Need Help Getting Some Services

[koolaidmoms]

My DD has a mid-range bi-lateral hearing loss for which she has a 504 plan. Her autolaryngologist (ENT) recommended that she use an FM system. She used to use a surround system (4 speakers in the corners of the room) but when she moved to her new school they told us they could no longer do this. So, to get her in the school we gave it up.

She has been fine - she was in 2nd grade when she moved schools. But, now as the speed of language is picking up it is getting harder and harder for her to keep up in class. She has optimum seating, check ins for comprehension, etc... But, she is still having trouble in the noisy classroom following the lessons.

After we brought the recommendation of the dr. to the school they told us because she does not have an IEP they believe they do not have to provide the FM system. It is not covered under her 504 so they do not have to do it? That sounds right to me. They want to wait until she fails to provide this for her

Anyone have any experience with this? Suggestions?

 

[deerhart]

my personal opinion is that its pretty dumb for the school to wait until she fails to do an IEP for a FM system. It's not really services and your not going to have any true goals in her IEP.

It IS possible to provide the FM system under the 504 plan, but the school just doesn't really want to justify it (since the fm system would be an accommodation and she dos not need goals).

The way I would approach it is that its a hearing aid for school. They wouldn't refuse to allow a child to wear a hearing aid at school until the child failed and then write an IEP to allow the hearing aid would they?

 

[koolaidmoms]

Deerhart - I totally agree.

I think they just don't want to have to expend the funds to get the system. Since it is a charter school they have to go through the city school district and they are trying to close a $110 million gap like most districts.

They seriously want failure before IEPs are put in place for any child and to say a 504 doesn't cover it? Ridiculous.

Just trying to figure out how to do this with the least amount of angst on our part.