autism related services?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
autism related services?
3
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 8:10am

I posted this on the IEP board but have yet to get a reply, so I thought I'd post here as well. Does anyone have any info/advice???

My DD is 4 y.o., currently in a self-contained special presschool class and receiving speech, OT and PT. She'll be doing the extended year program and will be in the same preschool class next fall. We've been happy with her services, however she received a PDD-NOS dx midway through the school year, and she's currently starting to display increased signs of anxiety and behavior issues at school. Prior to the past few months, DD only really displayed that kind of behavior at home, so the chair of the CPSE wouldn't give us any more services since her behaviors technically weren't interfering with her learning.

Currently DD's IEP does not have any autism-related support per se. When I made the CPSE aware of DD's dx, the chair said, "OK, that won't change her services, but it's good for us to have the information in our file." Her current IEP just mentions the dx. But recently I talked to DD's dev ped about her recent behavior concerns, and the dev ped said that DD really should have an autism consultant at school -- someone who could observe DD in her therapies and in the classroom and address overarching concerns, implement behavioral strategies, etc. I would absolutely LOVE such a consultant -- I had no idea they even existed, but I really feel as though we need that kind of observer to help us link together all of the pieces of DD's behavior. Right now we feel as though her treatment is a bit fragmented; each teacher and therapist has her own agenda and her own set of expectations, and I'm not really sure how everything fits together. Plus everyone at her school seems to be at a bit of a loss as to how to address DD's anxiety, tearfulness, and some recent meltdowns. The dev ped said that she would write a letter for us to give to the CPSE to encourage them to give us an autism consultant. I'm assuming that DD's teacher will also be able to corroborate that Sylvie's behavior at school as been deteriorating a bit.

So here's my question (finally!): DD's annual review was a month ago, before I met with the dev ped; as such her IEP for next year is basically the same as the IEP she had in place this year. I have in my hands a parent reply form for the CPSE, asking whether I agree with the services in DD's IEP, or whether I with to address the CPSE to provide further info. I want to make sure that I have all my ducks in a row before I go to the CPSE; should I wait until I have the dev ped's letter before addressing the CPSE again? Should I indicate on the parent reply form that I want to address the CPSE, and assume that I'll have the letter in hand prior to the meeting? Should I indicate on the form why I want to reconvene the CPSE, or should I wait until the meeting itself to bring up the autism consultant? And do you have any advice for me in terms of what I should say at the meeting, and what I should NOT say?

Thank you SO much to anyone who made it this far!!! As you can tell, I'm really at a loss here and could use as much direction as you can give me...

Jennifer

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2001
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 9:26am

I cant really answer your questions becuase I dont have any experience in those areas.

 


Powered by CGISpy.com

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2003
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 10:25am

Keep pursuing the autism services. Don't let up on them. The school's initial reaction to any request for additional services will be a resounding 'no'. Ask them formally to test her for autism services eligibility. They are finally going to do that for my son and he has struggled to get through kindergarten and first grade. After so many behavior issues, they are finally going to see if he can get autism services...but the principal let me know that just because they test him doesn't mean he'll be eligible.

Pretty much, they would like you to believe that they are doing all they can for your child. At her age, they also have the wishful thinking that she will outgrow it. I know that's what the county told me when they tested my son at age 4. "He'll be fine by the time he starts kindergarten."

Autism services are expensive and school administrators are like used car salesman. They won't tell you what they don't have to tell you.

Good luck. Maybe find a support group in your area. I found an autism support group in my county and those parents know exactly what services are available and what is good. If you find other parents in your school system, then you won't be in the dark so much.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-17-2006
Thu, 06-15-2006 - 12:23pm

Jenny,
What a great post and I'm in the completely same boat. My ds is 4 and has been in a a special ed preschool with PT, OT and speech. We just received official autism dx and only briefly discussed the the evaluator short term education plans. He mentioned continuing most of next school year with the same program but when it gets near the end that we and the school should start transitioning ds to the reg-ed Kindergarten. He should go to reg-ed K and maybe have some support there. What support is i am not all to clear yet. I just wanted to give you my experience in hopes it may make you feel better. I too have explained my conerns to Mitchell's teacher and she has only recently started to see the behavior's that we see at home. I think I'm leaving well enough alone for now, waiting to have follow up appt with autism evaluator and then we'll see how 4 yo preschool is going. I do not think just because an IEP is set, it cannot cahnge either. However, if you feel strongly about changing it now, I would try but you will probably need more documentation like from your dev ped.

gotta go, meltdown ensuing as we "speak"...ahhh...

WEndy