Must be advocates

Our family embraced the new educational freedom account program for the opportunities it will afford our youngest, Jaxon, 11, who in addition to ADHD and dyslexia, was diagnosed with high-functioning autism this spring.

Our experience with both the local school district and a public charter school indicated they were not able to provide what Jaxon needed. The environment provided to him was detrimental, placing him in alternative learning with the “bad kids” rather than in a supportive special education environment. Here he started to mimic unacceptable behaviors. They then only offered a wait-and-see approach to meeting his immediate needs.

Due to my willingness never to give up on my son, I have had job loss, change from full- to part-time, and paid medical costs to make sure Jaxon gets the care he needs. This financial burden is not insignificant.

Like any parent, I just want what’s best for my child. The role of a parent is to advocate for their children, because no one else is going to take the issues to heart and put them first and foremost as a parent will.

Children with needs like Jaxon’s are often placed in environments where they do not receive proper specialized services, but are simply lumped in with problem students. Why are we placing these children in such environments due to their disabilities?

I’m grateful for a program that enables me to make the decisions that I know are best for my son and provides him an opportunity to thrive.

SHANNON ORMISTON North Little Rock