IEP Help

Nancy - posted on 03/11/2009

Get an adovocate. The first IEP is very emotional for a parent. I have been going through IEPs with my daughter since 1st grade(now in 9th) and the first one was the worst because of information overload and emotion.

An advocate can be a friend, an associate, anyone who has the child's and your best interest at heart.

Stay strong, learn from others and remember...you know your child.

Wanda - posted on 03/11/2009

When we set up my son's IEP and every 6 months when we renew his goals, I don't allow them to put anything in it unless they haveh fully explained it and we ALL agree it's something he needs. Be firm and stick to your guns...let them know that YOU are incharge of your sons educational rights, not them. Do you have an organizaition in your area called PACER? If not look them up on the web, they are wonderful and full of information.

Melanie - posted on 03/09/2009

check out :

wrightslaw.com

Victoria - posted on 03/09/2009

I am going through the same thing and here is the best I can do : There are a couple of things and places you go for info. This is the website for the education act there is a section for Special education for your child http://www.gov.ns.ca/legislature/legc/st...

The other thing you can do is Find an education consultant and or advocate for your child's education. usually a therapist will help with this. and get them to come with you to all these meeting s and to go over the paperwork with you.

Tammie - posted on 03/09/2009

You can always ask for you child to be reevaluted and ask for an OT eval. In Mass you are allowed one outside eval, go on your states website Regulations for special ed and read up on the laws. Our local hospital also sees kids for speech and OT. Ask around and check with other moms who have children with hearing issues. My Ally has hearing issues. Take care.

Danielle - posted on 03/08/2009

I  AM GLAD THAT THE MTG WENT WELL..JUST STICK TO YOUR GUNS AND DONT LET ANYONE SLIDE ANYTHING PAST YOU.  STAY IN CONSTANT TOUCH W/ HIS SERVICE PROVIDERS AND OTHER TEAM MEMBERS THROUGHT THE WOLE YEAR. AND DONT WORRY ABOUT THE TESTING..ITS JUST A PLACEMENT TESTING; UNLESS I AM MISTAKEN W/ ANOTHER TYPE OF TEST. HOWEVER, HOPE ALL WORKS OUT AND PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH  AND LET ME KNOW HOW EVERYTHING WORKS OUT. DANIELLE GREENMAN

Delia - posted on 03/08/2009

as a parent you see and know what help your son needs, you can have anything added you want. I even have watching where my son is walking and picking his feet up when he walks on his IEP. The best resource I have found on getting an advocate or help on his IEP is . MR/DD should be in the phone book.

Destiny - posted on 03/08/2009

The meeting went well. I got to meet the school's guidance counselor for the school he will be attending Kindergarten. She and I talked about the environment the suits Derek best and she hasa teacher in mind. She asked that after Spring Break I call her and she will have us bring Derek in walk around the school, see the classroom and meet the teacher for the first time. ( we will get several meetings prior to starting school so we can make the transition as easy as possible. We are holding off on adding the FM until we get Derek's hearing tested again, I think this last surgery made a difference and he can hear better. I don't have a hard copy in hand yet and I told them I will be bringing it home for my husband to review with me then we will sign and bring it back. we also met the the HI Specialist, though i found her annoying she had some good suggestions and goals for him in caring for his aids and such...she said adding the FM to his IEP as an ammendment would be no problem. I will into bring someone informed with me next time but I felt prepared for this meeting and was glad to see some professionals from the new school to get us in a true transition position.

They also did the "kindergaren Testing" and Derek schooled REALLY REALLY good despite sobbing the entire time and emotionally upset the entire time of all of the assessments. His lowest score anywhere was an 80 and they agreed that i may have been more due to his emotional state and he probably would have scored much higher. :)

thanks for everything ladies. I truly appreciate all of you taking the time to answer my post because I felt empowered with info and ready to stand firm.

Big hugs,

Destiny

Marj - posted on 03/07/2009

Hello Destiny,
How was your meeting??? Everyone is totally correct Please remember that your childs IEP is a working document and if something is not working for him correctly--make them have a review, revise IEP meeting and change the document. Prior to moving to 1st grade make them tell you who the teacher is going to be or you should interview them and decide for your self who YOU think will be the best fit. Visit the classrooms and see how the teacher works!!! You can do this do not let them tell you no, It is your child. I live in Wisconsin and am a specidal ed teacher. I visit my new students prior to school starting to meet them in their homes. This is not unexpected. $$$ is tight but get what your child needs---NEVER take no for an answer.
come on back if you need more we are all here for you.

