Preparing for an IEP meeting!

[Sharon]

As some of you know, my DS has ADHD (since he was 4) is in 8th grade and is 13 yrs. old and I have a new ped. dr. appt. Nov. 3rd. To bring you up to date, he began a new school at a new school this year. The school was dragging thier feet for an IEP for him. I began homeschooling my son the last week of Sept. so he would not fall behind even further. He is doing so well with homeschooling!! He loves it! He is zooming through his subjects with ease! The school called last week and wanted to do testings on DS for an IEP! They are asking the teachers to do a behavioral analysis as well.

I have been searching through prior posts on this board as well as others to see what type of things I need to make sureI include in his IEP to help him so that he can go back to school. My son really wants to stay home to learn so badly. We have the IEP meeting Nov. 16th. Here are some of the things I know I need to include in his IEP:

* Teacher to provide class notes. (not other students)

* Study guides provided prior to tests (w/ answers so that I don't have to find them and waste even more time) and can help him study for tests.

* Weekly grade reports.

* When teacher lectures, to provide notes or guidlelines for my DS to follow along.

* For my Ds to be at classon time 100% of the time.

* Have books AND supplies 100% of the time.

* Assistance with organizing his school work, locker and backpack.

* Make sure all homework assignments are written down each day 100% of the time.


I know there are more I need to check into for this to help him. Any ideas anyone? I would really appreciate any help you can give for my son.

Thanks so much!
Sharon

[d]

Sharon, you are right to do your homework before the meeting. What exactly are his challenge areas? Has the school tested him and what are the results? schwablearning.org and ldonline.org have very good educational info. schwablearning.org has a great message board.

[Sharon]

I have checked most of these sights out and I guess I am trying to cut to the chase, although the meeting is not until Nov. 16th. He has not been tested yet. They are going to test him. I know before he had an IQ of 147.
*I have to constantly repeat instructions to him.
*He is very disorganized.
*For reading, he loves to use books on CDs.
*He is a terrible note taker.
*Cannot keep up with his homework assignments.
*He doesn't write down all of his assignments.
*Teachers won't always put him in front row.
*He gets easily distracted
*He is highly impulsive
*He has terrible social skills and doesn't realize when he is annoying others, doesn't read facial expressions, etc.
*Kids tease him because he is different and, because he reacts to it, the teasing escalates.

I could go on and on! Yikes! I need help!

Sharon

[Dakotah]

Sharon- are you sure you are having an IEP meeting? Usually they don't set up an IEP meeting before the child has qualified. You might be having a results meeting which is totally different. I very well could be wrong because each state does things so differently. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. I don't want to add confusion.

[Andy]

Sharon, Welcome to my world. I just had my second IEP meeting just this last Monday. I walked away with a feeling like it wasn't finished. We meet again on Nov 3. I'm trying to get an advocate. Make sure everything is spelled out that you want. Maybe your child needs an alphasmart- The OT will show my son how to use it. Demand he receive it in a certain period of time. Also, how about social skills small class. Demand it in school- or have them get it out of school. Since my son is in elementary school, he sees the social worker once a week, ins in the IEP. If they don't follow it since it is a legal document, you can bring "legal" assistence in. No school wants to be "labeled". DON"T SIGN THE IEP UNTIL YOU ARE COMFORTABLE W/ IT. Sorry I am screaming caps. If my meeting isn't going as planned-no signature!!!!!!!
Hope I helped you. Sorry for being so passionate. I am going through this myself.

[Sharon]

He has had an IEP since kindergarten until 3rd grade when we transferred him to Catholic school. They have rec'd his old records and are setting him up for tests now to see where he is. The meeting is set up for Nov. 16 to meet with school psych., sped, all teachers, counselor and to go over all of the results and implement strategies to help him.

In the meantime, I am homeschooling and awaiting the next step.

I will not sign the IEP and put him back in school until everything is in place and ready before I even consider sending him back to school. I just want to make sure I have down anything and everything that could help my DS succeed in school.

Thanks for your help guys! I am open to suggestions!
a*yo*e

I need to check into how a laptop will help him.

Thanks,
Sharon

[Sharon]

*ops I forgot that I am also adding that he get assistance with social skills too! Thanks!

[mrsheartbuzz]

here are some things in our IEP:

-Extra set of books to keep at home
-Extended time on tests
-Extended time on projects
-Testing in a separate room
-modified assignments
-computer/word processor/alphasmarts
-dictate to scribe(my son has writing problems-great ideas but can't get them on paper and he's dyslexic and can't spell. We use this mod for everything except math and spelling(and sometimes we do use this for spelling)

hope some of these help.

I would also have a list handy of his strengths and weakness that you can fall back on.

