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So DD started her out of district placement last week. Consultant, lawyer and psych all said to delay starting her until all services were in place. Late in the day Friday we got a call from the school saying everything was in place and they were ready for her to start Monday. I took a deep breath and sent her in.

The first day the iPad wasn't charged but at least it was there. The next day they discovered the district had it password protected but hadn't provided the password. As the week went on they and we both tried to reach the new DSS at our district to get the info. No luck. By Thursday they determined Dragon Dictation, the only app available, was not working for her. They stopped sending the iPad home.

Where was the 5 day a week AT instruction? Where was the keyboarding? Where were the audio books?

DD is writing everything by hand. I found out tonight that when she said she "listened to a book" she meant someone read it aloud to her - no audio books.

Today we get an email from new DSS saying that the school (and we) were "confused". The only thing DD is supposed to be using the iPad for is Dragon Dictation. You know - the thing that doesn't work for her.

School director is trying to reach new DSS. We've already called the lawyer.

So much for cautiously optimistic...

Oh gosh Pemberley. School start each year is always so frustrating but in your situation how did they get this so wrong?

It is realy frustrating,goodluck:).

Your poor daughter! And you of course.

Pemberley, I'm so sorry. Your DD must be beyond frustrated.

Yes, call in your crack team of experts and let them have at it. Again.

Are you thinking of bailing to the 2E school if this can't be fixed?

DeeDee

wow! You couldn't make this up if you tried! so sorry things aren't working out the way you hoped

I was so hopeful that things were going better... I just hate it when I get "confused" by remembering precisely what was promised that they aren't delivering...

It sounds like the school director is in your court maybe? I hope things will finally get straightened out for your daughter. You have been through so much.

They had all summer to hammer things out. I'm running out of patience on your DD's behalf.

Wow that stinks! Unbelievable! I feel for you guys. After all the trouble I had with DS's school last year they really appear to be on the ball this year - they have DS typing his writing for things like journal, writers workshop, etc (they give him a choice scribe or type and he chooses typing), they are also providing typing instruction (I believe that is happening during OT by the OT), they are got him an Ipad. And they have been providing him with scribing accomodations when they are suppose to in accordance with the IEP. If my DS's school can do it so can your DD's! I think maybe my DS's teacher is making a difference... I wonder a bit that perhaps DS's teacher last year really did not think he needed his accomodations. I am not sure if it were a personal thing with that teacher, ie., she for some reason felt that DS really could simply "grow out" of his disability/accomodations; or maybe it's just a matter of having a more formal disgnosis or maybe just the fact that they realized I will not be pushed around and will advocate for all my son needs... maybe a combination, I guess. But I do get a different vibe altogether from this teacher (so far). The teacher is the one who really got the typing stuff going ASAP after chatting with me on the phone (we don't have our iep mtg for another few weeks).

I think you need to call an IEP meeting!

Wow- unbelievable. So sorry this is happening for you and your dc.

So sorry Pemberly. We are cautiously optimistic at this point. Hope things get better and glad you called the lawyer for you DD.

No word back from the school district about allowing DD to actually use the iPad they have provided her.

The school, however, is trying their best. They found an old laptop and are trying to get it refurbished so they can at least have DD work on that without having to go through the district. The teacher also said she had DD do some keyboarding on her computer. Everyone is extremely frustrated and its all so unnecessary. As I told the director - if they recognize what she needs and we are in agreement (not to mention that it is already included in her IEP...) but their hands are tied by the district's refusal to cooperate this is never going to work. So unbelievably frustrating...

DD's psych suggested DH and I purchase an iPad and load it as necessary so the district's "nanny strings" are cut. We are going to have to check with the lawyer about how this could work. Maybe we provide it ourselves and go after them for reimbursement because they are failing to provide a service as specified in the IEP?

Anyone have experience providing your own iPad or computer? My understanding is the district is supposed to be responsible for all maintenance and updates but only if it is their machine. They have already spent the money to buy a machine and equip it as specified by the AT eval. I really just can't believe they are being so bullheaded at this point. According to the school director every other district just gives them the machines fully loaded and/or provides an iTunes card for loading apps as needed. We can't even provide the iTunes card ourselves because the district will not authorize anyone to load anything onto equipment that they own.

Really - can you believe this? This is AFTER they spent the money on an assistive technology evaluation, bought the iPad and agreed to all of its uses.

Seriously I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried...

Pemb
Wow, so sorry you are going through all this - again! Since she can't do any work because she hasn't been provided her AT maybe you and she and the iPad should go down to district in person and sit and wait for the person to come and provide the code! I would love to see the reaction to that, no we are just sitting here waiting so that my daughter can start her education . ..

I mean seriously do they actually want you to sue!!!

DeHe

I have been following your threads about the difficulties you have been having with your dd's schools. I'm so sorry to hear about the problems that you are hearing. I'm not sure if I remember correctly or not, but did "that" principle go to work at (or have "friends") working at your district?? Could there be any influence of "dragging their feet" on accommodations? I'm not sure what you could do about this directly, but maybe some official pressure at the district is in order. I can NOT think of any other reason why the district would drag their feet on a simple accommodation that has already been agreed upon.

I, personally, would be very leery of sending your own personal iPad into the school with her without the administration all being 100% on board.

You have your school on board with this and it would probably make life a lot easier to just provide it.


Have to agree.

Yes, it's not legally something you SHOULD have to do...

but we've BTDT so many times that it's mind-boggling. We've gotten used to it being the price of inclusion. We spend thousands a year for DD to be included and safe, and have for many years.

We purchased an iPad & bluetooth keyboard for DS7. Having control over the apps and ensuring he's using the same device & programs at home and at school - not to mention ensuring he actually has a device in each and every class! - were key for us. So far it's working well, but we did have everyone at the school on board.

We also chose to provide our ds' AT (originally a laptop, now an iPad). We had a similar situation to what you're experiencing with AT Pemberley. The laptop we were offered from the school came without ability to add software, and the school tightly controlled what would be loaded - for instance, we had a list of about 10 different types of software that we wanted ds to have access to (each of which the district had site licenses for), but because the district laptop was parsed out through the AT department, each piece of software had to be installed one at a time and then ds had to go through an eval period in which data was taken of writing assignments done without the software as a benchmark, and then again after a trial period of use, with the software and showing a "significant" improvement. We felt this was a test set up to fail, because due to his expressive language disorder, ds couldn't produce much writing even with accommodations at that point in time - but he *needed* the accommodations for his dysgraphia. Our school was also requiring us to sign to pay for full replacement value of a brand-new laptop if ds took the school-issued laptop home - yet the laptop the school issued was at least 5 years old. It was also not in good shape - it wouldn't hold charge, and ds had to sit next to an outlet with it plugged in in order to use it. We also found out that support would be non-existent outside of the initial training in the software. So - we fought the battle to win the right to have ds use school district AT, only to find that it was limiting - if he used it he would lose most of the software he was already using at home, he would be limited in where he could sit in the classroom, and he wouldn't have any technical support. Even if we'd had a really good workable solution from the school district, it still wouldn't have provided ds with AT over the summer and it would not have been as forward-looking or moved forward with ds as he matured as we could be when we make the AT choices. So we opted out and chose to spend the money ourselves to give ds the AT he needs. It's worked well for us, but that's just us.

polarbear

Well, I heard from the director of the school. The district plans to send their AT person out in the middle of October! This was presented as good news. How on earth can they think it is appropriate to actively prevent this child from having access to what she needs for a month??? Especially after everything that has gone on. Unbelievable!

The school has forwarded a list of apps they are requesting and maybe - just maybe mind you - the district will agree to load them. After that decision comes the determination of just HOW they would go about getting them loaded. It's truly crazy.

So we spoke to the attorney about providing it ourselves. He said its akin to seeking a unilateral out of district placement. We can do it and then seek reimbursement plus any needed compensatory services to make up for the time she's losing. (Because you know losing ALL of last year wasn't enough...) To do this, though, we have to put them on notice in writing. I just sent an email saying that we consider them in violation of the IEP and that unless she has either a properly loaded iPad or the school is given the necessary passwords and authorizations to load it themselves we will purchase a new one ourselves, load it according to the specifications of the AT evaluation and seek reimbursement. We gave them a day next week to get this done by.

