschooling as a temporary option? I know it’s not ideal, but it might give you time to figure things out while he’s not in the right school environment.
Taylor said:
Have you considered homeschooling as a temporary option? I know it’s not ideal, but it might give you time to figure things out while he’s not in the right school environment.
I thought about homeschooling, but his psychologist doesn’t think it’s the best option because of his social skills. He really needs to be around other kids.
Taylor said:
Have you considered homeschooling as a temporary option? I know it’s not ideal, but it might give you time to figure things out while he’s not in the right school environment.
That makes sense. Maybe you could do a mix of homeschooling and school, at least until you find the right fit for him?
This is heartbreaking. Your son deserves so much more. Have you been keeping track of everything that’s been happening? I found that documenting everything really helps if you need to escalate it later.
@Rowe
Yes, I’ve been documenting. I even have notes from my son about the bullying, but it feels like no one takes it seriously.
@Rowe
Keep doing that. The more documentation you have, the stronger your case will be if you need to take it further.