Evaluation done....What should I look for next?

[Shandawn]

Actually, I just wondered, based on my DDs evaluation scores, what kinds of accomodations should they be giving her when she gets her IEP? Shes in 5th grade. This is my first experience with the public school system. She was in a private school until this year. Heres what the eval. found:

On the WISC IV: Verbal comprehension 114 (Above average)
> > Perceptual reasoning 98 (Average)
> > Working memory 68 (below average)
> > Processing 94 (average...the test was timed)
> >
> >Achievement test: readiing-word recall - shes at grade level
> > comprehension-average for her grade
> > listening comprehension-average for her grade
> > spelling-one grade level below her grade
> > math-has 2 parts-for everyday useage type math
> >she is at a 3rd grade level.
> >For computation
> >(math problems) shes at a mid-2nd
> > grade level.

> >The woman said she definately will go to resource room (?...maybe special ed room) for math & spelling. She WILL get an IEP! She will qualify in the report for OTI (ADHD) and math & language arts LD. They are gonna refer her for an OT eval.

I will recieve a copy of the report in a week or so & there will be a date for an IEP meeting. She will include Shannons wearing her glasses JUST for seeing far in the report. (the teachers been trying to make Shannon wear them to read).

So what do you all think?
By the way, I tried to post these on Schwab, but I keep getting an error. I emailed them about the problem & I'm waiting to hear back.

[Mayleng]

It would be better to get the full report, so Sharon can check it out. It is good news that she will be getting an IEP and resource room help for math and language arts.

I will ask Sharon to check on this thread.

[SharonF]

Shandawn--

What kinds of difficulties is your daughter having in the classroom? With homework? What does she struggle the most with? What are her strengths?

Accoms should not be decided based on IQ and achievement test scores alone. They should be designed to meet the "unique educational needs" of the child.

What achievement test was given? WIAT? Woodcock Johnson? If you could post her standard scores, not summaries like "average for grade," that would be helpful to me.

You say they will give her an IEP as LD in Language Arts. Were they more specific? The law lists seven areas for LD including basic reading (decoding), reading comprehension, oral expression, listening comprehension, written expression, math calculation and math reasonin. I would like to know in which specific areas of Language Arts they believe she is learning disabled. That will make a big difference in the types of services, language of the goals and types of accommodations she receives for Language Arts.

Same with math. You will need to know if her LDs are in math calc, math reasoning or both. That will help decide what services, instructional methods, amount of time in Resource, goals, accoms, and mods will meet her needs.

You also say they will give her OTI for ADHD. Is that a typo for OHI? When you have your IEP meeting, ask what they will give her for OHI that would not be included under Specific Learning Disabled. You need to know what services go with which "categories."

How is her written expression in class? If she has trouble with written expression, I would urge that a Test of Written Language be given. WIAT and WJ are not good tests to determine a person's ability to express themselves using written language.

Her low working memory concerns me. What were her subtest scores in WMI? I would ask what they plan to do in each subject area and for each assignment to assist her with low working memory. Otherwise, her working memory could sabotage her efforts to suceed and her teachers' efforts to help her, causing incredible frustration for all involved.

Make sure the OT eval includes a visual motor integration test. That may answer the questions about whether the vision problem can be corrected with glasses or whether it's how her visual cortex in her brain processes information received through the eyes. Visual cortex problems (otherwise known as visual processing problems) are rarely corrected with glasses.

In summary, in which of the seven areas of SLD do they say that she is eligible for services? What specific services are they going to provide? How does that match with the difficulties that she is having in class?

How does the addition of services for OHI affect the services for SLD?

How much time will she be spending in Resource and how will her services be individualized to meet her unique needs?

How will they address the working memory issues?

How extensive will the OT eval be and will they do an Assistive Technology evaluation as part of it?

Please know--I don't expect you to have all of these answers! But you will need to ask these questions at the IEP team meeting.

Good luck!

[Shandawn]

SharonF, Thanks for the reply, you've given me much to think about. You also made me realize how much I need to learn! But that is what I'm here for. I will recieve the formal report in about a week & I'll post then with her standard scores.

Heres what I know RIGHT now:

Classroom & homework difficulties: Spelling is a BIG issue. She has tons of trouble learning any word thats not spelled phonetically. Math of course. They said shes ok with everyday useage math but calculating problems she cannot do well. She doesn't know most of her times tables, dividing, forget it! Her printing is awful. All over the page, not spaced well.

Written expression: She has wonderful stories to tell & yes, she can get them on paper ok, but you cannot READ them because her spelling and handwriting are so terrible. This is a great source of frustration to her as she LOVES to make up stories!

Yes, I did make a typo on OHI. They said they would list her lang. ats & math LDS as primary on her IEP with ADHD as OHI.

Thank you for not expecting me to know all the answers to your questions. I felt so lost & inadequate reading them all! I know I still have a lot to learn in the areas of IEPs & assessments! This is the first time we've been through all this. Frankly, I don't know how she made it this far without anyone catching the lang. arts LD. Unless the fact that she reads so well covered it up. Shes my only baby, I just want whats best for her!

[Mayleng]

Shandawn, don't worry, you will learn so don't feel inadequate. It takes time, alot of time. But by the end of it all, you will be the expert of your child and her needs.

[Shandawn]

Thanks, Mayleng, for the kind words. I'm learning more & more each day. My poor printer doesn't know what hit it! LOL