Re: IEP's for children at school

[Guest guest]

Gretchen,

I am hoping to get an IEP for him. However the information you gave

to go and look at seems not to like me:-(( I can not download it.

I have tried 3 times and nothing happens. I'll have my husband try

after dinner.

[Guest guest]

,

When you go in to talk to the school board, you should have a very

specific list of modifications which need to be made to allow your

son to be able to do his school work. It is important to remember

that both the letter and the spirit of the laws involving special

needs children require the " least restrictive environment " . This

means that you should expect that the IEP will include only the

minimum modifications your son needs. Many people feel that the

school is being " cheap " or " lazy " , but there are many good reasons

for the " L.R.E " . The first is that children like to be normal. The

more modifications a student requires the more negative attention

they tend to draw from other students. The second reason is cost.

Most education budgets are stretched to the limit. Modifications

cost money. Kids should always get all the modifications they

need. However, modifications which would be nice to have but aren't

absolutely required will take money away from all the students. The

last reason is that most modifications require extra teacher time.

Again, while every student should get what they need, it is also not

fair to the rest of the class if a teacher must spend the majority

of their time with one student in a class of 30.

I am a strong supporter of providing all needed services to special

needs children, but as a teacher, I have often seen parents make

outrageous demands of school districts when they weren't truly

needed. Be willing to try the smaller modifications first and add

the more extreme modifications if the smaller ones are not

effective. It will help your school board help your son if you go

in with a well prepared list with reasons to indicate why each

modification is needed. Let's face it. There are many doctors out

there who don't really understand CMT. We have no reason to expect

every school board member in the country to be knowledgeable about

our disease. I think it is also important to explain to your son

that he should only use his modifications when he needs them. I

would also recommend that you keep an open channel of communication

with your district's Special Ed coordinator. That will be the best

way to get the changes you need as your son grows up. As I have

learned from my own experience, while CMT is supposedly a slowly

progressive disease, things can change quickly.

Most importantly, please remember that while there may be some jerks

out there, the vast majority of people in education have you child's

best interests at heart.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Just to look at the parent's perspective:

1.Lynn:The first is that children like to be normal. The

more modifications a student requires the more negative attention

they tend to draw from other students

Heidi's Reply:Eventually children need to accept that they are not like

everyone else and must learn to face the real world. My 15 year old son has

multiple disabilities including CMT I believe in telling the children the truth

and

not sugar coating life. As they must be strong individuals and in order to

learn this they must face reality in knowing they are " different " and what a

luxury it is to be different. Not everyone gets chosen to be different, yet we

all

are different in our own way.

2.Lynn: The second reason is cost.

Most education budgets are stretched to the limit. Modifications

cost money. Kids should always get all the modifications they

need. However, modifications which would be nice to have but aren't

absolutely required will take money away from all the students. The

last reason is that most modifications require extra teacher time

Reply: Cost, hmm. What is the cost if we let the children suffer

educationally? Well, maybe they will just drop out of school and give up all

together and

become a homeless person. What is the positive outcome if we do the best we

can for all the children no matter the cost? They become our teachers, doctors,

and lawyers? Which is more expensive you decide?

3.Lynn: Again, while every student should get what they need, it is also not

fair to the rest of the class if a teacher must spend the majority

of their time with one student in a class of 30.

Reply: I can agree here. It is not fair to have to put the rest of the

students at a disadvantage however that is what individual aids in the classroom

are

for. Some times classrooms have aids that go into rooms to help children with

special areas that they might be weak in. I also understand not all school

districts are the same.

Personal Experience: My son whom I have advocated for since he was 4 years

old has had to struggle in school. Yet, he has made it on the honor and high

honor roll. Not because I said oh ok you don't have the money some one else

needs

it more. Not because there was no time. Instead because I fought and no I did

not win in the end My son has won and is continuing to win by understanding

that he is " different " and there really is no such thing as normal and to be

his own person. Yes he has CMT, Yes he has Childhood Epilepsy, Yes he has

severe LD, yet with the will power and determination anyone can do it! Never

stop

advocating for the children they are our future and if a parent does not

advocate for them who will?

Thank you for listening,

Heidi: Child Care Provider, Child Advocate

[Guest guest]

is correct - you can get an IEP under OHI (other Health Impaired) and

children with physical disabilities have challenges that affect their education.

Thanks

Heidi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/2004 10:15:33 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

Heidisuzy7@... writes:

> Reply: I can agree here. It is not fair to have to put the rest of the

> students at a disadvantage however that is what individual aids in the

> classroom are

> for. Some times classrooms have aids that go into rooms to help children

> with

> special areas that they might be weak in. I also understand not all school

> districts are the same.

They spend so much money on *bad kids* in our district they can spend some

money on kids with disabilities. (I live in L.A).

jenny

[Guest guest]

Heidi: Amen and definite agreement with your opinions. Thank you. Sharon

[Guest guest]

Hello Sharon,

Thank you and I have been advocating for my children for 10 years so you

tend to learn things from IEP's to the games that school's try to pull with

parents. The one thing to always remember is ANYONE that is a PARENT knows their

child best and do not let others tell them any different.

Thanks,

Heidi