Child with Autism left behind at a Chicago Public School
Public awareness video of a 5 year old student with Autism that has been left behind by the Chicago Public School system in 2008. After the student’s Special Education program was transferred to a new school in the 1st Ward, the student’s IEP bus transportation requirement has not been provided. School also has problems with disability access and a lack of parking for parents, along with poor street traffic management around school and illegal parking enforcement. No designated car drop-offs for disabled people is provided and no crossing guards are present behind the school. Owen finally got on a bus to school at Jose De Diego Academy on November 5, 2008 – five months after the transportation request was made in June of 2008 with his school transfer. This video was made October 27, 2008 by his father, a single parent widower.
UPDATE 9-25-2009 ———————-
My son now attends Hope Institute Learning Academy on Washington street. Since the first day of school the bus has been on time everyday and my son seems very happy as well. He also gets 10 more hours per week of school time at H. I. L. A. The bus service was terrible at Jose De Diego and he was in a classroom with 7 Autistic boys (no girls). Now he is in a mixed co-ed class of 23 students and the majority of the kids don’t have Autism. Also, an after school program is available for children with Autism. A remarkable difference for sure!
Duration : 0:9:54
[youtube _5iDoYuFlLo]
It has been better …
It has been better since I transferred my son to the Hope Institute Learning Academy in Chicago. The bus has been on time since day one and the couple times the driver has ran late he has called me to let me know.
I feel awful for …
I feel awful for the family and the child. I cannot imagine what the family is going through with their child. I have dealt with classmates with Autism, and it’s very sad. The father is doing an awesome job of consoling him, and I can understand where he’s coming from.
Isn’t it LOVELY how …
Isn’t it LOVELY how some people make no allowances, are unsympathetic to their rituals and quirks, discipline them and overload them with sensory issues, and THEN when they finally have a (very predictable, given the conditions) melt-down they say things like what a terrible monster autism is and how it must be cured!!!!!!!!!! No, it isn’t strictly speaking autism that causes the problems – it’s the people in charge!
I have a daughter …
I have a daughter with autism and shes about to age out of the 3 years cycle in public school. Chicago public schools really dont care about children with autism. There is always someone aiming to monopolize off the needs of these children and I cant stand it as a parent. My daughter has a sibling who she goes to school with and shes her twin and it helps her to have her sister on the school bus with her. This year she will be 10 and her time will be up to attend now they have to be separated.
my parents are …
my parents are fighting to get me out of my school because they knew, next to autism, that i had a non verbal learning disability and the school pretty much didn’t include that, and we never knew untill very recently. the school acts like they care, but they honestly dont. i feel bad for your son.
you give me hope . …
you give me hope . i feel your stress and concern,i have a 11 yr old autistic son.we are in for a long hard fight.
I also wanted to …
I also wanted to add i live in a rural town in New Mexico.. i dont’ have problems with parking just problems with teachers and busing. no traffic but we are planning to move and i hope it will not be the same way in washington.
My other asbergers …
My other asbergers daughter was being hit in school By a teacher. i am stuck in this town with no support for special needs children. they will not give them a good school. as well as unsafe letting my son go home knowing i wouldn’t be there. it is rediuculus. they have to meet the needs of these kids. it is rediuculus isn’t it.
My child is 12 yrs …
My child is 12 yrs old has diagnosis (improper) but enough to consern people.. Borderline inttelectual, mood disorder, psychosis and adhd. i believe he is asbergers. He is functional but i informed the school i wouldn’t be home and he was supposed to be in basketball practice so dad was going to pick him up. when he went to get him he was not there. they sent him home on the bus. he was home alone outside for 2 hours!! I know the feeling. thank god he was ok.
I have 2 kids with …
I have 2 kids with autisim. Yes you can get hcap parking for childeren with autisim nuero has to write a letter stating whhy. well that here in ct. I know how difficult it could be love and the blessings. we are choosen parents and we are stronger than most. your son reminds me of my son. I wish you were here in ct, my kids pedi neuro are great. but friend me so we can exchange info. blessings
Man, I hear ya. …
Man, I hear ya. Your right, you cant make this stuff up.
