What to expect at Initial CSE Meeting (it's tomorrow)

I'm very nervous and don't know what to expect. I've re-read posts that I made awhile back when I started this process, and I feel like every district is different. Also, I'm feeling that he will NOT get services, but I KNOW he needs something.

School Psych observed DS in class, then called me and said she was inline with what his teacher is seeing. Which is not what I am seeing. She did do IQ testing on DS too.

In the interim, I met with DS' regular pediatrician, had their forms filled out by us and teachers. She is curious to see results of eval as the teacher and I have such varying views of DS. She said based on my observations (I handed her 2 pages of things I noted about DS) he does qualify for an ADHD diagnosis.

I need to know what to say/ask at tomorrow's Initial CSE meeting?
If they say he does not need services, what is my next step? 504? How do I do that??

SIL is a teacher in NYC and said the school cannot deny services if I have a diagnosis from the Dr - when I get an official diagnosis, what do I do???

Will I have to wait until Sept?? Do they have meetings over the summer???

I need guidance and don't know where to turn

Link to my original post

Link to my 2nd post

Re: What to expect at Initial CSE Meeting (it's tomorrow)

School district's typically set aside 15 minutes for a CSE meeting (although IMHO that is waaay too short). In the room should be the CSE chair person, one general education teacher, one special education teacher, one person who can read/explain testing results (this is usually the school psychologist), and a parent of a special ed student. These are requirements under the law. If no parent member is available they will ask you to waive the requirement in writing. You do NOT have to do this. You can force them to reconvene, or you can tell them you want to proceed but will not consent to anything without a parent member present. The purpose of the parent member is so newbies (and veterans) of the system have someone "on their side" and not on the school's side.

The meeting will open with introductions and a sign in sheet. The testing results will be discussed. If your DC's teacher is there, s/he will add whatever she thinks is relevant. The chair will discuss whether or not your child should be classified. An ADHD diagnosis does not automatically qualify your child for spec ed services. To qualify for services your child's diagnosis must interfere with learning. There are (I think) 13 classifications, from learning disabled, to emotionally disturbed, to blind or deaf. Learning disabled is usually based on a statistically significant difference in testing scores of potential vs achievement (but can be based on other things).

If they decide your child does not meet a category, he will not get services. At that point ask about 504 services to address any deficits that have been discussed which the CSE team doesn't think rises to the level of classification.

If they decide your child does meet a category, they will tell you what it is, (they should define it - and you can ask if they don't), and ask if you agree. If you agree, the meeting proceeds, if you disagree, there will be more discussion. You can ask if there is another classification he meets if you don't like what they have said etc.

Once your child is classified there will be a discussion about services and setting goals and measurements for the goals. Here is where it gets overwhelming and you can certainly look to the parent member for guidance.

You DC can be left in a general ed setting with services, or moved to a more restrictive setting with only spec ed students in the main school building. The goal is always the least restrictive environment. If DC needs reminders to stay on task, then that could be written into the IEP, with the goal of reducing the number of times DC needs to be redirected. They can offer testing accommodations (longer time, instructions read twice etc).

I read your other post before commenting, and it seems there is a focus issue, but I'm not sure it's enough to get a classification and qualify for services. Prompts for rediretion etc are easily gotten in a 504.

HTH!! Good luck tomorrow!