Hi, I'm mainly a lurker, although I think I have posted once or twice before. My 5 year old son was diagnosed with Asperger's in March, and started Kindergarten this month. My original plan was to drive him to school, but he was counting on taking the bus so I signed him up, figured if nothing else it would motivate him to get out the door 
There were no complaints the first few days, but in the last week or so he has really struggled with getting on the bus. He told me he hates it and doesn't want to get on. He says its b/c he doesn't like all the stopping to get other kids. My suspicion is that the noise level is too much for him (I can't even have the back speakers on in my van if the radio is on without him getting upset) and that all the stopping frustrates him since it makes the ride longer. He missed last Thursday because I didn't have a car (DH's needs brakes and he is using mine, we won't have the money to fix it for at least a month, so this is not a one time issue, unfortunately) and he broke down crying, refusing to go to the bus stop. I made him a deal that since he wasn't feeling well (he got a cold like the 3rd day of school
), he could stay home for the day, but had to get on the bus the next morning without fighting. I knew there was no way I'd be getting him on the bus that day, even if I was willing to drag him kicking and screaming, I don't think I physically could! I figured at least that way Friday should be easier. He is very good about holding up his end of a bargain, and we didn't have any problems Friday.
Anyway, I spoke with his teacher and the school counselor about the minivan buses they have, and getting him on one of them. They told me he basically has to become a discipline problem on the bus before they will put him on them - he would have to have several "strikes'' against him, and show that he is a danger to himself, the driver, or the other kids. That just doesn't sit right with me, and I've had 2 other people since then (one of whom is a 1st grade teacher at the same school) tell me that simply isn't true, the he has SN and is having trouble on the bus, and should be able to get that service. They told me to call the SN office directly and talk to the director.
So I'm planning on that, but I wondered if this would be addressed in the law anywhere, if he has a definite right to be on the smaller bus. I looked at the DOE website for our state (MA) but couldn't muddle my way through enough to find anything valuable. If anyone can help, I'd greatly appreciate it! Right now we're getting through one day at a time with DS, I can drive him Mondays and Wednesdays and we just make sure to talk with him the day before about what the morning will hold. It's been ok, but I want to get this squared away before it becomes a problem again. TIA!
There were no complaints the first few days, but in the last week or so he has really struggled with getting on the bus. He told me he hates it and doesn't want to get on. He says its b/c he doesn't like all the stopping to get other kids. My suspicion is that the noise level is too much for him (I can't even have the back speakers on in my van if the radio is on without him getting upset) and that all the stopping frustrates him since it makes the ride longer. He missed last Thursday because I didn't have a car (DH's needs brakes and he is using mine, we won't have the money to fix it for at least a month, so this is not a one time issue, unfortunately) and he broke down crying, refusing to go to the bus stop. I made him a deal that since he wasn't feeling well (he got a cold like the 3rd day of school
), he could stay home for the day, but had to get on the bus the next morning without fighting. I knew there was no way I'd be getting him on the bus that day, even if I was willing to drag him kicking and screaming, I don't think I physically could! I figured at least that way Friday should be easier. He is very good about holding up his end of a bargain, and we didn't have any problems Friday.Anyway, I spoke with his teacher and the school counselor about the minivan buses they have, and getting him on one of them. They told me he basically has to become a discipline problem on the bus before they will put him on them - he would have to have several "strikes'' against him, and show that he is a danger to himself, the driver, or the other kids. That just doesn't sit right with me, and I've had 2 other people since then (one of whom is a 1st grade teacher at the same school) tell me that simply isn't true, the he has SN and is having trouble on the bus, and should be able to get that service. They told me to call the SN office directly and talk to the director.
So I'm planning on that, but I wondered if this would be addressed in the law anywhere, if he has a definite right to be on the smaller bus. I looked at the DOE website for our state (MA) but couldn't muddle my way through enough to find anything valuable. If anyone can help, I'd greatly appreciate it! Right now we're getting through one day at a time with DS, I can drive him Mondays and Wednesdays and we just make sure to talk with him the day before about what the morning will hold. It's been ok, but I want to get this squared away before it becomes a problem again. TIA!
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