Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 , Love the " IEP Autopilot " terminology word " ........Been there and done too at numerous school districts in 2 two different large cities throughout my son's life. I would just sign away assuming the team knew what was best for my son. It does sometimes get easier once the school respect the parents & child's rights once we get educated in this arena. It has been for me now, but I still witness many on what you had mentioned that will go through the rush rush process and their child are the ones who suffers. Unless they've been Blessed with a school district or an educator who are very caring and do their job by figuring out the hidden talents of many children with special needs and work with the parents. In the year 2005 things will change though so we must all be prepared. I have not read the latest but we should always be aware of what is going on. You along with many are a great advocate towards many new parents who are just stepping up into this arena or many who are still learning the IEP Arena, so you are making a difference for many. It is critical to examine the child's strengths, weaknesses and unique needs when determining an appropriate educational placement and developing an IEP. It may not be done at every school on the stunts but with the experiences of my history and with many it happens. Many school districts are also becoming aware of parents being knowledegable in this area nowadays and some educators are also parents with special needs as they too become part of the team. True, as we learn the ropes of our " parents rights, laws, & rules. " No one should sign an IEP when its not understood and no one should be rushed into signing it and when the team mentions anything like why should we do it for your child when OTHERS blah blah......then you turn around and remind them maybe even with a picture of your child of who the discussion is about. Your fortunate to have gotten educated in this arena as your son is still young. So proud of your accomplishment, especially because Tim will receive the services needed and your his best advocate by his side. If Tim is just entering Kindergarten, I can imagine how far he will accomplish towards his future. I'm an oldie here who comes from a background of many services and information that were not available back when my son was younger. Back then it was just a child with Down syndrome and that was it. No battle in that area compared to what I've gone through now. What was the point of fighting the system as I was giving up and thought my son would never learn. My thoughts back then were for him to learn academics but it never succeeded as I had to control his behavior. He had alot of behavior issues always with the trials of meds/ nutritional interventions, constant ear infections, etc. to name a few that kept him as a zombie. Life skills is still what he is learning due to missing so much. Who knows, if my son had everything that is offered now there probably would of been positive outcomes for him. The general rule of appropriate intervention for our children is the " the earlier, the better. " I'm in Texas and many great programs are out in the East and West Coast we have just entered into this new arena of valuable services for our children's needs. So we have to educate ourselves and do some hunting of who is educated in this field of services needed so we apply it on the IEP that the school district and educators, therapists, aides or whoever works with our child gets educated. What a Blessing with the technology available, every information and Joan who has open doors to another dimension of the ASD world. If I missed on requesting anything else for my son during his IEP goals I do not feel bad as I have learned to request alot of ARD meetings throughout his school years to add new services or techniques which will fit my son needs at that time as this requires careful planning for transitions from year to year to adapt to changes. Then once he hits the 3rd year for his IEP goals than its applied if still needed, in the mean time he does not miss out on issues that need to be addressed as I have it all documented on his file along with doctors notes, transportation issues, etc. I also have lots of legal pull and back-up if needed, which is also great to have for standby. You just never know, you have to think as an attorney and become involve in the political side when there is time. Sorry to ramble on and I know I got of course. Just a little history of why it was a great reminder when many things start to accumulate and little things like this makes a great big difference. Like I've mentioned before I'm an oldie but young at heart. ; ) I probably change the reason why I posted and misunderstood and I apologize. : ) You're doing great! Irma,14,ds/asd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 1. audiotape every IEP meeting (give 24 hours notice to the school district that you will be doing so). 2. don't ask for what's " best " --explain why the services you're asking for are " appropriate. " 3. if they don't want to give you a needed service, tell them to document on the IEP the service and why your child won't be receiving it (they often change their mind if asked to put a denial in writing). 4. always stay polite and calm, regardless of what is happening; you don't want to give them any ammo. to portray you as a " crazy " parent. 5. don't sign the IEP at the meeting; you have the right to take it with you and look it over, and have others look it over, if you wish. Just sign " In attendance " and your name. You can officially sign later after you've had the chance to look it over and respond with any changes or concerns. Good luck! Heidi -------------- Original message -------------- From: " " <richard@...> > My son's first IEP is this week. He is 3 1/2 and recently diagnosed > PDD-NOS. Any general advice? > > > > > > > Responsibility for the content of this message lies strictly with > the original author(s), and is not necessarily endorsed by or the > opinion of the Research Institute and/or the Parent Coalition. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 ASk a parent who has been thru this before to come with you and take notes for you. This will allow you to listen and if there are any glaring problems they can let you know during a break.... L. President-Autism Society of Illinois Board of Directors Treasurer-Autism Society of America-Northeast Illinois Chapter #145 Race Director-Rally for Autism (4th Annual August 19, 2006) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Every school district is a little different based. Since this is your 1st one, be prepared with a list of areas where you would like to see them help your child, and just ask for it politely. I was nervous about my 1st one based on " horror " stories from other parents...these people were great and there to help my child. > > My son's first IEP is this week. He is 3 1/2 and recently diagnosed > PDD-NOS. Any general advice? