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Post by jacksmom on Aug 5, 2010 6:51:16 GMT -5
I had posted this at the LD Online forum and some nice person directed me to this forum, which looks like it has lots of activity! Thanks nice person!!
As the parent of an LD/ADHD son, I am completely dreading the start of the school year! My son was denied a 504 plan and an IEP at his last school because we didn't know our rights and we didn't even know that smart kids can have learning disabilities. We ended up homeschooling our son last year and have moved to a new state and new school system. I've already talked to the guidance counselor who danced around my request for an IEP. Last year we paid to have a neuropsych eval done for our son and on the WISC IV (I think) he scored "Very Superior" in some areas but "Borderline" in Written Expression. This is all so new to us, we don't even understand exactly how to get an IEP....but we are learning. Does it get easier? Does the feeling of impending doom at the start of school ever go away?
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Post by jisp on Aug 5, 2010 7:01:16 GMT -5
Does the feeling go away? Maybe someday when they are married and settled and working in a job. My most LD child is about to start college and although excited I can not express the nerves I have and fear that we will have yet another crisis.
It sounds like you have a child who is 2E (twice exceptional or rather gifted and LD). It can be very difficult to get those kids the services they need because the law states that schools need only make sure that the children are progressing and the law does not specifically state that schools must help these meet their full potential.
The first step with the new school is to schedule a formal meeting to discuss eligibility. Before you do that I would write out exactly what services you feel your son needs in order to be successful in school. Does he need a writing coach? Does he need in class support? Does he need assignments modified? Does he need social skill support? etc etc......
Then I would go through that list and find statements in your son's testing and neuropsychological supports that validates that these types of services would assist your son. Make a chart and go into the meeting prepared to go through your list. Do not argue with the school when they refuse you what you are asking. Just write down and record what their reasons are for refusing you this help. Once that is done you can begin to come up with a systematic strategy for approaching the district and working toward your goal. Remember it doesn't matter what the plan is called or even if your child is technically on a 504 or IEP or they are just putting accommodations in place. What matters is that your child is going to get the services you feel he needs.
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Post by dihicks6 on Aug 5, 2010 7:05:29 GMT -5
Welcome! You are in the right place for help on this subject.
What your new school cannot ignore is a written request for a full educational evaluation to determine eligibility for sped services. And yes, IDEA specifically states that kids that are receiving passing grades are eligible for sped services. We have some great sample letters under the 'sample letter' post on the Education, Special Education and Advocacy board. You may want to copy your post and begin a new thread on that board also.
Would also direct you to wrightslaw.com for a great website on knowing your rights and how to get services your child needs. Can you tell us what state you are in?
I would send your letter requesting the evaluation asap so that the 60 day clock starts ticking. Also, once you've sent the letter let us know what response you get.
Again, welcome!
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Post by healthy11 on Aug 5, 2010 20:29:40 GMT -5
Jacksmom, welcome! Can we ask how old your son is, and what grade? What state do you live in now? As the parent of another very bright son, who also happens to have ADHD and dyslexia and dysgraphia (difficulty writing) I agree that it sounds like your son is also "2e" (twice exceptional, gifted and having LDs) so I think you'll find lots of useful information in this thread: millermom.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Education&action=display&thread=9972
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Post by dhfl143 on Aug 5, 2010 20:46:14 GMT -5
Jacksmom. Just wanted to join in welcoming you!
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Post by michellea on Aug 5, 2010 20:56:38 GMT -5
Welcome!!!
I'm dreading school mostly because I'll miss the low key pace of summer, the weather and spending time with my family. My DS who has severe LD is in an excellent private LD school, so school itself is very managable for him. Unfortunatly, it ends this year in 8th grade, so I am sure my constant worry about the future will heighten as we try to figure out where he should attend HS.
DD, who has some minor LD's fares well in school. I've heard that Junior year can be brutal - so I'm worried about that.
So, now that you mention it, I am dreading the start of school and the end of summer!
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Post by majorv on Aug 5, 2010 22:43:23 GMT -5
Welcome! Yes, I am not looking forward to school starting again in 2 weeks. I hope this 'experiment' we've opted to try doesn't 'go south' and make me wish we'd just taken my son's diploma and run!
michellea, are you saying that in your school 11th grade is worse than 12th grade? In our SD, as far as HS is concerned, each year gets a little harder but 12th is the worst, mainly because of Senior English.