Rebecca - posted on 03/07/2009

Here in NC, you can google your locval Arc.  They offer services to help families that have children/ adults with any kind of disability.  They have alot of info and will send a parent advocate to be at the IEP meeting with you.  This is a great thing to do- two heads...

Dawnette - posted on 03/04/2009

I am a special ed teacher in Canada.  FM systems are a great help - at any age - I wouldn't accept that for an answer.  Look at where you want your child to be in 5 years, and 1 year from now - those become your long term goals.  then look at the steps you need to achieve in order to get to those bigger long term goals.  they should be your short term goals.  Goals on a IEP should not be just the type of services and for how long - that is how you are achieving a goal.  You want to have specific things on there so everyone knows what you are working towards.  You want to see smart goals listed (S - sustainable, M - measurable, A - achievable, R - realistic, T - time based)  for example -  Derek will work on clearer speach - that is not a goal - how will you get there? how is it measured? what will be done?  You want it to say - By May, 2009 Derek will be able to produce beginning /s/ sounds in isolation 4 out of 10 times.  That is a clear concise goal - then you have supports and personelle who will work on it.  (he will recieve speech 30 minutes weekly with the SLP). 

 

I've been working in the educational system for over 10 years.  Now I have a child with learning disabilities and as I start working  from a parents side of things  I can only offer you this - You are your childs voice and advocate.  Trust the professions to have your childs best interests at heart, work WITH them and ask them to work with you as a team.  But use your voice if you feel your child is not getting what he needs to succeed.  After all - if you don't stand up for his future - who will?.  I hope this helps.

Dawnette

 

Quoting Destiny:

IEP Help

I just registered Derek for Kindergarten and am working with his preschool in forming an IEP & his Kindergarten Transition Testing. I really don't know HIS rights and the services he should be able to receive. honestly some sound like a waste. (60 minutes of Audiology each month, however Derek doesn't see anyone nor do they talk with me, they meet with the teacher once a month to see how they think he is doing.) He will continue to receive group Speech Therapy, 30 minutes a week, we also work with him for 20-30 minutes each night ourselves. They wanted to hold off on the FM, saying that they aren't much help in Kindergarten.
Derek hasa kidney transplant and has bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss due to an antibiotic. We are still "watching" him for any damage done to his balance or gross motor skills.
I was told by a local educator friend that here teachers and staff are told to give a little as possible to families and children in their IEPs and puts lots of pressure on them to accept THEIR guidelines. I have not seen anything on advocates here to help us out. Thankfully I think the new school he will be entering may be kinder and more willing to work with Derek and help him succeed. It sucks to see such a smart kid be forced to compromise so much.
Do you have any ideas in what I should expect to demand that be included in his IEP?

big hugs,
Destiny

Suzanne - posted on 03/04/2009

There have been some really great comments here. The most important thing to remember is that he is YOUR son. Not theirs. You cannot ever skip an IEP meeting. Reschedule if necessary, but DO NOT miss it. It's okay to get angry and push for what you want. My son almost every service at one point or another. I am never quiet. If I don't agree, tough luck for them. I have even taken a break I was so angry, and no may make any decisions while you're gone. Let them know if you're not comfortable with something or would like more information. It is your right to request it and their responsibility to provide. Do not sign anything you are not comfortable with. If you object to something, make sure that is noted in the IEP (yes there is space for that). After all that is said, the school is not out to get you. If you feel your son is not getting what he needs from the school district, you have a couple of choices. You can ask for your son to receive his services through another district. This involves the court and you presenting a case of why he's not getting what he needs. It also involves outside therapists, doctors, and often an attorney. For this route you really need to hire an advocate. These are hard to win, too. Your second option is to move to a better district. I moved into my district for that reason. My apartment complex is full of families with special needs kids who can't afford to live in the area but want the school district. Have faith in yourself that you are doing the best for your son. There is no perfection. Love him and be there for him, and you can't lose.

