I need a lawyer for my 17 yr. old son who is being mistreated by his school. My son has serval disabilities.?
475063
You should look at your states bar association for a list of lawyers.  For example: \nIllinois State Bar Association http://www.illinoisbar.org/\nhas a link to http://www.illinoislawyerfinder.com/\nWhich you can search "Select a Field of Practice = DISABILITY".  \n\nDo the same kind of search or call your local library.  They will know where to look.
877243
I know exactly what I would do.  I would find out when the next school board meeting was first.  Then I would get me a good lawyer and go to that school board meeting.  When it is time for discussion from the floor, I would tell the Superintendent and the School Board exactly what has been going on and exactly what the principal and the teacher has said to you.  I would then tell them that they are allowing your child to be bullied and he is in an unsafe environment and that your lawyer is prepared to file a lawsuit (he will tell you what to say here) and that you are not going to allow your child to be treated this way because a cops child is the one doing the bullying.  I would also consider telling the cop and his spouse that you will be filing a suit against them as well. \n\nI really don't want you to go through with this unless they don't do anything to make the situation better.  Sometimes the threat of something like this is just what they need.  Imagine all the bad press they would get for allowing bullying to go on in their school system.....  I would push for the principal and the teacher to be disciplined also.  \n\nWe had an almost similar situation where the principal told the teachers not to tell anyone that there was a meningitis outbreak at the school.  Needless to say that principal retired after that.  My son was also getting his lunch money stolen everyday.  I tried for about 2 months to get him to stand up for himself but that is just not the kind of kid he his.  Finally, I wrote a letter to the teacher and told her what was going on and I also called the pricipal and told her.  The children (2) were caught red handed.  They were told they would have to repay the money.  The same day the money was repaid, one of the kids stole the money back.  I got a letter from one of the childrens mother saying that her son told them that mine was "giving" his money to him.  I know different because my son was extremely upset over the whole thing.  I didn't get mad over the money, I just wanted him to not be tortured anymore.  Just like you.  I would pay to just threaten them with a lawyer.  I'm sure you can find one that would do this for a very reasonable price.  Shop around.  I hope you can get this taken care of.  No one will take up for our children but us.  I wish you all the best.
681374
First of all, I offer my empathy to you and your son; and I've said a little prayer for both of you.  I have an opinion on this but it is just that an opinion.  Maybe it will give you some ideas to confront the situation.\n\nHere are some thoughts:\n\nEvery child has the right to an education.  Ask Pres. Bush!  Not only that, but you'd be in trouble if you did not ensure your son received that education.\n\nBecome best friends so to speak with this social worker...especially if he/she seems to be on your side.  Sounds like she might be since she revealed what "she believes" to be the actual reason for the denial.  She will know how the school system works and she'll know who to contact up the chain of command AND maybe more importantly knows who to contact outside the school system when intervention and supervision of school practices should be reported.  \n\nMake absolutely certain that this is not in fact a zoning issue.  Maybe the social worker can show you how she got her information on zoning.  Also someone in the city or even voter registration office can tell you what school district you are in.  Make sure before you take this any further.  \n\nMake an appointment with the school principal.  The purpose of the visit is to ask them for an explanation in person.  Don't allow yourself to become confrontational or argumentative. Just listen to what they have to say.  If they take the zoning stance, calmly let them know that the social worker has looked into the matter for you and told you otherwise.  You might state that their letter to you gave one reason and that the social worker found there to be another reason and say, "attendance."  Again, just listen to what they have to say.  Don't get into a debate with them.  This is your first step to try to handle the matter rationally and on your own.  Of course, ask questions and have a discussion just keep it calm.  Don't make accusations.  Don't give them any reason to feel threatened.  By doing so, you will get the most information from them.  (and keep in mind, you want your son to return there in the fall...do everything you can to create and preserve a good, rational relationship with the principal and office staff.)  When the meeting is over, just politely thank them for their time.  Don't say anything about what you are thinking like what you might do next.  Just leave. Don't give them any insight into how you took the news.  Because, the news will probably be that your son cannot return for whatever reason they choose to stand by.   Take another adult with you as a witness.  If they ask who the person is and why they are there, just tell them you want to be sure that you understand everything they tell you.  Let them know that this matter is troubling to you and especially your son; and you need someone else to understand their reasoning so that you have someone to talk to.  Don't let them refuse to speak to both of you.  If they do, thank them for their time and leave.  Do not stay and listen to them without a witness.  You might even want to ask the social worker to join you BUT NOT in place of another adult you trust.  When you leave, you should both make notes immediately about what was said in the meeting...even before you discuss it.  Then compare notes.\n\nSave those notes.  I don't know if a school can refuse enrollment due to attendance.  I know shcools have rules and progressive disciplinary policies that can lead to expulsion for various reasons.  If your son is being denied enrollment due to attendance, the school should be able to produce evidence of progressive disciplinary action and a copy of the policy that relates to their action.  If he missed too many days to pass to the next grade, they should just have him repeat the year...not refuse enrollment.  \n\nYou might benefit from a consultation, advice and representation of an attorney if you have ruled out zoning and any clearly documente
951652
you probably need to contact a legal service in your area or post your question in the teaching section.\nthis is the homeschool section and we pretty much have job security seeing as how most of us are married to the principal!!!\n:)
996666
I would seek help from your administration. Perhaps a meeting with your administrator is needed. Usually, students follow their parents lead. \n\nMost importantly, don't take it personally. One bad apple shouldn't make you get down on yourself. You are so valuable to our children's future so please don't let it get you down.