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Post by tebald on Aug 6, 2010 2:08:25 GMT -5
Yes!!! I am nervous. You are not alone. Stick around, read as much as you can, ask as many questions as you need too, we all get it here.
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Post by drjohnson on Aug 6, 2010 12:02:12 GMT -5
I guess i'm cautiously optimistic about the start of HS. The twins are in almost all special ed classes, at least to start. That's what I wanted, because it's clear they're not going to be applying to ivy league schools anyway. I'd rather they went to jr. college & be sane than kill themselves in a competition they can't win.
At this point I'm more worried about dating and boys than academics. Both my girls are quite beautiful and emotionally immature. They could so easily be manipulated.
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Post by jw on Aug 6, 2010 13:06:41 GMT -5
Hi and welcome,
Just a tip on dealing with the school - go ahead and put your request for an IEP in writing, and send it to the counselor or whoever is the right person to get it. I have learned that the schools find it very easy to ignore conversations or anything that is not in writing. If you think it would be helpful, you can include a copy of your private eval with your request so they at least know what tests your child has had.
My son is also gifted and has ADHD, writing problems, anxiety, etc. We have done OK with 504 plan hat provides accommodations, so that is also another route that might work for you. Keep in mind that under the 504 rules, the school must determine whether your child has a disability without taking into account medication or other treatment that is helping to mask symptoms. That is especially helpful with our ADHD kids, who can be brilliant and focused one day and off in la-la land the next.
Good luck!! jw
P.S. And yes, we are dreading the start of school, too! DS is starting high school and we are keeping our fingers crossed that it will be better than middle school, which was OK academically but disastrous socially and emotionally.
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Post by greenie on Aug 9, 2010 20:32:39 GMT -5
I am dreading school. So is my precious son. Not sure how we are going to handle it this year. Not sure if we will even stay there. J is almost 17 and pushing to finish from home.
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Post by cinderbell on Aug 9, 2010 22:54:31 GMT -5
Dreading it terribly. Youngerr dd (anxiety, OCD, depression, ect) will start middle school in which the school has changed and using 3 hour block sessions. She will most likely be in a class of 75 students to 3 teachers.....maybe she will be in the 50 students to 2 teachers class-either way a nightmare waiting to happen.
Older dd (sped) will start high school. She is excited but will probably last a week....the fast pace will kill her. The school is also implementing giving all incoming freshmen laptops or netbooks to use....sounds great but another added issue to worry about. DD has gotten in a lot of trouble this summer, including with the town investigator......she just turned 14 end of May so time will tell how much more she likely is to get into trouble. Maybe though starting high school, she won't have time to think of things that get her hopelessly in trouble.
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Post by kc4braves on Aug 13, 2010 19:59:15 GMT -5
Isn't it sad that so many of us are dreading the school year? I tried to put it out of my mind all summer but we start Thursday so.... Even if his doctor had not quit on us recently in the middle of a major med change and everything was his norm, we would still be dreading it and worried. Having the meds up in the air just adds to it all.
He went to oreintation for 5 hours yesterday. I had thought and hoped that he would recieve alot of much needed info and we would all feel a little better. However, they didn't even manage to get his ID made in 5 hours. He came home bouncing and telling me how dumb it was. His friend echoed the same thought but he is not ADHD and was not hyoer. Neither got to locate their classes either, so he is now scared he will not get to his classes. I guess there must be about 500 kids in his class based on their observation that there were 50 groups of freshmen at orientation with 8-12 kids per group. My observation was this...How can they not manage to get IDs made for everyone but they plan to feed all 500 at once in less than 45 mins. Should be interesting. My son doesn't do well with loud, large groups. I hope he can handle it all. Then there are the actual classes.........
Good luck everyone. Maybe this will be the best year yet!
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Post by jw on Aug 13, 2010 21:28:46 GMT -5
Hi,
We don't start until Sept. 8, but have lots of school stuff beforehand (band camp, orientation, etc.). My niece told me the orientation was a total waste of time, so I am not surprised to hear your guy thought it was stupid. The ID thing is too bad, though - sometimes the machine breaks down, and I wonder if that is what happened for you. Our school hands out final schedules on the first day of school to 3000 students - can't imagine that working at all, and can't imagine feeding that many at the same time, either!!
