My Minor Child’s School Disclosed My Health History - Montana Usa

Long story short, my minor child (age 10) has a disability and as result, has an IEP at his public school where he attends special education. Recently, a manifestation determination review (MDR) meeting was held to determine whether the conduct in question was result of his disability. This meeting included the entire IEP team, including myself, my child’s father, and about 8 various school staff members, several I had never met.

During the meeting, it was concluded that the conduct in question was 100% a manifestation of my child’s disability (he is autistic and the conduct in question was verbal and physical aggression stemming from overstimulation). All of that was fine and dandy.

The issue at hand, is that when the school administrator was listing off all of the reasons why my child is a threat to the safety of himself and others, they loudly stated “mom has a history of cutting herself”….. all jaws dropped. I was so humiliated and confused. I disclosed this to the school social worker in January during an assessment which included family history. She specifically asked, and I was honest. I also clearly mentioned I was 13, with chronic depression, and that I got help at a treatment facility and never had an issue since. That was confidential information and I fail to see how it was okay to share my health history in front of all of these people who had zero idea.

I am an adult now and am very stable emotionally, financially, and a fantastic mother. I am so embarrassed especially because my son’s father (my ex) did not know that part of my past nor did anyone in that room until now.

To my understanding after reading FERPA laws, family health history collected during a special education assessment for my child should not have been verbally disclosed by the school since it was not relevant information to the issue at hand. Me self harming at 13 way before my son was born does not seem “relevant” to my child’s educational needs and/or to the safety of himself or others. I feel so ashamed and embarrassed.

The meeting was recorded (all parties consented). So I do have proof she said that. When I asked why that was relevant, no one said anything. I tried to press the topics and the called CPS after the meeting. (Report quickly deemed unsubstantiated).

My question at this point, is did they break the law? I think they violated FERPA, but I’m not 100% sure. In MT family health history data is considered part of “student records” when it comes to special education.