Btw, While letting the kids out 10 min early may seem like a good thing, it is a reduction in services and a 504 violation. Its a valid OCR complaint. Did you have to go to DP to get the new school?
Good luck!
WOW. I live in a …
WOW. I live in a smaller city than Chicago (but you’d know its name if you said it) about ‘one state over from you’ — I hate to tell you but transportation problems (as in there just not being any and no PCA personal certified assistant if there was) is a problem here too.,
I live downtown, have a crazy area, people park and drive all crazy and don’t do what the lights say and people walking want to jaywalk’ and I just can’t, have to walk with the walk sign. Its the same here too, for adults.
thats me!!!
thats me!!!
this school shuld …
this school shuld rly get some helpe! D: n ur kid is addorabol… im only 16 but i work part time with kids with autism,
UPDATE
My son now …
UPDATE
My son now attends Hope Institute Learning Academy on Washington street. Since the first day of school the bus has been on time everyday and my son seems very happy as well. He also gets 10 more hours per week of school time at H. I. L. A. The bus service was terrible at Jose De Diego and he was in a classroom with 8 Autistic boys (no girls). Now he is in a mixed co-ed class of 23 students and the majority of the kids don’t have Autism. A remarkable difference for sure!
No, not after I …
No, not after I made this video! I have switched my son to a new school, the Hope Institute Learning Academy so I hope I won’t have this problem anymore with busing. HILA accepted his CPS IEP and enrolled him. But I have yet to see how the busing will be until the Fall. Take videos of your problems with CPS and post them on YouTube and show your attorney too.
Hi, I would like …
Hi, I would like to know if you are still having these problems? I have the same problems with my son, I actually had to get an advocate attorney to help me with all the problems I have had with CPS. It is upsetting that they do not help when there are problems, I have had to fight for everything my son has, since he was 3, since he entered CPS.
You have the …
You have the patience that every child deserves from a father. Owen is really lucky to have you.
He points! That is …
He points! That is a GREAT achievement! My heart goes out to you and Owen. My trip to and from the vehicle is not as bad for my son’s school. Do you have a handicap permit for parking? Can we (as parents of children with autism) get them?
This is wonderful. …
This is wonderful. I hope that he will discover and use his best talent. All autistic kids have one great talent. Thank you for sharing your story and all the best for you two!!! Love, Elena.
There is new hope! …
There is new hope! The Hope Institute Learning Academy (HILA) starts this fall for my son, brand new program for Autism students and CPS students are accepted that have an IEP. Hooray! Things are getting better.
Been in Illinois …
Been in Illinois for a long time? I am in Illinois, Northwest Suburban area. Chicago look terrible especiallly the service.
Worst system, worst state for autistic person.
There is a Yahoo group IPADDUnite that serve the region and the service.
There is also another Yahoo group that ParentsUnitedforSpecialEd that served nationally for IEP and other special services in school.
Both Yahoo group are good and useful, I hang around there once awhile. Perhap meeting together one of these day
Thank you for your …
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I got my son into a new school now for 1st grade this Fall. It is an inclusive school dedicated for Autism which includes regular students as well. PLUS he will get 450 more hours per year of instruction than at a regular CPS school, AND it has an after school program!
Unbelievable what …
Unbelievable what you and your son have to go through to get to your car…I have Asperger and I went into sensory overload only looking/listening at the video (the street noise is atrocious)…it says here that you are a widower? That’s a hard life, but I admire you for taking care of your son and having the energy and determination to make a video. I hope that things will change for you two soon. Love, Elena.
it most deffinately …
it most deffinately is a shame, my daughter has autism *aspergers* and ADHD, we will be driving her back and forth to school our selves. seen to many stories like yours and i just cant take that chance. it scares me to think someone could forget a child like that.