I would also have them do an OT evaluation for those handwriting issues.We've seen a tremendous improvement after our son got OT.

[Sharon]

Thanks Heartbuzz!

I'll add those things to my list! They will help him alot! I have started a list of his strengths and weakness.

Do you know what is really amazing? Since I have been homeschooling my little guy, I am noticing his strengths and weaknesses more than ever before! It is one thing to sit down with him to make sure he gets homework done, yet another to actually be teaching him all subjects just like school and seeing where he's having the difficulties. Now I feel I can make a more informed list of things to help him.

The way I feel right now is, what do we have to lose? He is getting the best of both worlds (for the most part) being homeschooled. I feel I can go in there more informed and know DS's rights and I've also printed off things to add to his IEP as well. I just want to make sure I have all of the bases covered. I am feeling much better about all of this, although I know not to get my hopes up too high!

Thanks for the advise!
Sharon

[Sharon]

a*yo*e

This is what I have so far:

-Teacher to provide class notes. (not other students)
-Study guides provided 2 days prior to tests (w/ answers for parent)
-Weekly grade reports.
-When teacher lectures, to provide notes or guidelines to follow along.
-Be at class on time 100% of the time.
-Have books and supplies 100% of the time.
-Assistance with organizing his schoolwork, locker and backpack.
-Have all homework assignments written down each day 100% of the time.
-Test in small groups, have all test read to him, grade only what he completes
-Extra set of books to keep at home
-Extended time on tests
-Extended time on projects
-Testing in a separate room
-Modified assignments
-Computer/word processor/alphasmarts
-Seated in front row near teachers in all classes
-Provide a print copy of any assignments or directions
-Rework missed problems for better grade
-Use recognition tests (true/false, multiple choice or matching instead of essays)
-Individualized behavior intervention plan that is positive and consistent
-Be able to leave classroom voluntarily and go to a designated “safe place” when under high stress.


What do you think?

Sharon

[dmom32002]

Looks good, what i would add if he is going to
have a study hall. Sometimes they are called
study skills classes and this would be a good
place for the organizational and stuff like that
to be done. This is done in a resource room,
just like the testing.

Also when it comes to front of room, make this
closest to teh place the teacher spends the most
time. Reason some dont stay in the front.

Some are in the back, some on a side.

donan

[Sharon]

g**d*ne

Great ideas! Thanks! I was afraid I had too much on the list, or asking too much. I really appreciate your input!

[Dakotah]

Sharon you are so on the ball! You are going to knock their socks off at that meeting.

[Sharon]

w*w Thanks! That makes me feel better. It is so nice to come her for support!! h*g

Someone did mention to me that I need to make more strategic goals. I guess I need to figure that out too. a*g

[Dakotah]

Something to think about and you probably know this from his other IEP. I have found many times that when IEPs are done they are done with a student based goal and separate objectives.

STUDENT BASED GOAL: DS needs to develop skills in the areas of time management and organization.

OBJECTIVE: DS will be on time to class 100% of the time. He will carry a timer to help regulate time.

OBJECTIVE: DS will take organized notes during the teachers lecture. He will receive the teacher's notes to help gain effective note taking skills.

OBJECTIVE: DS will have an organized locker and backpack 100% of the time. He will have a special ed. para check with him at the end of the day to encourage positive skills.


I think you get the picture. I only say this because they will want to know his goals, not just accomadations/modifications. You want to make it clear that you want him to learn these skills. When I get into these meetings and there is 100 people there- I need my thoughts down on paper so I don't get flustered. If I didn't write down my ds's goals I would panic and forget what areas he needs improvement on even if I had the list of modifications in front of me l*ser ! You are doing awesome! They will respect all the homework you have done.

[Sharon]

Thanks Dakotah! I see what you mean! I will just need to change things around to where he will actually learn these skills as the goal!

Woo-hoo! I'm on a roll now! I'm trying to get this typed up to add to the paper I need to send in to get the testing started. They want to know what my concerns are. I am going to type up his strengths and weakness, what I would like his goals to be, etc.

You guys are great to help me out with my DS!
w*ve

I can't thank you enough!

[Andy]

Oh I need help here!!!!!!!! Idon't know if I did the right thing? My "A" came home from school today stating he was out of his regular classroom for most of the day. The principal stated he wasn't going to be out for that long. He went to the resource room(already hating the idea) and said the kids were mean. The homework he brought home looked like 2 grades ago. The Spec ed teacher stated she woud challenge him. He said it was BORING. I almost -well I did cry. My son is so gifted intellectually! He was keeping up w/his classwork while he was mainstreamed. They are all doing the same work. I asked if it would be different. He needs challenges and she said it would be harder. Will he now be behind as opposed to the mainstreamed children. Hepl me Moms who have kids in resource. He says all the kids are going to call him stupid. WHAT HAVE I DONE??? In my IEP meeting the team said it would be a good idea to give him a "BREAK". He suffers from ADHD, OCD,SID, anxiety.

