Thanks from a lurker!

[skoi]

I read this board often and have received a lot of information. I want to thank you all for sharing so much. We had our first IEP for our soon to be four year old son, which I had to go to alone due to dad's deployment, and everything went well thanks to the tips, pointers, etc I've read here over the years.

We were concerned over the evaluating agency trying to force a specific diagnosis based on a short evaluation, but that didn't happen. Thanks to the links and suggestions given to others, I was well-researched and knew far more than they expected me to, and was able to get him into a 5 day program. I would like to see him get more speech therapy, but we'll see how it goes. Ds has some unique circumstances in his life: international adoptee from a very poor orphanage, in the orphanage from birth, cleft palate, hearing loss, and having to cope with culture and language shock. I'm confident parts of the team can address these issues (not so confident about other members, but that's how it usually goes, right?)

Thanks again-
Julie

 

[mechurchlady]

I can tell you to not expect miracles but do rejoice in the many small miracles that will happen. In the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" there is something that has stuck with me. We chase after butterflies all day then lay in the grass and take a nap. When we wake we are covered with butterflies.

That is about all my wisdom, lol. Oh and never trust the opinions of doctors, that is just my personal opinion.

I give you many hugs, snuggles, and prayers. <--- I will try to figure a way to send chocolates through the computer. Chocolate is the greatest cure for the blues.

 

[KirstenB]

Congratulations!! Is it a full day preschool program? I've also learned a lot from everyone here.

 

[jodifla]

I read this board often and have received a lot of information. I want to thank you all for sharing so much. We had our first IEP for our soon to be four year old son, which I had to go to alone due to dad's deployment, and everything went well thanks to the tips, pointers, etc I've read here over the years.

We were concerned over the evaluating agency trying to force a specific diagnosis based on a short evaluation, but that didn't happen. Thanks to the links and suggestions given to others, I was well-researched and knew far more than they expected me to, and was able to get him into a 5 day program. I would like to see him get more speech therapy, but we'll see how it goes. Ds has some unique circumstances in his life: international adoptee from a very poor orphanage, in the orphanage from birth, cleft palate, hearing loss, and having to cope with culture and language shock. I'm confident parts of the team can address these issues (not so confident about other members, but that's how it usually goes, right?)

Thanks again-
Julie

Great news!!

How much speech therapy is he getting? I find that twice a week is pretty standard.

 

[bookwormde]

Sound like you are doing good. Just remember special education is a process. Your child, your knowledge and the education and experience of the educators will change over time so if after a reasonable amount of time you still see needs that are not being met just call another IEP meeting to see if they can addressed.

You would be amazed yow many parents are frustrated about the IEP and it’s implementation but fail to call a meeting to address it, but instead wait for the annual meeting and by that time are so upset and frustrated that nothing can be accomplished. It is much easier to make progress on 1 or 2 specific items than to let a multitude to accumulate.

It sounds like your son has had a difficult start to his life but children are amazingly resilient and he fortunate have such caring and proactive parents.

Congratulations and good luck

bookwormde

 

[ireland_nicole]

Well done you! Congratulations on the progress you have made. I would encourage you to start doing a couple of things now to protect yourselves later in the process. 1. Put everything in writing; if you have a conversation, write a thank you note and include everything the other person said in relation to your sons services, etc. 2. Keep a journal of conversations, etc. 3. In future meetings, always take someone with you; doesn't need to be a professional, even a friend (esp. if they have some knowledge of IDEA, etc.) is helpful, just psychologically even so you don't feel so outnumbered. I would write a thank you note to the school today, thanking them for making this process so collaborative, etc. But thank them specifically for each part of your son's placement, services, etc. Be really nice, but be specific. Last thing: never use the word "best" train yourself now to always use the word "appropriate" or "reasonable" Trust me, you'll thank me someday.

Congratulations, give yourself a pat on the back; ya did good today!

 

[skoi]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice. I always write thank you notes for everything, but honestly, it didn't occur to me to do it for this. I'll definitely do that.

Thankfully, dh who is a social worker and has worked with the developmentally delayed population for twenty years now (usually adults, but sometimes children), will be back for the next IEP and he knows the system in our city, and all the agencies. He does oversight now in his job, and people at the various agencies know him because he has a hard reputation (if his people aren't getting services, the agencies hear about it). I don't think we'll be dealing with those agencies since they're mostly Community Living for adults.

He's starting with an hour of speech a week. He probably needs more, but at home he's been making great strides since he's had ear tubes put in. He can't make a lot of consonant sounds, but repeats everything and is trying to learn English, so that's half the battle. He wasn't really doing that before, but was content to grunt and point.

Julie

 

[ireland_nicole]

skoi;
I'm so glad your DH will be home soon; and please keep us updated on how your little guy is doing! The progress he's making is awesome!