IEP

[Guest guest]

I need some advice form the experts out there.

My IEP's have usually been fairly easy. This one is for my son, who probably is

autistic but has not been diagnosed. When I brought it up I was told by the

school to pursue it independently. I probably will do that so I can decide if I

want an AI label or not.

Right now Ian is PPI. He is speech delayed, can't answer the wh/ questions, and

can't really carry on a conversation He has not been in the LRE. His brother,

a surviving triplet, is SMI and autistic among other things. Ian really has had

no one to model after. I wanted him in Pre-K last year. Last year we did PPI

and preschool, regular ed, as well. The school talked me out of Pre-K and

promised 4 days a week one on one speech. Well, they went to " centers " . So, no

one gets one on one speech. Ian loves the " centers " but there has been little

improvement this year. Also, the program which is for the so called advanced

PPI students was virtually identical to what he has done for the last 2 years.

The only thing they did different was they did the alphabet and they didn't do

colors. He has brought home the same art projects, the same books, the same

papers as the last 2 years.

I told them last year that he was going to kindergarten in the fall of 2001.

There was no changing my mind. Well. of course now, they want to change my

mind. The didn't approve my transfer to the school I wanted. We have to go to

our home school which is a 10 minute bus ride away from the house while the

school I wanted is less than mile away, but that's where they drew the line.

Kindergarten will run all day Monday and Wendsnesday and in the morning on

Friday. I want him to have his speech on the days he doesn't have school or

have the resource room on Friday afternoon. I will see what they can do. But

they are only talking about speech for 10-20 minutes a week.

Our local Christian school will have him go every morning and then spend the

afternoon in their resource room, so he would go everyday. While we can afford

it for kindergarten, we can't afford it after that. Also, I hate to put him in

for kindergarten and then pull him out.

So, how do I cover my bases? If they can't offer him a substantial IEP to help

him out, I'm inclined to do a private school. But, I'd like them to pay for

it. Does anyone have any strategies? Should I press for a POHI label? If I

pursue the AI label should I do it at my own expense? Ian also have poor fine

motor skills but " they " claim not bad enough to warrant pull out OT. Yet, one

of the reasons for holding him back is his poor fine motor skills!

And, the principal of our new school lives across the street. He already thinks

I'm a wingnut because I constantly trying to deal with 2 special needs kids and

he doesn't understand it. is very low functioning and needs constant

supervision. Occasionally I loose track of the other two, I also have a 2 1/2

year old nt daughter. Yes, I am probably the only one looking around the

neighborhood for my kids! They are so anal around here.

My friend is having her IEP tomorrow and she will let me know how adversarial it

is because she is pushing for kindergarten too. The other problem that we have

is that our kids' cousins who are either the same age or younger are starting

kindergarten this year. How can I have my child be behind his younger cousins?

The school psychologist said that he was " cognitively ready " for kindergarten.

Sorry that this is so long but I would appreciate any comments.

Maureen

[Guest guest]

I agree with . We have our IEP on Monday and have just finished our own

outside evaluations: speech, developmental pediatrician, OT. We also hired an

Advocate. We expect to have to fight for our intensive home program (though

we've started it on our own) so have an appointment with a lawyer too. Keep us

posted! Hugs, H

I wouldnt trust the school psychologist and I would get an outside

evaluation. I would use the results of the eval. to get him any and all

services you want including one on one speech, OT etc. Have these

recommendations written in the eval. I would not send him to kindergarten

based on what his cousins are doing.

Give him the small advantage of twelve

months more time. Then get some intensive therapy going

FIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD

They give only to those who are

insistent. stand up for your self and what your gut is telling you about

what your son needs. Good luck,