R.B.
R.B. v. Napa Valley Unified
Opinion
Opinion
I.
BACKGROUND
R.B. was born in 1991 to a mother who abused cocaine, alcohol, and heroin. In infancy, R.B. demonstrated symptoms of exposure to illegal drugs in utero (including irritability, delayed visual maturation, and delayed motor skills). Both of R.B.’s birth parents were incarcerated. F.B., a single parent and schoolteacher, adopted R.B. at eighteen months of age. F.B.’s mother assisted in caring for R.B.
R.B. was molested by her natural father when she was two. Afterward, she required a year of play therapy because of her R.B. v. NAPA VALLEY USD 8487 self-mutilation and inappropriate displays of affection. A psy- chologist diagnosed R.B. with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and began prescribing medication when she was three. Other diagnoses included Reactive Attachment Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
R.B. was expelled from three preschool programs because of her classroom misconduct. F.B. then placed R.B. with the District, which determined R.B. was eligible for special edu- cational services and developed an IEP program for her. R.B. transitioned into a regular kindergarten class with resource support, taught by Janis…