Why We Let No One In

This past several months our family has been judged by outsiders. As a general rule we let no one know what goes on in our home to protect our family from people who love to judge and who loves to condemn because they know nothing about what it is like living with a child like Eric.
This past August Eric had a medicine reaction that caused a violent reaction. He was then hospitalized for several days. We had no idea if he was coming home or when. We did not know if he was going to be sent to Seattle Children's Hospital or if we could continue with in home care for him. The neighbors stood outside watching the show that was being put on. They even tried recording it. I finally had enough and asked the Military Police to break up the crowd and send everyone home. Our nightmare became even worse. I sent a Red Cross message to Casey in Idaho who was doing training. I had four social workers and an ER Dr. all tell Red Cross it is urgent to send Casey home. Casey's chain of command said because we have been dealing with this for so long he did not need to come home. He stayed in Idaho for three more weeks. In the mean time we had CPS in our home and found there was no safety concerns. We had Catholic Community Services start their services. We could not get TriCare which is the military insurance to pay for the hospital or ambulance. We could not get them to pay for Catholic Community Services so Catholic Community Services went straight to medicaid and got us their services.
The neighbors all criticized Eric and told Eric he could no longer play with their children. Eric still has no idea why he can't play and what he did wrong. Eric doesn't realize that no one likes him because of his illness. Eric can't control his aggression, behaviors, or emotions especially in social environments. It is hard on Eric when parents turn him away because they don't want him around their children.
I finally called my cousin up who has two autistic daughters. She then proceeded to try to help me. We found a Children's Autism Center in Seattle. I asked for a referral from the base to take Eric there and they declined it saying there was an Autism Ranch in Reno, Nevada!! He could go there for three months or for life term!! Excuse me?? So once again I was fighting an uphill battle to keep Eric home. Thanks to Catholic Community Services we have a referral to the Children's Autism Center through medicaid.
During this time I listened to a song from Frozen. It is titled Let It Go. Here are the lyrics.

The snow glows white on the mountain tonight,
not a footprint to be seen.
A kingdom of isolation and it looks like I'm the queen.
The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside.
Couldn't keep it in, Heaven knows I tried.
Don't let them in, don't let them see.
Be the good girl you always have to be.
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know.
Well, now they know!

Let it go, let it go!
Can't hold it back any more.
Let it go, let it go!
Turn away and slam the door.
I don't care what they're going to say.
Let the storm rage on.
The cold never bothered me anyway.

It's funny how some distance,
makes everything seem small.
And the fears that once controlled me, can't get to me at all
It's time to see what I can do,
to test the limits and break through.
No right, no wrong, no rules for me.
I'm free!

Let it go, let it go.
I am one with the wind and sky.
Let it go, let it go.
You'll never see me cry.
Here I'll stand, and here I'll stay.
Let the storm rage on.

My power flurries through the air into the ground.
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I'm never going back; the past is in the past!

Let it go, let it go.
And I'll rise like the break of dawn.
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
Here I stand, in the light of day.

Let the storm rage on!
The cold never bothered me anyway...

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Songwriters
ROBERT LOPEZ, KRISTEN ANDERSON-LOPEZ

 

I thought as I listened to this song how true this is for many Autistic families. They don't ask for help because they are judged. They don't where to go and what to do because they are being turned away because their children are dangerous. The school systems often treat this illness like a learning disability when there is so much more to it than this. No one fully understands what it is like to raise an Autistic child until you become a parent to one. We often find ourselves reaching out to the other parents with children on the spectrum so we don't get judged or being told we need to spank more. Once someone knows what we deal with we lose them as a friend ally and we get judged and rediculed. We stay home from parties even church so no one knows how bad it truly is.

