Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Hi , We were just faced with having to make this decision with Sara (about labeling her) on her IEP in November. In Oregon, there is not a developmentally-delayed category, so until November, she was labeld as "Health Impaired", because of all of her respiratory issues. Now that her health issues have improved, and for the same reasons others have said, with the Mental Retardation label, she will receive more services. My husband and I agreed to choosing this label only for the purposes of services and as someone else said, we do not think of her in those terms because in many ways she is so very smart! I feel the labels they have available need to be reviewed at the State level and the MR label needs to be replaced with something else, such as cognitively delayed or some other more accurate term. Marcia Mom to Sara (DS) and 11 and Lucas 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 I guess the label is what we will use, I just wish we didn't have to do the IQ test..... Davey is also very smart in numerous ways and so wise about people he meets. I may try to contact the state about changing the labels at a state level. I think one of the moms in our local DS group works for the state developmental dept. -----Original Message-----From: Multiples-DS [mailto:Multiples-DS ] On Behalf Of Rrietmann@...Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2006 12:45 PMTo: Multiples-DS Subject: Re: Need IEP advice Hi , We were just faced with having to make this decision with Sara (about labeling her) on her IEP in November. In Oregon, there is not a developmentally-delayed category, so until November, she was labeld as "Health Impaired", because of all of her respiratory issues. Now that her health issues have improved, and for the same reasons others have said, with the Mental Retardation label, she will receive more services. My husband and I agreed to choosing this label only for the purposes of services and as someone else said, we do not think of her in those terms because in many ways she is so very smart! I feel the labels they have available need to be reviewed at the State level and the MR label needs to be replaced with something else, such as cognitively delayed or some other more accurate term. Marcia Mom to Sara (DS) and 11 and Lucas 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2006 Report Share Posted February 6, 2006 Actually the proper term is intellectual and developmental disabilities according to the Arc of the United States. It always takes everyone years to catch up with the current terms. Judy -- RE: Need IEP advice I guess the label is what we will use, I just wish we didn't have to do the IQ test..... Davey is also very smart in numerous ways and so wise about people he meets. I may try to contact the state about changing the labels at a state level. I think one of the moms in our local DS group works for the state developmental dept. -----Original Message-----From: Multiples-DS [mailto:Multiples-DS ] On Behalf Of Rrietmann@...Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2006 12:45 PMTo: Multiples-DS Subject: Re: Need IEP advice Hi , We were just faced with having to make this decision with Sara (about labeling her) on her IEP in November. In Oregon, there is not a developmentally-delayed category, so until November, she was labeld as "Health Impaired", because of all of her respiratory issues. Now that her health issues have improved, and for the same reasons others have said, with the Mental Retardation label, she will receive more services. My husband and I agreed to choosing this label only for the purposes of services and as someone else said, we do not think of her in those terms because in many ways she is so very smart! I feel the labels they have available need to be reviewed at the State level and the MR label needs to be replaced with something else, such as cognitively delayed or some other more accurate term. Marcia Mom to Sara (DS) and 11 and Lucas 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 Hi , Turning from 3 years old to 5, is time for a new classification, my Tara went from "preschool disabled" to "cognitive impaired" Labels at this point to do not drive placement of your child's IEP ............your well written IEP should do that. Your child doesn't need an IQ test either at this point, nor can they conduct one without your approval..........there are much better assestments out there, find out why you/they need one, then agree on one, and be sure you get a copy of the findings...............remember.........you can get your own evaluation done privately, then choose to share with your district or not, depending on it's results and the direction you want your child in. Remember, it is the law that if you get an eval done and share it with your IEP team they HAVE TO recognize it, especially if it differs from their outcomes! Good Luck Gail Mom to Bobby 12, Jillian 9 1/2, & Tara(Ds) 6 1/2 Need IEP advice I am hoping for some input. We are doing Davey's 6 year old IEP. I am being told we have to change his "label" from developmentally delayed to mentally retarded. I have declined to have an IQ test performed to complete this process. I have created quite a stir at the school district. I have told the psychologist I plan to leave Davey in the developmental program, but they have to find a way to get the information they need without a standardized IQ test. It is NOT going over well with the school. She started quoting state and federal law requires that I have my child IQ tested. Let me explain my position. I do not like labels to begin with. I fell Davey has enough strikes against him without the whole label thing. I want to know what he CAN do and what we can do to help him be successful in life. I do not care what his IQ is, and I do not feel the school district needs this information to educate my child. I do not want someone to look at an IQ score and base their expectations of my child on a number assigned to him by a standardized test. Am I being nutty, or off base? Any advice would be great! mom to Amy 18 (in college and making me crazy), Kelsey 15, Davey 6 in two weeks, and Will 6 in two weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 I will give that info to the school psychologist. Thanks Judy! RE: Need IEP advice I guess the label is what we will use, I just wish we didn't have to do the IQ test..... Davey is also very smart in numerous ways and so wise about people he meets. I may try to contact the state about changing the labels at a state level. I think one of the moms in our local DS group works for the state developmental dept. -----Original Message-----From: Multiples-DS [mailto:Multiples-DS ] On Behalf Of Rrietmann@...Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2006 12:45 PMTo: Multiples-DS Subject: Re: Need IEP advice Hi , We were just faced with having to make this decision with Sara (about labeling her) on her IEP in November. In Oregon, there is not a developmentally-delayed category, so until November, she was labeld as "Health Impaired", because of all of her respiratory issues. Now that her health issues have improved, and for the same reasons others have said, with the Mental Retardation label, she will receive more services. My husband and I agreed to choosing this label only for the purposes of services and as someone else said, we do not think of her in those terms because in many ways she is so very smart! I feel the labels they have available need to be reviewed at the State level and the MR label needs to be replaced with something else, such as cognitively delayed or some other more accurate term. Marcia Mom to Sara (DS) and 11 and Lucas 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 Thanks Gail, I will definitely use your advice. I will keep you posted.. I have a meeting with the school psychologist and her supervisor on Friday. -----Original Message-----From: Multiples-DS [mailto:Multiples-DS ] On Behalf Of GailSent: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 2:01 PMTo: Multiples-DS Subject: Re: Need IEP advice Hi , Turning from 3 years old to 5, is time for a new classification, my Tara went from "preschool disabled" to "cognitive impaired" Labels at this point to do not drive placement of your child's IEP ............your well written IEP should do that. Your child doesn't need an IQ test either at this point, nor can they conduct one without your approval..........there are much better assestments out there, find out why you/they need one, then agree on one, and be sure you get a copy of the findings...............remember.........you can get your own evaluation done privately, then choose to share with your district or not, depending on it's results and the direction you want your child in. Remember, it is the law that if you get an eval done and share it with your IEP team they HAVE TO recognize it, especially if it differs from their outcomes! Good Luck Gail Mom to Bobby 12, Jillian 9 1/2, & Tara(Ds) 6 1/2 Need IEP advice I am hoping for some input. We are doing Davey's 6 year old IEP. I am being told we have to change his "label" from developmentally delayed to mentally retarded. I have declined to have an IQ test performed to complete this process. I have created quite a stir at the school district. I have told the psychologist I plan to leave Davey in the developmental program, but they have to find a way to get the information they need without a standardized IQ test. It is NOT going over well with the school. She started quoting state and federal law requires that I have my child IQ tested. Let me explain my position. I do not like labels to begin with. I fell Davey has enough strikes against him without the whole label thing. I want to know what he CAN do and what we can do to help him be successful in life. I do not care what his IQ is, and I do not feel the school district needs this information to educate my child. I do not want someone to look at an IQ score and base their expectations of my child on a number assigned to him by a standardized test. Am I being nutty, or off base? Any advice would be great! mom to Amy 18 (in college and making me crazy), Kelsey 15, Davey 6 in two weeks, and Will 6 in two weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 7, 2006 Report Share Posted February 7, 2006 Good Luck ! Keep us posted!!!! Gail Need IEP advice I am hoping for some input. We are doing Davey's 6 year old IEP. I am being told we have to change his "label" from developmentally delayed to mentally retarded. I have declined to have an IQ test performed to complete this process. I have created quite a stir at the school district. I have told the psychologist I plan to leave Davey in the developmental program, but they have to find a way to get the information they need without a standardized IQ test. It is NOT going over well with the school. She started quoting state and federal law requires that I have my child IQ tested. Let me explain my position. I do not like labels to begin with. I fell Davey has enough strikes against him without the whole label thing. I want to know what he CAN do and what we can do to help him be successful in life. I do not care what his IQ is, and I do not feel the school district needs this information to educate my child. I do not want someone to look at an IQ score and base their expectations of my child on a number assigned to him by a standardized test. Am I being nutty, or off base? Any advice would be great! mom to Amy 18 (in college and making me crazy), Kelsey 15, Davey 6 in two weeks, and Will 6 in two weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 Hi , WOW, I've never heard of any school having to change a diagnosis especially with the word "retarded" in it since that word is becoming so taboo. If I were in your shoes I would get an advocate or even an attorney. This I know from experience (not with my child but for another issue). I am going to a hearing on March 4th because I took my daughter, who was 4 on December 28th, out of the Boston Public Schools and put her in a private place. I'm bringing my aunt, who is not an attorney but certainly could be, so I will let you know how that goes. What's your next step? What reason are they saying they need to change the diagnosis wording? Good luck and keep us posted. Sherrill mom to Jillian 8, and (D/s) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 Hi , May I ask what label you want changed? Do you want to get rid of "Mental Retardation" as the definition of Down syndrome? I'm just curious. This is quite a debate since I know sooooo may people dislike the word "retarded". Sherrill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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