[Sharon]

Oh no! Did they not make it clear to you in the IEP meeting what they were going to do or did they just spring this up on you? Gosh! I want my son to be in his regular classes with modifications and accommodations and not be stuck in a resource room most of the day! How did this happen?

[Dakotah]

Andy you can get through this. FWIW my son has the same dx. Look at his IEP and see what amount of time is allowed for the resource room. You need to call the sped teacher and talk to her about everything you said in this post. Tell her you were under the impression that the R.R. was for breaks not for "educating" him. Now I am going out on a limb here- is there any way he was stretching the truth? I don't mean lying. Maybe it only felt like most of the day? What is boring to him? Ask him. Boring might mean something different to him. How were the other kids being mean? You need to have a sit down with him before you call the school on the off chance you and he aren't understanding each other. Does that make sense? If you are seeing eye to eye, which you guys probably are, you need to address this before it festers into an all out war. Make sure you bring to their attention that he doesn't need remedial work. My son was put into a sped group at school for academics, he reads at a fourth grade level and he is in kindergarten. It was yet another mistake. You have NOT made a mistake! You are doing what is best for him. You need to iron out the kinks. The BIG kinks. Take it one day at a time. One issue at a time.

[Sharon]

Good advise Dakota!

[Andy]

After being physically sick about this whole issue my husband drafted a letter and stated "This was NOT the least restrictive enviroment for him." He was with 11-12 yr old who were held back at least one or two years. My husband got on the phone today to the principal and stated ,we want him out. There is NO aid in the classroom. Last year there was. All I asked for was in class support. I am revising the IEP(again) and meeting w/the case worker this AM. Goodness, this has been my full time job this week . No behavior plan is being implemented( was with 504 plan). If they don't get this together in a week, I will be seeking "legal" advice. Don't want to go that route. The principal stated she will get an aid in there this afternoon. That is what she told my husband. She seems to be "hearing" me more than my case worker. Also I can go the the director of Spec.ed in my District if I'm not getting these accomodations. My poor SON Who is in the middle of all this. One day I tell him this, next day we are doing that. With ADHD and anxiety how much more can I upset him. Sometimes I feel like I've failed him. I keep climbing the mountain, but slipping farther and farther away. Sorry to vent........

[Sharon]

Call your Sped Director and tell him/her what is going on so they can step in and correct the situation! Tell them what you said here.

[dmom32002]

First
I would call a IEP meeting, for next week if its
like here. ITs a vacation time rightnow. SO it
will be hard to get one before next week.

Now also about your son, sit him down and
ask what he wants like
Are you willing to go to Resource Room for
say 30 minutes twice a day. THen set up
which 30 minutes he goes.

Also Have a behaviour assessment done by
the special education department. Call the
director tell them that the plan isn't working.

That you need the behaviour plan in place
by November 1st. And that you need a
Para in the room to help. I would also
suggest they try a inclusion program in
his room,

Yes you can suggest this. What they would
do is send a aide or teacher from special
education to his room for certain classes.

donna

[brookesmom]

I have my first meeting on Wednesday to review my daughter's recent evaluation. She is recently dx ADD-Inattentive. She is in 5th grade and has had poor academic achievement over the last several years. We just recently began Concerta 36 mg. which appears to be helping her concentrate more in school. We attend a private school and are working with our local public school in regards to her evaluation.

I am soooooooooooo confused about whether my daughter would be better off classified as OHI with an IEP or if a 504 plan is appropriate. The ADD really gets in her way and her grades have proved that. The learning specialist at our school asked me if I really wanted her to be OHI, because that would mean she would be classified as "Special Ed". Is that bad to be classified that way? Should I be worried? I am honestly more worried that her struggles will be presented as not a "real disability".

Any advice? I am desparate!!

[d]

brookesmom said:

I am soooooooooooo confused about whether my daughter would be better off classified as OHI with an IEP or if a 504 plan is appropriate. The ADD really gets in her way and her grades have proved that. The learning specialist at our school asked me if I really wanted her to be OHI, because that would mean she would be classified as "Special Ed". Is that bad to be classified that way? Should I be worried? I am honestly more worried that her struggles will be presented as not a "real disability".

Any advice? I am desparate!!

My dd was classified as OHI/ADHD in elementary and is about two months into her first year of middle school with her first 504. I'm trying to sort it all out now but middle school has hit her hard. In comparison to early elementary grades, in 4th and 5th grades she did very well. I kinda wish she was still on IEP under OHI/ADHD versus the 504. Can't tell how much is the difference in school settings versus the poor execution of the 504 that is making her life difficult. It really depends on what services are available. If your dd is having trouble now, I'd go for the OHI b/c organization & study skills and maybe memory will cause problems later on. Let your gut instincts help you decide.

