School!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2006
School!
3
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 6:12pm

So, my little man is about to finish his school year in Pre-K and off the kindergarden we go!!! The problem that I have is that the school is taking away some of his therapy. He used to receive speech and OT and now no more speech. The pathologist gave Michael the Peabody and she said that he scored very well and when the neurologist tested Michael, he scored Michael below average. The school doesn't have to accept the dr's results and because of that no more speech!!!!! I called the state board of education and the only thing they told me that I could do is to ask that he be retested by the pathologist. Not to mention that in my county they offer all day and half day kindergarden. The way they determine who gets all day is thru a lottery. I called the state board on that too and they said that just because my child has special needs doesn't matter. Both his teacher and the neurologist recommended that he go to all day kindergarden, but he has to go thru the lottery just like everyone else. I don't mean to sound like I am throwing a tantrum but come on!!! If there is a child that has special needs, whether mine or someone esles, they deserve to bypass the lottery. I over heard a mother talking about the lottery and she was complaining that if her child doesn't go to all day then she will have to pay for daycare. I know that daycare can be expensive, but why should her child get in over someone elses that may actually need it! I could just scream!!!! Well thanks for letting me ramble! I just hope that everything will work itself out, as it usually does. I hope all is well this everyone!

Dina

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
In reply to: mrs_mookie
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 6:33pm

I don't know where you are but here (in MI) a parent can request an IEE (independent educational evaluation) if they don't agree with the districts report. They give you a list of people to choose from but you don't have to use any of their people you can choose your own they just have to be an accredited pathologist. The district pays for the evalutaion. Typically the district will give the services recommended in the IEE for fear of legal problems if they don't. I know it may sound very adversarial but it is done all of the time here. A lot of time the SD just gives the servie to avoid the cost of the IEE which will probably confirm that he needs ST anyway.

You can also look into getting an advocate. They are a wealth of information.

I have a friend who is going through something very similar and she can't get services even with the IEE because her daughter is going into developmental kindergarden and she doesn't fall far enough below average to qualify through the schools. Hopefully that isn't the case with your son. I know it is so frustrating sometimes.

Cassie

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
In reply to: mrs_mookie
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 7:02pm

Hi Dina,


First, I wanted to belatedly welcome you to the board. I read your intro, but have been unwell of late, so I am behind with my postings to the board.


Does your son have an IEP going into Kindy? If so, you can try to have the IEP modified to state a full day program,

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: mrs_mookie
Thu, 05-31-2007 - 8:30pm

Hi Dina. We're having an opposite problem here. We have only all day kindy and I think it may be too much for my kiddo. So, when we have our IEP meeting in a few weeks we are going to include a part about him only going half day and leaving after lunch if it becomes necessary and and his teacher and Special-ed teacher and I will get to decide if it is necessary.

So, if you have an IEP or are in the process of writing one, say that you think he needs full day kindy and have some good concrete reasons for it.

As for the speech, I agree that you can ask for an independent re-eval. And if you think your guy needs speech then get it for him. It is possible!!

Lots of luck.

Heather