IEP accommodations--anyone know? UPDATE

[Hannathy]

seriously if my child needed a laptop they would have it as soon as I could buy one, I would not be making them suffer until the school could get around to getting one just to prove myself right.

Get insurance on the laptop, get him a backpack it fits in and send it to school. It is only an object. he can carry it around and take care of it.

 

[torinsmom]

I am sorry but I just don't understand this logic. Maybe I am not reading it correctly. From this one sentence, it sounds like your son has spent YEARS struggling because of this issue. If this is the case, why? You needed to go to bat for your son years ago. If this is an ongoing issue that the school isn't going to resolve, just buy him a cheap laptop. You can pick up used ones on Craigslist for dirt cheap that are only capable of using Word since they are old, slow and/or broken. Heck, I have three lying around my house that would really only function for that purpose. He only has a few years left of school. This really shouldn't still be going on.

He was able to make do when he was at the old school. It was a Montessori charter school and they made accommodations for anyone who needed them(not just those with an IEP). Most of the work in 7th and 8th was required to be typed by all students, except for things like worksheets that couldn't really be done on a computer(these he would sometimes bring home and dictate what to write to me). The struggle with writing got worse in high school. It was mostly a problem in English. 9th grade English teacher couldn't read his writing, so he did his work at home. That was one semester and he made do. Last year, all his teachers were able to read his writing, so we just left it alone, even though the word processor was mentioned in the IEP meeting. They promised to look into it, but it never really happened. I admit I have let the ball drop, trying not to make waves. This year, the history and the English teacher want him to type. It is his right under the IDEA act to have something provided, so I am not going to go out and buy something for him to use. I am going to stay on them and move up the ladder until they do what they are required by law to do. Until then, he will hand write things at school(he actually prefers hand writing it anyway because it is faster for him) and I will let the teachers know what the problem is.

 

[AC7179]

I would allow him to bring his laptop to school or in eat in a notebook. At 16, he should be able to be responsible for his belongings and I'm sure will need to carry a laptop/netbook around for college. I'm sure his lAptop would be more comfortable than an AlphaSmart or other word processor.

Even though we may not agree on the issue of the laptop, I'm sorry your son suffers from dysgraphia and hope that he gets the word processing issue worked out And has a great year.

 

[LisaR]

seriously if my child needed a laptop they would have it as soon as I could buy one, I would not be making them suffer until the school could get around to getting one just to prove myself right.

Get insurance on the laptop, get him a backpack it fits in and send it to school. It is only an object. he can carry it around and take care of it.

He's 16 not 6. I don't know why he wouldn't be able to take care of his own laptop.

 

[LisaR]

He was able to make do when he was at the old school. It was a Montessori charter school and they made accommodations for anyone who needed them(not just those with an IEP). Most of the work in 7th and 8th was required to be typed by all students, except for things like worksheets that couldn't really be done on a computer(these he would sometimes bring home and dictate what to write to me). The struggle with writing got worse in high school. It was mostly a problem in English. 9th grade English teacher couldn't read his writing, so he did his work at home. That was one semester and he made do. Last year, all his teachers were able to read his writing, so we just left it alone, even though the word processor was mentioned in the IEP meeting. They promised to look into it, but it never really happened. I admit I have let the ball drop, trying not to make waves. This year, the history and the English teacher want him to type. It is his right under the IDEA act to have something provided, so I am not going to go out and buy something for him to use. I am going to stay on them and move up the ladder until they do what they are required by law to do. Until then, he will hand write things at school(he actually prefers hand writing it anyway because it is faster for him) and I will let the teachers know what the problem is.

You originally said he struggled through middle and high school so I didn't know why you would let this continue on. Anyway, get him a cheap laptop and let him get back to learning. I can't imagine spending the entire school year fighting with them over this.

 

[honugirl]

I would just get him a netbook that has all the games erased on it and only has Word or some other word processing software on it and call it good. In 2 years he's going to need to tote around his own laptop to college anyway so this is a good way to get him accustomed to that. I take my laptop to college and home every day and have never had a problem with it.

I've also left it open and running in the tutoring lab while I ran down the hall to the bathroom and have never had anyone touch it.

 

[Becc1]

Have you thought about having a special needs advocate come to your IEP meetings with you? They will know all of the legal things that the school must do if you don't. I can't believe the school is dragging their feet about getting your son the necessary supplies that are needed for school. If they recommend it then they are resposible for providing the equipment, my ds is 8and he got a Springboard just last year that he brings home with him everyday and we had over the whole summer. They are talking about getting my ds his on laptop to do his work on now that there is alot more writing involved in school, he already uses the PC in class but the OT would like something that he can have at his desk so he is not seperated from the rest of the class. I have been told that by the end of the year we should have the laptop. This is not something I had ever imagined they would do for him but thankfully our school has always had my son's best interests in mind. I hope that things work out for you, keep pushing the school and if you aren't getting anywhere soon I would surely call the board of education and speak with the special needs coordinator.

