IEP's

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2004
IEP's
7
Thu, 05-18-2006 - 10:13am

Ok, all I am reading about IEP's is making me nervous. I am trying to best educate myself on this. However, I have some questions:

1) Who determines your child's needs? Is this in the diagnosis from the Dr?

2) If the needs are decided by this diagnosis, can you still ask for something else? SOmething that the Dr may not have addressed but you know to be a need for your child?

3) How long does it typically take to get this IEP plan up and running? I am expecting my official diagnosis within a day or two. School ends on the 25th. I would love to not have too much of a lag into next year, but I am thinking that I may not be realistic on this process.

4) Is it my understanding that if your need something that they may not provide, the school must contract out these for services?

I am sorry for asking so many questions, but I just want to make sure I get my son the help he needs.

Today I went to school for family breakfast in his class and when I got to the car I started crying. I felt so sad and upset. Being in my son's class and seeing that he is "different" hurt me. He was twisting his hair the whole time with both hands most of the time. I tried to hold his hands, affectionately, to get him to stop but it didn't work. I felt like other people were looking at him. I hurt so much. I so want him to have a normal life.

Thanks everyone for all your advice!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-19-2005
In reply to: jeepmama2004
Thu, 05-18-2006 - 10:46am

I will leave most of the IEP answers to others with more experience. Since Eric is only 4, we have only done two of them, so we are new at it too.

But I just wanted to tell you I understand your feelings at the breakfast. I have felt that way so many times in different situations, everyone here probably has too. My son is also a hair twirler when he is either bored or in social situations that are stressful for him. I know how hard that is. Eric also grinds his teeth and hums and that is when I feel he stands out as "different." It is hard, but once the school/IEP situation starts to work out, and it will, things may get a little better.

We had Eric in a typical pre-k for awhile, and I always felt like you did today. But when we got him into the program he is in now, I felt more connected to the other special ed moms,and I felt the teachers really understood Eric and how to work with him. Yes, he's still different and probably always will be, but he is happier and in an enivronment where he can learn and grow.

I still have moments when I cry bc I can see that he is different, but less than before. This is such a stressful time, but you'll come out the other side and I just bet things will be better.

I seriously thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown before our first IEP, but I didn't! Knowledge is power and you are gathering all the information you need.

Hang in there, the ladies here will help, and you can also check out the ivillage IEP board, good stuff there too!

Hugs again,
Katherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
In reply to: jeepmama2004
Thu, 05-18-2006 - 3:32pm

Hi there! We so understand how you are feeling.

First off, copy this page and post it at the iVillage IEP Board. Those gals are legal whizzes and advocates AND btdt moms to boot, can't get any better than their information. I will start to answer as many of your questions as I can, but as I have gone a different route with educating my son, we haven't had these fights. But I still know the basics, so I can get you started. Others with more knowledge will chime in, I'm sure.

1) Your child's needs will be a constant process of decision and will be determined on an ongoing basis. The IEP Team must take into consideration your doctor's eval, but they are supposed to do their own evaluation as well. Have you requested the school to do an eval? They have something like 60 days from the day you request an eval to do it, regardless of where they are in the school year. The needs addressed by the IEP is determined by the team, WHICH INCLUDES YOU, and is based on many factors -- your input, past experience of team in working with kids, doctor's eval, school eval, etc.! As this is an Individual Education Plan, the needs are NOT to be determined by cookie cutter format based on dx., etc., but instead what are the needs of your particular child.

2) You can always ask for something else. Often you will have to actually put up a stiff fight for something else. You are part of the team, not just a requesting parent. If something more is needed, you must be prepared to present information, etc. proving the need. You will learn to do this as you go, also as you get to know your school district, special ed team, etc.

3) Timeline. There are official laws on this (IDEA), I don't know them well. States can have their own laws if they are in LESS time than the federal law. Many people don't know the timelines and there can be huge lags in implementing IEPs, illegally so. You should be able to get this donw and up and running by beginning of school year. You will need the advice of people more in the know on this one. Many people have to push hard to get schools to follow the laws here, hopefully you are not one of them.

4) Yes, schools must provide what is needed in order for your child to have a free and appropriate, least restrictive environment education. they must contract out whatever they cannot provide. the burden of proof for the need, however, is on oyu, if they are unwilling to admit to the need. Here is where things can get tricky, ie. advocates, lawyers, going to mediation, etc. Again, IEP Board rocks on this kind of information.

BTW, I go to read at IEP Board all the time. We are set for next few years (we have Board of Ed paying for private college-prep special needs school and services because of lack of appropriate services in public schools, long story, easy to prove in NYC's failing school systems... But I want to know everything I can and be prepared for any future fights I might have to have, cross fingers...

Good luck. It is normal to feel such pain when watching your child have troubles that others his age do not have, but you will need to learn to only compare your child to himself and/or younger children, as ours are delayed. Remember, as one of our MANY therapists said to me early on, as long as they keep developing, when they are all grownups someday, WHEN they "arrived" won't matter one iota. And I have observed with the many spectrum children we are now close to, that our kids are braver and up against so much more, earning their steps with so much more work and pain and struggle, well, the rewards are SO much sweeter when they get there!

yours,

Sara
ilovemalcolm

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2004
In reply to: jeepmama2004
Thu, 05-18-2006 - 4:24pm

Thank you so much! I did just find the IEP Board. Can't wait to read more.

