Need helpd with special needs child school transportation

mama a llama · Jul 11, 2009

My son (3.5, just hitting top slots of Scenera) is transported to school 2x a week by the district. He rides in either a minivan or a minibus, in a Cosco HBB (I think that's what they are) with the harness. Obviously he's about to be too big for the Cosco as well--and I have no idea how old the thing is. (shudder)

What are our rights AFA safe/appropriate seating on the bus? The transport co called at the beginning of summer session to ask his weight, but not about height. Can I insist they buy a new harnessed seat? I assume it should go in his IEP that he needs to be harnessed?

Also, he frequently comes home with the harness pretty loose

I have asked the teacher and she said she would remind the aides, but it keeps happening. Do I just keep reminding and being the squeaky wheel?

Maedze · Jul 11, 2009

Having gone through very similar trouble, I can say that you MUST be the squeaky wheel. You contact the head of transportation. You contact the teacher and the director of the school program. If necessary, you contact the police department.

And yes, you do need to stand up and advocate for your child wrt an appropriately sized seat.

mama a llama · Jul 11, 2009

I assume contacting the police would be if I get nowhere with trans or school?
What would be a reasonable suggestion for an appropriately sized seat? For now in our car he's in a Triumph (not Advance, just regular). I mean, I have a hard time believing they will spring for a Regent

Gypsy · Jul 11, 2009

The Scenera has taller top slots than the Cosco HBB, so if he is at the top slots of the Scenera, then he is over the top slots of the CHBB.

bethng · Jul 11, 2009

mama a llama said:
I assume contacting the police would be if I get nowhere with trans or school?
What would be a reasonable suggestion for an appropriately sized seat? For now in our car he's in a Triumph (not Advance, just regular). I mean, I have a hard time believing they will spring for a Regent

see if you can get the district to purchase one of these (or several...they are wonderful!)

I believe they are made by safeguard. I dont think they were too expensive either.

momtofour · Jul 11, 2009

mama a llama said:
My son (3.5, just hitting top slots of Scenera) is transported to school 2x a week by the district. He rides in either a minivan or a minibus, in a Cosco HBB (I think that's what they are) with the harness. Obviously he's about to be too big for the Cosco as well--and I have no idea how old the thing is. (shudder)

What are our rights AFA safe/appropriate seating on the bus? The transport co called at the beginning of summer session to ask his weight, but not about height. Can I insist they buy a new harnessed seat? I assume it should go in his IEP that he needs to be harnessed?

Also, he frequently comes home with the harness pretty loose I have asked the teacher and she said she would remind the aides, but it keeps happening. Do I just keep reminding and being the squeaky wheel?

Can you possibly transport your child yourself? I have two children in special education (a 3.5 yo and a 6 yo). Our school district in Northern Calif. must provide transportation for children in special education programs. (They DON'T provide bus transportation for typical children.)
However we opt out of the bus and take them ourselves. It is written into both IEP's. The Sch district then reimburses us monthly (something like 52 cents a mile). I personally would rather drive my kids to school and get paid for it!

I have seen scary looking carseats in those special ed vans/buses.

It makes for a busy day, I have 4 kids in 3 schools, but it works for us.:thumbsup:

mama a llama · Jul 11, 2009

Ooh, the STAR things! I was just showing my DH those yesterday, I thought they were so cool!
AFA transporting him ourselves, he goes out of district, so it's an awfully far drive to make with my other kids. I might consider it if I can't find another reasonable solution.

mommysheri · Jul 11, 2009

I hope you can get them to work with you. Our school district just uses the lapbelt with its special education preschoolers. My yds doctors were shocked when they found out and did not want him riding the bus due to this. He started preschool right after his 3rd birthday. What 3 year old can sit properly just using a seat belt??

momtoirs · Jul 12, 2009

Another STAR seat fan here. My district also uses vests (BESI, similar to E-Z-On) and built-ins (White). The STAR seats are the easiest to use and fit the widest range of kids. They can only be used on busses.

I HATE the built-in seats. They don't fit a whole lot of kids very well and they seem to have a lot of problems with tightening -- they just don't sometimes.

Good luck getting safe transportation!

Tina

Need helpd with special needs child school transportation

mama a llama

New member

Maedze

New member

mama a llama

New member

Gypsy

Senior Community Member

bethng

Active member

momtofour

New member

mama a llama

New member

mommysheri

Member

momtoirs

Member

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics