It makes me sick when I read about proposed changes that take power away from parents.  I am a parent of a child with ASD and can not imagine placing my son’s education solely in the hands of my local public school system.  The school system already does the absolute bare minimum to help children with special needs.  If parent advocates no longer have a say in their child’s education what will become of them?  Parents must have an equal hand in determining the most appropriate educational course for the future success of our children. 

I, for one, will shout my opposition from the rooftop if I must.  I know my child better than anyone and know what is best for his education.  I refuse to let services be taken away or diminished.  With the rates of ASD at epidemic levels today, NOW is the time to step up and provide more assistance not less.  We owe it to our children to provide them with the best education regardless of their special needs.  If parents remain complacent on this issue our voices will never be heard and our children will suffer.