IEP, Teacher Woes & Other Questions.

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LynnInVa
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10 Dec 2007, 9:11 am

IEP, Teacher Woes & Other Questions.



Last edited by LynnInVa on 12 Dec 2007, 12:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

ster
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10 Dec 2007, 12:52 pm

I'm going to play the teacher and say: how do these shortcomings effect her grades ?
i'm assuming that you weren't able to get her back into the school that she was in last year ?



Lainie
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10 Dec 2007, 1:36 pm

Hi, I can't really help much as I am in the middle of trying to get an IEP for my son, but your letter sounded good.

But I wanted to point out that you can add transitional services to help your child move to the new school. I am fighting especially for that as I also have a 6th grader, and all the changes will just be a nightmare for him.

I shudder then thought of this move without special support for him.

Lainie



LynnInVa
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10 Dec 2007, 5:00 pm

Lanie and Ster - thanks for responding.

Lanie - I've heard about it, but don't know much. Aruggghhh...more research 8O



Last edited by LynnInVa on 12 Dec 2007, 12:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Lainie
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10 Dec 2007, 5:37 pm

Basically they slowely prepare her for the move. They do things like introduce her to the school, the teachers etc. They just get them ready for the change so it's a much easier transistion.

I'm not exactly sure what they do either, but I know of other kids schools have done that for their kids who need everything to be the same.

And even tho I like my sons teacher this year, she moves the seats constantly, and it drives Chris crazy! If she doesn't warn him first, he goes down hill and I can't get him to school the next day, period!

All I can say is don't give up. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. You can always file a complaint with the state because their not following the IEP.

I am glad you started this thread tho, as I have been faced with many challenges trying to get my son an IEP, which they refuse to do. They basically will not accept my son's priv evals. UGHHH.

Lainie



LynnInVa
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10 Dec 2007, 8:39 pm

Lanie - I had that same problem in 3rd grade - I did an intro on the getting to know you forum - it tells of my journey.

3rd grade is when she was officially dx'd with PDD(NOS), Depression (NOS), and Seizures (absence seziures = daydreaming).
She was getting accommodations at the time, but no formal IEP - the Principal said "just because she has a medical diagnosis, it doesn't mean she automatically get's an IEP" The clearly saw and dealt with her issues - but never gave it a good second look. That's when I started to kick myself for not being more proactive (don't we always place the blame on ourselves?)
So it was at that point I gave up for the year, and it was the end of 3rd grade and she wasn't going back to that school - ever :twisted:

4th grade is when it all happened - I involved the teachers before hand - I guess you can say I transissioned her myself. She was going to attend a new afterschool program (karate - but that's another episode!)
We met with the teachers a few days before school started, and they just loved my daughter, and welcomed her with open arms - and she did well to start, very well.
She had 4 different teachers (it was a pilot program so teachers could teach what they love, and students can get a head start on being prepared for middle school). 4th grade was true team effort to get this girl up to par.

In case you aren't (but I'm sure you are) - keep and file every single paper your son brings home, track his progress yourself. If you can show some type of pattern in his progress (or lack of) they would be more inclined to do something. Prove how lack of social skills impairs his ability to learn - there must be some type of connection. I was able to convince them to retest her - not just because of her dx, but because she showed regression from the beginning of 3rd grade to the end of 3rd grade.

Did the school test him yet or did you go private first?
They must test him, if you request it (so I am told - I'm not 100% sure).

I guess it's one step at a time - and I've got about 8 more years to prepare her for the world. I don't want her cowering in it - I want her to shine :D

Lynn



ster
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10 Dec 2007, 8:49 pm

my point before was mainly to remind you to reference the effects their poor follow-through has on your child's grades....from past experience, our district had very little concern about any of my kids until it came down to their grades.



sinagua
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10 Dec 2007, 9:22 pm

Sadly, this has been my experience thus far, too - even if they acknowledge he has "issues," they don't want to accommodate him "officially" because his grades are good.



Lainie
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10 Dec 2007, 10:42 pm

Well here is a time line. It's a longggg story so I will do my best to be brief.

Kindergarten, had problems with big changes in our life. He would rage (actually the rages started when he was 3) whenever I had a baby, we moved, he started school etc. Any change set him off. He had fine motor skill problems with holding his pencil.

