Got our IEP!
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| Wed, 08-09-2006 - 11:39pm |
I had a meeting with the special ed today. I was a nervous wreck about it because of past experiences with other school districts. It turned out to be a wonderful meeting. I couldn't be happier.
Since it has been forever since I posted about our detailed school issues last year, I'll refresh a bit. We had done a major military move. The stress was overwhelming for Haley. The school year started off bad and just continued to get worse and worse. The school freaked at Haley's behavioral issues, thought she was psychotic and although unintentionally, they ended up making things so much worse for her because they didn't know how to handle her. Just a big unfortunate mess. Around March, we ended up pulling her out and using a home tutor.
So we had set up the meeting we had today in order to figure out what to do about this coming school year. Basically the options were to stay in a mainstream classroom, go to a special ed classroom for behaviorally challenged kids which is in a completely different school district and not close by, or try a less restrictive special ed program at the other elementary school in our district. We all agreed that mainstream is probably not the best thing for Haley right now but it is a goal to work her back into the mainstream setting. They were concerned about placing Haley in the special class for behaviorally challenged kids because if she was in a class were everyone was acting out on a frequent basis, it might just set her off more and cause her more anxiety. I had to agree with that. So we are trying a less restrictive program that will be part special ed and part mainstream. It will allow her to have the extra help when she needs it and we can work on getting her back into mainstream full time.
I made sure that certain things were in her IEP to include extra time for test taking, teachers make sure that she is understanding directions, keep her focused and redirect her if necessary, seating in the classroom, sensitivity issues to be aware of, advanced notice on significant changes in class routine, etc.
They are also going to do an OT evaluation so she may have that going for her as well.
Haley has been really nervous because she didn't want to go back to the school she attended last year. Everyone agreed that it would be a bad idea because there are just too many bad memories there for her. She still rambles about it and is having trouble letting go of it. But now she is looking forward to going to the other school and having a fresh start. Me too!!


Hooray for such a positive experience.
I'm glad you had a good IEP. I hope its a great school yr for her!
Samantha
sounds like you have a good setting for Haley and a good IEP. Hope the new school year is much better!
Betsy
Many schools don't have specialized elementary programs for HFA/AS kids that are separate because if they are not academically delayed it is assumed that mainstream is the best placement for them. Unfortunately there is alot of misunderstanding when it comes to least restrictive environment. Many assume that this is mainstream no matter what. However, that isn't true for all AS/HFA kids. Some just can't deal with mainstream. ANd there just doesn't seem to be enough HF/AS kids who are academically able but can't handle mainstream to devote energy to creating programs for them. It is a frustration here as well. I live in a highly populated area and to go to a program even close to that we would have to go about an hour and 4 school districts away. I have been told by a friend who is a district LEA that the reason they don't have more of these programs or a closer one is lack of students who need that kind of program. So they bus them there. Sounds odd to me since I know many personally online but she had some good points about it.
Even my nephew who is classic autistic and somewhat academically delayed is mainstreamed. It is the better placement for him and he doesn't have the anxiety and behavioral outbursts that Mike has.
You may want to consider being creative and also what the individual teachers are like. I would probably go for that program you mentioned (the less restrictive special ed one).
Mike is in a special day class for kids who are learning handicapped. It is what is called here a "non-severe special day class". All the kids in there are academically delayed but most do not have any behavioral challenges. Most are learning disabled, not autistic. There is one other autistic boy in there but he is a bit delayed and very mellow/easy going. Mrs. M is already talking about how bummed she will be when Mike graduates and she hopes to get another Mike someday. He is a challenge but alot of fun too. Doesn't sound like the right placement but it was for him particularly when you find the right teacher. for next year I am leaning toward a similar middle school teacher. She has an LD class too but some higher functioning ASD types have gone through and I have heard wonderful things about her as well.
Good luck. I love happy IEPs.
Renee