MARCH OF DIMES | MARCH FOR BABIES | NACERSANO

Lindsay's Latest

IEP #4

Okay, IEP meeting . . . it lasted a bit over 2 hours! I would have purchased some dinner or "something" for everyone if I knew we were going to go that long, but with the costs for the advocate, all I can do is buy after dinner mints at this point! Okay, well, the District says we cannot determine OT eligibility services because the independent OT evaluator did not observe him in the classroom setting. Where was that info? It wasn't in the packet that was sent home. Oh yes, it was . . . #16 on the form, blah, blah, blah. So she's going to go in tomorrow, do her thing, and then we'll be setting another date shortly. Going to have to pay her to come out again and be present at our next mtg too, but she's EXCELLENT and knows her stuff. She made the District OT nervous. Worth the money to watch that right there! 1:1 aide? DENIED. They are not going to lift that LRE, so we are going to keep the supplemental IA that we currently have, but increase her time to 8 hours (?), map out his day, and show where we need that additional support. Funny, I thought we did this at our Kinder Trans. Mtg last May! We also got some goals rewritten, more specific. They use that generic program to write IEPs and nobody proof reads. It was productive and I'm happy about that. Some comments were made here and there that didn't sit well with me, but again, I'm dealing with people who don't really understand what this is like day in and day out. The Resource Teacher might be going to observe a few other schools in their self-contained program with teachers who do have ABA and PRT techniques/training. I don't know why the District won't gather their Resource teachers and give them some training, but again, it's a budget thing. I can't force anyone to receive training, I can only suggest here and there. We are looking ahead to 1st Grade teachers and I made our choice known to the Principal. We would like to include this teacher at our last IEP mtg of the school year and allow T to become familiar with the classroom/area/restrooms. All of these things will help decrease his anxiety in August. He's "probably" going to qualify for ESY, more info to come in the Spring, but he can't do both ESY and DDD summer program, so we'll have to make a choice. I'm thinking DDD because he was happy with that last year (familiar place). Mojitos to the rescue last night and maybe one too many because I so thought that I had T's backpack in the car this morning and mommy forgot it. Good thing we live close as I was back in a jiffy:) Office people just laugh at me as I run around, but hey, I bring them treats, so it's all good. D was chosen as Star Student this week. We did finish the poster this morning and he's all ready to present it to his class. As T gets older, I'm so having D in on his younger brother's IEP meetings too. Big brother is going to have an even bigger role to play in the future. Sorry, but I just saw these classes involving signing rights over and for Estate Planning and it's kind of freaking me out!

  • Congrats to D for Super Star Student! :)  What a roller coaster this has been with T and school.  I hope you find the road by the end of this school year and next much smoother so you can use your energy to focus on much more fun things than IEPs.

    Hugs,

    Lauren

    (And PS... as someone who has sat in on maaaaaaany an IEP, bring snacks... even if just granola bars and water... people love that stuff, softens everyone up and gels the team when you break bread together ;) )

  • Lindsay,

    I'm really sorry that T's IEP did not go as well as you would have liked. How frustrating it must be to know exactly what your son needs and have people who have no idea what you deal with day in and day out tell you that it's not to that point yet or that he'll "probably" qualify. Kudos to you for being such an amazing advocate for your son though and not giving up. Also for including D in the plans. How incredible! So often the "normal" sibling can feel shut out and you are being superwoman and making sure everyone is included on what decisions affect your family. I admire you and your strength. You are so well put together and I hope your perseverance is an inspiration for other moms not to give up. You go Momma!!!

    Superwoman Hugs,

    Jami :)

  • Woohoo on Star Student!!!  That's awesome!!!

    IEP Meetings stink!!  I'm seriously aggravated with the fact that there is never enough money to fund the needs our kids around the country!!  I hope that all the goals are lined up and I agree on the invitation for next year's teacher to be at the final IEP meeting!  Always helpful for everyone....even the teacher!  

    Hugs,

    Tracy

  • So frustrating that the IEP meeting didn't yield all the results you wanted, but I am glad you were able to get T's goals more in line with his needs.  How annoying that they need your OT evaluator to come back and then to have another meeting. That stuff drives me crazy!  Your advocacy, ideas and organization around T's IEP are inspiring. I am sure I will be looking to you for advice when it's Hunter's turn for Kindergarten. Congrats on D being star student!

  • Oh Lindsay, yuck for them not funding the 1:1 aide, but dang it I am not surprised.

    Tucker only qualified for a 1:1 aide when he was trached, literally the week after his trach came out he lost the 1:1 aide.

    There is one BCBA certified ABA consultant in our district, she goes around to all of the teachers around the district and tries to train them with ABA....it doesnt' mean they have to listen or use it. We rely very heavily on in home ABA therapy, and I am even considering moving to only half day school day so that he can have more hours of in home ABA. But Tucker loves school so much, so that's not happening just yet.

    You are doing an amazing job, keep up the good fight! :)

    Leigh

  • Wow momma, I have no idea how you keep track of all of this and what everything means but you go momma bear making sure you're getting your boy everything he needs!  Awesome on D getting that award!!

    Stacy