Son did not qualify for IEP

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

You all have given me a lot of sound advice about negotiating the process to get

my son qualified for preschool services and an IEP through the school district.

Anyway, I just wanted to follow up and let you know how it went...not well. They

ultimately decided that my son does fit one of the categories for disability

(strangely enough, it was the school psychologist who said to mark " yes " for

autism spectrum disorder - I say it was strange because she made it clear in her

report that she does not see enough to give that diagnosis, despite elevated

markers on the ASRS checklist).

However, they said he copes too well in school to show a need for special

education services. As the director put it, early intervention is designed to be

proactive and the school district services are designed to be reactive. They may

all believe that a child is at risk and shows concerning behaviors, but if he is

not a hot mess at school, it does not matter. Minimal weight was given to the

fact that he is receiving therapy outside of school 3 days a week to prepare him

to cope with peers and the school setting. Our advocate basically said that at

least they found my son to fit into a category of disability, so that if his

problems at school become more severe, it will be easier to revisit the issue of

services. Very frustrating, to say the least.

Bridget