Any advice on how to prepare for DS's IEP?

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
DS5 is having his IEP later this month. Any advice on how to prepare? He has "autistic tendencies" or pervasive developmental disorder, depending what specialist you ask. His teacher(special day class kindergarten) says he may benefit from a program for autistic children.
So this IEP is coming up, but I don't know what to do. Does anyone have a strategy when they go in for these meetings. I want to make sure that my son gets the best education and treatment possible!
Please help!
Thanks,
Sherri

 

[dislvr75]

There is so much I want to say I don't know where to begin. I will try and stay short and too the point in the hopes I relay what I believe IMO is the best way to start.

First, what do YOU think. Are his needs being met at your local school or do YOU believe that he needs more specialized instruction? I'm surprised his teacher said she thought he needed more specialized instruction, because if she admits this, your school district has to pay for another program. Most teachers will not say what type of program might better suit the child because it then obligates them to follow thru with it. I would begin with an austism society group in your area or someplace that can help you identify schools in your area that provide programs for kids on the autism spectrum. If there's still time I would even recommend visiting these schools to make sure they are appropriate for the function level of your child. I would then be prepared at the IEP to offer some suggestions on placement for your son. If his teacher believes he would be better served in another environment then you need to be in on the decision making process as to where he goes! Some of these schools, I know personally of Easter Seals here in the Chicagoland area can cost $10,000 - 15,000 a year for these kids, most special ed administrators are NOT wiling to put up that kind of money unless mom and dad are serious about placement.

I know nothing about your district or how well special ed is funded in CA. Out here, it is almost always a battle!
If he needs further evaluation, physchological profile, testing, your district is supposed to arrange and pay for these evaluations. Not you. You may have to have all of the testing done first, then reschedule the actual IEP until the results are in.

Remember always to advocate for your son no matter what. Ask questions and do what your gut says. All parties need to have an true assessment of where your child is, how he learns, how he socializes, how he processes information in order to make an apropriate placement.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you want to chat more. I have a friend who has 2 children with Autism, I'm sure she'd be willing to talk to you.

 

[JinniLynn33]

Remember above all else, you know your child best. Kindergarten is really early for the school to be indentifying any kind of learning disability. But if it is there, the early you get help the better. The one thing that I have requested for my child is that he be mainstreamed as much as possible. and think about what you want for him and his goal, cause they will definately ask you that. The first time that caught me off guard, I thought I was just there to watch, lol. Don't every be afraid to question what they suggest, as they are just guidelines and suggestions, not written in stone.

Good Luck,

Virginia

 

[dislvr75]

I do agree that mainstreaming is best, I hope I didn't imply that your son does need to be moved out of your local school. My son has Spina Bifida and is in a regular 1/2 day kindergarten class. He also receives OT and PT at school.

I suppose the reason why I spent so much time talking about the testing and the evaulations is that for some kids depending on the disability, the easiest thing is to keep them in the class. That is the least expensive option. Some parents have to fight rather hard to get kids enrolled in specialized schools that cost lots of money. Kindergarten is early, but most kids with an autism spectrum disorder that have problems with comunicating are identified earlier, usually by age 2 or 3. If his teacher believes he may have some issues, don't just shrug it off, the earlier the better!!!!

Without knowing you or your child or your school district its hard to say but you I'm sure you will know best. Have that confidence in yourself that you know what kind of program would serve him best. If you haven't already I would visit his classroom also. Maybe see how he reacts with the other children, is the current curriculum meeting his needs or does it appear to be inappropriate for him? When he brings home papers they have completed at school, does it look as though he is grasping the material? Does he communicate well with his peers? With his teachers? With you and other family members??

I agree that mainstreaming for most kids is the best solution (i opted for it for my own son) but for some kids, they could probably benefit MORE from a more specialized curriculum, and parents should be strong enough to admit that, and not to shy away from the help a child might really need.