I also added in there that DD has been having debilitating migraines daily and this situation in exacerbating her anxiety. I guess we'll see what happens...

ETA: You know it would have been different if we had been told about all of this and allowed to decide what we wanted to do. How much trouble would it have been to say "We are happy to provide the iPad but because of district policy there will be a delay in getting it loaded with what she needs. You may want to consider if you prefer to provide it yourselves so you have sole discretion about what she has loaded." Then we could have decided. We could have bought one over the summer for her to practice/play on and then had the school load on whatever they felt was necessary once she enrolled. That simple courtesy would have made all the difference in the world. But then again this is the same district that allowed that horrible principal to behave the way she did for as long as she did. I guess I shouldn't expect anything more from them...

Just got an email saying the apps will be loaded on the iPad on Monday. Crossing my fingers (but holding off on the cautious optimism for now...)

crossing fingers for you here too!

Update:

We had an IEP meeting yesterday. The person from the district who controls the password and who blocked access to the iPad for anything but Dragon Dictation said she was doing it to "protect" DD. "And I will do it again!"

In her opinion she did not think anything should be loaded onto the iPad out of fear that DD might get frustrated if they loaded apps that didn't work for her. Never mind that there was a 27 page AT evaluation done last year, never mind that it included 7 pages of recommendations (2 pages of them suggested apps for the iPad!), never mind that she lost an entire year because the district dragged its feet getting the AT in place. No, it might be frustrating for DD if some of the apps didn't work for her so it was better to have the iPad sit on the shelf of her classroom for 3 weeks while she wrote everything by hand, had people read aloud to her like a pre-schooler and could only do her math when she was able to access her teacher's desk top computer to get to the necessary programs. Yeah, that's a much better scenario for her. At one point she said something about this being the first time they ever had to load apps onto an iPad so they had to figure out how to do it. Don't even get me started on how that could even be possible...

I exploded during the meeting. I am so beyond done with the people in this district I just cannot contain myself anymore. THEY chose this school for out of district placement and now they won't get out of the way to let them do the job. I just don't get it. I really, truly don't.

So the new AT consultant finally visited the school this week and will be working with them so that DD can finally have apps up and running. Still no audio books (and no explanation as to how blocking those "protected" her...) but I made my rather strong case about the need to get those up and running ASAP.

We requested another IEP meeting in three weeks to look at the implementation of the AT services. I am thinking seriously of buying an iPad for home use so the school can provide her whatever they want regardless of what the district allows in school. I am still trying to figure out how to do that and not have the district balk and claim that we have accepted responsibility for all AT and then pull her OT training on it. At this point I put nothing past this district.

After the meeting I was told by consultant and DD's psych separately that neither will take any more cases involving kids in our district. These people are "impossible" and "incompetent". Both also made comments about the mental stability of the person in the district who took these actions. I really thought out of district placement would get them out of our lives but alas that's not the case. I wish I could relocate to another district but it has been explained to me that would cost DD another year of services and she can't afford that so we are stuck.

head... meet brick wall... [repeat]

No words for this. Just wow.

Pemb
I am so sorry that all the morons seem to be located in your district, it seems so unbelievable.

Could you buy an iPad for home use and ask the teachers what they plan to put on the school iPad, but do it in a hypothetical way or a just asking way. And then just do it and not tell them she has it. Home use is home use, right?

DeHe

Long shot but what realistic choices do you have at this point?

Have you tried your state/federal elected representatives? Low level public service morons tend to 'evacuate bricks' and comply when people like that get involved.

It is the 'nuclear' option but, seriously, they have painted themselves into this corner not you...

Oh my gosh, Pemberley. I am SO sorry that you and your family are still going through this. How is your DD doing in light of all of this?

I would must feel so frustrated and trapped! So much energy simply to deal with people whose actions have no purpose or point other than to be difficult and deny a child what she needs. And so sad that next time the child dealing with these awful people won't even have the help of your team...just stuck there. I wish a mighty lawsuit could shake things up for you and perhaps knock the morons loose from their current role in damaging children who are already under the burden of special challenges.

