I wish I had seen honest reviews before enrolling my child here, so I'm leaving this for other parents of children with disabilities.
My child has autism and did well in Lake Oswego School District from September through February with ZERO suspensions.
Everything changed after my child reported that a staff member physically hurt him.
My child repeatedly disclosed that a staff member twisted his arm and threw him into a bean bag chair. He reported the exact same story multiple times on different days.
This was also captured on live audio through my child's safety tracking device that staff knew he was wearing.
I reported it to the principal, and the principal stated she was required to report her own staff member.
After staff realized the incident had been captured on audio, I was then asked to disable the voice feature on my child's safety device, which I cooperated with.
There was ultimately "not enough evidence" according to investigators because there was no direct witness.
After that incident, everything spiraled.
My child began being suspended, removed from school, and sent home repeatedly.
From February through April, my child was removed or suspended approximately 16 times.
We went from ZERO suspensions to constant suspensions.
We had a Manifestation Determination Review.
We had multiple IEP meetings.
We had a Functional Behavioral Assessment completed.
Even after all of that, the suspensions continued.
He was still being removed from school after the FBA.
He was still being removed after the Manifestation meeting.
He was even calling me from school asking to come home because he was overwhelmed.
My child was often being kept in a special education classroom nearly full time.
He missed recess multiple times despite us repeatedly explaining that he NEEDS movement and big body breaks to regulate.
I use an AngelSense tracking device and was able to document how often he was missing recess and being kept in one area.
We repeatedly explained that movement helps regulate him.
We suggested outdoor breaks.
We suggested movement breaks.
We suggested sensory regulation activities.
Those recommendations were ignored.
We recommended low-demand/PDA supportive language.
We were told "that's not how the real world works."
I requested one-on-one support after my child clearly showed success when he had consistent support.
That was denied.
I requested shorter school days as a temporary support.
That was denied because they claimed they were fully capable of providing full school days.
Then they continued suspending him anyway.
I offered for my child's in-home Behavior Support Professional to come observe school for one hour and provide recommendations.
That was denied.
His father offered to help during difficult transitions or when they were short staffed.
That was denied.
I requested outside providers be allowed to observe.
That was denied.
We voluntarily have DHS intensive services involved to support our family.
Our CIIS worker attends meetings with us and has repeatedly tried to help advocate for my child.
Those recommendations were ignored.
I repeatedly requested ABC behavior data and suspension documentation for months.
I was given one random screenshot and then told they no longer collect certain behavior data after the FBA.
I had already been requesting this information long before that.
I requested Prior Written Notice documentation for denied services.
I had to fight for documentation repeatedly.
When one superintendent was directly involved and consistently supporting my child during the investigation period, my child was highly successful and had mostly full school days.
He was going on walks.
He was getting movement.
He was being supported consistently.
And he was succeeding.
Once that consistent support left, the suspensions immediately started again.
When that superintendent returned, my child did well again.
That clearly showed my child CAN succeed with proper support.
Then CPS showed up at my home over allegations that my child was riding unbuckled and sitting on someone's lap while a vehicle was moving.
That allegation is completely false.
We have proper car seats in both vehicles.
My child is never allowed to ride unbuckled.
Because he has previously attempted to unbuckle himself due to sensory challenges, his father rides in the back seat with him to ensure he remains buckled at all times.
We had been doing pickup the exact same way for a long time and it was never an issue until after I reported staff for hurting my child.
That timing speaks for itself.
At this point this goes far beyond one teacher.
This involves administration, office staff, district leadership, placement staff, psychologists, and multiple people who have all been aware of what has happened.
Instead of fixing the problem, my family has felt pushed out.
I have since heard from multiple other families who have shared similar experiences.
If you have a child with disabilities, document everything, ask questions, know your rights, read more
