Replies to '08/19 Tired of Being a Mom'

 Ninaseren is right - the state and local governments need to be much more involved than they are. In Arkansas, we have some, but not enough, resources. As I'd mentioned in my earlier post, my son had to go all the way to Austin, Texas, for inpatient treatment. And our state paid for it, because there was nothing available in Arkansas, other than what we'd tried for years that didn't work. In that respect, we were very lucky - I could never have afforded the $40,000.00 bill.
On the other hand, our school system where we live did absolutely nothing for us at the time we needed it most. My son has been in a self-contained special-education class since 1st grade, and when he misbehaved, the teacher stuck him in the hall, alone, for long periods of time. When there were field trips, because his teacher was afraid he'd have a seizure, she left him behind with the classroom aide. She told me so, herself. Naturally, I was livid. I finally gave up on our town's school system and did the "School Choice" program for the rest of his education. My son attended the neighboring town's schools for the next 9 yrs., which meant my driving him back and forth every day, but it was worth it. At least those teachers weren't afraid he'd have a seizure in class - he had plenty, and they dealt with it, and never once excluded him from any activity. 
In our area, what it boils down to (for parents/guardians of special-needs children) is that it's up to us to do our homework to find resources, whether it's medical, educational, behavioral, respite, etc. And there is just not enough available where we live. I worked in the field of developmental disabilities for 3 years,   written to our politicians (for several years), and done my share of participating/serving on parent councils. I realize we probably have more than some states, and am grateful for that, but we definitely need a lot more.
Thanks for making an excellent point, Ninaseren.