Going from Special Education to Main Stream

When Eric was going to school on Fort Knox, KY he was in partial Special Education and partial Main Stream. They were working in Preschool to get ready for Kindergarten. Things were doing great. I was only called to the school a couple of times and nothing serious was going on. When we moved to Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA he was placed in Special Education Preschool. It worked for what little he went. Then the school without my permission was sent to Main Stream without any support except for a few hours a week from Special Education. For a little while it worked very well. Then it just went down hill. Kindergarten proved he could do the work but he was above average thanks to his Preschool class teacher who taught him everything he knew. He knew his shapes, colors, how to write his alphabet and name, how to count, to add and subtract. He loved school but he had problems with too many stimulants in the class room. First grade has been in no other words HELL. Eric has been to three schools and have had four teachers. Main Stream failed him. I finally got through to the school district and they finally agreed with me that he needed to be in the special program. This blog is going to be about that program.
When I first heard of this program I really knew nothing about it. I knew that they took children like Eric and prepared them for the main streaming. They have a high success rate with their children being successful in mainstream. I had hope for the first time that Eric could be kept in public school and would not need to be homeschooled. I met with his teacher with Eric and fell in love with the program. They have a routine for every day written on a laminated piece of paper on their desk. They get a possible of 2 points per area. 1 point for participation and 1 point for behavior.
They have a total of 6 children and a teacher plus the para!! I started falling in love with this program the more I talked to his new teacher. They would still participate in music, art, physical education, library. I brought up the concern about lunch and they said they get two whole tables to themselves! So that means each child can get room to eat and not be crowded or in a crowded situation and that the teachers eat with the class. His breakfast is eaten in the classroom like the students in their classroom. So there was a major cut back in his triggers.
Then I asked about what would happen if he acted up. That is when they showed me two rooms adjoined to the classroom. The first room is the cool down room and it had pillows and he could take a nap or whatever he needed to do to calm down. The second room was inside the cool down room and it is SCARY to say the least. It is small and the door is locked and has an alarm on it. They called this room a lockdown room. It is where if the children get violent they can put the child in there and notify the parents immediately.
Eric did end up there one time and he has never ended up there again because he did not like it. The school immediately called me and I ran to the school as fast as I could. I even told the school that I was about 20 minutes away but it was rush hour. I got to the school and got Eric calmed down. When we were getting ready to leave the para told Eric see you tomorrow Buddy! I was shocked!! I thought for sure we were facing another suspension. When I asked the teacher about this she said in our program we do not suspend. Oh what wonderful words!
On Monday he goes through individual therapy and on Thursday they have group therapy. So he still got his therapy sessions. So I meet with his therapist and teacher for all conferences to hear how much progress he can make or has made or what areas he needs more help in. The one area I was concerned in was Eric was behind in reading. So I was thinking he can be behind or maybe a learning disability. So I talked to his teacher and she said he has made some progress but he is behind we need to read to him all the time and we need him to read as well. But he is making huge progress in his lessons and behavior.
Now in this program Eric will not be rushed into Main Stream it is a very slow progress. It can take a minimum of 2 years for him to compete this program. But once he is main streamed he will be successful and they can assure me that the behaviors he has had will be controlled.
Now the one thing that has brought alot of success is the fact that Eric's teachers follow the same programs we have at ABA so now we are one triangle and we all work together.Since the school has been working with us we can see huge progress both at home and at school. It has been wonderful and a gratifying experiences with this program.
As the mother of Eric there is days that are good and days that are bad. But everyday he brings home a certificate saying he has earned 19 or all 20 points. He is so proud of this little blue paper but I keep everyone! I hear what a wonder he is on the bus and how great he is. He tells me that he had a small problem but he turned it around. Just to see him go to school excited for the day and to see him excited to show me his certificate is a blessing beyond words. This program has been an answer to my prayers on what to do with Eric and school. I am so glad that he is going to this program.

Going into a crowded place

Just cause Eric is Autistic doesn't mean that we can't go to places like the Mall or Chucke Cheese's. Today is a perfect example. Eric's best friend is leaving in just a couple of weeks. He is moving. Eric was heart broke cause Derek wasn't going to be here for his party. Well me and his dad decided to throw a small party at Chucke Cheese's. Derek and his family came and Becky invited one friend as well.

The restaurant was packed to say the least! We were constantly getting bumped and moving around people. Casey found a place to eat that wasn't in the packed main area of the restaurant. It was going to take 1 hour for the pizza to be cooked. Instead of making the kid wait we separated the tokens into different cups so every child got 25 tokens. We then decided which kid went with each kid. We did the buddy system since it was crowded and Eric needed a buddy so we didn't want to make him feel different. Derek took Eric around the games, Becky and Alyssa went together, the parents got the 3 year olds, and the oldest could chose to do what he wanted to do.

Eric was having a blast with Derek. He was playing games and winning tickets. Derek even made sure to help Eric chose the games he could play that didn't have too many noises. Eric had a blast. When it came time for us to play the games, Eric wanted to help me. Both him and Joseph won Jackpots on the games I was playing.

