Need advice with school

[Tiiiigergirl]

Our son attends an afterschool therapy program. The therapy program provides transportation. We just found out from the driver that the school lost our son for over 45 minutes and did not ever contact us. He is autistic and fell asleep during recess under a bush. They did not know where he was. THEY DID NOT EVER CALL ME. I WOULD NOT EVEN KNOW EXCEPT THE VAN DRIVER THOUGHT WE OUGHT TO KNOW.

I can even accept that things happen but I feel the wall of silence is unacceptable. I don't know what to do, say except I am livid. I had the RIGHT TO KNOW. They were ABOUT to call the police. I think my husband and I should get to have some say after about when the police get called. Unless the school has already called them, which they should have in this case I think.

Oh, and this is the SECOND time my child has gone AWOL from school. The last time he was in first grade and was found wandering off school property towards a very busy highway.

And right now it doesn't help that we live across town from Elizabeth Smart with childhood abductions fresh in my memory.

While I'm typing I realize this is the Second time of which I'm AWARE he's been missing from the school!

Sorry for the shouting. I can't shout around here because it would just upset my son and he's worried he did something wrong. Don't get me wrong, he usually does plenty but in this case I don't think he's at fault. I mean a little latitude needs to be granted for the autism. You'd think they 'd be a bit more careful!

 

[lisajl]

Oh my! I can't even begin to tell you how angry I would be.

Losing a child once I could understand, things happen, but twice?

Autistic or not, they are responsible for our children.

Oh boy...I can't even write anything else. This type of thing infuriates me!

Like I said, people make mistakes, but our children are too important to lose!

Sorry this has happened, maybe you should talk to the school principal.
Good luck!

Lisajl

 

[Nanajo1]

The school, at the least, should have called you to let you know what happened. I would speak with the head teacher and make it very clear that you are to be notified anytime something happens and the current situation was unacceptable. I would also speak with the sponsoring board for the after school program. They should be made aware of this. Also ask what is the procedure for tracking the children.
I'm glad he was found safe and sound.

 

[Poohnatic]

I suggest contacting the principal first. However, it sounds like he/she was the one guilty of inaction. In that case, a call to your public school administrative office is what I would recommend. Personally, I'd be calling each school board member, too and writing letters to go in the files of all those involved who didn't seem to think they needed to act immediately to find him.

I would be furious! I am very fortunate, the two times my son tried to run away (autism spectrum) I was called ASAP and arranged to have him picked up, or picked him up myself. The school he was in had zero tolerance for 'unsafe behaviors'.

Good luck...pd and hugs to you. Thank God he is ok.

Suzanne

 

[Earstou]

Visit with the principal in person and ask her, "What are you doing to make sure this never happens again?."
We recently had a minor problem at the elementary school. I visited with the principal, told her I wasn't happy with what had happened, explained that with autism things like that can be big problems, and we discussed what would be done about it.
Don't stop until you get answers that you are happy with. Have a plan drawn up that states exactly how the school handles this problem. I suggest start with the principal and work your way up if you don't get satisfactory answers.
Sometimes an outside agency or your doctor can provide assistance (ideas to solve the problem). My high school wasn't willing to listen until I brought in an agency. Turned out the agency didn't even have to do anything, once I mentioned I was in contact with them, the school suddenly was interested in helping!
Good luck!

 

[Nasi]

I can sure can understand how you feel. Just 1 month ago my ds (14 with Down Syndrome) had a half day of school and was 2 hours late getting home. It wasn't his regular bus driver and she didn't have name and address info on the students so she just rode around with him. I had previously been assured by district administration and the bus company that this would NEVER happen. I was furious. I had to meet again with district and the bus company. There definitely needs to be better communication when you have a special needs child. Nasi

 

[Talking Hands]

Nasi Doesn't your school system have a policy of labelling students when there is a substitute driver. We do that to the point that I made labels that are peel and stick for our teacher of deaf children. It has been very helpful.

 

[Nasi]

No they don't label but they assured me that even a sub would have a correct list of the students with their addresses and that I would meet the bus each day. I have had problems with buses in the past and had driven my son to school for several years. Now that he's in high school I thought I would try again. I had a meeting with district administration and thought we had worked it out. He goes to a parocial school program where he is included for part of the day. Nasi