Assessments and IEP - What to Expect

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Hi - I have been lurking around on occasion since I introduced myself a while back. I really appreciate that there are people here who share similar experiences, especially since pretty much no one around me really gets what we are going through with our son.

My son is 4, and we suspect Asperger's for all the usual reasons. He has recently been tested and assessed at his public preschool. The team concluded he is a "preschool child with a disability" in certain areas (social/emotional and communication with respect to social peer interaction). I guess they don't require a specific diagnosis until school age. The IEP meeting is soon, and I am wondering how best to prepare,what to expect, etc. I would appreciate any advice about the IEP meeting or recommended books, articles, etc.

More immediately, though, we have an appointment with this Asperger's expert neurologist in a couple days, and I am also wondering what that appointment is going to be like. I am trying to prepare my son for what to expect, because of course he likes to know what is coming, the fewer surprises the better and all that. I told him that we were going to see a "learning doctor" not a "body doctor" and that he would talk to him and maybe ask him to play a little, and that I would be there too. Is that about right? I am also a little nervous about talking to the doc in front of my son, because my son picks up on everything and will ask for complete explanations of whatever is said. Anyway, I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through this, especially with a preschool-aged child.

thanks everybody!

The doctor should talk to you away from your child. Ours had other specialists doing tests with our son (person/house/tree drawing, answering questions, made it seem casual) while the doctor asked us about the forms we had already filled out prior to the meeting (as had his teachers, our son was in 4th grade at the time).

It is very much a talking appointment. Especially at his age.

The IEP will be something you and his school agree on, usually based in part on recommendations of the specialist. These can include a separate space where your child knows he is free to go to any time he feels overwhelmed by the classroom, scheduling prompts, etc.

Check out www.wrightslaw.com if you haven't already. They offer a wealth of information.

our son was tested at age 13 over a series of 4 days. ( the dr stopped when son got too overwhelmed). we were actually allowed to stay in the room, because son felt more comfortable with us there. lots of hearing tests, puzzles, questions about metaphors etc.

Our Doctor spoke with my son while I was present, then she spoke with me alone. I already had alot of information prepared for her. It definately is a 'talking appointment' as someone pointed out earlier. My son was also sent for hearing tests, etc.

Our IEP, was LONG awaited...I met with the Special Ed teacher, Occupational Therapist, all 3 of his General Ed teachers, Speech Therapist, and I believe the principal attended also.

The OT offered him something called "Alpha Smart', which is a portable laptop like machine. He types all his tests, and other classwork in it, and then its printed later to be graded. My sons handwriting is VERY BAD, not even I can decipher it.

All in all, our meeting went well....just be strong, and know what you will and will not accept and dont let anyone double talk you.

www.schwablearning.org is a great resource too for preparing for the IEP, in addition to wrightslaw that was mentioned by a previous poster. Some schools can be real jerks about this. Sometimes they give you what looks like a great IEP, and then don't carry it out. Your son will depend upon you to be his advocate in this situation, and I hope that you are in a school that will be helpful.