Patty: My second grade son is being forced into general ed and does fine academically. However he has suffered from bullying and is now very introverted at school. During lunch recess he has been ridiculed when trying to play kickball. Now the kids switched to soccer and my son just wanders around trying to figure out what to do. I have reported the bullying to the school several times and for the most part it has stopped. What can I do to have them see that socialization is the key part of autism? They just throw him outside in unstructured activities with no protection or guidance. I am ready to pull him out of school after the morning is over because that is when all the academic parts of school are. Afternoons are lunch and electives.
My daughters school has done this as well I am fighting against it. Daughter has Autism and does not do well with peer to peer interaction. She suffers from bullying and the other kids don’t want to play with her. She gets ridiculed and bullied on the playground. I reported the bullying to the school and they did nothing about it. She continues to be bullied and the school just turns their back on it. At our last IEP meeting right before school ended the school informed me that they just have to focus on her academics not her social skills. They feel that is her issues to deal with and they don’t want to help her. HELP!!
Socialization is very important. Continue to push for that piece at school. Your son, especially in the elementary school years, need that social piece developed. On another note, you can do a lot on your own as a parent. Make the time and/or have family help you. Don’t just depend on the school district to fully help him acquire those skills. I know parents who involve their kids in extracurriculars outside of school to help acquire those skills. They realized that the school was not doing enough. Some parents involve their kids in recreational center sports, outside theater groups, boy scouts, karate, art clubs,– there is a slew of activities you can do on your own to help him socialize. Have him connect with typical peers outside of school.
Courts, & hearing officers have ruled that behavior, & social skills training are responsibilities of schools for students with disabilities. Your state parent training & information center can assist you. http://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center