Re: IEP vs. 504

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

We have almost exactly the same problem. We live in NH.

is doing very well. His case manager has said that she will

discontinue his speech therapy next year and place him on a 504. He

still needs O/T. We were told they would continue O/T even while on a

504. However, like you, we want to keep on an IEP because we know it

is very hard to get back to an IEP once you have been dropped.

We have been told this is a consequence of the No Child Left Behind

legislation. I don't quite understand it but I have been told that

provisions of NCLB make it harder for schools to deal with special

needs children. I know that most schools in NH are trying as fast as

they can to remove kids from IEP's and put them on 504's or drop them

all together.

Apparantly No Child Left Behind only applies to children who do not

have special needs. If children have special needs, not only will

they be left behind, they will be run away from by the school system.

If I learn anything more, I'll let you know through this list.

By the way, is a very very picky eater. He will only eat about

8 or 9 foods. Most of them, some form of pasta. How did you get Zack

to eat such a variety with out some major battles?

Ken M

> Dear RSS Parents:

> I haven't posted for about one year nor read the list serve. I

have been a member of MAGIC (with a short lapse in membership, shame

on me!) for about 9 years. Our son, Zack, is 9 1/2 years, has been

on GH for 5 years, in grade 3 and doing superbly well. He plays

ball, has friends, does well in school, has a great sense of humor

and wonderful self confidence. He is always happy. He has been

receiveing OT for 5 yrs. through the public school system in our MA

town. The OT wants to discharge him. He really has no need for OT

any longer, but I am afraid that as his school demainds grow, his

need for services may resurface. I told the OT that I was afraid to

let go of the IEP for fear of not being able to put him back in

services should he need them in the future. I said I at least wanted

a 504 and regular monitoring. Once the IEP is gone, the guidance

counselor takes over to make sure he gets monitored by an OT. She

assured me the could get services if a teacher asks for testing and

he demonstrates a disability that inhibits his learning. Luckily

for us, Zack has very mild RSS and demonstrates no disability except

for very small stature. He is in about the 25% in weight and about

the 10-15% for height. We count our blessings. He now even eats

normal food. He could live on pizza for every meal! He eats

hotdogs, burgers, chicken, pasta, balogna and other items. IT was a

struggle for many years and just eating chicken nuggets was a hugh

milestone.

> Anyway, does anyone have any advice for not agreeing to let his IEP

go, or getting monitoring on a 504? I realize that 504 guarantee

accomodations which he may need in the future.

>

> Thanks,

> victoria

>

>

[Guest guest]

, coincidence!! We are in the exact same boat with

. She is being discharged for speech services, hence our

need for the IEP is no longer valid -- but we are going to take

a " monitor " approach for 6 months, and then move to a 504. You

ABSOLUTELY need the 504 -- because he still needs accomodations in

that he needs access to more frequent snacks, etc. So do NOT give

up the 504 -- this will still allow you the legal document, etc.

I strongly encourage you to contact MAGIC at 800-3MAGIC3 or email at

pam@ magicfoundation.org and ask to be connected to the Coordinator

of the School Services group. (It is actually two RSS moms hee hee -

Jodi Zwain and Yvette Getch, both professionals in the area). One

of them can talk with you off-line about anything you need

specifically. This is a NEW part of MAGIC.

MAGIC this spring is offering what we call " Special Interest

Groups " -- we have one for School Accomodations, we have one for

Sensory Disorders (Beth Hultquist is heading that one); we have one

for Genital Abnormalities (anyone whose son is having hypospadius or

testicle surgery, email this lady!!!). We hope to get someone like

any of you to volunteer to talk to families for ADD/ADHD.

Anyway, just another service our division has been spear heading at

MAGIC.

Jenn

> Dear RSS Parents:

> I haven't posted for about one year nor read the list serve. I

have been a member of MAGIC (with a short lapse in membership, shame

on me!) for about 9 years. Our son, Zack, is 9 1/2 years, has been

on GH for 5 years, in grade 3 and doing superbly well. He plays

ball, has friends, does well in school, has a great sense of humor

and wonderful self confidence. He is always happy. He has been

receiveing OT for 5 yrs. through the public school system in our MA

town. The OT wants to discharge him. He really has no need for OT

any longer, but I am afraid that as his school demainds grow, his

need for services may resurface. I told the OT that I was afraid to

let go of the IEP for fear of not being able to put him back in

services should he need them in the future. I said I at least

wanted a 504 and regular monitoring. Once the IEP is gone, the

guidance counselor takes over to make sure he gets monitored by an

OT. She assured me the could get services if a teacher asks for

testing and he demonstrates a disability that inhibits his

learning. Luckily for us, Zack has very mild RSS and demonstrates

no disability except for very small stature. He is in about the

25% in weight and about the 10-15% for height. We count our

blessings. He now even eats normal food. He could live on pizza

for every meal! He eats hotdogs, burgers, chicken, pasta, balogna

and other items. IT was a struggle for many years and just eating

chicken nuggets was a hugh milestone.

> Anyway, does anyone have any advice for not agreeing to let his

IEP go, or getting monitoring on a 504? I realize that 504

guarantee accomodations which he may need in the future.

>

> Thanks,

> victoria

>

>