Re: New IEP Worries

[Guest guest]

You can file a state complaint and see if they will change their minds. I

agree with you, they need to test/assess first before they make changes

with the recommendations.

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2010 7:22 PM

Subject: [ ] New IEP Worries

Hi guys-

I have not been myself these past 2 weeks..... I am so darned worried

about my little guy starting school next week after he turns 3....it is hard

to

focus on anything.

What do you all think of this?

We had our first IEP Meeting last month for our almost 3 year old little

guy who has a Dx of Moderate to Severe Apraxia. ....I was so excited, and

wrote to you all that I did manage to get them to agree to 1:1 pullout ST

even

though I had been previously told that this would not happen in my State-

PA. They said that they would consider starting him off with 2 thirty

minute pull out sessions per week..... for 8 weeks..... and then we would

have to meet again to discuss progress, and possibly reduce the amt. of 1:1.

Our IEP meeting lasted 4 hours..... but nothing was signed..... because

they had to " think about " the proposed amt. of ST and how they were going

to write it up. They said that they would get back to me. THEN the snow

hit..... their Offices were closed for a few days.

I received a call to tell me that they had decided to start him off with 15

minutes less per week of 1:1 than they had initially said that they would

consider. I KNOW- it is only 15 minutes less..... but this 15 minutes, to

me, is a big deal..... because he should be having much more! (Why does

common sense have to be such a battle)? I was told that they decided to

write

it this way because of the fact that they accepted an outside Speech

Report on my Son, and did not conduct their own evaluations in regard to

Speech.

I told them to go ahead and evaluate him then..... but was told that " they

do not like to subject kids to too many evals because they will learn the

test procedure " . In essence- this reply made no sense to me. How can they

use the fact that they never evaluated him as an excuse when they REFUSE to

evaluate him?

The second thing that bothered me is that the IEP clearly stated that

another Meeting will be held 8 weeks after my Son starts PK to discuss

progress..... but the NOREP stated that the amount of ST will drop further

in 8

weeks..... to two 15 minute pullout sessions per week, as described above.

My point was this...... " Why are we having a meeting to discuss progress,

when the decision to reduce the amt. of 1:1 ST has already been made?

I was assured that they will increase the amt. of 1:1 in 8 weeks if they

feel that it is necessary. I also would be able to go to Mediation or Due

Process in 8 weeks if I do not agree. SO- I signed the IEP.

I DID tell them that I feel very strongly that they should TEST HIM.....

and that I feel that they can't use the fact that they have not tested him

as

a reason for not providing more 1:1..... especially since I countered this

comment by stating " well test him then " . I plan on sending them a letter

to address this after he starts... Can you all think of anything else that

I should do? ( I DO have another OUTSIDE " Progress Re-Evaluation "

scheduled prior to when this Meeting will occur)- this will help!

My Second worry is related to the fact that my Son's " pullout 1:1 " will in

essence, be in a hallway...... there is a small recessed area in this

hallway.... and that is where it will be done. There are not any classrooms

near this area..... BUT- it still is a hallway. My Son has a very short

attention span..... He has always sat in a " High chair type seat " during his

private and EI ST..... (to keep him from wandering). They can't do this at

the School...... So most likely, he will wander away, and not focus. I am

worried that they will tell me that " the pull out is not working " due to

this reason. Any suggestions on how to prepare for this? Also- as described

above, there will be another meeting 8 weeks after my Son starts PK....

any suggestions about this would be appreciated as well.

Thanks so much

[Guest guest]

I spoke to our VP Cheryl who was PISSED!!!!! She could

not believe what is going on with your child!

Miss Cheryl is an award winning teacher and advocate from Jersey!!!

http://www.cherabfoundation.org/about/advisoryboard/cheryl-bennett-johnson-m-a-s\

lseducational-consultant/

First of all she said we (the parents) need to learn not to sign anything we

don't agree with. So going ahead don't sign anything if you don't agree with it

and in your case -she believes you are ready for mediation already.

Therapy in the hallway, changing the amount of his therapy time without your

consent, there is so much going on here.

First of all the fact that they are going to meet again that is another IEP

meeting -this one she wants you ready for.

When you meet again this is what needs to be discussed:

Equipment needed for therapy to function at an optimal level

If he had a high chair for him to function in private therapy then they need to

get it at the school for him. You need to bring in Childcraft magazine (she

wasn't sure if that was the one) they have high chairs for kids that need them

that the district can order. She said " Put it under a 504 plan for goodness

sake. If these administrators put themselves in the parent's place wouldn't

they want what is appropriate for your child? This is just nuts! "

Even though you signed the IEP for the minutes for therapy it's not acceptable

at all and at the new IEP they are going to agree cooperatively for the amount

of time for therapy to take place. You have to allow ten minutes just to get

the child, set everything up, so are they only doing 5 minutes of therapy?! And

if he's highly distractable what is he going to get out of 5 minutes?! Fifteen

minutes is not acceptable at all. They have to allow for pick up time return

time and time for him to focus.

