very very nervous for IEP meeting next week

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, it has been a while since i posted anything in here. But I know

where to go if I need smart input and advice.

My son Jonah, 9, with Asperger's and hearing loss has his annual IEP next week.

Now, we have had many many of these meetings and I have never really had any

problems with anything. But this is different, in fact the older he gets I

think it is always going to be different now.

First off, the school has had no problem addressing the hearing loss mostly

cause it is something they can see. The Asperger's, well that's a different

story. I don't know if they just think all Aspie kids are badly behaved or what

cause I think that is what they were looking for.

Anyway, getting modifications for it has been a slow going thing. The newest

situation is I want an ESY (extended school year) need put into his IEP. Jonah

needs to be at a structured environment all year long. In the past

educationally he never qualified for ESY but I feel not only educationally does

he need it, he needs it socially.

Jonah's anxiety is high anyway and I don't feel I can send him to just any camp.

Not to mention we can't afford camp anyway.

I guess what I am saying and asking is, how much of an influence do I really

have at these meetings. I know as the parent I am part of the team

automatically but can they override my suggestions. Another worry is, in my

wonderful state of NJ they made major cuts in education. So many teachers and

admin are losing their job, what if they don't have any funds to send him to

camp.

This sucks cause if I was better off financially I would have my own funds as a

back up.

Sorry so long.