1st grade, same issue's with adjusting to school. Teacher was concerned because when he answered a question in class, and he was wrong she was gently trying to figure out how he got the answer. She would ask him questions and he wouldn't respond. He wasn't defient about it, he just looked "stuck" and maybe had some problems worrying about getting the wrong answer.Often times I noticed I would ask him a question and he wouldn't answer me. Simple questions, things I thought he could answer just fine.

2nd grade, he was extremely disorganized and teacher said he couldn't read a story and tell it back. She had alot of complaints. Made the school eval him and they found nothing except for a speech problem. They gave him an IEP for that, but found nothing else. I KNEW he had Dysgraphia (my family has a hystory of Dyslexia and Dysgraphia) and he was showing alot of the signs. It was obvious to me.

3rd grade, a disaster. My son has always had perfect behavior in school, but would rage when he came home. It was like Jekyl and Hyde. Many many problems with behavior at home and homework was a nightmare. Had alot of problems with writing etc.

4th grade wonderful as I hand picked the teacher from a recommendation from the PTA. This teacher was able to help chris without a formal dx, and he was really happy. He still made 1's in Written Language, but was happier.

5th grade A FLIPPEN Nightmare!! ! Lousy teacher, told me AND him that he was lazy, tried to tell me what to do with my parenting and made comments on my parenting all along. MAde my son cry, and insinuated his problems were with "again" my parenting. Well this time I asked again for them to eval. The school refused. So I went out and spent 2800 dollars for a private eval.

At the same time I was on my Dysgraphia group and someone made mention of Asperger's Syndrome. I was curious, I googled, and my mouth dropped!! ! That was my son!! ! So anyway the Private Eval found that my son had problems in Written expression, Visual Processing Disorder and a Processing disorder. The doc said that he wasn't Autistic, BUT he had alot of Autistic Traits.

I then go to a pysciatrist for the rages and he said "No No No, this doc is wrong, he's on the spectrum, you need to get a second opinioin. Go to the REgional Center." So over the summer I go and Chris was Dx-d with Autistic Disorder.

I take all three reports to the school. Then they do the assessments and AGAIN found nothing. They see traits but explain them off.

So that is where I am at. Trying to fight the stupid school system when my son needs help and his grades show it year after year. Always 1's and 2's in Written Expression, and Now a 1 in Math (he usually is profiecient in Math, but this year can't get his basic math facts down to figure out the problem. He also mulitplys when he is supposed to do division and vice versa. Always 1's in Organization ect...

But I know I am NOT giving up! Toopid School.

Lainie



LynnInVa
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11 Dec 2007, 6:14 am

ster wrote:
my point before was mainly to remind you to reference the effects their poor follow-through has on your child's grades....from past experience, our district had very little concern about any of my kids until it came down to their grades.


Ster, thanks for helping me stay on my toes :D Our schools focus on the SOL's - they "train for the questions".



LynnInVa
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11 Dec 2007, 6:32 am

Lainie - My meeting is in two days - one reason I called it was because of the suspected dyscalculia - my daughter has the same issues with math as your son and she also has short term memory issues that affect what she can take in and remember.

I don't think the standard tests they use can detect such "fine" issues that we know are present. My daughter does well in one on one situations - I told them this - and that it's not the way to test her - when shes in the classroom, she's distracted, has seizures that are mistaken for daydreaming, and this all impairs her learning ability - don't test her one-on-one - she will have YOUR full attention and do very well. This happened every time they tested - but her math grades and my tracking gave them the big picture. We also had positive input about how she is distracted on a daily basis.

One thing that I found to be extremely helpful was to become a "room mom". I did this last year, my schedule allowed for it. I was able to help the teacher once a week for an hour, in math class ( & I HATE MATH :evil: ) I got to see her in action - and help her the way I knew how to help her. This year, I'm working on getting my schedule changed so I can go in at least once a week - when they know you are watching - they go by the book :?
Have you looked into getting an advocate?

Lynn



Lainie
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11 Dec 2007, 11:46 am

HI Lynn
I completely agree with the tests they give are soooo basic. And yep, my son of course does much better one on one versus the everyday work in the classroom.

I am tracking his work and have kept his yearly grades in order so I can go back and show them. Right now we are waiting on another assessment the school agree'd to with a Diagnostic Center.

