Florida IEP
Looking for perspective on 1:1 support vs. ASD classroom placement
I’m looking for perspective from parents, advocates, teachers, or anyone familiar with the IEP process.
My child has significant safety and support needs at school, including elopement, unsafe running, difficulty with transitions, and a need for frequent/continuous adult intervention. I have been requesting individualized 1:1 support.
At her previous school, staff documented that she required continuous individualized adult proximity and assistance. During ESY, she was already in a small, highly supported classroom (about 10 or fewer students, one teacher and two paras, and a shortened day), and the daily documentation still showed that she required significant individualized adult support and continuous supervision.
She recently started at a new school, and their documentation is showing the same pattern again. The principal told me directly that, based on the current data and communication with the teacher, it is also her professional opinion that my child needs a 1:1, although she explained that the final determination is made through the district/IEP process.
The district is now proposing a temporary trial in an ASD classroom with fewer transitions, a smaller student-to-staff ratio, more structure, and additional safety measures. I agreed to the trial because I’m absolutely open to a setting that may better support her.
My concern is that the district may treat the ASD classroom as a replacement for the 1:1, when we already have data from a similarly small and supported setting showing that she still required individualized adult support.
I have made it clear in writing that I view these as two separate questions: What classroom setting is appropriate, and what level of individualized adult support does she require within that setting?
I also stated that if the district intends to deny the 1:1 despite the existing documentation, I am requesting Prior Written Notice explaining the basis for the denial and exactly what data they relied upon.
For those familiar with this process: What is your take on how the district is handling this? Would you agree to the ASD trial while continuing to push for the 1:1? Is there anything else you would make sure is documented or addressed before/during the trial?