618609
You should contact your American Bar Association and tell them your  story. Say you need to find a new lawyer immediately. Ask them to recommend appropriate ones. You may also want to file a formal complaint against the lawyer who took advantage of you. When you find a new lawyer let him or her handle your son's case and get your money back from the first lawyer.  You may also have a malpractice insurance case against first lawyer and you may want to discuss this with the new lawyer too. Another avenue you might want to look into is if your car insurance will cover your son's attorney. Good luck.
223319
As the parent of a special needs child I can tell you the other answers are right to a certian degree but my personal experience has been you need to do a lot of the legwork yourself. They do have to abide by best placement for spec ed which is not always in your home district but this will likely be something you have to find first. \n\nHere are somethings that worked for me getting my son best placement.This is assuming you have your testing done and an IEP or 504 plan in place. \n\nFirst call your district special ed coordinator make an appt to sit down and discuss your childs issues and what would be best for your situation some schools have excellent facilities for physically challenged but not mental some have awesome autism classes but not learning disabilities etc. There may also be theraputic day schools or residential schools that may be an option that you did not know about.\n\n After you figure out where your child should be ask for a meeting in writing and CC every one involved with your child principal teachers therapist (depending on your childs particular need) school district rep spec ed rep and make sure you also take in support for yourself. This might be a social worker advocate service coordinator of friend or if you need any variety of them.\n\n Present all of you documentation testing education plan doctors recommendations ect this will solidify why they should pay to tranfer your child to a different district.\n\nAnd as a last resort (one I have threatened but  never had to follow up on but say it like you did it) is to get an education atty to represent your child. If you need more info contact your state bar assc. or local legal aid office.\n\nYou do have rights as does your child and you may need to be harsh to get what you need but do not wait for them to act first it is so much better to be proactive your child is one of thousands to them and the best thing to do is keep yours in the forefront.\n\nGood luck!
923768
Please contact me as soon as possible. I understand your situation and would like to help you get access to you Legal Rights. Education is one of the top 3 fields that get sued in the U.S. I can provide you the piece of mind you are looking for. Hope to be of service to you.
964576
This is terrible situation, but I know you already this.  I feel really bad for you and your son because I do know what it feels like to be at your wits ends.\n\nI suggest you continue to talk to the people at the school, but also send them letters identifying the problems along with the date and time of the incidents.  This will create a paper trail.  A paper trail will help you in two ways:  documentation so that when you take this matter to the school board or higher no one can say I didn't know; and, in the unfortunate event that the bullying gets so severe that you must seek legal action.\n\nAlso, did you try contacting the parent of the other child involved.\n\nI wish the best for you this is a really tough situation and it is hard to think when you and your son are being impacted so greatly.\nRegards...
862454
any public school in your area should be able to make the accomodations and modifications necessary to assist your child.  talk to the principal.
401815
Well, apply for Social Security on his behalf.  Also, get him into a school that can help him.
290833
You have a question that needs to be asked of a lawyer. You can ask over the phone if you want. It depends on circumstances. You can also bring it up to the school board. You do have rights even if you are the student...good luck to you.
