Why seems to be a big question lately? There are many why’s, for many reason’s and many times those why’s have answers, I’m hoping my why does too. Why is it that my 10 year old, wonderfully high functioning autistic child, has no place in the school system? Why is it that since my son has no place, the special education funds, allocated to the board for an identified student, is not being forwarded to his current educator? Why is my son, who has had nothing but negativity at the hands of a board that believes in full inclusion experiencing nothing but EXCLUSION? Two years ago and for the three years prior to that my son was offered 2hrs a day in school. During those two hours his anxiety was so high that he had a minimum of 3-4 melt downs and had to be restrained, removed and put in an old empty book closet to cool off. I spent far too much time defending my son’s diagnosis, which was handed to us by CAMH, Trillium, Peel Children’s center and a private psychiatrist, and still the board refused to put him in a special class. They brought in their own therapist who claimed Joshua was not on the Autism Spectrum but only presented as ADHD and that he should be put in a sensitivity classroom. We decided to put him in the Peel Children’s Center’s Sensitivity class on the basis that there was a discrepancy in his Dx. (Sensitivity classrooms do not take children diagnosed with any pervasive developmental disorder) He lasted 1 and a half days and was kicked out. The Psychologist at PCC diagnosed him, yet again, as being on the spectrum now we had no place to go. I home schooled Joshua that year and he did very well however the isolation was hard on him as he wanted so badly to have friends and peers. Unfortunately he does not know how to do that and really needs to be with other children in order to learn social skills and relationship building skills. Last year we went back to the school and tried to transition him in slowly. He had an exceptional teacher who had a special education background and he had a relatively successful year. I wish I could tell you that this is how it remained! This year grade five was a living hell for my son. The school year began on Sept 6 2006 and by Oct 6 he had been removed from the school 9 times and then they threatened to call the police on him and have him arrested HE IS 10 YEARS OLD!!! And a special needs student, I feel this was utterly ridicules. I vowed he would not go back there. The following week we had a meeting with his new school, as we have just bought a house and will be moving to another area in peel region. They informed us that they would only be able to offer him ONE hour per day between 1:30pm and 2:30pm and we would have to make due with that! Well I am not making due. As much as the school board would like us to believe that Joshua is an enigma and that our case is an isolated one I KNOW THAT IS NOT TRUE! I know there are other parents experiencing similar situations to ours. I know that parents are taking out second mortgages on their homes to pay outrageous tuitions to specialty schools that will accept our children. $4000.00 to $5500.00 per month in fee’s for aba and IBI schools. Joshua is not a menace or a danger to anyone. He is very loving and has quite a funny side to him. At home he is self sufficient and mild mannered. We have not had to restrain Joshua in over 4 years and he just wants a chance to learn and make friends. I have decided that I would like to take this opportunity to help not only my son but other children similar to him, who have the ability and eagerness to learn but no place to do it. I have spoken to professionals in the area of autism and a few primary grade teachers who would be more than willing to help out. These children are extremely bright and eager to learn; however, as much as the school board claims there is a place for everyone, there is not always a place for them! Many HFA/Asperger children suffer academically because there disorder is either not recognized, misunderstood or simply mistreated. Unfortunately HFA/Asperger’s is an invisible disability to the untrained eye. Where these boys and girls "look like" they should be capable of socializing and learning under the same circumstances as all other boys and girls this is not always the case. The social aspect alone is a never ending battle field, not understanding social norms, cues and etiquette can make life confusing and unbearable for both children and adults alike. I have witnessed HFA/Asperger's children excel, to not limits, when they are educated in smaller controlled environments. There are other Aspie kids out there, suffering at the hands of a school board who has not real place for them. Autism classrooms are available as are PDD and sensitivity classrooms, however Asperger’s children are too high functioning, too unpredictable, too violent THEY JUST DON’T FIT THE CRITERION. These are the excuses I have heard for years ‘so lets make them conform’ this is the boards great idea, Inclusion inclusion inclusion. IT DOESN’T WORK!!! And ends in EXCLUSION EXCLUSION EXCLUSION OUR PLAN I would like to open a small private home school for Asperger’s children in primary grades. APSERGER SOLUTIONS Inc. • Our school would consist of 8 to 10 children • One full time educator and two classroom support workers (with Autism spectrum experience) • An Occupational therapist and Speech and Language Pathologist to help implement continuous programming (not just bi weekly visits) • Self defense and social skill development • Sensory integration, music therapy etc. • Over all, a safe place for our children to learn, excel and grow into productive members of society. WHAT WE NEED TO MAKE OUR PLAN A REALITY Funding to; • Convert our brand new unfinished basement into a welcoming learning environment (approximately 1000 Square feet) • To buy textbooks, notebooks, paper, pencils, chalk boards, chalk etc. • Purchase O.T. supplies Oh and we would also like to know how much the school board would like to allocate to this program considering the fact that they had no resources in there public school system for us? Donations of • School textbooks grades 1-8 all subjects • Trampoline, hanging bag • Book shelves, desks • Desk top or Lap top computers • Sports equipment Any and all help is greatly appreciated. For further information please email me at aspergersolutionsinc@yahoo.ca 416-827-7093 Thank you Michelle Mack (Joshua’s Mom)

Hi! I was wondering how it

Hi! I was wondering how it was going with your school project? Any luck? I think it is a wonderful idea. Lots of luck!