Need IEP help!

Looks like we're headed toward mediation, if not a legal battle, for DS's IEP. Long story short, their offer is ludicrous. So, I'm trying to make sure all my wants are clear and not outrageous.

DS is aging out of EI and turns 3 next week, needless to say this will not be resolved by then. A few questions I have:

communication notebook: Is this listed in your IEP? How? that it's completed and sent home daily?

meetings: do you have meetings with the teacher monthly, weekly? Phone calls? How does this work and is it stated in the IEP?

1:1 aide: They are saying he'll have a 1:1 in the morning but then after lunch half the class leaves to go to the integrated program leaving 3 children, 2 paras and the teacher. Since this is technically a 1:1 ratio, is that acceptable or if he has a dedicated 1:1 in the morning should I request they stay through the remainder of the day?

ABA: Is the program spelled out and detailed within the actual IEP or just the number of hours per day of discrete trials?

I'm sure I'll have more but this is what I'm working on right now.

Re: Need IEP help!

Re: Need IEP help!

I think your expectations sound high for CPSE. The transition from EI to CPSE was a big one for us, in terms of communication. The teacher puts a pre-printed write up in the notebooks (same for all the kids) on Fridays. It goes over generally what they did that week in class. Then, if I have specific questions, I either write them in the book, email her, or call her as needed. None of this is specifically spelled out in the IEP and I don't think it is typically, judging by what I hear from other parents.

I also think what they are doing in the afternoon sounds fine.

ABA was not spelled out specifically on DS's IEP, in terms of number of hours, etc. His IEP (and I think this is true for most kids) details his specific goals, and who is responsible for helping him achieve his goal (special ed teacher, OT, PT, Speech therapist, etc.) I think the challenge with listing specific times on the IEP for ABA is that if the IEP details that he gets X hrs, X times per week, it doesn't allow the school the flexibility to change things as he makes progress if they think he will benefit more without having another meeting to change the IEP.

ETA: to clarify, DS doesn't get ABA at home. He does get it at school, but it is in a self contained class and is scheduled in as part of the school day.

He also has all services listed and the frequency - full day center based class, OT, PT, speech, and we get parent training at home.

Message edited 2/8/2012 4:48:21 PM.

Re: Need IEP help!

my IEP from EI to CPSE stated basically this:

home hours
school hours
therapy times per week in school

goals by his home team

once he was accepted into a school, it was amended to state what class size/school.

every school does a communication book differently and the IEP does NOT state that.

DSs school send one home daily with things they did. takes maybe 2 min to write it, because it is a pre-printed form they fill out.

our IEP does NOT state monthly/weekly/phone meetings, those are set up if i feel i need or the teacher needs to speak to us.

NOT every school has an ABA based program... but ABA may be offered as a service.

it sounds you are asking for a lot.

i don't know the entire situation, i am basing this off of what you wrote.

it is not always good to have a 1:1 all day.. it teaches dependency, but again i don't now your situation

Re: Need IEP help!

Thanks everyone! These aren't necessarily my expectations at all, just reallly have no idea what goes into the IEP at all as far as those things are concerned, now I know. :) Our battle is not based on these things at all,these are just the little things I jotted down to ask so just wanted to know either way.

Our struggle is the placement they're offering in general, they're basic non-existent speech offering (DS is non verbal and presumed to be apraxic and they're offering 2 group sessions per week, unacceptable to me). No OT and he NEEDS it. Other things...they're just being outrageous with how unreasonable their offer is. His EI therapists and school teachers said they've never seen such an offer in relation to his abilities. It's taking everything out of me right now. We have an advocate, i've submitted a written disagreement, everything. So far they're not budging so we're going to begin speaking to an attorney, just in case.

Re: Need IEP help!

Re: Need IEP help!

Ugh I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hate hate your SD right now!!!! I wish things were going easier for you.

Message edited 2/8/2012 8:30:05 PM.

Re: Need IEP help!

No individual speech for a child who is non-verbal??? Yeah, I would be speaking with an attorney, too.

Good luck, I know it's exhausting, but will be worth the fight when you get what he needs.

Re: Need IEP help!

If you can get the diagnosis of Apraxia, I am not sure how on earth they could NOT give your ds individual speech or OT.

I feel your pain because apraxia is a motor planning issue that derives from the senses not integrating together correctly and usually poor muscle tone. Poor proprioception is one of the main factors for lack of motor function. Children who are non verbal have such very specific needs and sometimes the needs change daily. It goes way beyond pragmatic speech, which is what a group session would be more geared for.

Every expert in the field of apraxia states how it's an individualized approach that needs to occurs often. (it's all about repeatition) I wouldn't settle for less than 4x a week !

You may want to get in touch with Nancy Kaufman. I wrote to her and she emailed me immediately. She suggested that I have my dd's speech session videotaped and she would watch and give input. She is well known SLP who focuses on apraxia out of I think Michigan.

Strong letters from experts in the field can only help.