A Live Controversy: A Story of Autism and a Family's Determination - Softcover

Roxana Hartmann And Joseph Hartmann

9781883911850: A Live Controversy: A Story of Autism and a Family's Determination

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1883911850 ISBN 13: 9781883911850

Publisher: Brandylane Publishers, Inc., 2009

A Live Controversy documents the Hartmann family’s lengthy and tireless fight to gain the least restrictive education for their son, Mark, from his diagnosis of autism at age two through his senior year of high school. The Hartmanns faced bias and resistance from the Loudoun County school systems of Virginia, who were unwilling to rise to the call of Mark’s challenges and provide inclusive education. Ultimately, Mark’s family and Loudoun County Schools battled in court, therefore calling national attention to the plight of autistic children. After years of red tape and legal battles, the Hartmann’s hard work finally culminated in the landmark disabilities case, Hartmann v. The Loudon County Board of Education. While the legal battle was lost, Mark was still able to finish his high school education and social upbringing in the inclusive environment of a neighboring school system. A Live Controversy not only models how to organize teachers, therapists, and social networks to encourage appropriate development of autistic children, but offers insight on family life and behavior modification techniques as well.

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About the Author:

Roxana and Joseph Hartmann are both active advocates for children with disabilities. Roxanna has devoted her life to her own family and others as she pushes for inclusive education. She is a consummate consultant on autism. Her husband, Joseph, served in government work for thirty years. In addition to his heroic support of Mark and Roxana, he writes historical fiction.

Review:

Courageous and persistent parents have been the force that has transformed public education for children with substantial disabilities. A Live Controversy, the story of the Hartmann s decade long struggle to fully include their son Mark in classes with non-disabled students from kindergarten through high school, provides us an in-depth understanding of parent power and the challenges parents like the Hartmanns must confront. But A Live Controversy takes us below the surface, beyond winners and losers to an in-depth exploration of all the multi-layered educational, advocacy and legal processes. Much of its instructional value comes from the wise and liberal use of primary source materials that reveal the perspectives and real time thinking of the teachers, experts, lawyers and various school officials. A Live Controversy is a rich, comprehensive study with national significance for inclusive education; it is also an inspirational tale of what it takes for parents, schools and communities to do right for all children. --Frank Laski, Esq., Past President, TASH

A Live Controversy has it all, for the parent, the educator, and the related service provider for children with autism. It is a must read if you work with or represent children with disabilities. It contains incredible detail of events, in a moving, emotional chronological story about Mark and his parents quest for his inclusion with other students. By reading this book, if you are a parent of a child with autism, you will learn how to help the other Marks out there and avoid the roadblocks and problems encountered by the Hartmanns. If you are an educator, your eyes will be opened to the mistakes, and in some instances, the abuse, perpetrated on the parents. You will learn how to avoid becoming part of the problem, and instead become part of the solution. --Peter W. D. Wright, Esq., co-author Wrightslaw: Special Education Law; Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy; Wrightslaw: No Child Left Behind. Adjunct Faculty, Special Education Law and Advocacy, William and Mary School of Law

An amazing story of adversity and victory against impossible odds. Provides much needed inspiration for parents to move ahead in advocacy and to provide a quality of life for all of their children. It is clear these parents deeply love their child. --Thomas McKean, Partner in Policymaking, Colonel, HOKC author, Soon Will Come the Light: A View From Inside the Autism Puzzle; author, Light On the Horizon: A Deeper View From Inside the Autism Puzzle

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