How to reduce the length of the school day ?

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Facts & background :

1. Non-verbal kindergartner with moderate to severe autism.

2. Toilet trained for number 2s, and still on a schedule for number 1s.

3. Has some self help skills (eating with a spoon (not a fork), undressing self, putting on pants and t-shirts (but with no front / back, inside / out orientation), capable of wearing over-sized socks and shoes, etc).

4. Has been accused of being intellectually disabled by the school due to lack of progress in "academic skills".

5. Has EEG abnormalities, and possibly partial / focal epilepsy. Is on anti-convulsant medication at this time.

Needs :

Family wants child to only go to school for 3 hours a day as there is little to no progress on IEP goals. They believe this is the best because the child will get some social interaction opportunities for a few hours a day and then get one-on-one attention for the rest of the day.

Since starting kindergarten, child has made some progress (as in, child is now able to wait in line with classmates, participates briefly in circle / group-time activities, does not push / shove other kids anymore, but moves out of the way of classmates on playground equipment etc). But NO progress on motor skills or "academics". Child has also, unfortunately, developed rigidity over bathroom usage and will not use certain bathrooms (parents are trying to figure out why child is averse to doing business in some restrooms by taking data / pictures to compare and detect bath room features that might act as "turn-offs"). School has been forcing child to use the bathroom at school (which may have contributed to rigidity developing over toileting).

Due to these issues and following discussions, school indicated a grudging willingness to reduce hours for the rest of the kindergarten year. But they are adamant about not amending the IEP to provide for a reduced school day for first grade. Is this legal / normal ? If yes, then how can the family endeavour to keep the child at school for reduced hours ? Parents want the child to benefit from a social environment for a few hours a day but think child will learn better in a quiet 1:1 setting at home. Both parents also have to work so do not have luxury of being able to homeschool full-time.

Thanks

In my state, kindergarten is not mandatory. Maybe your state is like that, so a reduction of time doesn't matter.

First grade is mandatory, and the child has to have 180 days of schooling. (public school setting, my state). I do not know how many hours are required for a *full day*. It could be something like 4 hours or you have to be there the entire time.

I know people with medically fragile children do what you are asking for, but all those children go to a private school. They are also not getting services either.

I have a feeling it has to do with funding, and what is considered a full time student.

Don't be surprised if it is suggested home schooling or a private school if that is what the parents really want.

It maybe be the IEP can not legally be amended for a reduction of hours.

My friends son has a genetic disease that will eventually kill him. He is wheel chair bound and vent dependant.

There are some days T. could go to school all day and others he would only last 3 hours. My friend wanted T. to ride the bus to school, and if there was an issue have the school call and she would pick him up.

The public school system said no way. T. needs a support person due to the portable ventilator. It also had to do with state funding as a full time student. The school did not want to pay for a full time RN, when the child maybe there all day and the next day 2 hours.

The school offered home bound study with Skype for still keeping in touch with the classmates. My friend said no. She wanted her son involved at the school with what he could handle.

The district said home school or private. They would not do a flex time deal.

She put him in a Catholic school that was willing to work with her.

So far T. is stable and the flex time is working out. She has to drive and pick up. Also T. has no therapies at the school. That is all done through insurance/private pay.

Just letting you know flex time can be done, but it is not easy or inexpensive.

Thank you for your headsup. I can tell that this will be a struggle. We cannot afford private school and get insurance paid speech for our little one. It does not look good for us.

I don't know about the rules where you live, but in my province, it's possible for someone to be 'part homeschooled'. My parents did this when I was in grade 10, to ease me back into schooling after two years of homeschooling. (I wasn't ready, though, and went back to homeschooling for grades 11-12 before passing the SAT and going to university.) Basically they got the school to give them a list of which subjects I was required to take, and they indicated which ones they'd be homeschooling for and which ones the school would teach me.

Maybe a similar arrangement would be possible for this child? It sounds like he'd be on a heavily modified curriculum anyway. I've heard of disabled kids who have certain school subjects replaced with therapy hours (eg a physically disabled kid getting PT instead of gym). Maybe the parents could argue that they'll replace certain subjects in the areas of greatest weakness for the child with at-home therapy. For example, maybe homeschool all academic areas and have the kid participate in gym and music or art classes.

Another option would be to ask the school if, if the parents homeschooled, they would allow the child to visit the school playground at recess and lunch times. Most of the socializing in school happens at recess and lunch anyway. I know you said the parents can't homeschool because they both work, but presumably they have some sort of childcare set up if they're proposing only 3 hours a day at school.

Whatever option they choose, if the school isn't cooperating, I would suggest talking to a lawyer to find out the laws and what the school is obligated to offer.