Our First IEP

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
Our First IEP
4
Fri, 06-03-2005 - 3:24pm

We finally had Eric's first IEP and it went very well. I just wanted to thank everyone here who offered advice months ago when we had a very bad "transition" meeting where we were turned over to the school system from early intervention. I would never have been so prepared, if not for all your suggestions.

I was pleasantly surprised by our "team" who I felt got a good reading on Eric and listened to our concerns. We worked together and fortunately we all seemed to be in agreement on what he needs. I would have liked to get extra ST for him, but that was denied due to his high ST eval scores, however, the program we are putting him in has social skills/pragmatics as part of the curriculum, so I think it will be ok, that is his problem area. We'll still supplement with private ST. We did get OT as part of the IEP to address his fine motor problems.

The class will be a newish program here (this is only second year)called "Autistic LEAP PreK" It is a half day, 4 HFA kids and 6 NT kids. 2 teachers, one ESE/Autism and one general ed teacher plus 2 aides. I liked everything about the method and I met the teacher and liked him a lot too. The student/teacher ratio is wonderful. The program uses PECS and a TEACCH approach. I think it will be great for him.

The only thing I am not crazy about is the neighborhood where the school is located,which is a high-crime area and a bit scary. This program is only in 4 schools in our district and you can't really choose which school, it's based on your zip code. But I am trying to console myself saying I'll walk him in and out of school and that we'll only be there in broad daylight. Sorry to sound so nervous, but you know how it is in big cities. I'll deal with it. We visited the classroom before signing the IEP and once we were in there, we were transported to another place and you could forget the grim outside. Eric loved the room and seemed to have "chemistry" with the teacher, so I am hoping for the best.

We'll see what adventures and discoveries the new school year will hold!

Katherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Fri, 06-03-2005 - 6:27pm
Sorry about the neighborhood, but it sounds like a great program. I hope this next year is great for Eric!

Avatar for betz67
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-04-2005 - 6:47am

the program sounds wonderful! the neighborhood not so great, but as you said you'll be there in broad daylight and it will be ok.

Betsy

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-24-2004
Sat, 06-04-2005 - 11:51am

Katherine,

That's great that Eric seemed to have "chemistry" with his teacher. I think it's important for our kids to like their teachers and their classrooms. It sounds like a pretty good program too. Hope everything goes well!!! Sorry about the neighborhood though, I know how that goes......we had to go where the school district put us too! Fortunately, it's a nice school and Nathan seems to like it there.

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-04-2005 - 10:57pm

Congrats, that does sound good.

On the neighborhood, I don't live in a large city but in a middle size one/ large town. Our preschool program is in a not so great area too. I would be more worried if the kids were school age, but in preschool they are very well monitored. Especially special needs preschool. It has never been an issue at the school at all. I walk them in and wait for them outside. They all hold onto a rope when walking in line and there is usually multiple teachers there.

If it were elementary school I would be more concerned because of less supervision and usually it is neighborhood kids that attend. But in special preschools, it is kids from all over with special needs that attend.

Renee

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