Pemb... I'm so sorry.

Do I understand right that the option right now is to sit tight and keep fighting? (Assuming it's too late to leap to the 2E school that required 2 households?)

I wonder if you have a lawyer. Based on our district's history, the things that have changed ongoing, truly toxic situations into workable ones here are these:

--formal complaint with the state department of education. Took a year or two.
--lawyer filing case for due process. Takes however long it takes, probably not a long startup time.
--change of special ed oversight personnel at district level.

I know you must be completely worn out. But if you have to stay, in your shoes I'd hire the best lawyer I could find (preferably one who has beaten your district in court before), hand them all the evidence, and set them on the problem.

It is quite expensive for a district to defend itself in court; and usually it provokes outcry from the citizens who don't want their taxes to go up because the district is doing the wrong things. At this point, there is no worry about making enemies, as these people are already approximately as bad as they come. So: the legal route is looking quite sensible to me...

How are your DD's migraines?

DeeDee

SERIOUSLY?????? Ok, I'll hope for the sake of all the kids in your district that what she really meant was she doesn't have a protocol for firewalls or whatever set up yet since your dd is the first student to use an iPad but really, I think I would have thrown my hands up in the air and walked out after I'd heard that in the meeting... I mean really... this is an AT person speaking???? Would she like me to fly my 9 year old out there to help her install a few apps??? (Note: I would send a younger child if I had one lol!)

I can't imagine how frustrated and just beyond annoyed you must be at this point in time Pemberley - it's all just outrageous. I too was wondering about your dd's migraines - I hope the mess at school isn't causing her too much stress.

In addition to all the impact of this on your family, it makes me so sad to read that your psych and consultant will not take any more cases from your district. A similar thing had happened in the past here with private professionals we have consulted with, due to horrendous experiences supporting clients who were going through the legal process with our school district. Just so very sad all around!


I have to throw one question out there - based on everything else that's happened this year, do you really think the district's OT training for your dd's AT is actually going to accomplish much of anything or be worth time away from class? There's been very little in our ds' AT that he hasn't been able to teach himself, and dh and I have been able to make up for those gaps as he's encountered them. I have also had help with tips on voice-to-text etc through a non-profit group outside of the school district. Unless the school can truly provide differentially meaningful AT training, if that was the one hold-up that you are worried about losing with taking over your dd's AT yourself, I'd seriously consider letting it go and providing her AT yourself. I realize I'm biased so feel free to ignore me It's just been our experience that AT provided through our school was too little, too late and not supported in a way that was workable. When we took over the control, it cost $ but it also gave us the freedom to move quickly and to be adaptable to meet our ds' needs, as well as giving our ds access to his AT at home during the school year and during summer break etc.

Another question for you - are you recording your IEP team meetings?

Hang in there Pemberley -

polarbear

This is a great question. For us, putting the recorder on the table, turning it on, and saying innocuously, "oh, it's so hard for us to take notes and think at the same time; would it be OK if we record?" was very useful. It made people instantly MUCH more polite and civil. It did not solve everything, but it took the edge off.

Feeling for you,
DeeDee

Thanks for all the support everyone. While I was verbally ripping the district people apart at the meeting I actually thought of this board and wondered if some of you would have handled it differently. DH assures me that no one would have been able to contain their anger and still have any hope of getting anything close to what DD needs. Consultant was clear that I was effective in terms of getting all concerns on the record so if the situation implodes we have a trail of raising concerns in a timely manner. Yes, everything is recorded. Of course DD's self appointed "protector" is responsible for taking notes and drafting the IEP so it should be interesting to see what relationship to reality that takes. I am assuming we will be adding an addendum of our own...

The thing is that I *think* this school could actually meet DD's needs, at least for this year. I mean these are the people who placed her in an 8th grade reading group for her comprehension strengths. Also 1 afternoon a week she gets 1-1 enrichment on any topic she chooses. Anything! (She has selected American History to start.) They have a plan to seamlessly embed AT into her academic program. All the teachers are spec ed certified so they are equipped to give her support in the classroom. It's not just the OTs doing AT with her. The OTs come from a central service that contracts with most districts that have kids at the school. They are paid by our district but are not connected to them.

