Test our IDEA knowledge!!!

[wdwdancerwannabe]

Who knows IDEA???

Do you have a child with an IEP? or are you a sped teacher who is constantly facing the challenges following the IDEA law??

I fill the role of the LEA rep in IEP meetings, but am always asking ?'s and learning more......

any thoughts or questions to get the thread rolling?

 

[karynnix]

I know that IDEA is the Individuals with Disabilities Act and it insures that ALL children, regardless of disability are entitled to an equal education. I don't really know how it affects my son, other than he has been provided a 1:1 aide while he is at school.

 

[tacomaranch]

We have our Individual Education Plan (IEP) for Hunter but it has been a fight to get what he needs, not what they offer.

 

[Val]

My DD9 has hearing loss and attends private catholic school. We know that the district is obligated to provide the FM unit for her classroom, just like they would be obligated to provide it for her public school classroom. Speech therapy is provided at reduced rate, though....

.... don't let a district say they can't provide for a private school student. They don't have to provide at the exact level, but have to provide some services. Also, fight, fight, fight......I sat on the "other" side of the table (as a psychologist) for over 20 years. Very different having a child with a disability....surprised at how my district gives me the run-around even knowing that I worked for them! If they give a former member of their team the run around, imagine what they do to uniformed parents. Isn't right, but fight, fight, fight!

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

The federal law has changed some, though - thanks to IDEIA 2004

If a child goes to a private/parochial school, it is the district in which the PRIVATE school is located that is responsible for meeting the needs of the child.

It used to be the district in which the student resides...but now it is the district in which the private/parochial school is located.

It is true that the district is responsible, but at the same time, the student/parent DOES lose their right to FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education). Also - you no longer get your 34 page Procedural Safeguards. There are PS's for P/P students, but they are MUCH shorter....2-3 pages.

it makes me very sad to hear someone say that they have to "fight, fight, fight". I am in 6 IEP/IDEA meetings a day fulfilling the role as an LEA representative for the district.

I strive to work with the parents to include them as a member of the team in the decision making process....but at the same time, the team must determine that the supplementary aids/services or related services are necessary for the child's education.

It helps when every member of the team has a true understanding of the law and what is written in it.

 

[irish_trip_mom]

The purpose of IDEA 2004 is to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living, and to ensure that the rights of children with disabilities and parents of such are protected.

OK, word for word from IDEA 2004, but I have this on the front of my IEP binder just to remind me that I have high aspirations for my boys.

 

[JulieWent]

The federal law has changed some, though - thanks to IDEIA 2004

If a child goes to a private/parochial school, it is the district in which the PRIVATE school is located that is responsible for meeting the needs of the child.

It used to be the district in which the student resides...but now it is the district in which the private/parochial school is located.

It is true that the district is responsible, but at the same time, the student/parent DOES lose their right to FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education). Also - you no longer get your 34 page Procedural Safeguards. There are PS's for P/P students, but they are MUCH shorter....2-3 pages.

it makes me very sad to hear someone say that they have to "fight, fight, fight". I am in 6 IEP/IDEA meetings a day fulfilling the role as an LEA representative for the district.

I strive to work with the parents to include them as a member of the team in the decision making process....but at the same time, the team must determine that the supplementary aids/services or related services are necessary for the child's education.

It helps when every member of the team has a true understanding of the law and what is written in it.

I appreciate that you're working hard. (I, too, sit in 2 - 5 IEP meetings per week. I teach several inclusion classes, with a load of 25 students who are special needs included into my regular English classes.) The ideal IEP meeting truly would ask that the team work together to determine the needs of the child. The reality, in most places, though, is that those of us who have children with special needs (I get to sit on the other side of the IEP table, as well) have to be our children's advocates (fight, fight, fight!) because the IEP team is overworked and trying to "get through it all." At our school, we have to beg our LEA to come to our IEP meetings, and half the time, we have to punt when he / she doesn't show up.

I so appreciate that you are an LEA that is proud of what you do and that you are keeping up on what is going on. Keep it up, and I know that the parents in your district will appreciate you. (The teachers will, too!)

Julie

 

[Nik's Mom]

I have so much to learn. Both of my boys have IEP's and it is a constant battle to make sure that my children receive the education that they deserve. Why are school districts so secretive on services that they KNOW your child should receive?! I didn't know about Ocupational therapy until a teacher's aid whispered it to me. She didn't want to get into trouble. That is ridiculous that they are not allowed to share information with parents!

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

I have so much to learn. Both of my boys have IEP's and it is a constant battle to make sure that my children receive the education that they deserve. Why are school districts so secretive on services that they KNOW your child should receive?! I didn't know about Ocupational therapy until a teacher's aid whispered it to me. She didn't want to get into trouble. That is ridiculous that they are not allowed to share information with parents!

Is your son now receiving occupational therapy?

OT is a related service -- this means that the service/therapy must be RELATED to the disability (LD, autism, MR, etc). The related service must benefit the child's SPECIAL education.

In other words...if the child has a Sound System Disorder (Speech/articulation), it would be very hard for the team to justify Physical Therapy as gross motor skills have nothing to do with a sound system disorder.

Also - a child cannot receive Occupational/Physical therapy ONLY....(unless their educational diagnosis is 'orthopedic impaired'.)

So if your child ONLY has fine/gross motor deficits, there is no educational diagnosis that would support this need (again, unless it is Orth. Imp).

(there are 13 (14?) educational dx's)

Types of related services are clearly defined in the law.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hi wdwdancerwannabe,

Yes, both boys are now receiving OT, but it was a battle to get it for my autistic child. Once he started going. his therapist was a HUGE help. He can now zip his own pants. He still can't tie his shoes or put them on, but it's a step in the right direction. He has very weak upper body strength, and it has an effect on his pencil grip, so they are focusing on that now.

My younger ds has autistic tendencies and sensory issues. He just started going a couple of months ago, and he is making some progress. I wish I would have known about OT a lot sooner, but at our school district, teachers can actually get in trouble for telling parents, even if it is in the best interest of the child.