As a special education teacher, I always put "runners" on "D-level" services. This means that wherever the kiddo is, there is a special education staff member (teacher or assistant) specifically there to monitor for signs the kid is getting ready to launch. Frequently, we are juggling the schedules of 4-5 staff members to ensure coverage.

Occasionally, we are blessed with someone specifically hired to help that one student.

While the law requires that districts cannot take money into consideration when designing a child's IEP, districts overall are cutting staff in all areas due to federal and state budget cuts. Obama's stimulus package has run out, and Congress didn't renew.

The biggest help is for administrators to recognize that parents aren't court-shy, and WILL sue if something happens to their child. Then the cost of the individual attention is less than not providing it.

Sad, but reality.

My eldest daughter is a wanderer and runner. We enrolled her in LIFE TRAK which is run by a state grant and handled by the police department in each town. It's FREE, the device is water proof (she wears hers around her ankle because she got it off her wrist), and if she wanders, we call 911, they active the GPS tracker in her LIFE TRAK and immediately pin point her location and go get her. We're in Arvada, CO and she was able to be fitted with her LIFE TRAK the same day I called. I hear other counties have a longer wait time.

Exactly @A MyAutismTeam Member that's exactly what I meant. I hate court and don't like to go if I don't have to, BUT..I had to fight to get a 1 on 1 on my sons IEP. After that, I never let them take it off. Even when my son was fighting against it, that was still one job that "had" to be filled and one more pair of hands to help within the program. They are only taking it off now because he will be going to a private school with an Asperger's program. I only got them to agree to pay for that because I was completely involved in the process. I grew up around Washington, DC and am not afraid to pull the punches I need to to get my son what he needs. I am not confrontational by nature but, I absolutely had to let them know what would happen if they didn't do what they needed to do. An IEP is an official court document and can be used against the county if they are not providing the proper services. It is also transferable to all 50 states from what I understand. So, do your research, figure out what you believe will work for your son, dig your heals in and don't back down. I'm not saying not to be flexible. Other people sometimes have good ideas, but only YOU know your child best.

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A MyAutis...

@A MyAutismTeam Member. Check online. Most of my information I got on the internet. Wikipedia gives a good explanation too although I've heard things about them being inacurate sometimes. On this subject, they seem to have the same answers everywhere else. IEPs are part of a federal program to educate children with special needs. My understanding was that it was "federalized" to insure that special needs children get the same opportunies everywhere. Some states really dropped the ball in this area. Once you get it on the IEP, its set in stone. Many times, I've had to tell my son's teachers that they "have" to accommodate him because its in his IEP. The "IEP team" is supposed to help you but money constraints often stop them from making outright suggestions. I was lucky. I had parents who had been down the same road and told me what to do. Running away is a BIG deal and the school MUST address that and provide for your childs safety. Parents have more power than they realize and even though my son is 14 and going to private school, our county is paying for it. @A MyAutismTeam Member start now putting yourself out there as a parent who isn't going to be a push over. You are the most important advocate your child has. I was very lucky that my son really did have excellent teachers who cared even if they didn't know what to do. It helped that I was constantly available to them as well. It doesn't mean arguing or not trying their suggestions but, if something isn't working, move on to something else. I know this is long and I apologize but, I've been blessed tremendously along the way. I just wish I had had this site when my son was younger.

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A MyAutis...

Nick wears a medic alert bracelet that states he has Down syndrome and autism and non-verbal. Another route is a GPS locater. Zoombak makes one that you can get at Best Buy. Finally, you might want to register your child with the local police and fire departments as well. @www.nickspecialneeds.wordpress.com