AS Diagnosis, but no SpecEd??
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AS Diagnosis, but no SpecEd??
| Thu, 02-14-2008 - 3:28pm |
Is it normal for a child diagnosed w/ Asperger to not recieve Special Education Services?
| Thu, 02-14-2008 - 3:28pm |
Is it normal for a child diagnosed w/ Asperger to not recieve Special Education Services?
I don't know Hunter, but based on what you said, you don't seem convinced that he won't need services in Kindergarten. Since it takes a while for the school district to agree that he will need any spec.ed, I would write a letter to the school to evaluate him for speech, OT, social skills, etc (whatever you think he has any deficiency or development delay in), attach a copy of the doctor's diagnosis of Hunter's AS. If he really needs to continue with any spec.ed services, it would be detrimental if the services stop for any significant period of time. Based on your request, the school must evaluate him within 60 days of your request/consent, and if qualified, he gets an IEP. This whole process is rather slow and lengthy, so I wouldn't wait another year to determine that.
-- Innie
First of all, I think it's great that he is doing so well. I was of the understanding that a diagnosis of ASD (or Asperger's or pdd) is the only diagnosis that you don't have to "qualify" in any area to have a basic IEP. For example, my son is diagnosed ADHD - however, academically he is at or exceeds grade level, so we do not get an IEP which I would like for social skills. I was told that if he was diagnosed (by a doctor or the school) as ASD he would automatically get an IEP - even if they don't have goals - but it would be ready for him if situations arise.
My only concern would be the future. It is wonderful that he is doing great. However, if things start to fall sideways a bit in 2nd grade, is it going to take a huge effort and 6 months to address his needs, or will they be able to re-activate the IEP that is currently in place.
If you see a specialist (Devel. Ped or Psych) I would get their opinion on this too.
A lot depends on tyhe child and on the district.
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A child can have a medical diagnosis and not need special education or related services.
That said, He is already on an IEP and I wouldn't let them exit him from an IEP without a full re-evaluation.
As an FYI to recieve special education a child must 1) meet the criteria of 1 of the 13 educational categories of disabilities, 2) that disability significantly impacts their education (not just straight academics but some portion of their education even social skills since that can impact other parts of the day) and 3) require special education and related services to meet their needs in that area.
A child can have a medical diagnosis of Aspergers, ADHD, or a variety of others that affects them at home but does not significantly affect them in school. It is rare for a child with AS to make it through their entire school career without special education however.
I would be reluctant to remove a child transitioning to Kindie from an IEP. I would want some sort of transitional plan in place and not remove the IEP until he was well situated in grade school.
BTW we did that with our youngest. He was on an IEP and likely wouldn't need it in kindie but I asked for a transitional plan and to re-eval in kindie if we could remove it. That was a good plan and we did remove him from an IEP in K.
My dd who is much more AS on the other hand, the district tried to do that after K going into 1st and we stupidly didn't make them re-evaluate. Within 6 months after a horrible time she was back on an IEP and has been ever since.