 

[SueM in MN]

I did a better job of writing earlier, but I had a computer problem and lost it. Here goes again.
Here's a resource for you: The Pacer Center
PACER stands for Parent Advocacy for Education Rights. It is in Minnesota and was a prototype for programs in other states and is the national center for some things. Wherever you are, you have a similar resource available, free of charge (you paid for it with your taxes). The Minnesota one has been around the longest and has a really good website.
There is some good info on the Pacer site under the Pacer Center Articles button. You might also find some good info under the Early Childhood button (even though your child is a little older). The Links across the left side has some good info you can go to. You'll also find links to the program in your area.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I can't tell you how much your comments have meant to me! I am learning so much from your experiences.
I think my son is doing well and imroving a great deal in his special day class. My concern is that he doesn't want to socialize with the other children. He has meltdowns during circle time too. I think I want to give my son more time in this class. I don't want to rush it.
I've been told that our school district is well known for it's special education program. I hope everyone is right.
I will definitely take your advise and come into that meeting well prepared.
In our first IEP, my husband and I were shell shocked. We just sat there stunned. This time, that will not happen.
Thanks again for your encouragement!

 

[riu girl]

My daughter has been on an IEP since Junior K ( we have two years of kindergarten in Ontario) and is now in grade 2. She is in a mainstream classroom . I ask the school to give me a copy of the tentative updated IEP a day before the meeting. This gives me time to review it, write questions/comments in the margins and have a good idea about what will be discussed at the meeting. It makes the meeting run much smoother (for me anyway) since I am familiar with what will be discussed.

 

[wide awake]

The important thing for an IEP is to be prepared. Know exactly where you want your child placed. My DS is ASD, and our school district was always pushing for mainstreaming with an aide...it didn't work for him, he does better in an NPS. There are huge issues here...sure it is nice to say "my son is in normal 4th grade" or whatever, but is it working for your child ? I would really look at any test results, talk to other parents in your district and get a feel for what actually happens...check out the programs available...go with what YOU think is best. You know your child best...the other people involved all have their own agenda, and I can tell you your child IS NOT at the top of their list. If you can afford it I would get some private testing done also, and you should get a very good idea of the best program available for your child. Do not go into that meeting without a very good idea of all the alternatives.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I have done extensive research on IEP's. My high school in Oklahoma was not cooperative so I had to know my rights. Here are some good things to know:

Without your signature, the plan cannot be activated
IEP's are required by law
IEP's are binding legal documents- if the school doesn't follow the plan, they're breaking the law
The school is supposed to give you a copy of your rights and how to appeal.
Always make sure your child's aid is competant and professional

Good luck!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks for all of the advise everyone. Wike Awake, what does nps stand for?

 

[RumpleMom]

I just wanted to add that an IEP can be changed at any time. It is not written in stone nor is it only changed once a year. If you see that something is not working, then the parent can request a review of the IEP.

 

[Megan's Mom]

Also if there are things you are not sure about trying you can set up a timetable of say we will try this for x number of weeks and then meet back together again at the end of that trial period and discuss if it is working. I know that there are school systems that are more difficult to work with than others but for the most part they want what is best for the child. Listen to what the teacher suggests and ask plenty of questions.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I just wanted to thank everyone for the great advise! Our son's IEP was this week and it went well. The school psychologist said she isn't sure that an autistic class isn't the right place for our son yet. He seems to be improving in the class that he's in now (for children with minor learning disabilities). She said that as long as he keeps showing improvement, she'll suggest that he stay in his current class. They would like to see him learn his colors, shapes and numbers by the end of the year. If that doesn't happen, then we will look into another class for him.
Thanks again for all of the advise!

 

[JinniLynn33]

That is awesome!!! Something kind of similar to that happened to my other son. They assessed him last year and said he needed to be in a special math class this year and at open house his special ed coodinator told me some how there was a mix up and he was in the regular class but doing well with a C+ (yeah) sometimes I think it just depends on the teacher and the method.

Who knows? I just try to go with what works

V

 

[SueM in MN]

It's always nice when we get an update.
Glad to hear things went well for the IEP and that your DS is doing well.

 

[dislvr75]

Thanks so much for the update. I was hoping to hear how things turned out. I'm glad he is doing well.