Environmental issue is another issue. " I'm surprised that the state of

Pennsylvania allows classes or therapy for children to be conducted in the

hallway! There are safety issues to consider, distractability to consider.

There are adults and children passing, deliveries -are they kidding? The mom

says the child has trouble with focus how is he supposed to focus in a hallway.

Even the therapist would not be able to fully focus. I would never ever agree

to conduct therapy in a hallway that is just nuts! They need to find an empty

classroom for therapy Hallways are not acceptable.

Mom at the next IEP is going to talk about environmental issues, therapy time

and equipment.

It is so important to make sure that you always have a tape recorder and say

" there is so much going on that I won't be able to remember everything so I'm

going to record this. By all means you should record this meeting as well so we

all have a record of what is being said "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~end of info from Cheryl

didn't you record the meeting where they agreed to the 30 minutes???

Cheryl feels you have a case already. She raised many good points -safety

issues included. You need to check out what is allowed in the state. Also keep

in mind that if they are unable to provide appropriate therapy that they can

instead pay for out of district placement and/or therapy. We can talk about

that more as well. So maybe this will be a good example of a horrible school

system for book number 2 after all huh ?!!!

=====

[Guest guest]

15 minutes of s/t is a joke. by the time they pull him out of class and get him

started the session will be over. As far as them not testing your child , I

think that is crazy if their not going to accept the outside eval and

their reason  they don't want to test your child again because he will learn

to manipulate the eval is even crazier. He's only 3 and can't speak. I think at

this point there giving a almost non verbal 3 year old way too much credit.I

would tell them this is not acceptable and you will be contacting an attorney if

this is not changed.

________________________________

From: " " <>

Sent: Wed, March 3, 2010 8:21:46 PM

Subject: [ ] New IEP Worries

 

Hi guys-

I have not been myself these past 2 weeks..... I am so darned worried

about my little guy starting school next week after he turns 3....it is hard to

focus on anything.

What do you all think of this?

We had our first IEP Meeting last month for our almost 3 year old little

guy who has a Dx of Moderate to Severe Apraxia. ....I was so excited, and

wrote to you all that I did manage to get them to agree to 1:1 pullout ST even

though I had been previously told that this would not happen in my State-

PA. They said that they would consider starting him off with 2 thirty

minute pull out sessions per week..... for 8 weeks..... and then we would

have to meet again to discuss progress, and possibly reduce the amt. of 1:1.

Our IEP meeting lasted 4 hours..... but nothing was signed..... because

they had to " think about " the proposed amt. of ST and how they were going

to write it up. They said that they would get back to me. THEN the snow

hit..... their Offices were closed for a few days.

I received a call to tell me that they had decided to start him off with 15

minutes less per week of 1:1 than they had initially said that they would

consider. I KNOW- it is only 15 minutes less..... but this 15 minutes, to

me, is a big deal..... because he should be having much more! (Why does

common sense have to be such a battle)? I was told that they decided to write

it this way because of the fact that they accepted an outside Speech

Report on my Son, and did not conduct their own evaluations in regard to Speech.

I told them to go ahead and evaluate him then..... but was told that " they

do not like to subject kids to too many evals because they will learn the

test procedure " . In essence- this reply made no sense to me. How can they

use the fact that they never evaluated him as an excuse when they REFUSE to

evaluate him?

The second thing that bothered me is that the IEP clearly stated that

another Meeting will be held 8 weeks after my Son starts PK to discuss

progress.... . but the NOREP stated that the amount of ST will drop further in 8

weeks..... to two 15 minute pullout sessions per week, as described above.

My point was this...... " Why are we having a meeting to discuss progress,

when the decision to reduce the amt. of 1:1 ST has already been made?

I was assured that they will increase the amt. of 1:1 in 8 weeks if they

feel that it is necessary. I also would be able to go to Mediation or Due

Process in 8 weeks if I do not agree. SO- I signed the IEP.

I DID tell them that I feel very strongly that they should TEST HIM.....

and that I feel that they can't use the fact that they have not tested him as

a reason for not providing more 1:1..... especially since I countered this

comment by stating " well test him then " . I plan on sending them a letter

to address this after he starts... Can you all think of anything else that

I should do? ( I DO have another OUTSIDE " Progress Re-Evaluation "

scheduled prior to when this Meeting will occur)- this will help!