 

[torinsmom]

I really hope none of you who don't understand the IDEA act ever have a child with a disability. The reason there are IEPs is because kids with disabilities ARE entitled to accommodations that kids without disabilities are not entitled to. They are entitled to these accommodations to level the playing field against non-disabled peers. Your child is welcome to a laptop at school if mine can have good handwriting, better attention skills, and better math skills. Maybe then I wouldn't have to worry if he would ever get into a 4 year college.

Would you complain because a child that broke his leg can use the elevator while your child can't? Would you complain if a blind child who got books on tape and your child did not? Do you think those parents would be required to buy an elevator or books on tape? It really is not much different.

Anyway, I am going to see what the school says to my email. If they drag their feet, I will see if I can find something for him to use in the meantime(NOT a $600 laptop that it took me forever to save up for though). I just lost one of my jobs, so money is pretty tight now.

 

[allison443]

He's 16 not 6. I don't know why he wouldn't be able to take care of his own laptop.

Just wanted to add that my dd age 13 just started high school where all students are required to purchase a particular laptop and it is integrated throughout the curriculum (not a public school). She brings it back and forth on the bus every day, carries it around all day, etc. It really isn't a problem for the kids. They realize the laptop was expensive so they take care of it. Also we purchased an insurance policy for around $100 which covers breakage, etc.

I realize the school is supposed to provide your son's computer. Just pointing out that high schoolers can handle laptops. There are plenty of kids with IEPs in my dds school who do so just fine.

OP I hope it gets resolved soon for your son!

 

[torinsmom]

He's 16 not 6. I don't know why he wouldn't be able to take care of his own laptop.

He is not the only one at the school. You put your backpack down for one minute and someone kicks it or steps on it and POOF, laptop ruined. Besides, they have said he would have to leave it in the classroom and then it is possible it could be stolen. He has ADD, and has already left his Ipod on the bus, which we never saw again.

 

[torinsmom]

Have you thought about having a special needs advocate come to your IEP meetings with you? They will know all of the legal things that the school must do if you don't. I can't believe the school is dragging their feet about getting your son the necessary supplies that are needed for school. If they recommend it then they are resposible for providing the equipment, my ds is 8and he got a Springboard just last year that he brings home with him everyday and we had over the whole summer. They are talking about getting my ds his on laptop to do his work on now that there is alot more writing involved in school, he already uses the PC in class but the OT would like something that he can have at his desk so he is not seperated from the rest of the class. I have been told that by the end of the year we should have the laptop. This is not something I had ever imagined they would do for him but thankfully our school has always had my son's best interests in mind. I hope that things work out for you, keep pushing the school and if you aren't getting anywhere soon I would surely call the board of education and speak with the special needs coordinator.

I'll keep this in mind if the ball is not rolling soon. I know one of the guidance counselors well and I am going to see what she knows about ways to get things moving. DS had computers available in middle school, but so did everyone else, so sometimes he would not get one when he needed it.

 

[torinsmom]

Just wanted to add that my dd age 13 just started high school where all students are required to purchase a particular laptop and it is integrated throughout the curriculum (not a public school). She brings it back and forth on the bus every day, carries it around all day, etc. It really isn't a problem for the kids. They realize the laptop was expensive so they take care of it. Also we purchased an insurance policy for around $100 which covers breakage, etc.

I realize the school is supposed to provide your son's computer. Just pointing out that high schoolers can handle laptops. There are plenty of kids with IEPs in my dds school who do so just fine.

OP I hope it gets resolved soon for your son!

I have insurance on the laptop. I had it on the Ipod too. Didn't do me a bit of good when he left it on the bus and noone turned it in. Any distraction does him in--he has really bad ADD and none of the meds work for him. I didn't replace the Ipod, but he needs a computer at home, so that would be big bucks.

 

[Magpie]

I think you're absolutely right to push!

However... getting results can take a long time. And your son most likely needs access to word processing software today, not six months from now.

We advocated back in grade 5 and the school bought a laptop for our son, and he got to use it for two years. Then the school district decided all school-owned laptops were "shared resources", which meant all the kids in the class got to use it, not just my son. Unfortunately, that was basically impossible to fight, since it was a district decision, not a school one. We broke down and bought our son an inexpensive laptop (about 300 dollars, Canadian).

My son is 12. He takes his laptop to school almost every day. He's never lost it, or broken it, and no one's ever tried to steal it from him. I think a 16yo could probably manage - even with ADD. My son's best friend has ADD and he manages to bring a laptop to school, too. Although I definitely understand your concern, if your son has lost expensive equipment in the past!

 

[Hannathy]

the insurance on my DD's laptop is 35 a year and that covers loss.

How would he leave it on the bus if it were in his back pack?

 

[tasha99]

The school has the laptops--it shouldn't be that big of a deal to let him use one while there. I don't understand why the school isn't providing FAPE for this kid and I don't understand why anyone would begrudge him as inexpensive an accommodation as a laptop that has already been purchased.

 

[kirbydog48]

I am NOT saying that he doesn't deserve to be able to USE a laptop, I just don't think that the school should have to PAY for one for him. You would still be responsible for paying for any damage done to that computer even if the school provided the thing.

I know full well what it is like to have a kid that gets papers back "cannot read" because my DS15 has HORRIBLE handwriting but doesn't qualify for an IEP. Even if he did I would provide the computer and NEVER expect the school to pay for one for him.

I'm sorry, but it really doesn't matter who you think should pay. It's the law. It's a federal law, and the school is not in compliance. OP, if it's written in his IEP that he's supposed to have assistive technology available, then they are REQUIRED BY LAW to provide it. FYI, dysgraphia is much more serious than having poor penmanship. It is a very challenging learning disability, a processing disorder, whereby thoughts/ideas in the brain never make it to the page, because writing is a very complicated process. If you don't have this disability, then it just happens automatically. But think of it....you have an idea, what words verbalize that idea, what sounds make that word, what letters make that sound, how the heck do I make that letter, etc. THe process of writing is less difficult when typing.
At this point, I would seriously consider hiring an advocate and request a meeting with his team. Saying that all the alphasmarts are broken is lame. He should have a computer available to him whenever he is required to write, and that computer is to be provided by the school if it is an accomodation in his IEP.

 

[torinsmom]

the insurance on my DD's laptop is 35 a year and that covers loss.

How would he leave it on the bus if it were in his back pack?

His laptop is a big one and won't fit in his backpack with his books. He would need to take it in a laptop bag, which could be left behind.

What insurance do you have that covers loss? And how do you prove loss? We used Square Trade, covers damage only, but I added accidental damage as well.

 

[LisaR]

I really hope none of you who don't understand the IDEA act ever have a child with a disability. The reason there are IEPs is because kids with disabilities ARE entitled to accommodations that kids without disabilities are not entitled to. They are entitled to these accommodations to level the playing field against non-disabled peers. Your child is welcome to a laptop at school if mine can have good handwriting, better attention skills, and better math skills. Maybe then I wouldn't have to worry if he would ever get into a 4 year college.

Would you complain because a child that broke his leg can use the elevator while your child can't? Would you complain if a blind child who got books on tape and your child did not? Do you think those parents would be required to buy an elevator or books on tape? It really is not much different.

Anyway, I am going to see what the school says to my email. If they drag their feet, I will see if I can find something for him to use in the meantime(NOT a $600 laptop that it took me forever to save up for though). I just lost one of my jobs, so money is pretty tight now.

I really am sorry your son is going through this. My son is dysgraphic, dyslexic, PDD-NOS and has so many food allergies that it is unreal. Add to that the fact that he is a typical 13 y/o boy who is unorganized and puts more effort into video games then school work or washing his hair! I do understand what you are going through. However, you discovered years ago that the school was going to give you a hard time so you really needed to take matters into your own hands. If he is failing to turn in assignments and/or getting behind, you can not allow this to continue. He is 16. You are truly running out of time.

 

[torinsmom]

I'm sorry, but it really doesn't matter who you think should pay. It's the law. It's a federal law, and the school is not in compliance. OP, if it's written in his IEP that he's supposed to have assistive technology available, then they are REQUIRED BY LAW to provide it. FYI, dysgraphia is much more serious than having poor penmanship. It is a very challenging learning disability, a processing disorder, whereby thoughts/ideas in the brain never make it to the page, because writing is a very complicated process. If you don't have this disability, then it just happens automatically. But think of it....you have an idea, what words verbalize that idea, what sounds make that word, what letters make that sound, how the heck do I make that letter, etc. THe process of writing is less difficult when typing.
At this point, I would seriously consider hiring an advocate and request a meeting with his team. Saying that all the alphasmarts are broken is lame. He should have a computer available to him whenever he is required to write, and that computer is to be provided by the school if it is an accomodation in his IEP.

Thank you for understanding about the dysgraphia! It is so hard to explain, because people just think he isn't trying. Seriously, I have 5 year olds in my class that have better writing than him. He uses uppercase and lowercase throughout his writing and forms letters in crazy ways. I knew when the IEP guy said he would check to see if the Alphasmarts worked, he would come back saying they didn't

 

[Hannathy]

I really am sorry your son is going through this. My son is dysgraphic, dyslexic, PDD-NOS and has so many food allergies that it is unreal. Add to that the fact that he is a typical 13 y/o boy who is unorganized and puts more effort into video games then school work or washing his hair! I do understand what you are going through. However, you discovered years ago that the school was going to give you a hard time so you really needed to take matters into your own hands. If he is failing to turn in assignments and/or getting behind, you can not allow this to continue. He is 16. You are truly running out of time.

That was my point. before I let my son suffer for something I could easily provide I'd be buying him a laptop and he would be taking it to school, Then I could still try to get it supplied by the school but I would not be wasting precious time for learning trying to prove a point.


As far as the big lap top then have the school supply him with a second set of books to be left at home, then he doesn't have to carry books home and will have room for his lap top. Schools do this all the time and could probably come up with a set in a day.

Our insurance is thru State Farm.