Mine was in special services starting at 22 mos of age because he was non-verbal. When they have 'history', its easier to just stay in special ed. I was told about 5th grade that if he had just come in, he might not have qualified based on where he was at that point.
I suspect it's harder to be eligible when they get older. Too much difficulty sorting out what is ability and what is effort and what might be emotional, blah, blah, blah. I understand at one level but that doesnt mean they shouldnt at least try.
Does the cheer squad offer any kind of help? Special tutoring for athletes in general?
If you have to go private, you have to go private
You could see about neuro psych or developmental pediatricians. The developmental pediatrician here has a child study team and they even see what I have heard called 'young adults' so dont get turned off by the ped designation
I personally dont think these type of diagnosis are ever definitive. But I do think many parents reach a place where they 'feel' the dx fits and its helping which is what matters in the end
The sibling stuff is hard. You feel you cant compliment the one doing well without putting the other down. WE had a lot of jealousy-DS3's teachers have never felt he just needed to try harder-guess Ive been 'lucky' that way-but his brothers sure did. I hide DS3s report cards so I dont have to hear DS2 whine about how he would have gotten in trouble for those grades. Pitiful I have to do that
Oh I definitely don't want a bipolar diagnosis, but I don't want to have my head in the sand if that is the real problem and things are made worse on add meds.
I don't "know" the cl on that board personally, but I do know she is *very* knowledgeble on the subject, she was posting on some of the boards I lurked on with ds16 school issues.
What's funny is DS I could have had in from the get go if that's the case - He was deaf as a doornail in his left ear until I had to pitch a fit to get him tubes and he didn't talk until he was 3.
I don't have any personal experience with ADD, but my DW has taught special ed in middle and high school for 30 years. Not sure if it varies widely by area, but around here to start services at your DD's age, you are frankly going to need to make a lot of noise and not be too polite about it. Staffing and resources are stretched. Unfortunately,
So sorry to hear your daughter is having such a rough year - and she's geting so fustrated.
FWIW, it "shouldn't" be a war to get an IEP - there are legal safeguards that support families. Some schools make it harder than others, but you do have rights. If you are interested in looking into it, I have two suggestions. First, go to the website wrightslaw dot com This is by far the best legal "special ed" resource out there. Then, find "Parent to Parent" group in your area http://www.p2pusa.org/ These are other parents in the same situation, and finding someone local will help you with specific issues in your state/town.
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Thanks Julie - when you say a really good store with knowledgable people do you have any suggestions?
Mine was in special services starting at 22 mos of age because he was non-verbal. When they have 'history', its easier to just stay in special ed. I was told about 5th grade that if he had just come in, he might not have qualified based on where he was at that point.
I suspect it's harder to be eligible when they get older. Too much difficulty sorting out what is ability and what is effort and what might be emotional, blah, blah, blah. I understand at one level but that doesnt mean they shouldnt at least try.
Does the cheer squad offer any kind of help? Special tutoring for athletes in general?
If you have to go private, you have to go private
You could see about neuro psych or developmental pediatricians. The developmental pediatrician here has a child study team and they even see what I have heard called 'young adults' so dont get turned off by the ped designation
I personally dont think these type of diagnosis are ever definitive. But I do think many parents reach a place where they 'feel' the dx fits and its helping which is what matters in the end
The sibling stuff is hard. You feel you cant compliment the one doing well without putting the other down. WE had a lot of jealousy-DS3's teachers have never felt he just needed to try harder-guess Ive been 'lucky' that way-but his brothers sure did. I hide DS3s report cards so I dont have to hear DS2 whine about how he would have gotten in trouble for those grades. Pitiful I have to do that
Oh I definitely don't want a bipolar diagnosis, but I don't want to have my head in the sand if that is the real problem and things are made worse on add meds.
There's a board on ivillage just for IEPs
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=iv-ppiep&nav=start
I don't "know" the cl on that board personally, but I do know she is *very* knowledgeble on the subject, she was posting on some of the boards I lurked on with ds16 school issues.
This is where I need to get a backbone and be pushy.
What's funny is DS I could have had in from the get go if that's the case - He was deaf as a doornail in his left ear until I had to pitch a fit to get him tubes and he didn't talk until he was 3.
Thanks, I was lurking around there earlier and trying to find my footing.
I don't have any personal experience with ADD, but my DW has taught special ed in middle and high school for 30 years. Not sure if it varies widely by area, but around here to start services at your DD's age, you are frankly going to need to make a lot of noise and not be too polite about it. Staffing and resources are stretched. Unfortunately,
Thanks Daddio - I appreciate the insider tips :D
So sorry to hear your daughter is having such a rough year - and she's geting so fustrated.
FWIW, it "shouldn't" be a war to get an IEP - there are legal safeguards that support families. Some schools make it harder than others, but you do have rights. If you are interested in looking into it, I have two suggestions. First, go to the website wrightslaw dot com This is by far the best legal "special ed" resource out there. Then, find "Parent to Parent" group in your area http://www.p2pusa.org/ These are other parents in the same situation, and finding someone local will help you with specific issues in your state/town.
Let us know how it works out.
((HUGS))
Sue, mom to Leah and Seth
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