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jenny
L O V E
Member since 4/06 2784 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
My son is in K and struggling. Long story short, he was declassified at the end of Pre-K and had all his services removed. He's basically in the same boat as a year ago, before we began services.
I played the districts game and now I want them to do the right thing for my child. So with the teachers approval I initiated testing. The school psych is not very nice and has been very difficult. I feel like I have to go into the mtg with guns drawn in January to let them know I mean business. I will have teacher support and a private psych eval with a diagnosis for ADD. In addition, the school administered testing seems to be also leaning in the directions for my son to qualify for services.
So, has anyone brought a lawyer as intimidation? Anyone have a referral for a lawyer who could attend this meeting?
TIA!!!
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Posted 12/10/13 10:16 PM  |
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
Do you have a developmental ped or a neurologist? I would look into that and have them write recommendations.
I'm sorry. No help with the lawyer.
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| Posted 12/10/13 10:38 PM |
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jenny
L O V E
Member since 4/06 2784 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
I will have the private psych write up a narrative report as well as write recommendations. Hopefully that will be helpful.
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| Posted 12/10/13 10:55 PM |
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
No, but this kind of stuff makes me really nervous.
Especially the more that I read with other parents and the school saying "we don't see issues in school so they shouldn't get services" kind of game.
I wish you lots of luck.
I know awhile back there was a thread with some recs of people who know how to play the game with the school. Not sure they are all attorneys, but advocates.........maybe someone can bump it for you.
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| Posted 12/11/13 5:16 AM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
If you think you need the extra help at the meeting I would go with an advocate first. Bringing a lawyer changes the whole tone of the meeting and will impact your next 12 years at the school. I would only bring a lawyer as a last resort, not to mention they are super expensive. My suggestion is to get everything you need to support your requests, doctor recommendation, teacher recommendations, the test results and have a clear idea of what services you will be asking for. Then I would go to your meeting and see what they are offering. After you discuss with them and they give you their final recommendations, if you do not like the outcome, table the meeting. Don't sign anything and leave. Then reschedule with an advocate. I have seen a ton of families get all upset before a meeting thinking they need to fight for everything and then the district gives them what they need. I always recommend to go to the meeting, see what they offer, then fight if needed. Good luck!
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| Posted 12/11/13 8:31 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
I recommended this advocacy center to another LIFer awhile back and I know that they were very helpful. I would contact them.
Long Island Advocacy Center
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| Posted 12/11/13 9:04 AM |
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sapphire
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/06 568 total posts
Name:
Elizabeth
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
Make sure the school conducted a full psycho educational evaluation (including a test like Woodcock Johnson (don't mind the name lol).
If they haven't conducted this type of eval, then request one in writing.
http://able-differently.org/for-parents/psycho-educational-evaluation/
Once this is performed, and if you don't agree with the data (it may not be in depth enough), you can request an IEE (independent educational eval) at the expense of the school district. I would highly recommend getting the testing done by a neuropsych since they can really break down the domains and probably support your son's educational needs with their reports.
Read up on this via Wrightslaw. Also, I highly recommend working with an advocate. It is very difficult to do things without one. Advocates can know more about what type of services to even ask for. They would know the set protocol. There are a ton of things available that a school district will never tell you about or just don't know themselves. I believe an attorney is only brought in when it reaches a certain level. Usually they deal with things like reimbursement for private school settings etc.
Everything you request for your child needs to have proof/evidence that he is not receiving FAPE (free and appropriate education)
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| Posted 12/11/13 10:31 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
Posted by sapphire
Make sure the school conducted a full psycho educational evaluation (including a test like Woodcock Johnson (don't mind the name lol).
If they haven't conducted this type of eval, then request one in writing.
http://able-differently.org/for-parents/psycho-educational-evaluation/
Once this is performed, and if you don't agree with the data (it may not be in depth enough), you can request an IEE (independent educational eval) at the expense of the school district. I would highly recommend getting the testing done by a neuropsych since they can really break down the domains and probably support your son's educational needs with their reports.
Read up on this via Wrightslaw. Also, I highly recommend working with an advocate. It is very difficult to do things without one. Advocates can know more about what type of services to even ask for. They would know the set protocol. There are a ton of things available that a school district will never tell you about or just don't know themselves. I believe an attorney is only brought in when it reaches a certain level. Usually they deal with things like reimbursement for private school settings etc.
Everything you request for your child needs to have proof/evidence that he is not receiving FAPE (free and appropriate education)
I agree with all of this. To start out with a lawyer is not the best strategic move, IMO. I think that should be your last resort. I did not use an advocate, but for one of my meetings, I sent a letter in advance, notifying the chair that I would be bringing my tape recorder to tape the meeting. They will also record it, but I can tell you that the tone of that meeting was VERY different from the previous one and I got everything I asked for (I was not asking for anything unreasonable). I think it also sent a message to the district, because I have been treated pretty well in every meeting since.
I would try that first and if the meeting does not go well, table it and get an advocate next. My former parent trainer told me that she has sat in meetings with certain advocates where the district knows they are going to have a tough time denying services to a parent.
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| Posted 12/11/13 10:59 AM |
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
After reading the other ladies responses, I have to say I 100% agree with them.