Kate - posted on 03/03/2009

just know that know matter what school district you're in, you will probably have to fight for services. they never want to admit that your child is eligible for them. his services and the amount of time he receives all depends on his disabilities. depending on how bad his hearing is, you can always request that they have a sign language representative in the room, if he is using this as a means of communication. but, if you're in the floriday area, with budget cuts, it may not happen

Terry - posted on 03/02/2009

Destiny,



I have a stepmom to a child with special needs as well as a special education teacher. Everyone has given you great advice. You should be able to access a draft of the IEP 2 days prior to the meeting (that is the law in VA). This will allow you to read over things and make notes with additions and deletions where you see fit. Keep in mind that these meetings can be very intimidating at times and that is not the intention of anyone on the team. You do NOT have to sign the IEP on the actual meeting date. If you are a person that needs to mull things over, then take the draft home and think about it before signing; however, it is always better to sign at the actual meeting. Also, IEP's are working documents. That means that they can be ammended at anytime. If you find later that something is not working, then you can change it. You and ammend it everyday if you have to (although, I don't reccommend that), but that is your right. Just because an IEP is in place, doesn't mean that it cannot be changed until the annual review. I hope that this is helpful to you. Please let me know if there is anything else that I can do. I know that you will be a wonderful advocate for your son!

Susan - posted on 03/02/2009

Hello Destiny. If I had to do my IEP experiences over again, I would have hired an advocate. It is definitely true that many of those who put together IEPs take advantage of parents who don't know their rights. Do a web search on special needs advocates in and special needs laws in your state. Best of luck.

Danielle - posted on 03/01/2009

I AM GOING TO TELL YOU THIS...ONE THING IS FOR SURE..YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING YOU WANT..W/ IN RASON!! IF YOU DONT WANT A SERVICE THAT ISNT NECESSARY THEN DONT DO IT IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO REFUSE A SERVICE.  YOU NEED TO BE A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD..STRONG!! I KNOW ITS A BATTLE..BUT I THINK ANY MOTHER CAN DO IT! ANOTHER THING..IF YOU FEEL THAT THE SCHOL IS DENING A SERVICE THEN SPIAK UP AND FIGHT FOR WHAT YO U FEEL IS NEEDED. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE ( NEXT TO THE FATHER)  THAT KNOWS YOUR CHILD, NOT THE SCHOOL. CONSTANTLY STAY IN TOUCH W/ THE SPECIAL ED. DIRECTOR, HE/ SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GUIDE YOU THRU THIS WHOLE MALARKY PROCESS. PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH W/ ME AND LET ME KNOW IF THIS HELPS OF HINDERS OR WHAT. THANKDS DANIELLE

Destiny - posted on 03/01/2009

Thanks everyone...the meeting is Friday. I feel prepared with all of hte research and hope we have a good outcome. Thank again. ~ Destiny

Amisha - posted on 02/26/2009

Hey I have a 7yr old son who just started at a public school this year, he also has an IEP, and he also has an EIP I think, there are too many initials to keep up with.  My son has been receiving speech therapy from the same therapist since he was in montessori 3 yrs ago, she is excellant, I pushed for one hr sessions, and I had a say so in what she will work with him on, she also gives me work in the summer.

I go to school every day for 2 hours and help in his class, he gets one on one with teacher at this time for 45 min.

I meet with the team every four weeks, it consist of principal, speech therapist, teacher, education evaluator, school psychologist.

you need to push for what you think is neede and they have too give you service.

Because my son has an EIP, the class can only have 15 students, ore time for tests are allowed, and random loud noises bother my sons ears, so instead of music he goes to art.

He is also seated in the front where e can see the teachers mouth when she speaks so if he did not hear correctly he can read her lips.

I hope this helps

Autumn - posted on 02/25/2009

Arizona Exceptional Students Services

PARENT INFORMATION NETWORK: http://www.ade.state.az.us/ess/specialpr...

Parent Information Network Specialist List: http://www.ade.state.az.us/ess/specialpr...

Kerri - posted on 02/24/2009

Everything that has been suggested so far is  GREAT information.  I would like to add this:

1.  Do not miss any IEP meetings for your son, if you can't make it, have them reschedule it.  They are required to notify of any meetings, changes, updates, etc. 

