They Gave Up On My Child: When The School System Refuses To Support Autism with Vickie Chartrand

This episode holds an extremely important message from Vickie Chartrand, who has been advocating and fighting for her autistic son's basic rights since he started school. The unfortunate reality of too many autism parents.

 

Imagine! A parent who works with 8 therapists for her son to support the school in implementing his 27-pages long IEP and being told: "As a parent, you need to do more!"

 

Now she is faced with the harsh reality that her son, who is at a modified Grade 3 level of learning, is being pushed into a regular High School class with not assistance. The principal's take on this situation? "He'll just have to survive".

 

Words of "reassurance" from a school who is actively advertising on radio and tv that they pride themselves in their safe and inclusive programs.

 

Unscripted and completely free-form conversation, Vickie gives a voice to all parents. From having to start from scratch every year, to being told her son will not survive high school, where are parents suppose to turn to to make sure their child will be SAFE to learn?

 

Vickie's message to other autism parents is clear: "Keep being LOUD for your child".