My Second worry is related to the fact that my Son's " pullout 1:1 " will in

essence, be in a hallway..... . there is a small recessed area in this

hallway.... and that is where it will be done. There are not any classrooms

near this area..... BUT- it still is a hallway. My Son has a very short

attention span..... He has always sat in a " High chair type seat " during his

private and EI ST..... (to keep him from wandering). They can't do this at

the School...... So most likely, he will wander away, and not focus. I am

worried that they will tell me that " the pull out is not working " due to

this reason. Any suggestions on how to prepare for this? Also- as described

above, there will be another meeting 8 weeks after my Son starts PK....

any suggestions about this would be appreciated as well.

Thanks so much

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I will call you later today.... Re this IEP- on the tape they used the

words that they would " Consider " two 30 minute sessions per each 4 day week.

They also said that they needed to get back to me. There was over a week

delay in them doing this because the snow had started the day of the IEP

Meeting-- and got worse and worse.

When I was called..... I told them to test him when they used the " our

Speech person has not seen him or tested him excuse " . I was sent the new IEP

to look over....... and another week went by before I signed it because it

appeared to be a DRAFT--- there were " write ins " , " write overs " , etc. that

were done during our Initial Meeting. I requested a Typed Copy.... stating

that " if I can't read it, how will the Class Staff read it " . I also did

not like how the copy that was sent to me had many things " cut off " because

of how it went through the Copying Machine. (For example- My copy read

" Tyler has a diagnosis of Moderate " ...... and then it cut off. ). It took time

to get the new copy. Hey- I WANTED his Diagnosis SHOWN!

Lurking over my head was the fact that time was running out...... they were

" Out of Compliance " with the date of our first IEP Meeting..... (due to a

paperwork mix up- I was sent another child's IEP info TWICE- yes- twice). I

was told to " sign the area that states this Meeting Time is not good for

me " . I refused to do that-- I can't sign that another child's Meeting is

not good for me! Someone even showed up at my house for this other child's

meeting! The point is, Tyler's IEP Meeting was already late..... the snow

caused further delays in me receiving the IEP.....me insisting on a typed

copy caused further delays...... and I NEEDED to get him into that Classroom

to meet the teacher prior to his start date. (Tyler has separation

issues).

WHY did I sign even though I did not agree? I did it because I KNEW that

we would be having another Meeting in 8 weeks..... I decided that I would

show them that I am able to listen to their side...... I wanted to " start

off on a good foot " per se. I plan on being a " bug up their rear ends "

during these 8 weeks..... insisting that they test him. I want them to be able

to see him during these 8 weeks...... and IF they are reasonable people,

they will SEE that he needs more ST! (I was told that the ST will increase

in 8 weeks if needed).

OMG- thanks so much for the info on the chair..... I am going to try to get

one of those catalogs right now! Big hugs to you for all of your

advice..... THIS " SUCKS " ...... to be blunt.... darn- you know me.... I will

be

obsessing for the next 2 months about the next Meeting! BUT- Obsessive Moms

never stop!

It is great to be prepared..... Thanks to everyone else as well..... and

big hugs to all the PA moms who have advised me..... PA moms stick together!

[Guest guest]

There is a group for IEP's. I think that the majority are from PA---I can

now understand why!. Maybe they can offer you more tips. they seem to have a lot

of information about PA schools.

IEP_guide/

I went into my 5yr old sons prek class last week-just before the snow--for his

birthday party. he's in the UPK program at my daughters school that has Apraxia.

He's only there for 2.5 hrs. When we were done with his party--I took him home.

As we walked down the hallway, a therapist had just pulled out a K girl from a

class across the hall. She had the desk set up right there outside the class. It

was for speech or reading- I could hear the little girl struggling--but I've

often seen desks set up outside of classrooms now that I think about it. It may

not be such an odd practice to have 1:1 therapy outside the classroom. There are

not a lot of people walking by except for other kids. Their school have women

who guard the front doors with thier lives and NO One gets by them without a

very good reason.

>

> If he had a high chair for him to function in private therapy then they need

to get it at the school for him. You need to bring in Childcraft magazine (she

wasn't sure if that was the one) they have high chairs for kids that need them

that the district can order. She said " Put it under a 504 plan for goodness

sake. If these administrators put themselves in the parent's place wouldn't

they want what is appropriate for your child? This is just nuts! "

>

> Even though you signed the IEP for the minutes for therapy it's not acceptable

at all and at the new IEP they are going to agree cooperatively for the amount

of time for therapy to take place. You have to allow ten minutes just to get

the child, set everything up, so are they only doing 5 minutes of therapy?! And

if he's highly distractable what is he going to get out of 5 minutes?! Fifteen

minutes is not acceptable at all. They have to allow for pick up time return

time and time for him to focus.

>

> Environmental issue is another issue. " I'm surprised that the state of

Pennsylvania allows classes or therapy for children to be conducted in the

hallway! There are safety issues to consider, distractability to consider.

