Building a Dream School

I've been thinking about this for while.  Especially once the Turning 5 process began and all the schools I was considering were in the City, Westchester, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island. 

Aside from the District 75 schools and the ASD Horizon/Nest programs, there is not a single school dedicated to children with autism in The Bronx.

Let me be more specific.  There is not a single school dedicated in The Bronx for children with autism like The Boy.

The Boy is somewhere in the middle.  And so many children fall into that category. Bright kids.  Sensory seeking kids.  Kids who don't how to make a friend.  Or carry on a conversation.     

What I discovered last year while touring, applying and talking to directors of these special needs programs is that while they accept the autism classification, they do not accept children with behaviors.

Think about that for a second.  A child with autism.  With no behaviors.     

After being rejected from so many schools, I had a candid conversation with the director of my dream school.  She pretty much said, if The Boy didn't have any of his behaviors, if he didn't need the constant redirection - he would have been accepted.

Last night I recieved a call from my friend Gen.  She also happens to be The Boy's former ABA therapist. (She is also pursuing BCBA certification.)  She knows everything we've gone through in the last year.  And she said, "It's great that you write your blog, but we need to really do something."

Gen wants us to start a school in The Bronx for kids like The Boy.               

The Boy needs a school where they follow a combination of ABA and TEACCH.  The Boy needs a school with a sensory room, with an OT who is on staff not contracted.  The Boy needs a school with speech pathologists and Behaviorists and Special Education teachers and assistants who have a true understanding of autism.  The Boy needs a nurturing environment.  The Boy needs a school with sensory friendly classrooms.  The Boy needs a school that involves the entire family. 

Does this sound like the kind of school your child needs?  
Well...Let's create one.  WE need to "be the change that [we] wish to see in the world."

Yeah, I know this seems like a pretty lofty idea.  But every dream starts somewhere.

If you live in The Bronx, if you're a parent of a child like The Boy, if you're a service provider, teacher, therapist and social worker and are interested in our "Building a Dream School" project, email me at autismwonderland@gmail.com


*This post was inspired by many events that have happened over the course of the year and by a Kick in the Blog.   
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 At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable.
~  Christopher Reeve

Any dream worth dreaming, is worth the effort to make it some true.~ Evan Gourley


Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it.
The time will pass anyway.
~  Unknown

"I amuse you? I make you laugh...?"

I can laugh at almost anything.  I like to joke around and I think I have a good sense of humor.  I'm not even afraid to laugh at myself.  But the other day when I called the New York State Bar Association, I wasn't expecting laughter.  


Since The Boy's Turning 5 meeting is coming up (sometime soon, who knows when) I am trying to find an attorney who will take our case at a reduced rate or (fingers crossed) pro bono.  An attorney at work suggested I call The Bar.  So I did.  This pretty much sums up on conversation.  


Me: Hello.  I'm hoping you may be able to provide some assistance...
(Blah blah blah, summed up my situation.)


Her: That's so funny.  A woman just called yesterday with the same situation.  'Money was no object,' she said.  The school she wants to son to go to costs $43, 000 - what a waste of money. Can you believe that?


Me: Um, yes.  I can believe that, the school I'm applying for is $93, 000 per year--


Her: Why so much money?  They have good public schools for autistic kids.  Such a waste of money...


Oh, I'm sorry - Did I call the Board of Education or The New York Bar Association? But thanks for letting me know your opinion.


Me: There really aren't.  So as I was saying - I'm looking for an attorney who would possibly take my case at a reduced rate  or pro bono.  


And then she laughed. LAUGHED!  Like I was Comedy Central on a Saturday night funny.  


Her: Oh no - we only have one attorney that does Special Education and he charges $450-$500 dollars an hour.  And the the first question he asks the client is 'Do you have the money?' If you don't have it, he won't waste his time. But he's such a great guy, really nice - good attorney if you can afford him.


Really lady?  Cause he sounds like a jerk attorney.  Sorry - I'm still a little bitter. 


Me: So would you be able to refer me to any one else?


Her: HA! You have no money.  No one is going to help you.  You're on your own.


I said thank you before hanging up.  I won't write all expletives I mumbled under my breath.  And then I printed out all the CLE materials on Special Education on the website. While I'm not prepared to give up my search for an attorney I can truly afford, I am prepared to really do it on my own, if I have to. 


I like to believe that parents are the best advocates for their children.  That no matter what a piece of paper says, a parent will know what their child needs.  And I also believe that if a parent has the right tools, knows the law and can articulate the argument - a judge will listen.  I need to believe that.  That when the time comes, the person in authority will take me seriously. 


I also believe that one day I will look back at this and laugh. Or at least, that's what I hope.