January 2019 by A S
My son has special needs. He has behaviors as a result. We are considered walkers living in a 1 mile radius of his elementary school. This daycare is the only local daycare, we are forced to utilize its services as a result. I was informed two weeks before school starts, he can’t walk with the group of school agers as he is a “runner” and it’s not safe. As per state regulations this center is required to accept a reasonable accommodation under the ADA laws. I found and offered to purchase a back pack with a tether on a website that sells safety devices for children with Autism. It is dignified and for older children. The owner said “ no, because it doesn’t look good” I guess having a child with a disability is not in style. This denial forced me to enroll my child in to a private school so that he could have transportation ( husband and I work full time with no family support near us). His therapist recommended keeping him in public school for services a private school doesn’t provide such as behavioral specialists. I had no choice given the situation I was being faced with change schools or quit my job. I decided to keep peace despite the fact I knew this was a failure to accept a reasonable accommodation for a child with a disability (a state and federal regulation). I should have then sought a new provider and pursued a grievance through the ADA. Instead I allowed them to have their way. I picked my son up last evening, I am informed he bit a caregiver and he is now suspended 2 days pending my call to the director who isn’t available until Monday. This was told to me on Thursday three hours after the incident. As any concerned parent, I asked what perpetuated this behavior, this isn’t his normal and how did he manage to bite an adult he is 5 and a half years old! The worker said she didn’t know, I am a nurse I know well how people get bit, they are holding on to a patient/person. I proceed home and my son tells me “I was squeezed”. I immediately called the center and demand to talk with the owner or director and I am told they are on vacation to call back Monday I said this is unacceptable !! I get a call a half hour later from a worker informing me that she knew a little about what happened and proceeds to tell me a fellow coworker sat him on to her lap and held him there for a there minute time out because he was running around the room and slammed a door! So she physically restrained him, he bites her and he is kicked out?! He has a behavior plan that speaks to a time out chair not restrained in a person’s lap this is also a violation of a state regulation. I still sit more than 24 hours after this ordeal with no phone call from the director or owner to explain. My 5 year had to tell me! How can a business in the human service industry treat a child and mother with such a lack of respect and dignity? Please know state regulations and be the voice for your child!
