OT: IEP for Angel?

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2005
OT: IEP for Angel?
6
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 2:31am

I'm going to get my toosh over to the IEP board tomorrow and ask them about this too, but since a lot of you are familiar with Angel's problems I thought I'd ask here too.

At the beginning of the school semester I contacted the district about the possibility of putting Angel in the special needs preschool to help get her 'warmed up' for regular kindergarten. Her state social worker (marvelous young man!) had assured me that she qualifies, and she does. I had no problems getting accomodations for her parapeligia at all (didn't really expect too). BUT, when push came to shove they couldn't garauntee that she would never be given dairy products (she's fataly allergic). So, being that I homeschool two of my other DDs I just decided that I would have to do the same with her until she was old enough (and educated enough) to be responsible for her own food safety.

However, it was pointed out to me this morning by her physical therapist that the clinic she goes to for that also has a special needs preschool, and that they already deal with extremely strict dietary restrictions. So, I looked into it on my way out.

This place looks wonderful! Yes, half the kids are either on the spectrum or are dealing with other mental issues, which is not her problem, but the other half were physically disabled kids like her. We spent half an hour in the class checking it out and Angel had a blast. I got to talk to the teachers (there are 3 teachers and 7 aids for the ONE class) and they assured me that they CAN provide her with a dairy-free environment. Several other kids in the class are also on DF diets (GF/CF) and doing fine. One boy attends because he has fatal peanut allergiies.

Anyway, I'm hooked. Angel's hooked. BUT, we can't afford it. It's a private school and we can't afford the tuition (or even come close). So, my question is, sould I push to have the public school pay for this since they are the ones who can't provide an appropriate placement to accomodate her disabiities in the first place? I feel guilty just thinking about it. I know this sounds silly, but I hate thinking of taking money away from the public schools when I don't have any kids in the ps system (those that aren't homeschooled are private schooled). I also talked to my insurance company and if we go this rought they will send us a $200/mo allotment towards her schooling IF the ps is involved with an IEP saying that she needs to be in this private school.

So, what to do? Should I go ahead and continue with the IEP I started back in January? I didn't sign-ff on it because she isn't 5yo yet and we had officially signed her out of the ps system to homeschool. The IEP basework is still there, but this would be a radical change. Also, the clinic's school only covers pre-k and K, no grades after that. I don't see her being mature enough to take responsibility for her food safety at 6yo, no matter HOW smart she is. What happens when she starts 1st? Do we pull her out to homeschool her again? What if she loves going to school? Pulling her would break her heart. And I really, really think she'll like going to a more mainstreamed school environment, which is why we were looking into ps for her in the first place.... **headdesk** What to do? What to do?

Should I push? Are there any other options for her? HELP!

~Candes

APOV on Autism

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 2:47am

>>>>sould I push to have the public school pay for this since they are the ones who can't provide an appropriate placement to accomodate her disabiities in the first place>>>>

Right there candes, you answered your own question. Yes you should. You pay your taxes whether your kids are in public school or private school right? And if your child can't have things the way they are handled in the public school system, then I would fight.

LOL and you are the one that usually gives me advice hehehehe.

Love,
Shoelicker

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2005
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 5:45am

Absollutely you should push it. If the ps system can't guarantee her health and safety (ie: food allergy) they need to find apprpriate accomodation, and in my mind that would be a pricate placement that they need to foot the bill for.I can't believe the system actually daid they couldn't guarentee she wouldn't be exposed to dairy. It's not that hard. She gets her own packed lunch that you provide and a tray that is disenfected eafter and vefore each meal. The teacher should be able to handle snacls etc. When I taught we have several children with fatal peanut allergies and honestly the school nurse did a great job ingraining it into all the staff and faculty how serious it was; these children's pics and stats were posted everywhere (especially places where food was served) and we all were trained in administering an epi pen. The child had a pen on their person at all times and so sis the classroom teacher.

Go kick bootie girl!!!!

Dee

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 8:23am

Dear Candes,

Steph at IEP Board has a daughter with life-threatening dairy allergy, I am almost sure and her first big fight with her school district was over this. And she won. I think she will really be able to give you great advice there. Also, yes, your school district would have to make real changes but they indeed should be able to learn how to keep your daughter safe and alive, it's the law! But scary to take a chance on it....

I do know that getting schools to pay for private can be tricky and just knowing you would go for it might cause your school district to change their tune about dietary restrictions at their own school. They probably FIGURED you would homeschool, BTW.

And also, it may be that your daughter will WANT to be homeschooled later on with her family after a few years of school. Never know.

Sara

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-16-2006
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 8:28am

It doesn't hurt to try............
Push Push Push

good luck

Nora

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 8:57am

Candes,


Go for it! As Shoelicker (Lainie, that is going to stick!) pointed out, you pay your taxes, you

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2005
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 5:57pm

Thanks ladies, you all made gerat points.

For now though, it's going to be up to DH. Since he's coming home and taking over as House Dad in the fall all this will be up to him, and he says he needs to think about it.

He brought up other options, like half days at the local regular private preschool all our neighbors kids went to. He said he'd actually been thinking of being a volunteer there on the days she was attending. And the tuitionis well within our budget range (esspecially if he volunteers cause they take 50% off). That school is a lot closer too, and we know two of the teachers (from tutoring other kids). It's a good option... I just have this feeling that DH wants to do that because he's having problems believing Angel might actually LIKE school days away from Mom, Dad, and the autism spectrum. I think he's having a hard time letting go. But we have all summer to figure it out....

~Candes (who might also be having a hard time letting go of being the SAHM, lol)

APOV on Autism