2.  Get a copy of the IEP each and every time and keep them in a file so they are available to you.

3.  At the end of this year, meet with your son's kindergarten teachers and ask them if they can suggest any additional resources that he might need for the next year.

4.  I have found the best place to start when trying to figure out what your son needs is his physician - or anyone who is involved in his treatment.  If he is currently seeing an audiologist or a speech therapist, their input would be great.  Do as much research as you can before the actual "meeting".   

5.  An IEP needs to be as specific and detailed as possible, i.e. my son requires special pencils and erasers - it is in his IEP. 

My son has a ruling for physical disability so his may be different than yours but here are a few more things on my son's IEP that I did not know about when I first started.

1.  He requires special assistance at lunch in the lunch line.  He is assisted one-on-one with getting his tray, utensils, etc. 

2.  Special assistance with restroom breaks and longer time periods for restroom breaks.

3.  Special equipment, i.e. pencils, erasers, special desks, etc.

4.  In large assignments he is only required to do 1/3 to 2/3 of the work required for other students., i.e. in 1st grade they were required to write their spelling words 5 times each - He only had to do 2 times each.  If there were 20 math problems, he would do 7 of them. 

5.  Every year an extra set of books are sent home to stay in our home until the end of the year.  This enables us to keep up with the other students and keeps him from having to transport books back and forth.

6.  Standardized testing- he takes these one-on-one with a SpEd teacher so that he can have restroom breaks and he gives verbal answers rather than the usual "blacking in". 

7.  He is allowed extra time in between classes to make class changes, etc.

8.  He is assigned a student helper in each class to help get his assignments out of his bag and turned in.

9.  All homework assignments are written by the teacher and given to me at the beginning of the week.

10.  He received speech therapy - with his therapist setting out specific goals on paper and returning an achievement form to me every 3 to 4 weeks.

11.  He received occupational and physical therapy once a week at the school.

12.  He has use of the resource class if he needs it.

13.  None of his "extra" help is to take away from his regular classes.  i.e. speech therapy, OT and PT was always done when the other students were in PE class, recess, etc.

 14.  When he was younger he also had an assistant assigned specifically to him.  She went to all of his classes with him and assisted that teacher with him.  She went to lunch, speech therapy, OT and PT with him.  If this is available to you, I would def push for it. 

I hope some of this, any of this, helps you.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions about any of it!  Good luck to you and your son!

Deborah - posted on 02/24/2009

Most IEP meetings are conducted by the special education teacher, you should have everyone that is involved in your son's school life there, ex. teacher, nurse, pt, ot, st, principal, and anyone else that could contribute to your meeting. This is a TEAM. Which includes you as the advocate for your son. You are the one who helps decide what should be done to make your son's transition into kindergarten safe and smooth.
An IEP meeting cannot be conducted without you and the Principal, if the principal cannot make it then he/she MUST tell you who is sitting in for them. Also, if you have a case manager(social worker) ask them attend. You have the right to ask people to an iep meeting, but only if those people can contribute to your son's iep goals. Since you have the internet....here are a couple of websites to check out. I live in minnesota and we have www.pacer.org
http://www.fapeonline.org/IDEA_IEP.htm
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/iep.index... (this is a great website for laws)
good luck and I hope I've helped some
debi

Tina - posted on 02/18/2009

You have the right to be present at the team meeting to establish Derek's IEP.   They are required by law to give you a two week notice of that meeting unless you sign a waiver.  At that time they will give a copy of your rights.  My son has ADHD, seizure disorder, severe speech and language delay, PDD-NOS, OCD, and a congential heart defect.  That all sounds overwelming but he can read and write, he uses a calculator for alot of his math, but he did learn to count money this year.  He recieved speech therapy (2x week) in a group setting until this year and we changed him to a one on one setting so he could get the most out of the session.  He is also has one on one occupation therapy once a week (provided by the school).  He is allowed special help during testing and different testing techniques, extra grade opportunities, second chances, and behavior modifications (ex. if he doesn't know where he should be in the book, he doesn't get in trouble only redirected).  You can also request the teacher that you feel best suites him.  You have tons of rights so do not let the school system pressure you into settling for anything less than exactly what you think your son needs to succeed.  Hope this helps