Any experience with CSE meetings?

Our CSE meeting is scheduled for next week, and we have already been told by the school psychologist that my DD would probably not qualify. While I guess you could say that this is good news, my DH and I are definitely NOT happy. We know she is not like the other kids in her class, we know she has difficulty with self help skills, fine motor, gross motor, etc. But she falls into the "normal" range after an hour of their testing. DD has hypotonia and has been receiving PT since she was 14 months old, and both PT and OT since she was 2 1/2. We have a medical diagnosis, her developmental pediatrician says she needs OT without a doubt. It gets us so aggravated. Anyway, does anyone have any experience with a CSE meeting? What can I expect? Is it similar to the CPSE meetings? The school psychologist stated that there was a possibility that after 10 weeks into the school year we could have her retested to see if she qualifies then. Has anyone else done this? TIA!
Diane

Message edited 6/25/2009 3:54:06 PM.

Re: Any experience with CSE meetings?

I've sat on them as a teacher . . .

Re: Any experience with CSE meetings?

Not knowing your situation specifically, based on the info you posted I would think the 2 main issues are whether or not your DD's hypotonia is impeding her ability to learn or make progress educationally, and what would her classification be? CSE is different than CPSE in that the CSE cannot simply say the child has a "disability". One of the 13 classifications must be used. They are : emotional disturbance, learning disability, autism, deaf-blindness, deafness, hearing impairment, visual impairment, speech or language impairment, multiple disablilities, mental retardation, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairment and other health impairment. If her scores are in the average range the district will have a hard time finding a classification that fits.

What are the current OT and PT recommending? Some schools offer OT as an Educationally Related Support Service (ERSS)- she might be able to get some OT that way, without an IEP. Another alternative is a 504 plan. If you can document that your DD's hypotonia constitutes a "disability that substantially interferes with one or more major life activities," she would be entitled to accommodations under section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The school psych could likely tell you what documentation you'd need for a 504.
HTH. Good Luck.

Re: Any experience with CSE meetings?

Thank you so much for the info! I do understand about the 13 classifications--I thought DD would fit into the other health. DD's inability to hold a pen/pencil correctly and with enough pressure, her inability to sit upright/still and other issues, IMO, would have an adverse affect in educational progress. But of course that's my opinion! The OT and PT both stongly feel she needs further therapy, as does the developmental pediatrician. I didn't even know about ERSS. I will definitely check into that, as well as the 504 plan. I am glad to hear there are other options. I will TRY to keep an open mind at the meeting next week. Thank you again!
Diane

Re: Any experience with CSE meetings?

Re: Any experience with CSE meetings?

Thanks for responding...
DD's current Physical therapist and Occupational therapist (through CPSE) submitted their annual review evaluation. I submitted an evaluation from her orthopeadist, and from a developmental pediatrician. The school district performed the psychological exam. DD also met with a special education teacher, went through her kindergarten placement evaluation and was observed at her preschool. DD's gross motor skills were not even addressed (jumping, skipping, hopping, climbing stairs, etc.). I guess being spastic and clumsy in gym class in not an issue. LOL. But I am concerned about her safety on the playground, etc. I am concerned about her being able to sit still, write correctly, and other self help issues. I don't have the evaluation with me (I am at work), so I am not sure exactly what tests were done. She scored very high on anything not involving fine motor skills (verbal). I am so thankful that her issues are not cognitive.

We do a lot at home with her, as well as have her in gymnastics and soccer. She is thriving with PT and OT, and shows some regression when she has a break due to vacation, sicknesses. She will be receiving summer services for both OT and PT.

Anyway, I know it is a long shot to get approved for the fall. But I do not want her to fall through the cracks. If found ineligible, I am wondering what other services, if any, would be available to her through the school district?

Thanks again for the responses!

Re: Any experience with CSE meetings?

Just a question, when you spoke to the psychologist was she discussing the results of the psychological only, or all of the evals? If she said your DD probably wouldn't qualify based on the psychological, many she will qualify for services based on the other testing.

Re: Any experience with CSE meetings?

The psychologist provided a summary of most of the testing--the observations, psych eval, special educ teacher eval. It also mentioned the evaluations of DD's orthopedist and developmental pediatrician. The report did not cover the OT and PT evals. The report summary indicated that DD daughter would not be eligible, but final determination would be made by CSE.

Re: Any experience with CSE meetings?