Made A Decision...1 IEP Down, 1 To Go!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Made A Decision...1 IEP Down, 1 To Go!
3
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 10:36am

After getting no help from our school district about what the proper placement would be for Noah (1st grade/AS) and Claire (Pre-K/Moderate Autism) we took matters into our own hands and starting touring the various options. We've chosen to place all three kids (including Emma, our NT) in general ed classrooms at one of the "charter" schools. Not a popular decision with the district reps, but it was truly the best choice for the kids. (There is a huge battle between the regular district schools and the charter schools, which are run by the Edison company.)

Noah will be getting 210 min./week resource, 30 min./speech and 30 min./week with the district autism counselor. We even wrote our own goals and modifications list for the IEP, which really ticked them off. (I highly recommended IEP4U.com - over 4,000 goals that can be adapted, as needed.) The district actually tried to schedule IEP's to last only 45 minutes, and attempted to "run us out" because they had to travel to another school for another IEP. Somehow, I think that probably violates something or another.

Claire's services will be decided at her IEP on the 31st...and it's going to be an ugly one. The district wants to place her in a spec. ed classroom, we want her in gen. ed with a one-on-one aid. The fact is, she does better modeling NT kids, and we feel it's crucial to try it this way, since she's never been in a "normal" school setting.

Luckily, the resource teacher at the new school has experience teaching an all autistic classroom, and she will be attending the IEP's. (She also attended Noah's yesterday and was incredibly helpful.)

The greatest problem we foresee are the uniforms. While DH and I adore the idea of uniforms, Claire is going to have a difficult time wearing clothing that isn't pink. (A long running obsession with her!)

Overall, I think we're on the right track...I just hope our instincts are right, and general ed. really is the way to go.

Amy W.

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Avatar for bari1
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 3:43pm
Glad you are getting what you want.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2003
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 4:03pm

Hehehe...that's what they tried to do to us! Noah's current spec. ed. teacher came prepared with a list of "her goals" all written out on the triplicate forms. I told her at our last conference that her goals would not be acceptable! Guess she thought I was bluffing when I told we'd do our own research and produce appropriate goals. She was pretty ticked about having to re-write the goals...but that's her problem. She shouldn't have expected us to simply sign off on what she'd written prior to the meeting!

Amy W.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 4:45pm

I'm so glad that you were able to advocate SO effectively for Noah!!! YEAH MOM!!!


ON the issue of running overtime on an IEP team meeting, there is no law regulating the length of an IEP team meeting or even whether the IEP must be written in one meeting. Often, in complicated cases, it is beneficial to have more than one IEP team meeting to alieviate people becoming overly emotional and frustrated. However, a meeting of 45 minutes to an hour is not asking too much. If the meeting is not within 15 minutes of completion after one hour, it is almost always better to schedule another meeting to finish it. The only law that would apply here would be that within 30 days of the meeting to go over the evaluation report, an IEP meeting will be held. However, if the child is not receiving FAPE in the meantime, the district had better be on the ball in getting this done!!!

Steph


Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take- but by the moments that take our breath away. - Author unknown


The 2004 IDEA, special education law, goes into effect on July 1, 2005. Do you know how and if this will affect your child?

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