Had Eligibility Meeting today -thank you all!

[keepthefaith]

Attempt #4 - classified OHI, phew.

At meeting on our side:  The psychologist who performed private testing, her Orton Tutor (former Special Ed teacher in our County), a parent advocate (a free one for a change!), husband/me. The CSE had a draft IEP but we had to go through the whole comparison of scores from WISC IV Winter 2012 up to our private testing in 1.2014.  

DD, grade 6, age 11, is now classified as "OHI" and has the first stage of an IEP.  We covered:  small group Special Ed for Math; Resource Room for  Executive Function and organization to cover all academics. This resource room is daily which means giving up her music class but we will figure a way to incorporate music into the schedule down the line.  There will be a delay of 1 month before resource room is in place so by then her concert will be over and we can finish the year in Resource Room daily.

We meet again in June to discuss the IEP for 7th Grade which will include Special Ed/IEP and related Goals for her 4 Core Subjects.

I can never thank all of you who stuck by my endless, LONG, threads and who guided me to CAPD testing, which led us to Orton, which led us to private evaluation when we had a lawyer last year insisting that "a 504 was the best we'ld get".  It's been quite the journey.

You are an amazing group of parents, grandparents, friends, thank you.
Mom of One Great Girl!

PS:  Sharon, they will be giving her the OT Evaluation due to her body language display during the classroom observation they did for her just 1 hour before the meeting!

As for speech language, we have to address the areas of reading comprehension and critical thinking/fact finding skill set but for now we prevailed by pure perseverance.  And a good deal of cheering from you all - thanks!

[healthy11]

We're happy to hear that your daughter's issues are finally being acknowledged by the school; we know the "journey" is far from over, but it's a step in the right direction!

[keepthefaith]

Apr 9, 2014 13:44:22 GMT -5 healthy11 said:

We're happy to hear that your daughter's issues are finally being acknowledged by the school; we know the "journey" is far from over, but it's a step in the right direction!

So true - baby steps for a life-long journey.  

I will reiterate that since I joined here in 10/2013, after previous years on other boards, that the amount of knowledge, information, the shared experience that helps those *new* to the system was a life saver rope for me. I was at the end of that rope - I had friends who told me "to give it up; to focus on strictly tutoring" (which we have done since grade 2!)........to finding you all, learning about your children, "bits & pieces" children...........if asked, would I have changed anything, I would say "no" because this journey to date was meant to happen as it did - I have learned so much.  I am humbled by how much I have yet to discover.

Thanks Healthy. When I was promoted years ago, I put this quote by T. Roosevelt on my very old (generation 1) desktop computer - I will now use it as part of my profile:

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure...than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”  It was a leap of faith to ask for that promotion and every day of parenthood has been quite similar-glorious triumphs checked by failure.

[SharonF]

Congrats!!!

OHI can be a flexible category and seems to be the best option for a kid with "bits and pieces." So I'm glad that's been decided.

Stories like yours make my involvement in this message board so worthwhile. Why I keep coming back. I KNOW what it's like to feel the confusion, frustration and despair that you've been feeling. I KNOW how much it hurts to see your kids struggling and only get pat answers or BS.

Others threw me a "life saver rope" and then taught me the ropes. They gave me hope and guidance when I felt hopeless and lost.

The great thing about this message board is you don't have to have all of the answers. Others who come here don't expect you to have a magic wand. But they appreciate a listening ear and any hard-earned advice.

So if you can, stick around. You've already said you've benefited from the journey. And you're just the kind of "tour guide" some other mom, dad, grandparent or teacher might be looking for!

[keepthefaith]

Thanks Sharon - I am very grateful for all of your insight - I read a post your wrote about what you would do differently - struck a cord with me. I'm not going anywhere! I am surely not of the view once an IEP in place that they'll follow it unless I keep on top of it/them. We also plan to do some things privately, such as Speech Language.

I have learned more here in a short few months than I did for years elsewhere. One road travelled, many more to go though! I'm so grateful that you, Healthy, DiHicks,Empeg, Bros, all of you who replied to my various threads still stop by and you all DO help. I hope to one day return the favor.

[SharonF]

Thanks, keepthefaith!

My next advice: take a deep breath, celebrate your accomplishments, then begin your sentry duty. You're still an active member of the IEP team. And you'll need to keep a close eye on what's happening as your dd's individualized education plan is turned into reality.

Biggest thing to watch for: placement is not the same as an individualized education. Kids with learning differences don't automatically learn better when they are in a resource setting. Or any other setting. All kids learn better when the type of instruction is a good match for their learning style.

If the teaching and learning happen best for your dd in a special ed or resource setting, then do it! But keep in mind: it is NOT the setting that provides FAPE (free, appropriate public education.) What matters most is if the methods, styles and approach to instruction meet her unique needs as defined by and required by federal law.

You probably won't know for some time if the type of instruction being provided under this IEP is truly working for your dd. That's where your vigilance comes in. Sometimes, some schools focus on placement to fulfill an IEP without putting enough emphasis on instruction. Assume the best but verify.

[healthy11]

Keepthefaith, as Sharon said, the great thing about this message board is that you don't have to have all the answers yourself! We each have different backgrounds, areas of knowledge and experiences, which collectively are more helpful. Oftentimes, what one member has written serves as a "stepping stone" for another person's comments, and posts that start out on one topic end up discussing completely different things. At times, even some of us "seasoned veterans" haven't always been in agreement when it comes to interpreting a poster's needs, or what direction they should take next, but the one thing Millermom members DO share is the common bond of wanting to offer hope and help to others navigating the "world of special education" and beyond!

(It may seem "far off" to you now, but I remember vividly when we decided to create a "college/young adult" section of Millermoms forum...Eventually, kids do "age out" of Kdg-12th grade struggles, but it's not as if there's a "switch" that automatically turns on a light and everything becomes clear when they turn 18 or they're out of school. We realized that the same people who offered advice and support through younger times, could provide continuing wisdom and friendship for ongoing life events. Hopefully, you'll continue to find Millermoms forum meaningful, too.)

[keepthefaith]

Thanks Healthy & Sharon,I agree, it's a collection of family members trying to help another family member who struggles. And while it may be Dyslexia for some,ED for others, OHI, etc., one of the *harder* areas I have found was navigating the public school system. I will never forget the shock I felt when I found out that we were lied to in 2010! All in efforts to keep the rate of classifcation of kids down in our "over-classified district" (13%).

I love the idea of the board continuing past K-12 - lately I have been wishing the next 7 years of life to be over with - not a good way to live life.

Also, Sharon, "placement and program setting" will be the agenda for the June meeting. Given that grade 6 is over in 9 weeks, the "interim" grade 6 IEP won't work in Grade 7. Also they have other resources available for grade 7 but the need is so great. We feel like we at least have a better idea of what will help DD navigate and perhaps enjoy the next year of school.

DD has taken the news well (having to give up some courses she likes for Resource Room help). Lots of sage advice in that statement of placement versus instruction.

Thanks so much to all. Apologies if I omitted anyone's name - we thank all of you. Wishing all a wonderful weekend.

[dwolen]

Congrats, it is wonderful news.
I also have an attitude of gratitude for all the miller moms.