At the end of the day we stayed in line and waited to get our prizes. Becky I pointed to a variety of things that she could choose from. She chose her prize then moved so Eric could choose his. For Eric I only pointed out three things I knew he would like. He chose one and then left. As for his presents he doesn't care what he gets as long as it is a present. Becky was pointing to many things he got and the more she pointed the more he got excited. As long as we make special arrangements like having someone with Eric it is alright to go through more places with him as a family and enjoy them more and more.

Dealing With Questions About My Family and Autism

When people ask me questions about how we deal with Autism I always answer truthfully. It is quite easy.

How hard is it on your other children? It is not hard on my other children. We treat them according to age and how they understand and what works best for each children. Rebecca is turning 10 so she has 10 chores to do. She also gets grounded. Eric turning 7, has six rules once he turns 7 he will have 7 rules; 7 chores; and has a cool down time and not time out. Joseph age 2 has 2 chores and 2 rules. Rachael has nothing yet except just to be a baby.

Do you treat Eric differently than your other children? No. He has chores, rules, and expectations. He goes to school everyday, has the same schedule, and is treated no differently.

Do we leave Eric with a babysitter when we go out? No. Eric comes with us even to the crowded places. He is just watched for the signs of being over stimulated. We are vigilant that no one touches him.

What do we do if he has a meltdown in the store? We stay in the store and continue the shopping. Both me and Casey go to the store together. If Eric gets over stimulated Casey takes Eric out to the truck and waits for us to get finished shopping. If Eric is calmed he can come back into the store. If I have him alone then he stays in the cart or by my side. We never treat Eric any differently than any one else.

Do we stop the other kids from doing what they want to do? No. We go on trips, we go out, and we continue to have fun. We just go a slower pace or we plan the trips around the time it is not crowded.

Are you sure he is Autistic; he doesn't look Autistic? Yeah well you don't look stupid but apparently you are. There is no look to an Autistic child. It is not down syndrome it does not have a look. Not everyone who has Autism looks or acts the same. Every child is different.

People are surprised by how I answer the questions honestly and without thinking. It is easy for me to answer the questions because I treat Eric like he has Autism to a point. Like I have said before Autism is a crutch it can carry you or you can carry it. With the right tools and how I am raising Eric; Eric can carry his Autism and be what he wants to be in life. That is my only goal with Eric is to teach him that he can over come Autism and work in the FBI like he wants to.

Holidays with Autism

When it comes to holidays we have to use certain precautions. Those precautions do not effect the other members nor the fun that we have. All the kids still get to enjoy the holidays like there was nothing wrong. All of the kids go trick or treating, we have a huge Thanksgiving meal, and we celebrate Christmas. We do have to do a couple of things different but we have put the changes as traditions in our family.

When it comes to Halloween, there is no scary costumes or face paints on Eric. If there is someone that is scaring children we walk ahead of Eric so he can't see it. They do not go alone, we all go as a family. Eric has to ask for the candy or say Trick or Treat.  If he gets scared we are right there to comfort him and he can sit with one of us in the car while the others continue trick or treating. Becky, Eric, and Joseph get to have their candy left in their containers; the only change is they get five pieces of candy each day. We have to limit the sugar due to Eric's sensitivity to sugar. Becky and Joseph get used to this cause they know too much candy is never that good for you. I also tell people who are handing out the sodas to please no caffeine for Eric and the kids. Caffeine is never good for children to have. All of my kids are treated the same way and are very happy to celebrate this holiday.

Thanksgiving is often loud and crowded. I take extra care making sure that Eric is not over stimulated by often times having him come to the place we are having dinner later when the food is almost cooked. If we are visiting back home, certain family members take care on helping with Eric so I can help with the food. When it comes to eating, Eric sits by someone but has his own space. If he is in a strange environment he always sits next to me. He gets to eat what he wants and any amount he wants. Becky and Joseph play with the other children. Becky sometimes helps me cook or Eric does. Becky and Joseph eats the same way...no limits. Becky and Joseph also eat where ever they want to sit. We try to take the stress away from Eric to avoid triggers so that he could enjoy his dinner as well. If we are out he doesn't eat that well so we always bring home some left overs so he can enjoy his dinner at home when we get home. Both Becky and Joseph also get the left overs as well so that way they are happy to continue the party at home.

