So what can we do to help ensure the safety of our kids?
- Ask your child’s school to provide autism training to all bus drivers, monitors and aides.
- If there are no cameras installed, talk to your school district: Abuse can still happen, but with cameras, it can be proven and addressed. Ask if there is a camera installed on your child’s bus, ask how long the recordings are archived and how you can request to review video if you have reason to suspect a problem. Confirm that personnel background checks are done and ask if bus drivers and monitors receive specialized training prior to working with children with disabilities.
- Introduce yourself to your child’s bus staff, relay any concerns they should be aware of regarding your child’s individual needs. For example, “Please use an eyes on, hands off approach,” or “My child needs to be supervised, but does not like to be touched.”