The only problem is that the director did not stand up to the district about any of this. She wants to work "collaboratively" but doesn't understand the sheer incompetence of the people who are calling the shots. No one in their right mind would believe this if they hadn't experienced it (even vicariously as you all have). That concerns me. Not enough for me to pull DD, fight for the 2E school and separate the family. If DD can have her needs met here - even for just a year - that is definitely the best thing to do.

My current thought is to just try to remove the district from the equation. They want us to sign a contract in order for DD to bring the iPad home. We weren't able to reach our lawyer yet but what I am leaning towards is buying an iPad and letting the school load anything and everything they want. DD needs to listen to audio books on the ride to and from school. Rather than accept liability for district's machine we'll accept liability for our own. The school can be limited all they want by the district for their own machine but will have free reign with ours. We then cancel the IEP meeting that we scheduled and instead proceed with team meetings with the school staff. We isolate the players from the district. They have already agreed to provide everything we asked for - they have nothing else to add. We plan to hold them liable if something fails but we work hard to compartmentalize them. DD's education gets handled by us with the school. Period. If the school objects? Well that just may prove it's not an appropriate placement.

What do you all think?

I think it's an excellent plan. If school will do what's promised without further intervention from the district, go for it.

Your own iPad is definitely a good investment at this point, so you have freedom and control over it. I think there are some forms of insurance available to protect you if you couldn't afford a replacement in the event that something happens. (Sometimes you can get a rider on your homeowner's policy, sometimes you can get "student coverage.")

Pemb, do you notice how strong you've gotten? You are a force to be reckoned with.

DeeDee

Thanks DeeDee and I just realized I forgot to answer your question about the migraines. They were absolutely awful for a while. I mean really, really bad. Her meds were upped by 50% and she now takes Gatorade to school with her. There is a calmness to her since the 8th grade reading group started and she started getting some access to her iPad. The headaches have gotten better with these additions, too. I can't tell for sure if it is the increased meds or the better access to appropriate work at school - I'm guessing both have contributed to the improvement.

I have always been pretty forceful but for a while at the beginning of this journey I tried so hard to not be "that parent". I bit my tongue and tried my best to be patient. That horrible principal we had snapped me out of that in a heartbeat though. At times, like yesterday, I wish I could be as effective and not have to be a cross between a mama bear and an injured tiger. It is exhausting but has been very effective in getting her needs met.

When we got our iPhones DH and I both signed up for the apple protection plan. We each ended up getting replacement phones during the 2 year period. If they offer the same thing for an iPad maybe we'll do that. Thanks for reminding me.

Pemb - Unless the iPad is a MAJOR financial burden for you guys, I'd just do it. The district is just going to suck you dry (emotionally) on this, I'm willing to bet. Screw that whole thing and just go around them. Buy the protection plan and a big old OtterBox case for it and send her to school with it.

We are looking at the iPads now - any reason we shouldn't get her a mini? I'm thinking it will be easier for her to carry back and forth. The one at school is a full size. I know nothing about this - any input would be appreciated!

The size of the onscreen keyboard, would be the main concern I'd have. We are debating a mini as DS school is allowing electronics from home. In your situation, getting a different size would make the whole thing easier to swallow for me.

We bought the mini at back in Feb and it has been great for us. I can fit it in most purses or stow in lots of spots in the car. We have had no issues with size even with the main user being a dysgraphic 6yr old with lots of vision issues who is mostly using it for learning/home school. It is lighter and easier to bring along most places plus the price break is nice too.

The size of the minis would be something I'd really think about. Can you use a bluetooth keyboard with them? That's what our ds uses more often than the on-screen keyboard, but he uses a regular size iPad. For me, I like having the larger screen for apps.

Does your dd carry a backpack to school? The full size iPads aren't terribly large.

polarbear

The difference is 2 inches on each side between mini and full size... we haven't used a Bluetooth keyboard but a quick google scan showed what looked like both keyboards and cases that accommodated the keyboards which are compatible with minis.

A bluetooth keyboard will be a must if she does much typing on it at all, anyway. If the mini is easier for her, get it.