At Christmas time, we go to the parties like we are expected to. However, Eric does not like Santa that much. We never force him to take a picture with Santa. The other children can't wait for their pictures to be taken so we take their pictures. At the parties we watch Eric for the triggers and try to avoid them if we can. We eat and once again have to go plates for the children. Joseph plays with other children and is happy to do so. We keep an eye on him but let him play. Becky is always busy eating or playing but once again we keep an eye on her. With Eric he is always staying close to my side. The one big thing that we tell people who give us gifts NO BAGS for Eric. He thinks that bags are the seed of Satan. I do not understand him and bags but we always tell people wrap or leave unwrapped but no bags. The other children we let them have the bags. Last year we went to a Christmas tree farm to cut down our own tree. Eric found the perfect tree and was jumping up and down when we cut it down. He would often wonder looking at trees and we had to remind him to stay by us. But what turned out fun for him is now a family tradition and we all enjoy it. Becky and Joseph love decorating the tree, Eric doesn't like touching the tree so he hands me the ornaments instead. He loves the lights so they are left on when he gets home until he goes to bed. The other children love to turn off all the lights and watch the Christmas tree lights that we have. Eric also loves to watch Christmas movies and we have a lot so it is our tradition for the children to pick one out to watch every night. It is also our tradition to talk about the meaning of Christmas. On Christmas Eve the children can open present. Then on Christmas morning they open all their presents. If Eric wakes up at 6 like he does most of the time, he waits until the other children wake up very patiently. He never even goes near his presents. He comes to our room and wakes me up and we sit there just watching the tree. Once the other children are awake then the fun begins. We also take trips to see the lights around the area. If he falls asleep he falls asleep. We never yell at him for falling asleep while looking at lights. Christmas is the most important holiday for our family.

Easter is yet another challenge. Easter egg hunts are hard on him. He hates the crowds and the rushing and he hates being touched by strangers. Becky and Joseph love the adventure. Joseph tries to eat whats in the eggs while hunting for them. Becky goes after as many as she can. If Eric doesn't get alot of eggs most of the children around them share their eggs with him without being asked. Becky even shares her eggs and tries to help Eric out. At home when the Easter bunny comes it is another adventure for Eric and he loves it. Once again the baskets contain no bags or grass. It not only saves from a trigger but it also saves us from the mess. The other children never even notice that they don't have the grass in their baskets.

4th of July. The kids love it. They love looking at the Freedom Fest. They love going and seeing all the fun things and we do go as a family. The noise is sometimes loud for Eric but Becky also complains. We have a sit and stand stroller. I carry Rachael and Joseph and Eric get the stroller so that Eric feels safe. Next year we are looking at getting a wagon for Eric. So that way he knows people won't touch him and he is safe. When it comes to fireworks we do not go to where they are lighting them off. We go to a place we can see the fireworks without the noise and without the booms. The kids all watch their fireworks and feel that they are not being treated different. They all get to see the fireworks and they can all jump around and get excited and yet it is noise free.

I try not to have Eric's Autism rule our world and I continue to fit it into our traditions. The other children never even feel that because of Eric we can never do anything. We just do things our way so that we can have fun and enjoy the time we spend on Holidays with family. Never once do they say it is not fair because of Eric we can't do anything. Instead they say that we do everything that everyone else does. Eric's Autism does not change our lives but we do embrace it with our traditions. And not one person is left feeling like we an never do anything because of Eric being Autistic.

Eric's Great day.

Today when I picked Eric up he told me he had to earn five more motorcycles before he got extra PE. I was so thrilled for him! He was so excited. He then told me about his day and what a wonderful day he had. I talked to his teacher about him forgetting to turn his agenda, reading log, and homework in. She said that she would check his backpack daily and walk him through how to turn things in so I wouldn't need to do this daily for him. I was so excited for all the positive changes he is facing. So I decided to take Eric to the PX with me. Normally I have my reservations since it is always crowded and he gets over stimulated. But today is different so I wanted him to feel like I could trust him.

As I started to look at make up he said, "Mom why are you buying this? You don't need it. You are pretty without it." I was so shocked at how he said this. Most kids never say this to their moms. I then replied, "Eric you know something, you are right I don't need this." He then helped me pick out lip gloss and we proceeded to continue with the shopping.

As we were shopping he told one couple how cute their baby was. He was the perfect gentleman in the store. We talked about school, and what I needed. He even helped me pick out my shirt.

