Re: HELP ADVICE/Long but hopefully helpful

[Guest guest]

In OH. EI is also birth to 3yrs old, and once reaching 3 it's the schools responsibility to step in and then the IEP is initiated. It is up to the schools if a homeschooling parent needs therapy for their child as to whether or not they want to provide it. I thought about it, and would have used the hospitals therapists, but the last time we went with hospital therapy, he was "bumped" due to "lack of progress"...bogus terms imho that just mean they couldn't handle him or were to young to have experienced a child with his needs to know how to provide for him. What I'm waiting for is a med exemption, so my newly 6yr old little guy can still receive all the services from school such as his therapies, and then of course school hours are at home, instead of school, only at 1 hr a day, which is what I'm just sitting and waiting for...he was pulled out of his

preschool last winter. We almost lost him due to a severe asthma attack. He has multiple med issues and also has Down Syndrome and Autism, but is one of the most beautiful little guys ever. His pulmonary dr pulled him out then and didn't let him reenter the rest of the year. I'm shocked she even allowed him to start kindergarten this year given what happened not even a year ago with him. She wants to see where viral season is going this year and see how he'll do in school..to give him another try...and of course I'm thinking another try at what, another last year? No thanks. I'm a wreck, and the school is on alert, and I'm sending a nurse with him but they will Not allow her into the class and I feel a "run in" coming with the special ed supervisor, so we're doing dandy here, and let's not even mention the high lead positive blood levels he's having now and what all happens to a family when that occurs, which is an entire different story. So we wait and

see. I'm waiting for a medical exemption but if I don't receive it, and I have too, he's going to be home schooled rather than have another close call like right before Christmas. I'd rather the school fund his education, and not to mention, what I may not get from one of his drs may not mean I can't get what I need from another. I vary rarely go that route, but when it comes to his best interests, a mother does what they need too.You can try to negotiate with the school to see what they have to say, but before you bring it up to them, see if your county has something called a "parent advocate" or something like OH has, like the OH Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities organization, who really goes to bat for what is best for our children, and helps the parents to propose ideas to the schools in a certain manner that makes it more difficult for them to say some of the things they actually do say to parents, like "lack of

funding, lack of staffing, and some other good ones that they really are not supposed to say...so we have something here we can say back when they say "No, we would like to do...and you don't agree and think you should have more services, or different services or whatever the case, you can say something along the lines of this..."I'd like Prior Written Notice please, addressing all the listed elements as to why you feel my child shouldn't have...whatever it is you really truly feel your child needs. This holds their backs to the walls, they don't like it, and they squirm and try to negotiate a better deal for your child, because if they can't address all the elements of Prior Written Notice, you'll likely get whatever you asked for...another avenue before discussing anything directly with the school first (never give them a "heads up" first imho, especially if it's going to cost them money in any way-even though if your child is attending public school

during what they call count week, they bring in state and fed bucks to help serve Your child) check with your Dept. of Education in your state and ask them if you aren't sure. They have lawyers on staff and others who can help you. They can also tell you if you have a Coalition in your state, area, or if you have any parent mentors that can give you some advice. Sorry for the book, I never hardly ever post, but we're going through this right now. I hate that I have to "wait and see" for a med exempt that I Know is coming...I don't get it. She must have been in a mood or something because she almost always agrees with me, and I get what I ask for from her but it's always reasonable. Praying viral season isn't as bad as last year for him, with more kids this year in his class than last, and another aide in the room, it's going to be an on my toes kind of year. Just remember, you can achieve many things for your child by searching for those loop holes

that give you the opportunity jump through them, they're just sometimes a little interesting to find and to get them to apply, but not always impossible, so best to you and yours.I hope something I said helped you, and again, sorry for any ramble.Take care and God bless, Joy from OH, Mom to many, 3 on IEP's