In my professional life, I'm a social worker (with disabled adults though, not children) and I have had clients pull the lawyer card with me in the beginning stages when I just started providing services, and honestly, it didn't make me want to go out of my way to help them. (Although it was always just a threat and they actually didn't hire a lawyer ;).......Also this ALWAYS came up when they didn't understand what they were/were not "entitled" to.
I could understand the school district responding the same way, especially if they haven't told you no to anything yet.
I also am a firm believer that you tend to get more without going into something with threatening kinds of tactics.
A lawyer should be reserved for when there really is a true need to sue for something.
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| Posted 12/11/13 6:10 PM |
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jenny
L O V E
Member since 4/06 2784 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
Thank you everyone for your responses. I took my son for a private eval today by a psych. She said it seems, after initial testing, that my son has ADD (potentially) as well as learning disability. She said purely based on his IQ and report card it is obvious to her.
My son is having a full educational exam from the district. I heard back from the speech therapist today and she assured me that she will advocate for my son and "is looking forward to working with him." She went above and beyond in her testing. She administered one test and he did very well, however, she observed him in the classroom and saw "something" going on. Since the initial test did not reveal anything she administered another. The second test confirmed her suspicions and reveals "issues" that need to be worked on. I was in tears after the phone call, hearing how she went above and beyond for my son. I felt relieved and less stressed about the whole process knowing that in spite of the way the school psych is behaving, staff members are doing the right thing.
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| Posted 12/11/13 9:03 PM |
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NASP09
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Member since 6/05 6030 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
I agree with requesting, in writing, a full cognitive and academic evaluation, complete with behavior rating scales.
I also agree with working with a parent advocate.
Bringing a lawyer should be a last resort. Also, know that if you bring a lawyer the SD will also bring their lawyer
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| Posted 12/11/13 9:55 PM |
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babyfever24
LIF Adult
Member since 1/11 3340 total posts
Name:
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
Posted by Jax430
I recommended this advocacy center to another LIFer awhile back and I know that they were very helpful. I would contact them.
Long Island Advocacy Center
This. They are a great resource! I believe CSE must be notified prior to bringing legal counsel.
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| Posted 12/15/13 8:33 PM |
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busymomonli
Resident Insomniac
Member since 4/13 2050 total posts
Name:
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Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
You need to request all of the reports from the districts testing before the meeting. They are required to give you a copy for your review. In my district, they sent a full report in the mail with his scores, and all of the "normal ranges" for each test. You will be able to see exactly where there may be a problem. IF he is showing a learning disability, they cannot deny you services. But, they will try to nitpick each score.
My son has ADHD and went through all of the same testing. The results show he did not have a learning disability. At the meeting, I requested a functional behavioral assessment in addition to the testing, and they complied. With that, I was able to get him a 504 plan but he did not qualify for an IEP.
What services are you looking for?
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| Posted 12/16/13 3:20 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
Posted by jenny
Thank you everyone for your responses. I took my son for a private eval today by a psych. She said it seems, after initial testing, that my son has ADD (potentially) as well as learning disability. She said purely based on his IQ and report card it is obvious to her.
My son is having a full educational exam from the district. I heard back from the speech therapist today and she assured me that she will advocate for my son and "is looking forward to working with him." She went above and beyond in her testing. She administered one test and he did very well, however, she observed him in the classroom and saw "something" going on. Since the initial test did not reveal anything she administered another. The second test confirmed her suspicions and reveals "issues" that need to be worked on. I was in tears after the phone call, hearing how she went above and beyond for my son. I felt relieved and less stressed about the whole process knowing that in spite of the way the school psych is behaving, staff members are doing the right thing.
You could also see if the private psychologist can participate via teleconference in the cse to help,advocate based on her findings.
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| Posted 12/17/13 9:23 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
I also wanted to add that I am a school psychologist, and yes, bringing an attorney can seem aggressive. However, attorneys tend to be more professional and more helpful than most advocates I've worked with. I would prefer to attend a meeting with an attorney any day over one with an advocate. They tend to be MUCH more pleasant and just as or even more effective than an advocate. Many advocates are rude and aggressive and don't know the system or your child's needs as much as they lead you to believe. It puts the district on the defense and is counterproductive. Not to say there aren't good ones out there. Just my general observations. And I'm sorry you had a bad experience with a school psychologist.
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| Posted 12/17/13 9:36 PM |
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jenny
L O V E
Member since 4/06 2784 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Anyone bring a lawyer to a CSE meeting?
Posted by ChristinaM128
Posted by jenny
Thank you everyone for your responses. I took my son for a private eval today by a psych. She said it seems, after initial testing, that my son has ADD (potentially) as well as learning disability. She said purely based on his IQ and report card it is obvious to her.
My son is having a full educational exam from the district. I heard back from the speech therapist today and she assured me that she will advocate for my son and "is looking forward to working with him." She went above and beyond in her testing. She administered one test and he did very well, however, she observed him in the classroom and saw "something" going on. Since the initial test did not reveal anything she administered another. The second test confirmed her suspicions and reveals "issues" that need to be worked on. I was in tears after the phone call, hearing how she went above and beyond for my son. I felt relieved and less stressed about the whole process knowing that in spite of the way the school psych is behaving, staff members are doing the right thing.
You could also see if the private psychologist can participate via teleconference in the cse to help,advocate based on her findings.
Yes, she already informed me that she will be available. I think her input will be helpful.
Thanks!
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| Posted 12/17/13 9:51 PM |
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