This morning he knew I was going to go and get my nails done. He wanted a pumpkin color with halloween on them. So I chose orange nail polish with spiderwebs on  my ring fingers. He looked at them and he said that they were cool and just what he wanted.

Eric is the easiest boy to please. He just wants to be rewarded when he is good. He hates to disappoint anyone. The school thinks I don't do anything to praise him. Eric receives praise all the time. It is the easiest and best reward he could ever want. When Eric does something wonderful or even tries his best all the school can do is praise him and he would want to please them.

Eric even went to a friend's house tonight and he sat there quietly and watched a movie. He was hungry but he was scared to ask for food. When he got home tonight we let him eat and he ate then went I know it is bedtime. He gathered his things and went straight to bed. It was so sweet of him to be so kind. I am hoping that he will learn how to voice that he is hungry, tired, over stimulated, just his basic needs when he is out of his comfort zone. He may never do this but we can try to teach him.

The Hell We're Living With Greenwood Elementary

When my son, Eric, was 3 1/2 years old we received a diagnosis that shook our family. He was diagnosed with Severe Autism Disorder. When we received this diagnosis the first thing that I said is, "How can I help him succeed in life?" The doctor told me to treat the symptoms and continue to love and support Eric. The first thing I did was get him signed up for help. I went to Fort Knox, KY where I live and asked for help. I quickly received the help that I needed.

I got Eric involved with the Special Education system and got him enrolled with the DODEA school district. Things at home were wonderful. Eric was loving school, he went every day, and I had no complaints. Eric was the perfect little boy in the school. At home he was learning through the therapy and being medicated. It was a hard choice for me to medicate him, but in the end he learned how to use the bathroom, speak, control his outbursts, and was working better with the therapy sessions.

Then we moved to Joint Base Lewis McChord and that is where the hell began with the school district. This post was the best post for Autistic children so they said. The medical teams are wonderful to him, he has the awesome medical doctors that handle everything. He is still receiving ABA Therapy at home. BUT the biggest problem we faced is Clover Park School District.

On Fort Knox, Eric went to school everyday for half day. Here we were told he would go to school one day a week. Then he didn't start school till the end of the year so he had six days total. We didn't understand, but we accepted. Last year they decided to main stream him into Greenwood Elementary school. The school year started really well and ended beyond being shitty.

In January I got called to the school, I went to the school as fast as possible. I received the news that Eric choked himself till he turned purple. After attacking the teacher. When I went to talk to the teacher her whole story did not make sense!! She told me that Eric started to attack her and then just stopped. Then he went and sat down at his special desk where he started to choke himself. She didn't call the principal until he was turning purple! The principal told me that he removed his hands from his throat and then he started to bite himself. I ended taking Eric home for the rest of the day.

In February I went to pick Eric up from his kindergarten class and found him biting himself. He had bitten himself so badly that both arms were marked with teeth marks some bruised and some bleeding! When I demanded why I wasn't notified the teacher said that she couldn't make him stop and she didn't think it was bad enough to notify me and have me come down.

In April things got worse but we had a premature baby and she was in the hospital trying to survive so my time was spent at her bedside. But things at the school got better. So we didn't think nothing of it.

In May things went pretty much the same. Eric had his good days and his bad days. But that is when the finger pointing started. I was told that because of the new baby I made Eric have more bad days at school. When I tried to explain that this behavior was only happening at school, I was told because I let him get away with the behavior at home so I didn't have to deal with it. Apparently they have never been in my home.

In June things took a dramatic turn for the worst. He ran away from the school three times. He got suspended twice in one week. Once for biting the principal and the other for stabbing another student with a pencil. When I asked about the behavior plan which on his IEP says he needs one the resource teacher, Mrs. Trejo said "His behavior is not bad enough to need one". Yet on his IEP it says that he has on in every subject.

Through the summer his improvement was growing leaps and bounds. We still had our bad days. But when my family came through to visit he was a changed boy. We even forgot his medication one day and we only noticed slight changes. My family was very impressed by this! All summer long he wanted to go back to school and kept asking why it was taking so long for school to start. When we went to get the school supplies he was a wonderful help in picking out the things that he needed.

But then school started and my nightmare began.