390217
Whether or not you have a suit really depends on what state the institution is in and what the state and local laws are for your situation.  Your school catalog should have a whole section on how and under what circumstances a student can be dismissed, you may want to check that out to see what if there is an appeal process and whether or not they followed the correct procedure in dismissing you.  You definitely NEED to talk to an attorney!  You may want to see if your state or county has a Lawyer Referral Service.  The ABA has a website that can locate the closest Referral Service to you.  I believe their website is www.abanet.org
1043646
Since your child already qualifies for special education (since he has an IEP), you have a serious fighting chance to get him into therapies if he needs them.\n\nOn what grounds did the school refuse ST and OT? Was formal diagnostic testing done? If you disagree with the formal diagnostic testing done by the school, you can demand an independent diagnostic evaluation using a private diagnostician of your choice, at the school's expense.\n\nIf no formal diagnostic testing for therapies was done, you are well within your rights to demand that they go forward with such testing, even if the other members of the IEP committee disagree.\n\nIf you can answer YES to even ONE of these questions, then your son probably does qualify for that therapy in the schools:\n\nSpeech-language:\nDoes his speech interfere with his ability to communicate with teachers and/or peers? \nDoes it interfere with his spelling or his ability to read?\nDoes he struggle to find the word he wants to say (or write), or does he use pointing and general words a lot ("the thing that did the stuff..." etc.)?\nDoes he not always understand what is said to him, when he is seriously trying to listen and understand?\n\nOccupational:\nIs his handwriting difficult or impossible to read?\nIs his handwriting very slow?\nIs he a sloppy eater (e.g. in the lunchroom)?\nDoes he have difficulty with loud noises, rough fabrics, picky eater, etc. (Sensory Integration issues) that make him distractible in the classroom?\n\nYou need to get an advocate from your own state that knows how your state's interpretation of IDEA will affect your son's rights.\n\nhttp://www.wrightslaw.com/info/advo.referrals.htm
730192
First, I want to tell you that your son hitting the teacher is very wrong. I am myself a teacher and I have a students threaten me and insult me. It upsets me. I became a teacher with the desire to make a change in the life of the young people that I meet on a daily basis. \nThe teacher did not have direct physical contact with your son, therefore he didn't not touch him.  He probably tried to prevent him to get in trouble. Your son has rights under the IDEA act. There are organization in every state to help with special and legal problems. I wish you good luck. I will enclose a few links. \nSome schools will argue that a student that has ADD does not qualifies under IDEA but you can make a case that if he has a lot of anger, upset or emotional crisis he does. You need to search under IDEA and your state and advocacy. I feel that if a student hits a teacher or another student, there is definitely a cause for concern. I know that you love your son and that you want what is best for him. Don't blame the teacher because he already got hit, don't blame your son because he is filled with anger and that won't help. Search for a good therapist and work through the issues. It is not your fault, the fact that you are asking us this question means that you love him and that you care. \nGOOD LUCK!
195456
What you are going through is normal I know its not easy there are several therapeutic residential schools that take teens on the autistic spectrum. They have classes therapy doctors the works some of them have financing and some have scholarships based on need. Also sometimes the school will pay for part of it if you can prove he needs to be in a different setting.\n\nIf this is not an option for you you might look into community based sevices thru your local mental health center they can provide you with in home one on one help with your son they may also have respite care that would allow you a much needed well deserved break.\n\nPlease dont feel hopeless! there are things out there that can help you both its just a matter of finding it for you.\n\nSince I dont know where you live or where on the spectrum your son is I can only suggest you use a search engine for "residential schools autism" "theraputic school autism and then select from there also yahoo education has a lot of good links\n\nGood Luck and feel free to contact me if I can help
179281
My personal experience has been it make my son act terrible it is way to stimulating for him which usually leads to bad behaviors I have to be very careful what I allow him to listen to.\n\nDo you have a 504 or IEP for your sons accommodations if you do you can ask that he be excused during that time. They can go to resource help in the office my son got to help the janitor with little jobs it just depends on your school and what you and your son are comfortable with when you approach them have a few things lined out that he could be doing instead and contrast what he has been doing in music class and how it is neither beneficial to him or the others to be there.\n\nBecause of the sensory issues with my son he cant go to the cafeteria or the gym and we had it written in his IEP\n\nIf I can help you in anyway please dont hesitate to contact me\n\nGood luck