Kelli: A disabled, single parent, who’s income meets poverty guidelines sought help through Legal Aid. They stated they did not have the resources to help her. She reached out to other agencies, but was always referred back to Legal Aid. Situation: Child’s school refused to evaluate for 3 years and had punished the child for 3 years: missing recess due to not keeping up with work, lunch detentions for being tardy to class as the child has difficulty using the stairs. Served afterschool detention, despite parent’s disagreeing, as the child was “trying” to defend himself as he was put in a headlock, then flipped onto the gym floor, sustaining injury. The mother called the sheriff for bullying and assaults that continued, despite the school being made aware. School retaliated, denying the child intra-district enrollment 2.5 miles from their home, to which he’d previously attended. School received a copy of the child’s diagnosed disorder by his doctor and outside OT/PT test reports stating deficits in writing, difficulty using the stairs, and is a fall risk, second year of school’s refusal to evaluate. Can you advise?
The state parent training & information center is available to assist parents in situations like this. http://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center