Please help - IEP for Kindergarten

June 9, 2009

Hi everyone! I've been a lurker for long - I have learned so much from all of

you, and it really helps to know what issues are common as AS kids grow, so I

have a sense of what certain behaviors etc. really 'mean'. Thank you.

My son is 5 and will be entering kindergarten in the fall in a regular classroom

with supports and an additional program where he will receive services (no pull

out at this time with half-day kindergarten). While I clearly see the AS in him,

as do his therapists, both the specialist teams we went to over the space of 2

years have stopped short of a diagnosis- both mentioned Aspergers, saying they

won't rule it out. His main challenges (as with all our kids) are in pragmatic

language, and sensory regulation; he also has some gross motor issues, and a lot

of fine motor challenges - pretty much par for the course. Lots of Need to

socialize, just unable to do it appropriately/successfully. He already feels the

pain of this. My guess is that while he has all of the difficulties, he may

possibly be 'milder' on the spectrum...? and hence no diagnosis...? Also, his

special interests are not as intense, and seem to come and go- I can 'deflect'

it too. I apologize for the rambling and my choice of words, but I just wanted

to draw a picture of my son here, and I haven't met another child with AS. He

also has several food allergies.

He has been in the school district preschool program with an IEP.

I have gone over the archives for our IEP meeting that's coming up in a few

days. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on goals for the IEP, and also

any insight into what you may have done in my situation, or if you could revisit

the kindergarten years. Would you have sent your child to typical private school

if it was possible financially? We can't at this time, but I was wondering if

down the line, it may help for me to go back to work to be able to afford it, if

it may help. Right now, we have behavior and attention issues that make me think

he needs the support at public school; will these only worsen as he gets older?

Please send me any opinions/ suggestions/ comments. He currently receives

speech, OT, and social skills group, though very little of each.

Thanks much for staying with this long post.

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