Lee's Story

Lee is a charming, outgoing fourth grader with a big smile and a generous heart. In his eight years, he has suffered intense physical and emotional abuse that has left him with physical trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  His disabilities manifest in behaviors like running away and physical aggression. 

Lee is supported by an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  IEP’s are plans that help kids with special needs by setting appropriate goals and providing the special support they need.  Lee’s plan includes behavior goals and special educational supports.
Even though Lee has an IEP, he was placed in a general education classroom with 25 other students.  Additionally, his teacher didn’t have the special training that was needed to handle his disabilities.  Because the school didn’t have the necessary specialized training that was required to manage Lee’s disabilities, whenever he had problems he ended up suspended.  Which meant that his caregiver had to miss work to pick him up and Lee had to miss school.

After the tenth suspension, his caregiver was at her wit’s end; she could not afford to miss any more work.  She was concerned about Lee’s academic progress and he was clearly not experiencing success at school.

Eventually a referral was made to a Treehouse Educational Advocate.  The Advocate and the caregiver met with the school team and insisted that Lee’s IEP be upheld and that the appropriate services be put into place.  With the Advocate’s help, a more appropriate placement was identified for Lee at a smaller nearby program in a class of eight students with a teacher who specializes in behavior difficulties.
By working with a Treehouse Educational Advocate Lee got the placement he needed and his caregivers have learned how to be his advocate at school.  His caregiver reports that she is thrilled with the new classroom.  “The teacher really understands Lee” she said.  “He loves it there, and he has not gotten in any trouble!”