changing classification on IEP?
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changing classification on IEP?
| Fri, 06-16-2006 - 4:48pm |
I posted this question on the IEP board and got no responses......wondering if anyone here would know.....
My son's IEP is classified under OHI instead of Autism......is there any way to get that changed to Autism? I understand that it will not change the IEP at all.....it is suppose to be an individual plan specifically designed to meet Vaughn's needs. The only reason I am interested in having it state Autism is because Ohio (where we live) has an autism schlorship program and one of the criteria is that the student's IEP classification is Autism.
Can this be changed? if so - how?
Christie

We're in the same boat, Christie. And actually, changing classification might in fact change things on the IEP -- the way it was explained to me, it will enable Sylvie to qualify for some autism-specific services that she doesn't currently qualify for. I actually will be speaking to an advocate within the next few days and hopefully will get some of these questions answered -- I'll let you know what I find out!
Jennifer
Thanks so much Jennifer.....any info would be great!
Christie
I think I'm coming to the end of my battle on this (after 2 years) and may actually have Peter's classification changed soon. It takes persistence, insistence, research
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
Thanks Paula......good to know that it can be changed (with a lot of work) if that is the route we want to go. We may keep it OHI because there is a very good school near us that is for kids with LDs but they do not accept kids with autism as their main diagnosis or classification. My friend got her son in this school by getting his docs to state that he is NVLD and ADHD. We'll see.....still researching.....
Thanks again,
Christie
Well, classification is usually done at east annual IEP or triennial IEP, however, I don't know how easy it will be at a regular addendum meeting but you can try.
Classification basically comes down to which of the categories best fits the child or which diagnosis most affects thier education. You can have a child with autism and learnign disabilities. You put him under either Aut or LD depending on which one is most prominent and affects his education the most. OHI is kind of a catch all for kids who don't quite fit anywhere else, so if he fits the Autism criteria that one should definitely be chosen over OHI.
So basically it comes down to him fitting the definition of autism your state accepts. Most accept the federal one and they can't accept less than the federal one but some states do have thier own definition too as long as it is at least the federal if not easier to qualify. The federal one basically says they have the 3 core deficits of autism and that symptoms started prior to age 3. Even if you don't have records from prior to age 3 if you can document in anyway symptoms prior to that it would likely work. I am not sure how that part works, my kids both were being evaled by 3 so I have records.
Then if he fits the autism definition you just basically ask them to change it showing how he fits the definition and that the autism classification is more appropriate than the OHI one.
Don't know if that will help at all. I can likely find links for you if you like to the actual law. You never know, if it is for extra help for him outside the school they may be willing to help you out with the switch without much of a problem.
Renee
Forgive my ignorance....but what is an "east annual".....did you mean that or each annual? Also, what is triennial? Is that the one that occurs every third year and he will be assessed again? Sorry - still new to all this stuff......
Thanks for your help.....
Christie (who is responding late to this because I couldn't remember what I posted this question under......I swear I am losing my mind.....)
Yeah, I meant EACH annual I do believe. Sometimes my typing gets the best of me. Triennial is the big IEP with the testing done every 3 years.
Renee
So they will re-assess him in three years.......hhhmmmmmmm......I wonder how that will go. Our school psych (who did the majority of son's eval) just left (one week ago) to take a fellowship at a local university.....so we will have someone new.....should be interesting.
Again.....thanks!
Christie
actually. I meant to chime in again and say that this
visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com