There are adults and children passing, deliveries -are they kidding? The mom

says the child has trouble with focus how is he supposed to focus in a hallway.

Even the therapist would not be able to fully focus. I would never ever agree

to conduct therapy in a hallway that is just nuts! They need to find an empty

classroom for therapy Hallways are not acceptable.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, ! How confusing! I see you've already gotten a bunch of good advice,

but here's my two cents - go find the s Law books (I'm reading From

" Emotion to Advocacy " right now - awesome) to familiarize yourself with federal

laws regarding IDEA and FAPE (I would imagine that very nicely quoting directly

from the law when it pertains to certain situations - like how they used the

whole eval thing against you regarding ST - would nip that stuff in the bud).

Also, consider hiring an advocate. You might check with his current OT and ST

to see if they ever hire themselves out as advocates (but be careful, because

although they might be used to attendin IEP meetings, that doesn't mean that

they know the law, and you need someone who does), or if they can refer you to a

special education advocate. A good advocate would be able to review all of your

son's evaluations, observe him during therapy sessions and talk to his

therapists, help you uniquely taylor his IEP to HIS individual needs, as it

should be, and then attend the meetings with you to advocate. We got lucky -

our son's preschool has two people who have offered to do this for us. Network

locally, because I'm sure you can find some help!

Looking forward to seeing some good news posted about this soon! Sending good

IEP vibes your way.

Dianne

>

>

> Hi guys-

> I have not been myself these past 2 weeks..... I am so darned worried

> about my little guy starting school next week after he turns 3....it is hard

to

> focus on anything.

>

> What do you all think of this?

> We had our first IEP Meeting last month for our almost 3 year old little

> guy who has a Dx of Moderate to Severe Apraxia. ....I was so excited, and

> wrote to you all that I did manage to get them to agree to 1:1 pullout ST

even

> though I had been previously told that this would not happen in my State-

> PA. They said that they would consider starting him off with 2 thirty

> minute pull out sessions per week..... for 8 weeks..... and then we would

> have to meet again to discuss progress, and possibly reduce the amt. of 1:1.

> Our IEP meeting lasted 4 hours..... but nothing was signed..... because

> they had to " think about " the proposed amt. of ST and how they were going

> to write it up. They said that they would get back to me. THEN the snow

> hit..... their Offices were closed for a few days.

>

> I received a call to tell me that they had decided to start him off with 15

> minutes less per week of 1:1 than they had initially said that they would

> consider. I KNOW- it is only 15 minutes less..... but this 15 minutes, to

> me, is a big deal..... because he should be having much more! (Why does

> common sense have to be such a battle)? I was told that they decided to

write

> it this way because of the fact that they accepted an outside Speech

> Report on my Son, and did not conduct their own evaluations in regard to

Speech.

>

> I told them to go ahead and evaluate him then..... but was told that " they

> do not like to subject kids to too many evals because they will learn the

> test procedure " . In essence- this reply made no sense to me. How can they

> use the fact that they never evaluated him as an excuse when they REFUSE to

> evaluate him?

>

> The second thing that bothered me is that the IEP clearly stated that

> another Meeting will be held 8 weeks after my Son starts PK to discuss

> progress..... but the NOREP stated that the amount of ST will drop further in

8

> weeks..... to two 15 minute pullout sessions per week, as described above.

> My point was this...... " Why are we having a meeting to discuss progress,

> when the decision to reduce the amt. of 1:1 ST has already been made?

>

> I was assured that they will increase the amt. of 1:1 in 8 weeks if they

> feel that it is necessary. I also would be able to go to Mediation or Due

> Process in 8 weeks if I do not agree. SO- I signed the IEP.

>

> I DID tell them that I feel very strongly that they should TEST HIM.....

> and that I feel that they can't use the fact that they have not tested him as

> a reason for not providing more 1:1..... especially since I countered this

> comment by stating " well test him then " . I plan on sending them a letter

> to address this after he starts... Can you all think of anything else that

> I should do? ( I DO have another OUTSIDE " Progress Re-Evaluation "

> scheduled prior to when this Meeting will occur)- this will help!

>

> My Second worry is related to the fact that my Son's " pullout 1:1 " will in

> essence, be in a hallway...... there is a small recessed area in this

> hallway.... and that is where it will be done. There are not any classrooms

> near this area..... BUT- it still is a hallway. My Son has a very short

> attention span..... He has always sat in a " High chair type seat " during his

> private and EI ST..... (to keep him from wandering). They can't do this at

> the School...... So most likely, he will wander away, and not focus. I am

> worried that they will tell me that " the pull out is not working " due to

> this reason. Any suggestions on how to prepare for this? Also- as described

> above, there will be another meeting 8 weeks after my Son starts PK....

> any suggestions about this would be appreciated as well.

>

> Thanks so much

>

>

>

>