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 If it's like my school, they may start out with speech services and social skills or behavioral type classes. If they offer preschool, check out the environment first, perhaps try it, but be aware that children can pick up more negative behaviors from the other kids around them if it is only a special-ed preschool. They may simply start out providing speech and behavioral programs... If he is enrolled in a school already, you could try to request that services be performed in his current school. Don't think that they'll provide a full-time aid, though. Is he in school right now? Where were his delays in testing? --- <richard@...> wrote: > My son's first IEP is this week. He is 3 1/2 and > recently diagnosed > PDD-NOS. Any general advice? > > > > > __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Check to see if you have a local " SEAC Parent Assistance Center " . They are funded by the government to help parents make sure they get the appropriate support/teaching in the public schools for special education children- and it is FREE. Our local office here has been GREAT with helping me at IEP meetings. I've used two different people over the years and they were both awesome. Especially helpful to have someone who knows the laws and won't let the schools slide on what they are required to do by law. I'm very shy and passive in most situations and it was great to discuss my sons needs with someone one-on-one and then have that person in the overwhelming IEP meeting to speak up when the school is pushing in the wrong direction. Also be sure NOT to let them label your child as " autism " or " PDD " on the school records. If I remember correctly you have until the child turns 9 to use the generic " developmentally delayed " classification. There's no telling what your child will capable of 5 years down the road. Not having the autism label will help with any prejudices school personelle might have that you come into contact with. We keep getting pressure to label my son prematurely (now 7) but we've refused to do so. .. The SEAC centers also do training workshops for parents to learn how to get the most out of IEPs and other services. - in Mobile, AL Reality lies beyond the horizon... Wonderwegian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 , What does SEAC stand for? Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Caroline- SEAC is Special Education Action Committee. Maybe it has different names in different states. When using " Google " the other SEAC involving special education that comes up is S.E. ADVISORY Committee. The website seacparentassistancecenter.com is for AL only... our local office is closed today (Mardi Gras) but there is a toll-free 1 800 222 7322. Maybe you can call for info to direct for your state's centers.... - in Mobile, AL Reality lies beyond the horizon... Wonderwegian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 In a message dated 2/27/2006 6:16:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, richard@... writes: My son's first IEP is this week. He is 3 1/2 and recently diagnosed PDD-NOS. Any general advice? what state do you live in? vicki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 I usually hire an advocate to help and attend the meetings. On Feb 28, 2006, at 8:20 PM, vickila1@... wrote: > > In a message dated 2/27/2006 6:16:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, > richard@... writes: > > My son's first IEP is this week. He is 3 1/2 and recently diagnosed > PDD-NOS. Any general advice? > > > > > > > > what state do you live in? > > vicki > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Thanks ! Caroline > From: J & C Chile & Wonderwegian <carriecox@...> > Reply-< > > Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:00:51 -0600 > < > > Subject: Re: I.E.P. > > Caroline- > > SEAC is Special Education Action Committee. Maybe it has different names in > different states. When using " Google " the other SEAC involving special > education that comes up is S.E. ADVISORY Committee. > The website seacparentassistancecenter.com is for AL only... our local office > is closed today (Mardi Gras) but there is a toll-free 1 800 222 7322. Maybe > you can call for info to direct for your state's centers.... > > - in Mobile, AL > > > Reality lies beyond the horizon... > Wonderwegian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Hi , You can email me off line if you wish and I'll be happy to share our experiences with you. One thing I can tell you right now is to get copies of the " reports/evaluations " that the school district took of your son and read them carefully. Don't sign the IEP until you have read all of the reports (they usually give them to you at the meeting). At 3 years old it's hard to get an accurate evaluation, but you know your son's needs. Also, you can get your own independent evaluations (for speech, OT, Behaviors, etc). Good Luck, Argie I.E.P. My son's first IEP is this week. He is 3 1/2 and recently diagnosed PDD-NOS. Any general advice? Responsibility for the content of this message lies strictly with the original author(s), and is not necessarily endorsed by or the opinion of the Research Institute and/or the Parent Coalition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2006 Report Share Posted March 1, 2006 Hi , I agree with Argie that you know your son's needs better than the school district. I can tell you that they will set the bar low for him. They do not offer much in the way of services or " out of the box " thinking. You need to think about what you believe is best and ask for it. For example, my son's school offered a preschool for " typical " kids and separate PPCD for kids with learning delays. The preschool classes met next door to each other, yet never interacted. I believed that the PreK kids would be better peer models for my son than the similarly delayed PPCD kids, so I asked the question that apparently no other parent had asked. Why can't he spend some time next door? The teachers were reluctant, but at my urging agreed to a trial. Things went beautifully and I believe it's why my son is in regular Kindergarten class today. Also you may want to go in armed with a couple of articles that explain that your sons condition it medical, treatable, and that full recovery should be EXPECTED. Don't let them tell you things like " eye contact it too hard for these kids so we're dropping it from his goals " . (yes, I actually heard that one.) If they have a can-do attitude about your kid, nobody loses. Just help them look past the diagnosis. They tend to get stuck on those. Best of luck! April I.E.P. > > > My son's first IEP is this week. He is 3 1/2 and recently diagnosed > PDD-NOS. Any general advice? > > > > > > > Responsibility for the content of this message lies strictly with > the original author(s), and is not necessarily endorsed by or the > opinion of the Research Institute and/or the Parent Coalition. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2006 Report Share Posted March 2, 2006 Vicki, I am in Tennessee. > > > In a message dated 2/27/2006 6:16:57 PM Pacific Standard Time, > richard@... writes: > > My son's first IEP is this week. He is 3 1/2 and recently diagnosed > PDD-NOS. Any general advice? > > > > > > > > what state do you live in? > > vicki > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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