The hardest part of autism? Finding a Miami school that won’t give up on your kid | Opinion

Autism journey

Re: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel A. Regalado’s April 14 op-ed, “A Miami school rejected my daughter and started a 15-year fight for inclusion.” As the parent of a child on the autism spectrum, I have experienced firsthand many of the struggles families face when trying to secure appropriate education and support.

My son was in a charter school before his diagnosis. His kindergarten teacher was wonderful and helped him despite his hyperactivity and attention difficulties. However, as he progressed through the charter system, his struggles increased. He had difficulty completing assignments. His behavioral issues became more severe. After years of therapies and evaluations, he was diagnosed with autism at age eight. Shockingly, the school did not accept the diagnosis, suggesting he was not autistic.

Despite lacking resources, the school continued to work with him. Then COVID-19 disrupted everything. This was especially difficult for students on the spectrum.

When school reopened, his struggles worsened. I was essentially told he needed to leave. I scrambled to find a school willing and able to take him. Thankfully, a public school accepted him and despite many challenges, he was able to complete the year. He later attended Paul Bell Middle School, though he was placed in an Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities class rather than an Autism Spectrum Disorder class.

Afterward, he attended Southwest Senior High and completed 10th grade. This year, however, his mental and emotional health declined significantly, forcing us to withdraw him. He is now enrolled in homeschool and is at serious risk of dropping out entirely.

Throughout this journey, I have explored countless private schools and alternative placements, yet I have struggled to find a school that truly meets his needs. The school system has failed to meet my child’s educational needs. Although there are wonderful private schools for children with autism, I have been unable to find one for my son, who is high functioning and does not meet many of the criteria for those schools.

I know my family’s story is not unique. Too many families of autistic students face barriers, disbelief, inadequate placements and a lack of appropriate resources. Students on the spectrum deserve schools that recognize their diagnoses, provide proper support and help them succeed rather than push them out when challenges arise.

Greater attention must be given to expanding appropriate educational options and support for autistic students — especially those who are high functioning and often fall through the cracks. More specialized placements, better-trained school personnel, stronger transition supports and dropout prevention resources could make a meaningful difference for families like mine.

Stacia Van Baalen,

Miami

Taxing error

I file my taxes electronically every year with my accountant. This year, my tax payment was deducted from my account on April 16. The following Monday, my banker called because the IRS had requested my payment and I had insufficient funds. Well, of course! The IRS had already gotten my payment.

On April 28, the IRS notified by mail that my payment had been declined. I called the number provided for the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, which is not the IRS. The agent I reached said that thousands of taxpayers have been calling with the same story. I called the IRS and the answering voice stated that all lines were busy and call back later.

I wondered how shrinking the IRS staff and budget would affect tax collection this year. I am not worried because I know that no matter what, my money was taken and my taxes paid. The Herald should look into why there is so much confusion at the IRS this year.

Susan McGrath,

Coral Gables

Giménez disappoints

During a Congressional hearing last week, South Florida U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez effusively praised President Trump’s decision to start a war with Iran and commended Secretary Pete Hegseth for his role in the conflict. After expressing fealty to Trump, Giménez said he would consider the senseless and constitutionally unauthorized operation a success if Iran could not enrich weapons grade uranium and if the Strait of Hormuz would re-open to maritime traffic.

Basically, the Trump sycophant considers success the same as before Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018. Trump did this in an attempt to remove the accomplishment of former President Obama.

Trump’s politically motivated, spiteful action backfired. Now, he is attempting to correct his blunder with a war that has cost more than $25 billion, has disrupted the world economy and seemingly has no end in sight.

Watching elected officials like Giménez abdicate their constitutional authority to check the executive branch’s reckless actions — just to advance their own political ambitions — is disappointing.

Christopher Ryan,

Wilton Manors

A special place

Developers must leave Bal Harbour alone. It is an uplifting and special place.

I was a beauty consultant for 18 years at Shops of Bal Harbour. A hotel and workforce housing do not mix there.

Mary Lamont,

Hollywood

Difficult decision

I am dismayed to learn that our community will no longer have the wonderful, newsy column written by Chris Mayo in the Miami Herald’s Neighbors section. It was bad enough that Neighbors had become a shadow of its former incarnation and that her column had been reduced to every other week, but at least it was something. These last few years, Mayo’s column was our only way to communicate with the Herald’s audience.

I understand all too well that the economics of the news industry have drastically changed. My wish would be for a column about the good things happening in the community to be incorporated into the main pages of the paper (finding Neighbors in the digital edition is painful).

At this point, there is no place in the paper for community or neighborhood news. Unless one has a large nonprofit (like a hospital), an organization cannot afford to purchase coverage.

As a volunteer with the Miami Villagers historic preservation organization (a 60-year-old, all-volunteer nonprofit), we are left with few methods of telling our stories, sharing our fundraisers and fighting for preservation issues. Social media just doesn’t take up the slack.

I hope the Herald will reconsider and increase coverage of community news in the future.

Karen F. Buchsbaum,

Miami

I was privileged

I’m not rich and don’t own two houses, but I claim privilege because I’m a white woman. I’ve never been profiled, never been discriminated against in hiring, never insulted because of my skin color or refused service or rental.

I was born in the USA after World War II, when millions of women could rise in the professional world. I voted in fair election districts drawn by the Census and retired knowing my contributions to Medicare and Social Security would sustain me.

It’s all falling apart now. One greedy, egotistical man, backed by a corrupt, loyalist cabinet and a power-hungry Congress are ruining strides made in civil rights, equality, opportunity and justice. Women are told to stay home and produce babies; people of color face renewed Jim Crow voting restrictions or face deportation.

Benefits are being cut to support an unsubstantiated war waged for glory. Allies critical to world peace and economic welfare are turning their backs due to our intimidation tactics.

The only privileges left belong to the wealthy, who’ve gotten their man elected, their taxes cut, their business regulations gutted. For those who voted for this authoritarian administration, who have lost their privileges, think twice about your next vote.

Johnnie McDonald,

Coconut Grove