School says son not eligible for IEP

May 6, 2005

My son has CMT, is 12 and in 5th grade. He was diagnosed 2 years

ago. I asked to have him reviewed for an IEP a year ago and the

school counselor said that Pupil Appraisal asked if he was failing

in school and when she said no they said they cannot do anything

because his dianoses is not handicapping him academically.

He does fine in all classes but my concern is with PE. He makes A's

in PE but the PE at our school consists of stretching exercises and

dodgeball daily. An Adaptive PE teacher comes to our school twice a

week and evaluated him at the first of the school year. I was told

that Adapt PE teacher evaluated him but that I need to get a

diagnosis for him to be in adapt pe classes. I got a diagnosis from

our specialist at the MDA Clinic and presented a copy to the

school. All they have done so far is notify the PE teachers that he

is to take as many breaks needed during he PE time. He has still

not been placed in Adapt PE. Are they waiting on test rusults?

Shouldn't the diagnosis (written out on prescription sheet) be

enough to get him in adapt pe classes. The note from the Dr.

says: " Diagnosis CMT. This is to certify that Shane has CMT. He

needs PT and stretching of heel cord. He can do regular PE if he is

allowed to stop when he can not do activities or get adapted PE.

This was given to us 2 years ago. He has gotten worse. He is now

wearing ankle supports and is unable to get down on the floor to do

stretching exercises and trying to keep up with the others. He

can't keep up during PE and usually just ends up sitting down and

getting frustrated. He is getting NO EXERCISE and NO PHYSICAL

EDUCATION.

We are just now in the process of getting tests done to clinically

prove that he does have this disease. It runs in my family and I

have it but not as bad as him.

I'm just surprised that he is not eligible for an IEP. He is

physically disabled. I'm thinking with an IEP he may be able to be

dropped off right in front of our home from the bus instead of down

the hill that he has to walk up which is hard for him. And any

other help that might be available for him.

What do I do now?

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