Re: Re: help with iep meeting/aging out of IE (essex co...

[Guest guest]

Do you have a department of public welfare for your state. In PA you can

apply on the web site.It will depend of your child's complete diagnosis f

you qualify for a card. Also look to see if your state has an area for

loophole children. These are child that just qualify.

Since your son is so young, I really think the sLaw Website will

give you a lot of information. I would go into this meeting with realistic

goals for your son in one year, since and IEP is done every year. Also, have

an idea how you would like to achieve this goal. Just remember this is a

work in progress and it changes every year. Make sure the goals are for

your child not generic. Do not have a uge amount of goals have 3, 4 or 5

goals. Remember you can have the IEP open any time during the year to fine tune

it.

Even though they are not suppose to, the organization who is doing the IEP

may have a draft ready before you go into the meeting. Contact them and

request a copy of the draft 2 days before the meeting. You have this right

and then you can go over it with a fine tooth comb. I would also have a

piece of paper with you to write down what is being suggested by you and the

people from EI. Take the paper and make sort of a spreadsheet with your

suggestions on the left hand side and then put everyones name across the

header. After you make your suggest take and mark weather the person at the

table

agreed or disagreed. Look at each person state what you are requesting and

say, " It is my understanding that you are disagreeing with the suggestion

of _____ I made for my son. Then mark their answer by their name. I would

also take a tape recorder to the meeting and simply state this is my first

IEP meeting and I want to make sure that I understand everything that is

being said, do you mind if I record this meeting. Also, I am willing to make

a copy for anyone at the table if you want one. If they say no again ask

each person and mark if they said yes or no about the recording of the

meeting. Another idea is to take another person, friend, to sit and do nothing

but take notes for you. You will to busy to take good notes.

Lets see what else I would do, I usually never sign an IEP the same day

we write one up, I request 24 hours to look over the IEP and then return it

signed if I like. You can also write on the IEP that you do not agree with

the total IEP and only signing it so that the services that you agree with

can be implemented with out delay. Make sure you write what service you do

not agree with.

Another idea for you is Pete , of s Law ,does a lot of

training all over the USA. When you get on their website perhaps you will find

one near you home. I have attended 2 an boy did I ever get my eyes open to

a lot of things.

Lastly, you are your child's best advocate, go to these meeting with open

eyes and ears, you do not have to agree with what they say. Do not be

afraid of them, do not let them talk you into something you do not like. If

you would like and can scan things or fax things I would be glad to look over

your sons IEP and give you some suggestions. Just remember I am not an

official IEP writer, but a parent who has learned a lot writing IEP's

Harriet

In a message dated 2/26/2010 8:43:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

aliza3000@... writes:

Hi Harriet,

Thank you so much for your great reply! What is a medical card? How do I

find out about it? Is it through the state?

I can get a diagnosis from his speech therapist I'm sure of apraxia. I

haven't actually had the meeting yet. I just want to be prepared for when it

happens. They should be starting the process for my son within a couple of

weeks. So, if I have to start gathering I want to start thinking about it

now!

What else should I come armed with besides dianosis and recommendation

from speech therapist? I've read posting before about articles that were good

to bring, not sure where to get them. I will take a look at the website you

sent and try to gather ideas from there.

Has anybody here had any direct experience with essex county, particulary

Montclair, NJ?

Thanks so much,

Aliza

--- In _ childrensaprachi_

(mailto: ) , HWillia127@., HWi

>

> Aliza

>

> First question I have for you is do you have a medical card for your

child?

> We have both for our sons and what our major insurance does not pay the

> medical card covers. Forget the neurologist for now. Go to where ever

you had

> the testing done by a speech pathologist and tell them that you need

> something written for this IEP, with their diagnoses. Make sure you have

their

> recommendations in it, very important.

>

> Have the Early Intervention people done any testing, if so what did they

> say. You have the right to request, small group and one on one. How may

> hours are they offering you a week?

>

> Does your child have any other services, they should have an input in

all

> of this. Do you have a case manager.

>

> There is a great web site __http://wrightslaw.http:_

(http://wrightslaw.com/_) (_http://wrightslaw.http_ (http://wrightslaw.com/) )

> they are a wealth ofknowledge and will give you many ideas on writing

> your sons IEP.

>

> Harriet

>

>

> In a message dated 2/24/2010 5:33:05 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> aliza3000@.. aliz

>

>

>

>

> Hi all,

>

> My son will soon be 2 1/2 and has been getting some (albeit very spotty)

> services from EI since January. I send him to private speech 2 times a

week

> and he gets one speech form EI. Both therapists feel that he has apraxia

> (one VERY strongly). I had taken him to a developmental pediatrician

back in

> September, who I was very dissapointed with. He did not mention anything

> about apraxia and diagnosed him with DLD (delayed language disorder).

I'm not

> sure what that is exactly. I guess my question is, knowing that this IEP

> meeing is around the corner, what advice would you all give me as to

what

> info I need to be armed with. Should i take him for another evaluation

from a

> neurologist before the meeting to have an official diagnosis or would a

> diagnosis from a speech pathologist suffice? I was speaking to my OT and

> asking her what she knew about the process and she told me that they

usually do

> speech therapy in groups in class. If my son has apraxia, that's not

going

> to help him. I just want to make sure that I am prepared and ready to

ask

> for what my son needs. Any advice would be much appreciated. And, if you

> yourself have exprienced the essex county IEP stuff first hand

(specifically

> Montclair), I'd LOVE to hear from you!

>

> Also, if you have a good nuerologist to take him to in the area that

might

> accept insurance, let me know. Don't know if I want to spend the money

on

> dr. agin unless you all feel it to be totally priceless/worth it.

Otherwise

> I could spend it on his therapies. Money is tight these days....

>

> Thanks so much,

>

> Aliza

>

>

>

>

>

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>