I am very concerned that a "learning specialist" is stigmatizing special ed labels. I resent that like heck. It shows ignorance on his/her part.

[Dakotah]

Hi Brookesmom! FWIW my son qualifies for an IEP under OHI. It hasn't bothered me at all. The special education label really isn't a big deal to me. I would rather have him get help than struggle too much without support. Now to be honest I know what an IEP is and I know what a 504 is but I don't know the difference bewteen the two. There must be on key element. Maybe it is solely that an IEP is supported by special education services and HAS to be followed by law and the 504 is/does not. Maybe a 504 only supports modifications/adaptations. While an IEP allows my ds social skills and OT services? I am not sure. Maybe Donna will chime in here. IF I am right, I would look at your dd and decide if she needs special education services. I think that would help with the decision. Also, OHI is a "easy" label. It really isn't looked down on in the school system. None of the "labels" should be looked down on but sometimes they are. EBD sometimes comes with a stigma. Teachers and parents are learning however, that EBD is NOT what it used to be. Please take what I say loosely. I AM NOT SURE IF MY IDEAS ABOUT AN IEP AND 504 ARE CORRECT. Someone will know here however.

[dmom32002]

hi Brookesmom, I'm Donna hopefully the one that was told to chime in. In Indiana I'm a parent advocate.

And I personally believe that a OHI for ADD works
better, reason one teacher is assigned as the teacher of record and oversees that all teh other teachers follow the plan. Also they can usually go to what is called a resource room for Study Skills class, and the
organizing of their life. Their is a teacher that is looking
into why the stuff is missing, why the child doesn't turn it in.

The 504 plan, is a federal law too, it falls under the
Discrimnation act of 1980 I think is the year. But the
504 is made by a team, and the coordinator
for the building oversees the plan, this is sometimes
the counselor in the building, but lots of times a
system assigns one coordinator for all buildings.

YOu have to make sure that the teachers are following through, spec ed this falls to the teacher of record.

You have to know which accomodations work, and what to change in either case. But in spec ed the teacher
has some leway to try different things.

I would be happy to help anymore, email me
at [e-mail] if I can help.

donna

[brookesmom]

Thanks for all of the replies! I just made a list of all her strengths and concerns that I have for her. I really feel that an IEP would be best for her at this point because we struggled for 3 years to get a diagnosis for her. She struggles so much with basic mastery of concepts. It is also clear that she is so much more capable then her grades reflect. I also feel that the IEP will help in making sure SOMEONE other than just myself is accountable for her needs. I think my teachers have tried to make accomodations this year and have the best of intentions but at this point it is just making some accomodations and no real measurable goal or objective for her.

We also just began medication and it is helping but I do not want that to be a factor in the teams decision. It is my choice to medicate in order to help my daughter focus but I don't want the team to think that it is the answer to her problems and they are off the hook. I sound kind of pessimistic but I see all the struggles so many of you have had and I want to be sure that I do everything I need to accomplish this.

Another complication is that we attend a private school who employs a learning specialist to carry out IEP and 504 plans which is obviously a good thing. The evaluation is coming from the school district so I am not sure how each side is going to look at the issue or if they will have conflict with each other. Not having alot of experience with this and a husband who is not real knowlegdable or prepared(A whole other topic!!!!) is making me feel alot of anxiety. Hopefully everyone will be there looking out for Brooke's best interests. Thanks to all of you who continually post here. It makes a huge impact on so many of us.

Chris

[dmom32002]

Chris
My guess is if the private employs a learning type
teacher then teh private and public get along just fine.
I would stick with the wanting a IEP, and just state
that she needs extra help. Also they can talk the
medicine but only as to if its helping and is she taking it
as she should.

I would keep looking into the accomodations now that you want.

2nd set of books,
Notes by the teacher or another student,
Test taken in a quiet area, distraction free,
organizational skills taught,
note taking taught.

donna

[Andy]

Hello again everyone! This week is a better one for me. ;D I tried to call an earlier Iep meeting, but I guess the team couldn't get it together. It will be after school, in Nov.so nobody is rushing off. I am bringing my husband, my girlfriend who is a special ed teacher, and I am tape recording this meeting. So far there is NOOOOO behavior mod written up(they were to come up w/it) I'm not doing it. Case worker told me they can't do it- ILLEGAL!!! No aid has been back in the classroom since last Friday for "A". Teacher is STILL making him write spelling words(Computer was to be used). Can't believe it will be November and this was to be in place in SEPTEMBER!!!!!!!!!!! Next year we are moving!!!!