Need IEP Advice please
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- Posts: 49
- Joined: Thu Mar 05, 2009 1:11 am
Need IEP Advice please
Hi everyone. We are transitioning from Regional Center to the local school system and starting meetings for an IEP. What are the key points these kids tend to need? Mine is 2 1/2 years old with limited rom and requires nebulizer treatments. I know from reading other posts that our kids have issues that can be overlooked. What are these issues? Also, our PT is concerned about processing issues. Any advice for that too? Thanks.
- F-Litz
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Re: Need IEP Advice please
think in terms of what needs does your child have in order to be successful at school.....
desk and chair need to be at a certain height so that the arm is comfortable doing tasks
is a slant board required for learning writing skills? special grips? tacky paper?
how about cutting?
think about lunch.... does your child need help with lunch? carrying a lunch tray? opening up packaging?
about adl's... donning coat? zipping? boots in winter? tying shoes?
can your child be independent on the playground or does he need a watchful eye (they can provide a wrap-around - a person who supervises closely or from afar)
pottying... can your child turn the faucets? get a paper towel?
what's required for a class trip? does your child need special supervision?
And of course, as your child grows up, the IEP will continuously change as the needs change....
about processing issues... well the term is very general... you have to be very specific with them about what processing issues your child has so that they can make accommodations.... early on Maia had trouble with bright lights and certain sounds but I worked with her on a desensitization program before she got to school and it helped dramatically
OT and PT at the school can help figure all this out --
but I also HIGHLY recommend that you become a room mother so that you can better understand how the classroom works and how your child manages it all and fits in.... being a classroom mom was the best thing i could have done -- I helped the teacher with other children and did her busy work so that I could see how it all worked in the classroom so that I could support Maia by giving the teacher alternative ways around things... it was excellent.
hope this helps,
francine
desk and chair need to be at a certain height so that the arm is comfortable doing tasks
is a slant board required for learning writing skills? special grips? tacky paper?
how about cutting?
think about lunch.... does your child need help with lunch? carrying a lunch tray? opening up packaging?
about adl's... donning coat? zipping? boots in winter? tying shoes?
can your child be independent on the playground or does he need a watchful eye (they can provide a wrap-around - a person who supervises closely or from afar)
pottying... can your child turn the faucets? get a paper towel?
what's required for a class trip? does your child need special supervision?
And of course, as your child grows up, the IEP will continuously change as the needs change....
about processing issues... well the term is very general... you have to be very specific with them about what processing issues your child has so that they can make accommodations.... early on Maia had trouble with bright lights and certain sounds but I worked with her on a desensitization program before she got to school and it helped dramatically
OT and PT at the school can help figure all this out --
but I also HIGHLY recommend that you become a room mother so that you can better understand how the classroom works and how your child manages it all and fits in.... being a classroom mom was the best thing i could have done -- I helped the teacher with other children and did her busy work so that I could see how it all worked in the classroom so that I could support Maia by giving the teacher alternative ways around things... it was excellent.
hope this helps,
francine
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Re: Need IEP Advice please
Dear "annotherbpimom",
I also strongly suggest you take another person along with you to ALL meetings at school regardless of who you are meeting with to take notes and/or to be witness to everything said. Also, if there is something in the IEP meeting that your intuition gives you concern you do not have to sign off at the meeting , you have the right to take it home and review again and if you are still not satisfied request another meeting to discuss it. ALWAYS take someone with you, keep a journal of telephone calls with everyone and make a short note what was said for future reference in case you ever have to appeal any decision the school district makes . FYI every parent has the Right to Appeal and be arbitrated. There are Parent Advocacy organizations in most cities, listed in the telephone Directory or check wioth another parent whp has been thru your school district's IEP process and learn the IDEA Laws.
Good Luck and keep us updated on your experience. We all learn from each other.
Carolyn J
LOBPI adult
I also strongly suggest you take another person along with you to ALL meetings at school regardless of who you are meeting with to take notes and/or to be witness to everything said. Also, if there is something in the IEP meeting that your intuition gives you concern you do not have to sign off at the meeting , you have the right to take it home and review again and if you are still not satisfied request another meeting to discuss it. ALWAYS take someone with you, keep a journal of telephone calls with everyone and make a short note what was said for future reference in case you ever have to appeal any decision the school district makes . FYI every parent has the Right to Appeal and be arbitrated. There are Parent Advocacy organizations in most cities, listed in the telephone Directory or check wioth another parent whp has been thru your school district's IEP process and learn the IDEA Laws.
Good Luck and keep us updated on your experience. We all learn from each other.
Carolyn J
LOBPI adult
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI