IEP accommodations--anyone know? UPDATE

[Kat77]

Not to steal the thread, but how did you guys get your kids diagnosed with dysgraphia? I'm sure my DS 14 has it, his written work is horrible, the bare minimum, very sloppy. I have had him tested through the school once and OT said he holds a pencil fine, can rewrite a sentence she told him. But he has so much trouble getting stuff out of his head onto paper. Verbally he can do so much better. At times I scribe for him at home. At school when he gets a writing assignment he sometime becomes so anxious(he has severe anxiety also) that he shuts down, will either cry or just sit there not talking, head down, arms crossed. As a matter of fact he has a detention today for that very same reason. I am at wits end, he has an IEP related to his anxiety because his 504 wasn't cutting it. They know he is smart but he just won't do the work! Math he can mostly do in his head but a few years ago a teacher was failing him because he wasn't showing his work. I was like" well how are his test scores? "She told me they were A's and B's, so I told her it was obvious he knows the material but he was failing anyway! It has been like this for the past 5 years, he is now a freshman and I can tell you his teachers do not know how to handle a kid with anxiety that shuts down and refuses to work! Once he gets to that point it's all over, I hope today goes better for him but he was pacing last night(probably because he didn't want to tell me about the detention) It's just so frustrating!

Please come on over to the DisAbilities community board and ask if someone in your area has reccommendations for a neuropsych.
Being punished for shutting down ... ugh!

 

[Mermaid02]

I am not saying that they should be stuck in a daycare but people also need to be REASONABLE with what the school should provide.



Technically, my son does have a "disability". He is a gifted student and according to the disabilities act, that is a "special ed" classification. However, because he has good grades, he doesn't qualify for PT help for his poor muscle control resulting in writing that is not readable. No, we did not PUSH for what he is "entitled" to because his teachers made REASONABLE accommodations for him-if they couldn't read something they asked him. There was NO reason to push further. Maybe he does have dsgraphya-but we won't test him for it because there is no need. HE has figured out how to deal with it and is doing just fine.

Just what are your children "entitled" to that they aren't getting. Are they getting a good education, are they learning, are they progressing???

And in this case, the child needs a "word processor" (laptop) and it is reasonable under the law, that the school provides it.

You are VERY lucky you had a teacher/teachers that would make accomodations for your son without a 504 plan. Next year, he might not.

 

[golfgal]

And in this case, the child needs a "word processor" (laptop) and it is reasonable under the law, that the school provides it.

You are VERY lucky you had a teacher/teachers that would make accomodations for your son without a 504 plan. Next year, he might not.

No, we are not lucky, we just have teachers that are reasonable and understand the some kids just don't have good penmanship.

 

[Mermaid02]

And I can bet you a hundred dollars that your DR didn't have all the accommodations that are being insisted on today. He made it.

Yes he did. But for everyone child who did make it- I'm sure there are more who didn't. Remember all those "trouble makers" and "bad kids" when we were younger? Many of them were your kids who are "special needs" today.

 

[Mermaid02]

No, we are not lucky, we just have teachers that are reasonable and understand the some kids just don't have good penmanship.

Again- you're lucky. Dysgraphia is more than not having good penmanship.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dysgraphia/dysgraphia.htm

 

[HelenePA]

Okay so lets say her ds takes his computer to school where it gets stolen.. what does he do in the mean time before the insurance sends a check to get a new one? he'll have nothing to use at school or at home...

 

[golfgal]

Yes he did. But for everyone child who did make it- I'm sure there are more who didn't. Remember all those "trouble makers" and "bad kids" when we were younger? Many of them were your kids who are "special needs" today.

You know what, some of them still are just trouble makers but since it can't possibly be the parent's fault, they have some "diagnosis" now. There was a kid in our DS's class that is a perfect example off this. He was a good student, all A's, but was a total trouble maker, bully. His parents had him tested for everything under the sun and couldn't find anything. He was just a trouble maker and a bully (and still is). Never once did it cross their minds that their lack of discipline at home just MIGHT be the issue.

I seriously doubt his parents did what most of the special ed parents here do and are up at their schools constantly fighting for more, more, more. One of DS18's best friends has a whole host of learning disabilities-his most frustrating one is that he simply cannot comprehend anything he reads but if he hears it, he remembers it almost word for word. His PARENTS would read his lessons to him every day. Well, out comes software that you can scan pages into and it reads for you. The school purchased the software but his PARENTS provided the laptop for him to take back and forth to school. The special ed aid scanned most of his schoolwork into the computer, but didn't always get it done. On those days his mom said, no problem we will finish at home (reasonable expectations). Most of the parents here would DEMAND another aid to finish this.

When your Dr was going through school the federal government was still picking up the tab for these programs too.

Again- you're lucky. Dysgraphia is more than not having good penmanship.

Really??

 

[golfgal]

Okay so lets say her ds takes his computer to school where it gets stolen.. what does he do in the mean time before the insurance sends a check to get a new one? he'll have nothing to use at school or at home...

So what does he do if the school provided computer gets stolen and they have to wait for the insurance check to come to buy a new one??

 

[Hannathy]

Okay so lets say her ds takes his computer to school where it gets stolen.. what does he do in the mean time before the insurance sends a check to get a new one? he'll have nothing to use at school or at home...

I believe they have a computer at home, and why would it get stolen? her son would have it with him. they also make laptop locks (My DD has one at school). If she is worried about it during Gym maybe, then he simply takes it to the office for that period. Don't see how it is going to get stolen.

 

[Mermaid02]

I believe they have a computer at home, and why would it get stolen? her son would have it with him. they also make laptop locks (My DD has one at school). If she is worried about it during Gym maybe, then he simply takes it to the office for that period. Don't see how it is going to get stolen.

Yeah, cause nothing ever gets stolen in school.

 

[TLuvsD]

I think I would get a workable, family supported accomodation in place asap (likely a netbook). Something that the student could transition to college with, knowing how it works/limitations etc. To me, it sounds like the school solution is the AlphaSmart, which isn't appropriate at the high school level. I'd get the netboook and then force the school to let him use it. Let the student learn the ins and outs of netbook ownership while mom and dad can help with logisics (plug it in at night, don't let people borrow it, etc). One less hurdle to cross at college.

 

[Mermaid02]

You know what, some of them still are just trouble makers but since it can't possibly be the parent's fault, they have some "diagnosis" now. There was a kid in our DS's class that is a perfect example off this. He was a good student, all A's, but was a total trouble maker, bully. His parents had him tested for everything under the sun and couldn't find anything. He was just a trouble maker and a bully (and still is). Never once did it cross their minds that their lack of discipline at home just MIGHT be the issue.

I seriously doubt his parents did what most of the special ed parents here do and are up at their schools constantly fighting for more, more, more. One of DS18's best friends has a whole host of learning disabilities-his most frustrating one is that he simply cannot comprehend anything he reads but if he hears it, he remembers it almost word for word. His PARENTS would read his lessons to him every day. Well, out comes software that you can scan pages into and it reads for you. The school purchased the software but his PARENTS provided the laptop for him to take back and forth to school. The special ed aid scanned most of his schoolwork into the computer, but didn't always get it done. On those days his mom said, no problem we will finish at home (reasonable expectations). Most of the parents here would DEMAND another aid to finish this.

When your Dr was going through school the federal government was still picking up the tab for these programs too.



Really??

Yeah- some were just troublemakers, but some weren't.

I bow to you GolfGal- you are the superior parent. I'll send my son to live with you- you'll "fix" him I'm sure.

 

[HelenePA]

if the "schools" computer gets stolen then he'd at least have a backup at home to use like he is now!

Ways for it to get stolen.. she says is big and cant fit into his backpack what about at lunch? where would he put it? on the floor in its bag one look away and swoop its gone, how about on the bus what if someone sits on it and breaks it, or he forgets it? Gym, Art, music, etc I'm sure are all in different rooms, the schools computer would stay in the classroom at all times.

 

[Hannathy]

Yeah, cause nothing ever gets stolen in school.

That isn't what I said.

Yes things get stolen in school but not a laptop that the child would have with him at all times and taking precautions with. You are telling me it is going to get ripped out of his hands? Otherwise how is it going to get stolen?

Examples please.

 

[HelenePA]

That isn't what I said.

Yes things get stolen in school but not a laptop that the child would have with him at all times and taking precautions with. You are telling me it is going to get ripped out of his hands? Otherwise how is it going to get stolen?

Examples please.

look up

 

[ugadog99]

With all due respect to you you are also speaking out of emotion not fact. There is only so much money so another child HAS gone without to pay for all the over the top accommodations. When the money goes to pay for one thing it isn't there to pay for other things.

Techincally, no because special ed has its own funding. Special Ed money can NEVER be used for regular ed. So, if the laptop is purchased with spec ed money then a spec ed child uses it. That does not take away from a regular ed kid. Two very different budgets with very different regulations.

 

[LisaR]

ITA.

everyone could sit and argue about who should pay for the laptop. bottom line is if it is written in the IEP then the district is responsible for providing it, if they are not then they are out of compliance.

I am an OT who works in the school district, there are many parents who can not afford to provide the necessary accomodations, why should the children suffer. Many school districts get money to assist with special needs children. Often the resources are there.

And in this case, the child needs a "word processor" (laptop) and it is reasonable under the law, that the school provides it.

You are VERY lucky you had a teacher/teachers that would make accomodations for your son without a 504 plan. Next year, he might not.

So what if it is the law? If the school isn't able or willing to provide the child what he needs, how long before the parent needs to take personal responsibility? OP can sue the school, fight it all the way to the top, etc. but, in the meantime, her son is missing assignments and struggling off and on through middle and high school. I get that the school isn't following the IEP or the law. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I would never let my son struggle because someone else isn't doing what they should be doing.

 

[golfgal]

Techincally, no because special ed has its own funding. Special Ed money can NEVER be used for regular ed. So, if the laptop is purchased with spec ed money then a spec ed child uses it. That does not take away from a regular ed kid. Two very different budgets with very different regulations.

It still all comes from the same place, taxes, and that is a finite number. If a district has a 10,000,000 budget, 7,000,000 going to special ed funding and 3,000,000 going to the rest of the operating budget-when budget cuts come around the money comes from the 3,000,000, NOT the 7,000,000 because once you put a special ed program in place, you can't take it away. This is how it is taken from all the other kids.

 

[Holly]

I am not saying that they should be stuck in a daycare but people also need to be REASONABLE with what the school should provide.



Technically, my son does have a "disability". He is a gifted student and according to the disabilities act, that is a "special ed" classification. However, because he has good grades, he doesn't qualify for PT help for his poor muscle control resulting in writing that is not readable. No, we did not PUSH for what he is "entitled" to because his teachers made REASONABLE accommodations for him-if they couldn't read something they asked him. There was NO reason to push further. Maybe he does have dsgraphya-but we won't test him for it because there is no need. HE has figured out how to deal with it and is doing just fine.

Just what are your children "entitled" to that they aren't getting. Are they getting a good education, are they learning, are they progressing???

Hmm.


My son (now 17) is also identified as gifted.

Along with that, he has some serious fine motor delays that really interfered with his handwriting in middle school. The school tested him and provided him with occupational therapy, which strengthened his fingers and helped dramatically with his writing.

So, while you felt there was no need to test your child because he should just "deal with it", my child benefited greatly from being tested and receiving help.


I think it's really weird of you to dicourage other parents from getting their children testing and help and going on and on about "entitlement".

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Techincally, no because special ed has its own funding. Special Ed money can NEVER be used for regular ed. So, if the laptop is purchased with spec ed money then a spec ed child uses it. That does not take away from a regular ed kid. Two very different budgets with very different regulations.

A parent who can pay for the accommodation should pay.