What are some special requests you make in your child's IEP?

[tweedlemom]

I know every child is different, but I was just wondering what are some special requests you make for your child in his/her IEP? (Extra test taking time, front row seating in classroom, etc.) Our IEP meeting is coming up soon, and I just wanted to see if there are any requests that anyone else makes that my child (PDD-NOS) could benefit from as well...

 

[Val]

DD10 has mild/moderate bilateral loss...she wears hearing aids and uses an FM system (teacher is miked and it goes to her aids). We found that an extra set of textbooks can be invaluable- helped us re-teach some at home (she would struggle so hard to hear that she didn't get the lesson sometimes).

She is doing very well now, and we are actually removing this from her IEP for next year- need to develop some independence and self responsibility before that junior high move in 6th grade! I think she is ready to handle the responsiblity, too. But, it was SUCH a help for the earlier grades (and saved the back and backpack!).

 

[bookwormde]

My first request included 25 “needs” that ranged from environmental sensitivity analysis and modification, to teacher training to non-academic curriculum, to bullying prevention policy to academic curriculum adaptations, to school, teacher and clinical staff communication system and so on. It was almost 35 pages and included all the information needed to fill out the areas of the IEP form plus references supporting my opinions from works from respected clinicians in the area (aspergers). Needless to say this required 100s of hours of research and drafting.

I knew that my district had only limited knowledge and no program for my child’s needs so I was prepared. If you have confidence in your schools abilities and commitment in you child’s area then it is easier. You still need to educate yourself about your child’s situation to insure his needs are met. The basic concept for IDEA is what is needed for your child to get an appropriate education for his cognitive capabilities.

Remember IDEA is not just about academics but also includes the “larger” school experience.


bookwormde

 

[BeckyScott]

Justin seems to do fine with extended time, oral instructions, and a para to nudge him along. But he's in 2nd grade, there isn't any note-taking yet or anything like that, I'm sure we'll add more stuff as he gets older.

Part of his speech/language therapy is push-in, which I think is important. It's one thing to converse with one adult, another to talk with classmates in a social situation.

He doesn't have front-row seating because his teachers don't do rows. Yet. They arrange the desks into pods or a big circle or something like that. In that case, they have to arrange it so the para can pull up a chair, and some spots it's easier to do that than others.

My "real job" I often work with college-age students who get special accomodations. It isn't unusual in a college situation to have a note-taker, reader or scribe, extended time, or alternative testing site. You don't need all those, but it's good to know what's considered reasonable accomodations in college. A reader or scribe, a child with autism might not need. Note-taker possibly, if they have trouble keeping up with the pace. Extended time and alternative testing site can be very useful if they just go a bit slower or have anxiety or get easily distracted. I imagine we'll need to add some of those things in later, as he gets older.

 

[Forevryoung]

I'm sitting in on my first set of annual reviews

My school district is "known" for their great special ed program- it's probably one of the best in the country (people move here because of it- we now have the highest population of children on the spectrum in the state)

I would suggest creating two lists- one shorter one of "true needs" and another of "needs". Using bookwormde's examples- "true need"= academic modifications; "need"= bully prevention policy (unless there has been an issue in the past of course and school should already have a no tolerance policy on this one) . If you walk into a meeting with 35 accommodations that you are "demanding", the school staff might become overwhelmed depending on what they are used to... it's not uncommon in our district

Remember that the IEP is a "work in progress" and that if anything comes up during the school year, it can (and should) be amended.

And remember, all school districts and kids are different- your friends in other districts may have to fight for x but you won't. Example: parent asked yesterday for an extra session of speech a week (3 times instead of 2), we said "sure" and it was done.

Just .02 from the other side.
Good luck!

 

[breezy1077]

My DS has PDD-NOS too. I request work load modification (also whatever he misses in a "pull out" situation will not be sent home for homework, nor is he expected to make up the work), reading of tests to him. I also ask for a second set of whatever workbooks or school books he is given so I can have them for home too.

 

[DevilDuckie]

My son's IEP includes the right (not that we've had a problem with a teacher over it yet) to keep a stress ball in his desk and to ask for a time out to go into the hallway and take a few deep breaths and collect himself.

 

[Ohiomomof2]

My DS IEP includes extra time, a scribe, a laptop in the classrooms, reduced work load, weekly counseling, extra study session in the resource room 3 days a week, behavior modification program, an aide in all of his mainstream classes, the ability to go to the resource room whenever he feel it is necessary, the write to type any written work, seating preference, the ability to get up and move around in the room as long as he is quiet and does not disturb the other students, daily e-mails to me on homework status, weekly phone calls for behavior status, immedient calls for any problems/issues, right to use a binder wherein for other students they are not allowed to bring them to classes.

 

[tweedlemom]

These are wonderful suggestions! Thank you! I never thought of the "extra textbooks" at home, so I will definitely ask for that. Keep the ideas coming!!!

 

[bookwormde]

Forevryoung

I agree that an IEP is always a work in progress, my son’s sure is.

For a child with social skills deficits, an effective bullying prevention program needs to be at the top of the list. This is because “undetected” bullying can negate all other things that have been and are being accomplished (if you have a special needs child and have not read Perfect Targets by Rebekah Heindrichs it is a must read). I have just been appointed to the district’s bullying policy committee to help them comply with our new state gang/bullying law, which is a result of the NCLB mandate in this area.

By the way a no tolerance policy is not a comprehensive bullying policy by a long shot.

I do believe that it is important for the team to know the total scope of the “project” so they do not become complacent and have a feeling for the quantity of effort it will take (over a period of time).

I also am very appreciative of what the teachers and staff at the school is doing, I place the responsibility for the items, which are lacking with the district LEA and the state SEA.

Do not be afraid to bring in a comprehensive list, just be reasonable about it.

Bookwormde