A big thanks and an update on my DS's IEP!

[mapmakerj]

This is actually my 2nd update, but the first was right after my DS switched schools. To make a long story short: DS couldn't focus in school, had listening problems, hitting and personal space issues. Teacher sent him to the principal every day, all day and said he had ADD and he was going to fail Kindergarten because he missed so much class and didn't have the social or academic skills to pass. Thanks to some great advise from some DISers, he was tested for sensory issues and that was found to be his problem. He switched schools in Jan. and started receiving OT and Speech therapy and we noticed a difference right away. Well, as Kindergarten is coming to a close, I wanted to share my great news with everyone. DS had an interim IEP and he has made all his goals and more. They had to create new goals for him. He is going into the 1st grade without any hesitation by his new teacher. They are not recommending any summer school because he is right on track or ahead of where he needs to be in all areas. They said the behavior issues he had when he came into this school are now non-existent. They are pleased with his progress and he is being allowed to remain at this school next year (and every year until middle school as long as space permits). It has been a very rough year, but because of the help and suggestions of my DIS friends we found the correct diagnosis for my DS and things are looking up. Thanks again for all the support and kind words. Without the suggestions on the sensory integration disorder, we might still be struggling to get my DS the correct help, instead of enjoying all the progress he has made.
You guys are truly the best!
Christy

 

[Bird-Mom]

Yay! That is great news. I am so happy for your family!

 

[wintergreen]

Congratulations to you and your DS!! Thank goodness the school finally got with it, and did the appropriate testing and got him the help that he needed. My DD is doing well with her IEP, but man, I know it is a struggle getting the school to focus on the right things.

 

[llp479]

I'm so happy for you and your DS! I recognized those symptoms all too well!

Now, I'm fighting with the school because they say my dd no longer qualifies for the IEP. They don't think she has any sensory issues, all because they asked a 12 year old some questions about how she "feels" in certain situations. Ever think maybe she's learned to "cope" with some of her issues thanks to the outside OT? They should be here in the morning when she has to get dressed, or God forbid, take a shower!

Now, I'm getting ready to spend money yet again, to have her tested outside the district for dysgraphia. At 12 she can't write worth a darn, and it's not a fine motor skills issues. Let her type or verbally tell it to you all is great, put a pencil in her hand and it goes to heck in a handbasket.

Stay on top of things! It's crazy, but once a child finally start to have success, they say he/she no longer qualifies for services!

 

[disneyluv4]

Great news!!!!!

 

[brettgirl]

This is actually my 2nd update, but the first was right after my DS switched schools. To make a long story short: DS couldn't focus in school, had listening problems, hitting and personal space issues. Teacher sent him to the principal every day, all day and said he had ADD and he was going to fail Kindergarten because he missed so much class and didn't have the social or academic skills to pass. Thanks to some great advise from some DISers, he was tested for sensory issues and that was found to be his problem. He switched schools in Jan. and started receiving OT and Speech therapy and we noticed a difference right away. Well, as Kindergarten is coming to a close, I wanted to share my great news with everyone. DS had an interim IEP and he has made all his goals and more. They had to create new goals for him. He is going into the 1st grade without any hesitation by his new teacher. They are not recommending any summer school because he is right on track or ahead of where he needs to be in all areas. They said the behavior issues he had when he came into this school are now non-existent. They are pleased with his progress and he is being allowed to remain at this school next year (and every year until middle school as long as space permits). It has been a very rough year, but because of the help and suggestions of my DIS friends we found the correct diagnosis for my DS and things are looking up. Thanks again for all the support and kind words. Without the suggestions on the sensory integration disorder, we might still be struggling to get my DS the correct help, instead of enjoying all the progress he has made.
You guys are truly the best!
Christy

Help!! My DS5 has PDD-NOS, Anxiety State. He has been early intervention, special needs nursery school, title one pre-k with a TSS (they help him stay on task, socialization skills, personal space issues, sensory things). I just had his IEP evaluation done for public school and he was DENIED!!! Yes, he is academically very smart (almost like a photographic memory), but if he does not have his TSS with him he is lost. Behaviorally he is just like a 5year old. The school district did not even ask his title one teacher about his behavior or social issues (they gave the Vineland behav test to his special needs teacher who has 8 kids, 2 aides and herself in there) - title one class is more like the kindergarten class. I am so mad that they did not even take into account his diagnosis, they dont care because he is not a behavior problem and he passed their kindergarten entry stuff by the skin of his teeth. As a past kindergarten teacher starting at the bottom is not the place to be---struggle, struggle and kids are so cruel they will begin to notice my sons peculiararities very shortly (pervassive on garage doors, spinning objects, screen doors, etc.). I am going to fight this, but at times I dont know where to go to do this. I know I am my sons only advocate, so I must do it. Anybody in a similar situation?

 

[chop456]

I know I am my sons only advocate, so I must do it. Anybody in a similar situation?

I am not sure if this is true for all states, but in my State you can request an advocate to go to these meetings with you. They will assist YOU through the process.

 

[Merriwind]

Thanks for the update and congrats! It's so hard when school isn't a good fit. Best of luck to you, your DS and your family.

 

[brettgirl]

I am not sure if this is true for all states, but in my State you can request an advocate to go to these meetings with you. They will assist YOU through the process.

Who did you call for your advocate? The public school will want to save money, so I dont want to ask them. At future meetings I have asked his Youth Advocate Program BSC and TSS to come. I was also informed that I should get and independent Educational Behavioral Evaluation (but the school does NOT have to accept any findings-dont you love that!) Thanks.

