Requesting more SES from school

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-02-2006
Requesting more SES from school
2
Tue, 07-25-2006 - 10:03pm

Hi - my son is 4 and has been displaying autistic-like/aspergers behaviors since November. (at least that's when his nursery school director pointed it out to us - he's out first, so didn't know he was "different" from the others)

Anyway, the public school system (special education director) did a thorough evaluation and his scores weren't so great (We received the results this March). However, she recommended that he receive only 7.5 hours of services per week, which included 1/2 hour of Occupational therapy, and 1/2 of speech therapy. We were so shell-shocked by his scores (which were presented to us at the same time as her recommendations) that we signed the plan agreement and enrolled him immediately.

Well, he starts school again in September, and I truly believe he needs more services. We are finally having him evaluated by two doctors in September (we couldn't get in before them) and I plan to discuss this with them as well.

My question is, has anyone ever challenged the school's recommendation after the fact, and how did it go?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Tue, 07-25-2006 - 10:15pm

Hello. yes, we have challenged them often and always won. Sometimes you have to put up a real fight, but with younger kids and the idea of Early Intervention, it can be easier to fight and win. I would get right to it, these things can take time.

You are part of the IEP team, and you have rights. I would recommend starting to get educated about your rights as you begin your adventures in public education and special ed. You can call for an IEP meeting anytime, and ask for changes of many kinds. You can request more services, you can fight if you are denied.

Here at iVilage there is an IEP Board with many actual advocates there, also BTDT moms, who will give you great advice about everything to do. In our case, we have had some of ds' current therapists write up recommendations for more, your pediatrician can also do this. Or you as the knowing parents can just request more services.

All we ever did was call our CSE Committee and let them know what more we wanted, wrote an official request, had a meeting and it was so. Others here may have more specific advice.

Oh, and welcome to the Board. let us know how things go!

yours,

Sara
ilovemalcolm

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
Wed, 07-26-2006 - 8:24am

We recently fought for and received more services for our DD (4.5 y.o., PDD-NOS). She wasn't receiving any autism-specific services, and we felt she needed them. What we did was get our developmental ped to write a letter outlining her recommendations (she was the one who suggested that DD receive more services), and we forwarded the letter on to the CPSE. Also, our city has an advocacy center that provides free parent advocates. I spoke with an advocate, and she coached me in terms of how I should approach the CPSE, what language I should use with them, what specifically I should be asking for, etc., and she came to the IEP meeting with me. I also made sure that DD's teacher agreed with what I was requesting, since she was also present at the IEP meeting. With all of that support, the meeting went really smoothly and we were able to get more services.

My advice is to gather as much information as possible, figure out exactly what you think your son needs, and get all your ducks in a row before calling a new IEP meeting. If you have access to an advocate, by all means contact one (check for an advocacy center in your city), and also check with the people on the IEP board here at ivillage. Has your son already started receiving services? If so, you should talk to his therapists and his teacher to see what their recommendations are; see if they can support what you're asking for.

Good luck, and keep us posted!!!

Jennifer