Help with disability assistance

[MrsSaraG]

I will preface this to say I did try searching, but I couldn't seem to find an answer. I can only find info on the DAS, which is not what I'm looking for in this instance.

I have a friend who's daughter is a senior in high school and visiting WDW with the school. The daughter is on the spectrum and will also be sharing a hotel room with two other special needs students. They school assured them they did not need the parents to go as chaperones before they paid for everything, which is non-refundable, according to the school.

Now the problem is, they just found out that the school is not providing a chaperone for the students and plan to "let them go off on their own." Which would be fine for typical students, but under these circumstances, the parents are pretty upset about this. Is there a 3rd party service in Orlando where they can hire a chaperone for the day? Or does someone have any direction you can point me in to help her out?

I am fully aware that the school would need to be updated and approve of this, I'm just seeing if it's even an option.

(It's not really an option for the parent to go due to health issues.)

 

[SteveMouse]

While there are various childcare/babysitting/etc. services in Orlando, I am not aware of any that would serve in that role.

I would expect that, unless there were a modification, the school would provide similar supports to any that are provided under the student’s 504 and IEP plans. If those plans include 1:1 support in school then that likely should be provided while in the academic environment.

Like Disney not needing a diagnosis for determining DAS qualifications, a general diagnosis or label of “special needs” doesn’t adequately describe what supports are needed, and it would be improper to discuss any of the children duagnoses here.

I had an IEP when I was in school, in part due to ”special needs.” The impact on overnight trips was that I wasnt to have the top bunk and a few other things, but I did not need, nor did my IEP provide fir 1:1 services. (My limitations are physical). The needs of the involved children may also vary.

As a side note, having the three students room together may not be consistent with federal guidance on special needs students, which calls for as integrated an environmdnt ad possible. It would seem, on its face., that rooming them together is segregation.

 

[MrsSaraG]

While there are various childcare/babysitting/etc. services in Orlando, I am not aware of any that would serve in that role.

I would expect that, unless there were a modification, the school would provide similar supports to any that are provided under the student’s 504 and IEP plans. If those plans include 1:1 support in school then that likely should be provided while in the academic environment.

Like Disney not needing a diagnosis for determining DAS qualifications, a general diagnosis or label of “special needs” doesn’t adequately describe what supports are needed, and it would be improper to discuss any of the children duagnoses here.

I had an IEP when I was in school, in part due to ”special needs.” The impact on overnight trips was that I wasnt to have the top bunk and a few other things, but I did not need, nor did my IEP provide fir 1:1 services. (My limitations are physical). The needs of the involved children may also vary.

As a side note, having the three students room together may not be consistent with federal guidance on special needs students, which calls for as integrated an environmdnt ad possible. It would seem, on its face., that rooming them together is segregation.

Thank you so much for your reply. I don't know the other diagnoses, but I agree, it wouldn't be proper to discuss them here.

I will take this info to my friend and hopefully she can advocate to the school for whatever she feels is necessary for their trip.

Thanks again!

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I will preface this to say I did try searching, but I couldn't seem to find an answer. I can only find info on the DAS, which is not what I'm looking for in this instance.

I have a friend who's daughter is a senior in high school and visiting WDW with the school. The daughter is on the spectrum and will also be sharing a hotel room with two other special needs students. They school assured them they did not need the parents to go as chaperones before they paid for everything, which is non-refundable, according to the school.

Now the problem is, they just found out that the school is not providing a chaperone for the students and plan to "let them go off on their own." Which would be fine for typical students, but under these circumstances, the parents are pretty upset about this. Is there a 3rd party service in Orlando where they can hire a chaperone for the day? Or does someone have any direction you can point me in to help her out?

I am fully aware that the school would need to be updated and approve of this, I'm just seeing if it's even an option.

(It's not really an option for the parent to go due to health issues.)

I am not sure that the school would even approve of a third party, non school provided, would be allowed. this is where we were lucky with our special needs daughter when she went with her high school. daughter and her older sister were used to doing this at theme parks not just Disney. their group was one of 5 out 20 groups that made all check in and were allowed a special treat their last day. 2 of the 4 girls in group were special needs but it was the 2 special needs that ran the group as both, our daughter and her friend, had traveled with us and had done this. the group leader of the 6 groups their group was in said they were waiting for her at each check in. they were only 1 of 2 groups with special needs on the trip but we did know this going in and from other years and other parents.

 

[RoseGold]

If these girls have specific issues that would make this dangerous or something, maybe they shouldn't go? I'm not really clear what you think the chaperone would be doing.

 

[lanejudy]

From the school's stance, it likely comes down to what is stated in the IEP or 504. If any of these girls have 1:1 support during the school day, or even shared support, the special educator(s) or case manager(s) should have been involved with the planning to determine what support may be needed on the "field trip." If their services in school are only for academic support (such as note-taking, etc.) and not behavioral in nature, the school would not necessarily know or be expected to provide additional supervision for these students. As with any other student, it then becomes parental decision whether their child can handle an overnight group trip.

Hindsight is 20/20 but as a parent I would have been much more "nosy" about the plans to make sure my student would have adequate supervision or accommodation (depending on needs) if I was not volunteering to go on the trip. I or my husband have joined school trips for similar purpose and the schools have been good about working with us once we initiated that discussion. Yes it was additional expense to include the parent, and even more added expense because fingerprinting and background check were required of any parent chaperone, but that weighed into our decision to allow her participation.

 

[ElyseInWonderland]

This situation gives me an uncomfortable feeling. It seems poorly planned-out, like the students are not being set up for a successful trip. I would seriously recommend your friend evaluate whether this trip is a good idea.

There are nanny services, but I am not sure they would be equipped to handle students with special needs (nor would it be appropriate to task them with that responsibility.) Is this a school-sanctioned trip? Do I understand correctly that the three students would be rooming together? That sounds awfully risky, from a liability/physical and emotional safety standpoint.

OP it sounds like you are a great friend. However, I would absolutely need a TON more details before I would consider a trip like this for my kiddo.

 

[sarabguerra]

Thank you so much for your reply. I don't know the other diagnoses, but I agree, it wouldn't be proper to discuss them here.

I will take this info to my friend and hopefully she can advocate to the school for whatever she feels is necessary for their trip.

Thanks again!

I work as a non-attorney special education advocate. There are a couple of issues at play here depending on IEP and/or 504 status of the student. It can be a little complicated, and state to state regulations change. Typically, extracurriculars and school trips would be covered by whatever services and accommodations are included in one's IEP/504. Schools like to push back and say "out of school time" isn't covered. It is when it's a school trip and they have to staff it.

When there are known upcoming trips (day or overnight) IEP teams should be discussing needs ahead of time and putting plans into place, well ahead of time. Like last year! It's such a shame to miss a perfectly good, real world training opportunity for a transition aged student (14y+). Discussing what the student needs to know and learn by the time of the trip and building goals and services around the vision of successfully participating with their classmates is exactly what the Transition Planning Form is for! Sorry, you got me on my soap box, but maybe it will help someone.

I would recommend that your friend contact your state's Parent Training Information Center (PTI), who can help her navigate your state regulations and learn more about her daughter's rights and entitlements depending on her status in your state. Website below might help you find it.

https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

It is unfortunate that the school is not being helpful at this point or allowing a refund. Kids Nite Out does offer assistance other than typical babysitting. Under 'additional services' is the following:
"Do you have a parent or family member who you want to include but maybe they can’t manage at the same pace? You can enjoy your day knowing that they are in good hands and having fun!"

Once Upon a Nanny and Theme Park Nannies will also provide in-park care for special needs children. Not sure if they will assist without a parent present but it is worth a call.