FOR ACADEMICS - TO ABA OR NOT?
Dear families -- Last year I sent more than 20 emails requesting an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) evaluation for my daughter. I never got a straight answer. My daughter was never evaluated. ABA for academics was never used - the real thing I mean.
After many fights, demands and letting the higher ups know I'd sue them for endangering my child's life -- we got an ABA based Functional Behavior Assessment with elements from the STAR program.
How was it? For behavior issues -- very positive. My daughter's interventions by the end of the school year were down to less than 2 per class period. Her work was being completed 100%.
Believe me, I was jumping with joy.
The problem is... a science, research based intervention was not put in place for reading or for her behaviors. My daughter still does not read at grade level. My daughter still does not do math at grade level. This 2nd grade has begun challenging - health, behaviors and tons more.
ABA is needed in our schools. Our kids need to be taught how to learn. ABA does that.
But once again, district commitment and lack of certified professionals make this a daunting mission.
A parent in Hillborough Cty told me -- her son received ABA in school. The real thing! I told her, please share how you did it. She only said - first get an evaluation. That's the problem - the school system refuses to do one. Then, privately I can't afford one. With Medicaid, waiting lists are massive.
No excuses here. Nasty reality faced by our children when a school district behaves in such a negligent fashion and flat out refuses to fulfill IDEA 2004 and use in an accountable manner the billions received by the state of FL.
What to do? File for due process... I was not ready last year.
I am ready now.
Email sent on 11/2/14 to these individuals:
Grant Lisa <GRANTLI@pcsb.org>
cc:Beaty Debbie <BEATYD@pcsb.org>, Wolcott Monika <wolcottm@pcsb.org>, Miller Stephanie <MILLERST@pcsb.org>, Wallace Heather <WALLACEHE@pcsb.org>, Wagner Melanie <wagnerme@pcsb.org>, Ward Marsha <WARDM@pcsb.org>, Tucker Lisa <TUCKERLIS@pcsb.org>, Ken Kienas <ken.kienas@ed.gov>, +Superintendent's Office <super@pcsb.org>, +Board Office <board@pcsb.org>, cookc@pcsb.org, lgartner@tampabay.com, msokol@tampabay.com, adawson@tampatrib.com, nrodriguez@zgsgroup.com, Mary Ellen Klas <meklas@miamiherald.com>, leary@tampabay.com, Commissioner <Commissioner@fldoe.org>, asmith@sptimes.com, jacqueline.ingles@wfts.com, Aleida Lanza <aleida@autism-u.com>
Ladies and gentlemen:
Below find research confirming ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis - IS the method to guarantee academic progress and avoid irreparable harm in children with autism.
Members of the Press, I invite you to read each piece in detail and ask local school district personnel why they are not following CDC's suggestions to implement ABA in the clasrooms with students diagnosed with ASD. Particularly ASD students that can be mainstreamed, like my daughter.
I spoke to a reporter from a local Spanish station.. she called Verra Tirado in Tallahassee and was referred to the media person. When the question was asked why isn't ABA being used in the classrooms, the response was: it is up to the district to make this decision. This is a gargantuan conundrum. I have made the request to Ms. Lisa Grant, ESE Director Pinellas County Schools at least 4 times for an ABA evaluation for my daughter and an ABA academic plan and the response: nothing. NO YES... NO NO and why as the law states. These are violations to IDEA, FAPE and my daughter's civil rights and protections. Yes, I can file a complaint at the state level. Been there done that. .. complete waste of time, energies, money. Right Mr. Kienas?
Please understand Ms. Grant. .. an FBA is not ABA and just because a BCBA was part of the meeting and observed my daughter in the classroom and supposed ABA like methods may be used.... Pinellas County Schools still does NOT use ABA, does not train its teachers to learn and use ABA methods and does NOT have a plan using ABA to guarantee my daughter will achieve academic success. I do NOT accept this.
Why? Everything is beyond wrong when teachers write notes to the parent and use the word hope as they desperately try to find ways... without being adequately trained by the county... to lead my daughter to respond to the daily activities, achieve success. This is unacceptable and each of you, Ms. Grant. . Supt. Grego.. Comm. Stewart and Ms. Verra Tirado are responsible for this. It is your responsibility and duty to correct this immediately.
