Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Advice about principal meeting- advice please!

So, I'm sure many people remember all my complaints about my ds in kindergarten. Got testing results (see "Results are in" in twice exceptional). I am in healthcare and spoke to a colleague OT (in another state) who suggested I ask school to do OT eval. The problem is tester recommended grade acceleration+ gifted, and do vision therapy and get seen by OT for poor fine motor and some sensory stuff. My colleague also said OT should be able to do vision therapy as well as the other stuff- "if they're good".

Well, frankly, I'm afraid to ask for acceleration and OT eval. What would you do? He NEEDS the acceleration. (I know he needs the other services too, but won't my insurance cover OT sessions? Also, though neuropsychologist recommended OT, she said he's in normal range now. I guess I'm worried if I fight too much for OT stuff, I definitely won't get academic challenge. Which based on this year, will be very, very bad.)

I'd love to hear your insight! Thanks!

Why do you think you would not be able to get both? It is entirely possible that both are appropriate. A child can both be gifted and have a disability / area of need.

OT cannot do vision therapy. You would need a developmental optometrist for that.

To get anything from the school, you need them to do their own educational eval. I'd share the report with them and ask them to assess the needs. Don't say "he needs OT," state what the needs are and what deficits have been identified, and how those are manifest in the school situation, as well as the need for different content. The book From Emotions to Advocacy gives good guidelines for this kind of letter.

DeeDee

DeeDee-
Thanks for your thoughts! This is definitely not my area of expertise; and I feel like everyone has some differing opinion. Makes it confusing. I already have the developmental optometrist appt. they were so helpful and nice that I want the eval either way. As far as neuropsychologist was concerned, she thought we wouldn't get school help with OT, because right now he is in "normal range".
Good advice about describing weaknesses. Neuropsychologist suggested we say that "we" will work on getting handwriting up to 2nd level.
I will look into that book too. Thanks! (Probably should have been studying it in preparation; yet I kept doubting what I thought. Now I know.)

I agree, it sounds like you can ask for both and see what happens. My son is facing a similar set of therapies, although we are not in the public school system yet so there are no options but private for us. My son needs vision therapy for sure. He had an OT eval for motor/sensory on Monday and we are waiting for the results from that.

Thanks Portia- makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining it to me. Everytime I learn something on this forum, I tell myself that one day I will have more knowledge and experience and can help others.

Bronalex- thank you also. Good luck with your ds and keep us posted!

Will report back how the meeting goes...