 

[G&J's Mom]

Great news Christy! It is soooo nice when everyone gets on the same page. My DD just had her IEP updated for services for next year. She is in Kindergarten getting ready to move on to first grade. I am soooo proud of her! She has sensory integration issues, fine motor problems and has some Auditory processing issues. Her hearing is fine, but she has trouble processing information when you are speaking to her. She is about to get tested so we know how to proceed for the rest of her school years. Trust me I had to beat my head against the wall to get them to test her. Sometimes I find the school system thinks they know my child better than me. Considering she was in early intervention at 2.5 and has had services ever since, I don't think so We will see how this works out.

I am going to fight this, but at times I dont know where to go to do this. I know I am my sons only advocate, so I must do it. Anybody in a similar situation?

You have every right to disagree with this new evaluation. You can get a mediator. I would address the issue in writing to the school. Tell them what you disagree with and what you would like to see happen. I am uncertain about who acquires the mediator. I would call your states department of education and speak to someone in the special education department to see what additional information or advice they can offer. Good for you for fighting this. GOOD LUCK!!!

Denise

 

[llp479]

Who did you call for your advocate? The public school will want to save money, so I dont want to ask them. At future meetings I have asked his Youth Advocate Program BSC and TSS to come. I was also informed that I should get and independent Educational Behavioral Evaluation (but the school does NOT have to accept any findings-dont you love that!) Thanks.

We brought our outside OT with us to our dd's IEP meeting along with her evaluation. She was there to answer questions. I'm now in the process of having her tested again outside the district for a specific LD. She's very bright, honor role all quarters this year, but without the mods specified in the IEP I know she will struggle next year, and they are phasing out the mods she currently has.

Check with your pediatrician. Ours was able to refer me to an outside specialist who tested our dd prior to the district. Our OT, who I found on a web site for Sensory Integration has an advocate who will go with us. Worse case, you end up with an attorney, which is the road my neighbor is now traveling.

Good luck! It's very frustrating but at the end of the day, you are you child's only advocate.

 

[newman7501]

Who did you call for your advocate? The public school will want to save money, so I dont want to ask them. At future meetings I have asked his Youth Advocate Program BSC and TSS to come. I was also informed that I should get and independent Educational Behavioral Evaluation (but the school does NOT have to accept any findings-dont you love that!) Thanks.

My DS5 also has an IEP and fortunately our school has been great, that being said my sister is a teacher so I am lucky enough to get great advice and support from her. She knows from her experiences that parents have even used attorneys as their child's advocates, especially when the school was being difficult. She told me you can find advocates online and that a school is required(at least in her state of Mass) to send the child to a school that can educate your child with their needs if your home school does not have a program that works. I would fight with everything you got to get your child the special resources they need. Do what ever it takes, in the long run it is worth it. My son has flourished from his speech, OT and PT and has even tested out of PT for next year. Best of luck

 

[brettgirl]

Thank You All for your support and words of help. Sometimes, as a parent of a special needs child with issues you cant see, you feel all alone and wonder if you are doing the right thing and people think you are crazy.

Right now, I am in a waiting game. The IEP evaluation is being sent (but alas, I will be in POR May 20-28). I am collecting letters from my sons BSC, Title One teacher, Neurodevelopmental DR and he will be evaluated June 16 for the continuation of his wrap around services by a psychologist. All of which I will put with the "do not agree IEP eval" with a letter addressed to the principal requesting another eval by the school. I have been in contact with the PA Law consult. I think I am on track!

But great news!!!! I applied for a scholarship for summer camp for my son. He got it!!!! He can go 4 half day weeks and 4 full day weeks (prepare for the full day kinder here). His TSS has agreed to go with him too. It will be so good for his socialization skills, sensory issues, etc. It is a YMCA based camp right near my home.

 

[pinktink83]

Awww, thats great! My DS5 has had speech problems, too. He started at an Early Intervention preschool program w/ a speech therapist at age 2 1/2, and its just AMAZING how much progress he's made. Not even just his speech, but his personality has shifted completely. He used to bang his head, throw horrid tantrums, etc. Now he is the most sensitive, kind, little boy...you'd never even know. I owe so much to his wonderful teachers. He still has some progress to make in speech, but he starts Kindergarten this Fall. I hope he makes a smuch progress as yours did! He'll be enrolled in the speech program there, too. Doesn't it just feel great knowing your kid is getting the help he needed?

 

[brettgirl]

Awww, thats great! My DS5 has had speech problems, too. He started at an Early Intervention preschool program w/ a speech therapist at age 2 1/2, and its just AMAZING how much progress he's made. Not even just his speech, but his personality has shifted completely. He used to bang his head, throw horrid tantrums, etc. Now he is the most sensitive, kind, little boy...you'd never even know. I owe so much to his wonderful teachers. He still has some progress to make in speech, but he starts Kindergarten this Fall. I hope he makes a smuch progress as yours did! He'll be enrolled in the speech program there, too. Doesn't it just feel great knowing your kid is getting the help he needed?

I am so happy for you-your family is beautiful. Do you realize how many people do not believe their children have issues and do not put them in early intervention. I praise you for doing what I did, our children are thriving because we advocated for them.

We had delayed speech with myDS5 and it was so frustrating not to know what he wanted because he could not tell us. We used a lot of sign language. ONce my DS started to talk his speech was fine, now we have language problems that was not picked up by the evaluation. You know, we know our kids better than the professionals-now they have to listen to us and believe us.

Is it full day kindergarten for your son? Ours is, teaching kinder in the past I really believe in full day-you can do so much more with them.

I will be off to Disney sat 6 am. for 8 nites. So if you want to talk more you can PM me (is this the right term, I am new at this).

 

[grlpwrd]

to all!