Andrew's IEP meeting

[doreenc68]

Well I think I've cooled off now to write about the meeting from hell. To make a long story short, the committe members denied Andrew services (speech, OT, and adaptive PE) based on the results of their psychoeducational testing. Their testing indicated that Andrew will be able to access his education despite his HFA diagnosis from Dr. Smith in

Comments

[arevanye]

That's what LJ is for--ranting! (or is in my case many times) So no apologies needed.

Stick to your guns. Knowing a few of those people you are talking about makes me shake my head because I think it is so sad that it has to be a struggle. Of course it doesn't help that they are in the middle of NWEA testing and are totally consumed with all that involves.

[neat_rox]

DAMN!!!

That makes me so mad. You definitely should write a paragraph about why you disagree with the school's decision. You can let them know again that you didn't have time to write on the spot and are submitting it late. Push them until they accept that note and definitely keep pushing them to look at the communication issue again. Call them every day to find out when they are meeting. And even see if your psychologist and/or private speech therapist can come to another IEP meeting. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and I say you should squeak loudly! This isn't fair!

My heart goes out to you and I wish I could do something to help. I know you're frustrated. I send hugs at least.

[doreenc68]

Thanks for the hugs and words of encouragement. :) As it turns out we are re-convening on Friday May 11. The school psychologist told me I will be able to change my answer to disagree at that time, so I've already typed up my reasons for disagreeing. I sought advice from my mother-in-law who said I'm doing the right thing by pursuing Andrew's eligibility for IEP under the category of Communication Disorder. She admits that they should find him eligible for services just based on the MD's diagnosis, as is the case apparently in Illinois. But she says it would be a bit easier to fight for the eligibility under Communication Disorder. So we'll see what happens at the case conference on Friday. M-in-law thinks they'll change their minds on Friday, and if not, she said to request an outside evaluation, as is my right under Article 7

[neat_rox]

I hope your meeting went well. I'll do some reading to see if you posted about it in your journal. But I do agree that you're doing the right thing by pursuing this.

I'm glad my hubby started coming to the IEPs this last year. They just kept on adding more people there that I needed the emotional support he provided. And before, he'd ask what went on at the meeting and I'd be so overwhelmed that I couldn't think of what we talked about. So now, he comes and is a part of things and it is much better.