The only problem is it will take 4 months for them to assess him, and I dont' know if I want to wait that long or just shoot straight to Due Process. I am gonna think about it during Christmas vacation. They are doing some accomodations, finally because I keep insisting, but it's not much. And it's really hard to hear "But we just don't see it" and "You can't be Autistic only in the home"

He would be spacing off last year and playing with his hands and they would call it daydreaming too. The teacher would say he would do strange things tho like talking really close to her face etc. And he does weird tics with his eyes, but of course they didn't recognize them as tics.

This year his new teacher had to fill out a form for his pysciatrist and one of the questions was "Does he seem sad, lonely or depressed?" Her answer.... "He is expressionless until you talk to him and then he seems happy" DUH!! !! Thats a Flat Afflect!! ! One the DSM-IV catagory's lol

Anyway, Yes I have had Two Advocates in with me in fact, and frankly as they are great, I am doing a much better job on my own unless I obtain a Lawyer.

Ya, I was thinking of being a room mom or helping out if I could. But frankly I think at this point is to figure out if I should wait until the Diagnostic Center assess him or not. The years halfway over and next year is going to be a NIGHTMARE for him.

I could kick myself for not looking into the law when he was in 2nd grade.

Oh well, I am interested in finding out how things go with you tho. I am sure I will learn from your experience, and the only thing I can think of for you is to file a complaint with the state.

Lainie



LynnInVa
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11 Dec 2007, 12:35 pm

Lanie - with regards to the "tick" and daydreaming, have you considered an EEG?
It was hell preparing for it - I had to keep her up all night - so that meant I had to be awake as well!
The first EEG didn't go well, she was fidgety - the second however proved that there was something going on - daydreaming was not on purpose.

I'm still up to my ears in medical bills and therapy bills! <---why we don't do therapy anymore!

I talked to the supervisor of elementary schools this morning to find out the process for putting her in another class - I need to call a meeting w/ the principal and the teacher. I hate confrontations, but thank goodness I have my backup person (her step-dad) with me.

I will keep you posted. Tonight, I have to sit down and write out my thoughts - they are in a pile - I type them - print them - and then put them into one list. I will share with you what I can - I can also go though my binder and find stuff that might be helpful to you. It stinks when you are going at this alone - never having anyone to talk to and help you figure stuff out. After Thursday, I'll have time to chat with you a little more if you'd like. I can share what I have learned with you - and maybe I can find some info that you can take to the school.

Lynn



Lainie
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11 Dec 2007, 1:44 pm

Your so sweet to offer me help when you need some help yourself :). You don't worry bout me, I know what it's like trying to advocate for your child and it takes a tremondous amount of strength and time to get them to follow the law and get help for your child. As I say I can learn from you and other parents on reading what they have done for their child.

Gosh as for the EEG, I did have one done for him last April as I wanted to rule out seizure's. He would have huge rages and would have this spacey look on his face and would destroy anthing around him. But the rages only happen at home. He internalizes everything and brings it home. His behavior at school is perfect, and he gets an above average rating in respecting his teacher. Thats part of the problem. The poor guy I think if he was disruptive in class then they would act immediatly you know?

So anyway we did the sleep EEG (NOT FUN LOL) and it was a nightmare to get him there. He raged and my friend and her husband were over visiting from out of town. My friends husband is a big fire fighter and actually had to pick him up and put him in the car it was so bad. When we got there I couldn't get him out of the car to get this done. I finally got the technician and she had alot of experience with Autism and kids. She was soooo good.

Anyway, nothing showed up. I have aften heard tho that the first one might not show any signs, and it's best to do a full 24 hour one.

Can I ask what was the reason you had a second one? Did things show up on the first one?



LynnInVa
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12 Dec 2007, 6:11 am

we had the second test since the first didn't show anything - and she was fidgety. it was actually ordered a second time after she had another episode. see - at times when we are were in the car she would space out and all of a sudden scream at the top of her lungs - and end up weeping. Like your son's seizure-like episodes only happening in one place, hers were only in the car (it would get scary).
Ugh - I hate that our kids suffer so easily - we also had an MRI - showed nothing out of the norm - she had to be put to sleep for it - and when she woke she was out of control - 3 of us to hold her down, and she ended up bumping her head on a shelf. I felt helpless.

One more day - I'm almost finished with my agenda :)



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13 Dec 2007, 5:05 am

A possible idea for those school authorities who don't believe a child is autistic because they "behave" in school is to videotape your child at home when they are getting upset, into rages and suchlike and showing them the video.


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