Also note, this FBA has no validity... it does not work plus some of the data used is from 2013. It was noted in the meeting. It needs to be updated.
Please note: I am still waiting for access to PCS statistics on the effectiveness of PBIP's and FBA's in the past 12 months.
I request yet again that my daughter's Medicaid and a minuscule portion of FLDOE's ESE budget of $10 billion be used to cover costs of an ABA evaluation for Thomais V. MOSHOPOULOS and corresponding academic plan is implemented immediately, with ABA training for the teacher included. This needs to happen NOW... not when she's in 3rd grade.
Per Ms. Grant... The district does bill for eligible Medicaid reimbursements. We follow all guidelines and processes and are audited on a regular basis.
Then we must conclude finances are not the problem here. I must ask again: What is stopping PCS from approving ABA evaluations, ABA teacher training and ABA based academic plans? As I stated in a past email, Duval county has a precedent in FL. A judge ruled the school district must provide ABA for a student. Pinellas school district should follow suit when the request comes from a parent, when the student needs it, it will be of benefit immediately and legal expenses are avoided. WIN WIN for all!
I request immediate approval and a response in writing by 11am on November 4, 2014.
Sincerely,
Yadira V. Calderon
* Looking forward to the meeting on November 14, 2014.
Research:
CDC recommends ABA and relies on school districts to provide it: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/autism/case-modules/early-intervention/page1.html
Early Intervention with ABA eliminates need for ESE for up to 47% of students with ASD http://faculty.caldwell.edu/kreeve/Lovaas%201987.pdf …
FL among lowest rates of inclusion http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/09/08/inclusion-rates-sped-state/19652/
CDC Autism and Developmental Disability Monitoring (ADDM):
CDC Report on prevalence: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6103a1.htm
Florida reported 79.8% increase in diagnosis of ASD from 2006-2008 that skewed the national average 1:308 Treatment ratio for Autism and ABA:
The Florida Department of Education does not require teachers to receive introductory training in ABA, despite that we are at ground zero of the national epicenter on prevalence.
U.S. Department of Education agrees ABA necessary intervention for autism: Ohio held accountable for ABA Dept. of Education who lacks national education strategy that includes ABA http://www.wlwt.com/news/clermont-co-family-receives-142000-in-fight-for-child-with-autism/28327144
Classroom benefit of introductory training for teachers in ABA = target behavior in classroom is reduced by ~80% http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16144826
Federal order: ABA is the most effective early intervention for autism. Denial of ABA to child with autism = permanent harm: http://www.autism-u.com/helpdoc/Order-Case-No-11-20684-CIV.PDF …
"Teacher of the Year" uses ABA strategies and technology for students: http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/10/14/nj-teacher-of-the-year-puts-theory-into-practice-with-autistic-preschoolers/ …
ABA Therapy Produces Greatest Gains When Started Before Age 2:http://shar.es/1mW2fM
Hiding in plain sight: how ABA bias by the U.S. Department of Education has failed us since 1982: http://1.usa.gov/1rq1JLi
Despite that Hispanics reported a 110% increase in the prevalence from 2006 – 2008 that skewed the national average (the reason national prevalence went from 1:110 to 1:88 is because of FLORIDA), Florida was removed from the subsequent national reporting statistics at the CDC (2010).
Florida reported Hispanics represented 52.9% of the state’s children diagnosed with ASD (29,366 diagnosed from 2006-2008)
CMS (Medicaid) Federal Policy Guidelines to states re: ABA / Autism: http://www.medicaid.gov/Federal-Policy-Guidance/Downloads/CIB-07-07-14.pdf
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ clinical guidelines require patient with autism or ADHD be referred to ABA before prescribing medication: http://t.co/mmFwLDztgn
90% of Pediatric Specialists do not follow the AAP guidelines calling for ABA: http://t.co/4ckXjE8yba
Too many toddlers getting ADHD drugs http://ow.ly/wYKnr
ADHD Meds Tied to Cardio Risk http://ow.ly/yIpbQ
Kids are more likely to take ADHD medication during school in these states http://huff.to/1rC7PG5
ADHD drugs lacking in safety studies http://ow.ly/zm4sn
Lifetime Cost of Autism (1.2M – 2.4M): http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1879723
JAMA: Data on autism prevalence, trajectories illuminate socio-economic disparities: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1167313