You asked me if school has done an evaluation and the answer is no. We did this privately. Do they have to also do one? And what if they disagree with what my Dr's diagnosis is? I mean my Dr. specializes in Autism and related disorders, their person may not specialize in this.

Thanks

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2004
In reply to: jeepmama2004
Thu, 05-18-2006 - 4:24pm

Thank you so much for your kind words!

Melissa

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: jeepmama2004
Thu, 05-18-2006 - 4:55pm

1. The needs and there for program for the child are determined by the IEP team. The team includes the parents, school psychologist (not always there but a definite for determining eligibility and at big testing reviews at least), school or district administrator, special education teacher, regular education teacher even IF the child is not in regular ed, and any support services the child needs such as OT, PT, etc.

Yes, the school does need to do thier own assessment because educational eligibility for an IEP is different from a medical diagnosis or medical evaluation. you can request that they take outside assessments into consideration. Also, if you disagree with thier assessments you have the right to request an independent assessment.

2. Again, the answer for this is in the first question. The IEP team decides needs and services. It is a combined effort in which you play a big part. You can ask for any services that you think you child may need. They may not be provided if the school does not agree that there is sufficient need and you agree or they provide something else that is comparable instead. If it is a big problem you can disagree with them again, ask for independent assessment or assessment and if that fails, go to mediation. Just because they say no first off does not mean it is a totally done deal. If you can prove need they will provide.

For instance say you want Fast Forword for your son provided by the school. They can either say that a)We don't feel auditory processing is an issue or it isn't a big enough issue that it is affecting him academically. Then you can say you feel it is and want an assessment done to see where he is at, etc. or b) We have earobics which is a comparable program available already at this school site. We would like to try it first and see if he improves.

3) The federal time line is 60 days from the initial referral until they complete assessments and have an IEP meeting to determine eligibility and services. Once the IEP is signed then it goes into effect imediately. Make sure you initial request is in writing and that you keep dates on everything. If they go over the time line they may owe you compensatory services dating back to when the IEP should have been complete. Some states may have different time lines but it can be no longer than the 60 days. I believe federally those are calendar days and not school days. However, extended vacations (longer than 5 school days in california) are not counted. So if in california there is a 2 week vacation those days are not counted toward the 60, but a 1 week vacation is.

4. Basically yes, if I understand what you are asking. A child's IEP is based on thier need not what a school district has available. So if a child needs a service that the district doesn't have on staff, then they contract out. For instance, the OT company I work for is contracted to school districts. Some districts choose to contract out rather than have one in house, others have a hard time finding staff as many areas of specialty are tough to keep on salary. They often will also have contracts with different specialty areas for evaluations as well.

Other areas that typically are contracted out can be vision or hearing specialists, Orthopedic specialists, etc. Often the kinds of services not a large number of kids need so it isn't wise to have one on staff. Rather there may be some that go district to district.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: jeepmama2004
Fri, 05-19-2006 - 5:38am

Renee did a great job explaning the IEP system -- she is right on the money. Because you are there you have a very big voice on what you want. Meet with the people conducting the dx first before the meeting. Don't walk in there cold and not know what to expect. Meet with the Special Education Director prior to the meeting so that you can understand fully what to expect. Tell them your concerns on what they want. Decide if you want summer services as well -- I know in our district, there has to be a true need. Remember that by law, (as least in NY State) they MUST provide for your child's needs or they have to seek the services out elsewhere.

I remember our first IEP -- I was a basket case. I sat and cried during the meeting and had a really hard time holding it together. The entire team was wonderful -- they really walked me through an entire process and showed me that their door is always open. Through the years we have learned what is necessary for our child -- and the school has always come through for us.

Remember you can always have your child's IEP changed if you see something that isn't working. What they do in our district is call an emergency meeting to change it -- that has happened to us a few times through the years. Keep in mind, my son is now 9 and we have been on IEP's since Pre-K -- so we have had a few.

Anyway, go in with an open mind, but make sure you know all there is to know -- Talk to parents of children that have IEP's and seek out a support group of sorts and get to know the parties involved in the meeting. In NY State we have to have a parent memember (that is a person not paid by the school district to sit in on the meetings, kinda an innocent bystanderd) -- After about 3 years with IEP's, the district asked me to be a parent memember -- I am so glad I am able to be a voice for a parent if they need it. Down the road you may want to look into doing something like that. But for right now, keep educating yourself to better understand the process.

BTW -- hang in there for your son. Other people will stare and not understand why your son is different -- be frank with these people and tell them, he is autistic -- that will shut them up. We all understand how hard it is -- we have all been there and grew from the experience -- keep coming here for advise -- there are a lot of ladies here that have walked in your shoes before and understand. We all have a common bond with our kids.

Take care and keep us posted. Most of all, don't stress over the IEP's -- they really are put in place to help your son achieve all he can in school.

Good Luck!

Amy

Amy
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
In reply to: jeepmama2004
Fri, 05-19-2006 - 10:01am

SchwabLearning.org is a wonderful resource for IEP stuff. They are starting a guest experts series may 22. The first one is going to be The evaluation process: from consent to IEP. Here is the URL minus the www.
schwablearning.org/message_boards/view_messages.asp?thread=15777&unreadmsg=true#unread

Samantha

Samantha