Good luck, and I hope that for all of us with VERY low expectations that the start of school is smooth and easy!! jw
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Post by majorv on Aug 13, 2010 22:53:52 GMT -5
Hi, We don't start until Sept. 8, but have lots of school stuff beforehand (band camp, orientation, etc.). My niece told me the orientation was a total waste of time, so I am not surprised to hear your guy thought it was stupid. The ID thing is too bad, though - sometimes the machine breaks down, and I wonder if that is what happened for you. Our school hands out final schedules on the first day of school to 3000 students - can't imagine that working at all, and can't imagine feeding that many at the same time, either!! Good luck, and I hope that for all of us with VERY low expectations that the start of school is smooth and easy!! jw My kids HS has 3000 students and they seemed to have a pretty good system. Final schedules were also handed out the first day of school...they had freshmen go to one area and all the other students went to a big open area - the commons - where lines were set up by alphabet. My daughter said it went pretty smooth getting her schedule and getting to 1st period. Also, for the first few weeks of school they had teachers out in the hallway helping freshmen find their next class. The school didn't count anyone tardy to class during that time. Hopefully, things run pretty smooth for your freshmen!
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Post by bros on Aug 14, 2010 1:08:09 GMT -5
We had like 1000 kids in the school, schedules were mailed out first week of August (we started the week after labor day).
They would always mess up my schedule because of my adaptive PE
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Post by wimom on Aug 17, 2010 12:00:08 GMT -5
Dreading the start here too. We did registration yesterday, we were late going in to do it because dd was in day camp and we couldn't make their schedule. DD was sooo hoping that the school would tell us that we couldn't register and that I would have to homeschool her this year because we missed the deadline. She dosn't get she would still have to learn math!
Well it turns out they have her homeroom teacher with someone she won't have as a classroom teacher at all. And isn't the person I was told would be her homeroom person and casemanager at the end of last year when we preping for the next year. So it looks like I get to start writing e-mails before the year even starts. UGH...
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Post by maxco on Aug 17, 2010 16:30:30 GMT -5
Overwhelming YES...
Last year, we opted to have my youngest retained in 2nd grade, and as the new year approaches I am second guessing our decision...I am afraid he is going to have a tough few days, until settles in...
Our descision was based on the fact that he is dyslexic and really needs extra help...I did NOT want him read to by para and wanted to give him one extra year before the dreaded standardize testing....
He is pretty good about it...and understands, but those first few days, will definitely suck!!!!
I hate the fact that even though he is trying so hard, he still comes up short....and so much is based on the standardize test....I know with the testing, 3rd grade would be a real confidence sapper...but so is doing another year of 2nd...either way, seemed harsh...we were trying to reach the lesser of two evils...
To be honest last year, I dreaded the beginning b/c I knew 2nd would be hard...so this year, I do think it was the right decision...however, anytime you little one is going to have a hard time, it really is hard not to dread having them go through it...
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Post by kewpie on Aug 18, 2010 16:32:15 GMT -5
I always dreaded school starting as long as my kids with LD were in public schools. You can always tell the parents who LIKE summers are the ones who have kids with LD. Homework and hassles can suck the joy out of family life! My DD with ADHD is starting middle school and I am terrified because of her lack of organization and forgetfulness. Oddly enough, she scored between advanced and proficient on state testing in language arts. (Makes me wonder if the district cheated.)
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Post by jacksmom on Aug 18, 2010 21:56:09 GMT -5
kewpie, I'm interested....what makes you think the district cheated on testing? Your daughter may very well be twice exceptional...gifted and learning disabled. Unless you are really well versed in LDs and giftedness (and ADHD plays in there) it's hard to see the forest for the trees. I have a great powerpoint on identifying and teaching twice exceptional children. If you are interested I can email it to you.
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Post by jacksmom on Aug 18, 2010 21:58:59 GMT -5
Thanks to everyone who posted. I read every single post.
To answer some of your questions; My son is 12 and we lived in Maryland for K-6 and this year we have moved to Virginia...primarily because of their sped programs. He'll be going back to 6th grade this year so we can catch up with the specialized instruction he needs around writing. Plus, 6th grade is the start of middle school...so everyone else is "new" too!
