Guest guest Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 Hi Esther, First of all, I can probably vouch for all of parents that the IFSP/IEP process is confusing at first. So I totally understand your situation. Something I found that might be helpful and My experience too: I was looking for specific info on your question and I found a good article on the Acadamy of Pediatrics about Pediatritions role on IEP and IFSP. This is a good one as far as I can tell but doesn't specifically answer your question. I'll make an additional post to the group after I send this to you. My experience: As far as IFSP I think, but not completely sure that the IFSP should be the core for the IEP and the unmastered skills should carry over onto the IEP for self help skills. With regard to Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy. My son's OT and the program he was in was able to help with self help skills in the schooling settting, this was in Pre-school which had a program for special needs children. He learned potty training and eating skills at the pre-school where he attended which was Pat Day. (Most children are encouraged by their peers and will do better in a setting where the children are learning together.) Pat Day is a wonderful preschool which is balanced with neurotypical students to be role models for the special needs children. I hope more preschools will model after Wm Pat Day for special needs programs. Specifically, just talk with your service provider about the IFSP and let her know that you're just a beginner and learning. I think they'll understand and try to help with admendments. To help you learn more about IEP/IFSP and your Pediatrition. Read the following post for the Academy Pediatrics on IEP/IFSP. The Pediatrician's Role in Development and Implementation of an Individu I hope this is helpful to you. In a message dated 2/7/09 10:10:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, estherkraig@... writes: We had our six month review of our IFSP for Brendon on Thursday. It was literally at the last minute - the worker had thought that she could schedule for next Monday (because that's the only time when his teachers can join in) and her boss said no, it has to be done by the 5th. SO - she gets to our house and she has the papers, and she wrote out the goals (we discussed them) and had me sign the sign off sheet (no, I didn't get to read the finished document, but I didn't ask either). She had me do an ASQ test for Brendon and now she says that he might need a Mental Health Therapist because of his score! But she's checking with the Dev. Spec. first, because it could be from the Autism symptoms. Um... my guy is sweet as pie - what would a Shrink be able to do with a two year old anyway? Even IF he needed meds, I wouldn't approve them until he's six at the youngest. They aren't approved for babies. And he's TINY, so unless he had seizures (which thankfully he doesn't) I'm not risking meds like that! She had to rush off because her daughter (6 years old) was due to come home from school, and she would have been dropped off and stuck outside alone if mommy wasn't home. So I didn't get to ask a lot of questions, and she expects me to verbally agree to the additions from the teachers and the Dev Spec. when she gets their input. Is it too late to add jumping up and down as a goal for Brendon's gross motor skills? Three year olds are able to do that, right? So by the time he's three, he should be able to if everything else is within normal limits with gross motor, right? To be fair, she is REALLY nice and she REALLY was between a rock and a hard place. She's also been trying to set this meeting up since the beginning of January, so it's not like it's her fault that everything nearly fell apart. And I don't consider the IFSP quite as essential as the IEP, because he'll have an IEP from the time he's 3 to the time he gets out of High School, the IFSP is really a place holder in my book. I might feel differently if he were 1, but he's 2 1/2 at the end of this month - it's too late to worry about IFSPs. But what do I do with IEP meetings, because I KNOW I screwed up big time here, and I need to be WAY better at advocating for my son or the school districts will be just as bad, right? We also have a transitional meeting with the School District coming up - what do I do then? I need help - I'm clueless here, and I don't want MY cluelessness to negatively impact my son's education. THANKS! ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ - Northeast Ohio Autism Family Support, Networking and Resource is a family/parent support and resource group in Northeast Ohio. Parents can join together and discuss issues regarding their children with autism. posts upcoming events, workshops and activities for families in Northeast Ohio. Join us for a good parent discussion or join a chat. If you're not already a member of our group Just click the link on "Join this Group" on the site. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Look for news on the upcoming Chili Cook-off fundraiser. The ASGC Annual Chili Cook-off will be on April 2nd this year. Details will be posted soon. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 We had our six month review of our IFSP for Brendon on Thursday. It was literally at the last minute - the worker had thought that she could schedule for next Monday (because that's the only time when his teachers can join in) and her boss said no, it has to be done by the 5th. SO - she gets to our house and she has the papers, and she wrote out the goals (we discussed them) and had me sign the sign off sheet (no, I didn't get to read the finished document, but I didn't ask either). She had me do an ASQ test for Brendon and now she says that he might need a Mental Health Therapist because of his score! But she's checking with the Dev. Spec. first, because it could be from the Autism symptoms. Um... my guy is sweet as pie - what would a Shrink be able to do with a two year old anyway? Even IF he needed meds, I wouldn't approve them until he's six at the youngest. They aren't approved for babies. And he's TINY, so unless he had seizures (which thankfully he doesn't) I'm not risking meds like that! She had to rush off because her daughter (6 years old) was due to come home from school, and she would have been dropped off and stuck outside alone if mommy wasn't home. So I didn't get to ask a lot of questions, and she expects me to verbally agree to the additions from the teachers and the Dev Spec. when she gets their input. Is it too late to add jumping up and down as a goal for Brendon's gross motor skills? Three year olds are able to do that, right? So by the time he's three, he should be able to if everything else is within normal limits with gross motor, right? To be fair, she is REALLY nice and she REALLY was between a rock and a hard place. She's also been trying to set this meeting up since the beginning of January, so it's not like it's her fault that everything nearly fell apart. And I don't consider the IFSP quite as essential as the IEP, because he'll have an IEP from the time he's 3 to the time he gets out of High School, the IFSP is really a place holder in my book. I might feel differently if he were 1, but he's 2 1/2 at the end of this month - it's too late to worry about IFSPs. But what do I do with IEP meetings, because I KNOW I screwed up big time here, and I need to be WAY better at advocating for my son or the school districts will be just as bad, right? We also have a transitional meeting with the School District coming up - what do I do then? I need help - I'm clueless here, and I don't want MY cluelessness to negatively impact my son's education. THANKS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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