The first day of school, I forgot somethings that needed to be turned in so I ran to the school to drop them off. I was told that Eric was roaming the halls. I quickly decided to let the school handle it so I tried to leave and Eric ran into me madder than mad. I asked him what was wrong and he told me that the nurse was going to call the cops on him! When I finally got him calmed down the principal said for me to take him back to class and I had the baby with me. So I walked him back into the class room and tried to leave. He decided that he wasn't going to stay in class unless I stayed with him. So I had the office call my husband to come and get the baby. Then the nurse Ms. Williams, came up and triggered him again by stating that she in fact told him she was going to call the cops because he wasn't sitting at his desk! Really?? I asked why she wasn't going to notify us that she was going to call the cops and she said she didn't have to notify the parents.

Day 2 I decided to meet with the principal and see what we could do to help. I was told that by bringing the baby into the class room I created a potentially dangerous situation. When he was the one who told me to get Eric to his class in the first place! Then I was told how Eric ran away from the school today and it took six teachers to get him back into the school. Once again I received no call from the school.

Day 3 they had to empty the classroom because of his outburts.

Day 4 He had a bad day whatever that means.

Day 5 he made himself throw up so he didn't have to go to school.

Day 6 I had to go to the school to pick him up. When I got to the school I could hear Eric screaming outside to where I was parked. When I got to the office the office clerk pointed where he was at. When I got into the room I noticed the principal, the nurse, and the resource teacher had him cornered. He was biting and kicking them and he was being given a wedgie by the principal. Minute I saw this I quickly intervened and got him calmed down. When I got him calmed down they quickly started to touch him. Minute that happened he escalated right away. It took me 45 minutes when it would have taken me 5 minutes to get him to my car if they would have left him alone.

Day 7 he had a half day and missed due to a dental appointment. When I talked to the teacher she told me that he is not Autistic he is psychotic. That it is my fault that he acts like he does. All she did was point fingers at me. She also said that I needed to have him committed because he was a harm to himself and to others. When I made an appointment with his medication, the doctor said that because it is not happening at home it is environmental and his medication does not to be increased. She said it was probably over stimulation that was making him act this way.

I have been calling with concerns to the school district and nothing yet has been changed. I have tried to call Child Protective Services on the school and still getting no where.

Today I was told Eric was outside of the school with no adult supervision for around 45 minutes. He could have been kidnapped, ran away, gotten hurt, or anything else and no one would have known! They don't even call me to tell me that he is outside. This is not the first me we have been aware of this. If I treated my child like his being treated then I would be in jail and loose custody of my children! I don't get how this is legal for the school to treat him like they are!

Every day I hear how bad he was and how he was being bad. I never hear what a wonderful day he had or how wonderful he is being. I only hear the negative and nothing else. When I go to talk to the teacher she always has some excuse to not meet with me. I have so much support at home to help me deal with his diagnosis and the other children that I have. No one sees what the school sees at my home. But at home we are structured and are on routines. He doesn't want to do anything then he goes to cool down and he still needs to do it. By the end of the day every one of his chores are always complete. He looses privileges when he does not obey the rules. For everything he does there is a consequence whether it is a good or bad consequence it is up to him. Mostly it is good. I just don't get what they are doing to piss him off so badly.

Even my neighbors don't understand because they don't even see the Eric that school sees. The worst part is I don't know where to go for help or who to turn to. I do know that if we lived in Kentucky still this problem would not exist. They would be willing to help him in whatever he needed help. Here they don't care. Here they only point their fingers at me.

As I type this, Eric is sitting at my neighbors house playing on my cell phone just as quiet as can be. He asks me what I am typing and then goes right back to sitting next  to me. The only problems I have are when I have to pick him up from school.

They have taught him that through his behavior he gets to go home and be with me. Or that I come and talk to him and that is what he wants. He wants positive feedback not the bad that he hears every day. Even when I know he has acted up at school, I sit and talk to him about it and never once tell him he has been bad. I ask him what happened and what he should have done. And he will tell me. Then we get up and go home and it is like another child all together.

The only support we have are the ones that we have had before he has been in the school. This school only see another child they don't see Eric. Eric is the most wonderful and loving child. The PE teacher is the only teacher in the school that sees the true Eric and is the only teacher that tells me what a wonderful child he is. If he is so good with her then what is she doing that is so different than the other teachers? I hate this school more and more each day. And I don't know how to help or to stop the abuse they are doing with my son.

It is abuse both emotional, physical, and neglectful. Yet no one will tell me how to make it stop.