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Post by healthy11 on Aug 19, 2010 7:29:24 GMT -5
jacksmom, do you know where you got your powerpoint on 2e/ twice exceptional students? Is there a way you can add a link to the 2e resources thread that I mentioned above, so others can also view it?
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Post by jw on Aug 23, 2010 21:30:48 GMT -5
We have officially moved past dreading the start of school today to a state of full-blown panic/depression. It hit ds today that school is just around the corner, and he starts band camp this week, so not much free time left. If anyone has any words of wisdom to cheer up an apprehensive freshman, let me know!! Somehow, telling him that it has to be better than middle school isn't really working....
jw
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Post by mykids on Aug 24, 2010 12:06:14 GMT -5
We always dread the start of school. Anxieties kick in and things fall apart. My kid started yesterday at a new school, the day went ok until his last class. He got to his last class late, a few minutes into the class the teacher asked everyone to take out their math books. This is when he realized he was in the wrong class because he had already gone to math. So he left and went into the correct class, late again. I hope he has a better day today.
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Post by kewpie on Aug 24, 2010 16:00:52 GMT -5
>what makes you think the district cheated on testing?< I am having a hard time believing a child of mine scored that high of the language arts piece. My oldest is very dyslexic, my second hyper-lexic but had a harder time with the comprehension peice (ASD issues). My youngest has adhd and was speech delayed but has made a much larger recovery in the language area than the other two. Evidently the score have been going up in the district but not for the special ed kids. (So what else is new) Actually I always loved to read and I was sad that none of my kids would get into it with me.
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Post by fancypants on Aug 26, 2010 21:09:15 GMT -5
I have been apprehensive, as the start of school gets closer I'm beginning to panic. We made it through middle school, in part, due to smaller class size and slower instruction. Will not have that in high school!
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Post by jackson72 on Aug 28, 2010 20:34:01 GMT -5
"Dread" is too mild of a word in this case. "Panic" is too active. I think "depression" just about fits, especially once school starts.
This year I'll try to focus on making sure she actually 'learns' something (after all, it is 11th grade), and not care about grades at all. Well, just enough about grades so that she passes and gets the h@*% out of there.
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Post by momfromma on Aug 28, 2010 21:02:04 GMT -5
Not really dreading, but I can see ds anxiety rising by the day. At the same time, he is happy to return to school, but he also thinks he is not ready for it (among other things, the school did not send the list of teachers, he does not know if the school dance club continues or if he has to find another one, and and his computer is showing signs of old age --- a lot for a student who relies on routines and likes to be prepared to get rid of his anxiety).
I am not really surprised that the school is even less rady this year, because of budget cuts and experienced people who left, but I can already see ds is trying to reassure himself through the junior grade program to see what his classes will be about.
In addition, we have found this summer that, while ds has made huge progress with dealing with unpleasant things when expected, he still cannot handle properly something that was not planned.
So, I am somewhat apprehending this new school year (adding to this that we will receive the MCAS scores, and that he probably has to take at least the English again, though I am not sure how what the school will do to help him).
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Post by jacksmom on Aug 31, 2010 12:26:11 GMT -5
jacksmom, do you know where you got your powerpoint on 2e/ twice exceptional students? Is there a way you can add a link to the 2e resources thread that I mentioned above, so others can also view it? I posted the power point presentation in the 2e resources link. My husband gave the presentation for me because I get too emotional and cry like a big baby. I didn't even attend the meeting because it was a regular school board meeting. However, the presentation was received very well and I've heard since then that the board put a two day training in place on how to identify and teach 2e kids. I was very pleased with that outcome!
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Post by wimom on Aug 31, 2010 14:30:37 GMT -5
School starts tomarrow and dd is going into a panic. She out right refused to do anything about packing up her supplies for school -- I finally put my foot down and we got things together yesterday and she is set. This morning she woke up at 4am in a panic that she dosn't know any of her teachers or where the classrooms are or what her locker combination is. I finally got her calmed down reminding her than none of the other 7th graders know their locker info either, and then we when through all the classes she is taking and it turns out she either knows our has a passing aquatiance with nearly all her teachers. And reminded her that the class rooms have the teacher names on them to find them.
If I can just get her out the door in the morning I think she will do ok at school tomarrow. I just can't wait to see her schedule.....
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