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[Guest guest]

Just had to share that the thing I hate MOST at IEP meetings is when they try to blow me off by saying "Oh all kids are like that, all kids do that". As if they don't understand the intense degree to which my child will take- for example, talking too loud, tantrumming, climbing, getting in other's personal space, etc, etc. They want to minimize everything so they don't have to spend the money to provide the things they need. (Both of my kids have special needs so I have been to many meetings.) My only one suggestion is that you considering bringing an advocate with you to the meeting. We got a wonderful woman involved for both my kids meetings and things get done and get done the right way much faster! She is with the ARC and it is free- at least here in Minnesota. They will represent kids with any disability diagnosis, they are wonderful. Another place I had called and I can't remember which one but they would only help parents, not

attend the IEP meetings.

Best Regards, Patty and I have Sheridon 8 RTS and Blaise 6 Spitfire

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

the advocate we used with ARC has 20+ years experience and knew most of the

teachers and therapists so she " spoke their language " . She made certain that the

goals were measurable not just " SC will exhibit this behavior less than SC does

now " or something vague like that. She got both my kids speech as a related

service even though they can both speak. She spoke up quite a bit in the

meetings and questioned the goals, needs, got increased OT for my daughter

because she is accident prone (proprioception issues). I have turned to her for

advice via email when certain issues have come up (teasing, bullying type

incidents) and she always calls me back or emails me. She has been very

supportive and a great resource for our family. She knows the law and truly the

people at the meetings were clearly intimidated by her. This is not normally

something I like but when it comes to my kids I will use whatever help I can

get!

Patty

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> Hi Patty -

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> Could you give us an idea of what your advocate from ARC did in your IEP

meetings?