Month: July 2016

Cameras in the Classroom – Special Education News

Parents – the time has come to send your letters to your child’s school district and request surveillance cameras be placed in your child’s classroom.

The Department of Aging and Disabilities (“DADS”) released a report discussing Senate Bill 507 that allows parents, and others, to request that any self-contained SPED room have a video camera to protect the safety of students. Click here for more info on Page 41 of the Report DADS Report.

However, the Texas Education Agency (“TEA”) has a proposed new rule being Section 103.1301, currently still in the rule adoption process. The proposed rule is offered for clarification of the Texas Education Code Section 29.022 regarding Video Surveillance of Certain Special Education Settings. Once the rule is adopted, it will be published in the Texas Register at the Texas Secretary of State website.  For more information of the proposed 19 Texas Administrative Code Section 103.1301, go to TEA Proposed New 19 TAC Section 103.1301.

You as parents of students receiving special education services should act now. Gather the contact information for your school’s principal and Special Ed director for the district. If your child is a student in Spring Branch, I have the district contact information.

Contact me and I will share an example of the Camera Request Letter.

 

Kevin and Avonte’s Law

The word eloping took on a whole new meaning when my three year old son began his new behavior of running away from me.  Due to the fact that I was already a “helicopter mom” even before my son’s autism diagnosis, my son did not have many opportunities to slyly wander away from me while we were out in public.  I faced the problem of having my son bolt from me with no (obvious) warning.

For many parents, elopement or wandering is a frightening problem that can occur with their children who are on the autism spectrum.  Parents may soon have resources and assistance to address elopement.  U. S. Senior Senator Chuck Shumer sponsored the new safety bill called Kevin and Avonte’s Law.  The U.S. Senate passed safety legislation on July 14, 2016. Currently in the U.S. House of Representatives, H. R. 4919 is assigned to a committee.

According to Autism Speaks, Kevin and Avonte’s Law would allow Justice Department grants to be used by law enforcement agencies and nonprofits for educational and other programs. The grants would facilitate training and emergency protocols for school personnel, supply first responders with additional information and resources, and make locating technology programs available for individuals who may wander from safety. See Autism Speaks   website for more information.