Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional tired of the other post

Ok. My post has been hanging there for a week. So, let's start something new.

We're having some difficulties with the IEP team that ended up in a big email bruhaha, but I finally got a call from our advocate and feel empowered from talking to her.

I think I've learned how to advocate for some essential needs.

I need to know (we ran out of time with the advocate) what kind of evaluations an IEE will produce? Is it just another education evaluation or can it be neuropsych. or something like that?

Hey there, Willa. What other post? I think I missed something!! I'm so sorry. I had no idea you were having difficulty with the team. About Mite, I assume?

Glad to hear that you have an advocate - that sounds like a good thing(?). I'm afraid you'll have to post a little more info here or refer me to the other post so I can get caught up! Sorry.

Anyway, as far as what evaluations might come out of an IEP review, you can request whatever type of evaluations are appropriate based on the what the needs are that are identified by the team (which includes you and Mite). I have had a hard but not impossible time getting a school to provide a neuropsych evaluation mainly because the school will not likely have a neuropsych on staff to do the eval, which means added cost for them to cover it, as well as the hassle of finding a qualified person.

If you go to the team with the name and number of a qualified neuropsych and demonstrate need for this due to the specific concerns and needs related to the child, then they really should be "convinced" to provide it.

You, or anyone on the team, should be able to request any type of evaluation that is needed. It's a different matter in actually getting it done! But not impossible!!

Mite's classroom teacher will not comply with the IEP's accomodation and modifications section. She says she's too busy. So the district put a specialist in the room 3 hours a week to observe and help with modifications. The specialist has idicated there are so many issues that she's having a hard time figuring out modifications. So far, they send home a LOT of assignments for REDO. That's frustrating Mite and he feels stupid he says.

We have privately done neuropscych and OT evals, but the advocate says the district doesn't have to heed those evals. If they pay for an eval themselves, they have to heed it. Is that true?

Then he seems to have regressed, or at the very best not progressed even as much as a regular 3rd grader in written expression. The team is so proud of themselves that they taught him to "indent, capitalize and add a period". But, they don't notice that his focus on those things has greatly reduced quantity and he's very frustrated with that. Plus, I contend he would have the rules down pat if he didn't have to write by hand.

Anyhow, it's little piddly stuff that's making me nuts right now. The advocate gave me some good laws and phrases to use at the next IEP meeting. So, I'm practicing them. I'd like to see Mite get a laptop, a 1:1 aide and adaptive P.E., too.

rattlin on here...that's the jist of it.

oh and the other post was just a link to a cool blog about a family with 2 prodigy sons and one exceptionally gifted son. The prodigy sons both started talking at around 2 months of age. They live in Singapore. It is a fascinating blog by an exceptionally intelligent father.

Hi WG -
sorry Mite's tiring of this.
It doesn't seem legal that the IEP is being ignored. Perhaps a written letter stating your concerns would move thinks along?
Best Wishes,
Trin

I'm working on it. I've been advised by the advocate not to pull the legal papers out but to let them know that I realize I can file a "compliance complaint".

I'm looking at the year's end coming on us soon and frankly I feel he hasn't learned a thing this year. As a matter of fact, he's regressed. His writing volume is far less than it was last year at this time.

Funny thing is the SPED teacher always "forgets" to bring his writing folder to the meetings.

It just feels hopeless now.

sorry I'm being a downer but its been a couple of rough weeks.

Where is the advocate from? How much longer does the advocate think you should wait before you consider due process for failure to comply with the IEP? I think you should at least consult with an attorney who specializes in special education law. Most if not all of the ones I know in the Chicago area will meet with you once on consult at no charge.

I also don't think there is anything wrong with letting the school know, politely but firmly, that you will not tolerate your son's needs being ignored and that this will be addressed before the end of the year - so that there is no repeat of it next year.

As far as the evaluations go, the team could, in theory, discount any findings that any evaluation reveals. But typically that wouldn't happen if it was the evaluation they provided. The school does NOT have to recognize or respond to any private evaluations. And, at least in IL, if they DO use the private evaluation to determince needs then you can actually try to get them to cover the cost you incurred for the private testing. Getting it is another story. Most parents don't seek the reimbursement, as they just want the school services for their child.

If you have private evals that show something different from the school evals, then that would be an issue for due process in terms of the school explaining to a judge WHY they ignored or discounted that finding/evaluation.

I'm so sorry for the uphill battle you have to fight. Wish I could attend the meetings with you just to lend moral support. Know that I am there in spirit!

In my state, if you have a school evaluation, and a private evalutation, that the school doesn't accept, then the school pays for a third evaluation...or something like that.

Our school sent us for a private evaluation, and then didn't accept the diagnosis he gave. This is not suprising since there isn't anything wrong with my son. They were on the edge of admitting that since there wasn't any special education need, then maybe they had to change the way they were providing education to him - since there was still plenty of "cries for help." Then - like the old Saturday night live clips - the district came by and said: "Nahhhhhhh."

I felt that I couldn't afford to waste my son's days and watch his attitude toward learning and life go down the old (fill in blank.)

Even though I had a lot of fears about private schools, it's turning out to be better than I could have hoped for. I'm even turning into one of those people who believes that a good private school just plain provides a better educational product than our good local public schools - although again, that doesn't mean that every school will be better for every student, at every moment of their lives.

Love and More Love,
Trinity

We are trying to get d.a.p.e. for Mite. We'd also like to get OT for the bilateral coordination issues since it obviously interferes with his ability to learn...ie distracts his concentration since he's constantly shifting his balance wherever he sits. Of course, the IEP team says he doesn't need OT as it doesn't interfere with learning and that educational OT is different from the medical OT. He really needs some help in that area. While he is writing, his posture starts to get severely slumped. When I've watched through the classroom door (which opens to a pod where parents can sit and wait), I'll see him put his hand to his back and push it up!!!! He's really struggling in that and it is specific to writing and reading. He CANNOT DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME...sit and write or sit and read!!

You know they really don't know how to service him PERIOD. We are looking at other options Trinity. In the meantime, we fight the battle...just in case.

I guess I will ask them for an IEE for OT and an IEE for neuropsychology.

Do I just point blank ask them if they accept the findings of the private OT eval and neuroeval that we had done?

I do, btw, tape record all IEP meetings.

ARRRGHHHH!
Willa, I am screaming at my keyboard out of frustration as an OT!!!!! I have absolutely NO tolerance for people who use that "difference between educational and medical OT" argument.

Regarding OT: it is a medical profession, just like speech therapy and physical therapy. It is, under special education federal law, considered to be a supplemental intervention brought in to support educational goals, when the child's disability requires the expertise of an OT. There is no such thing as "educational OT." There is OT that is done to support educational goals. Because the medical condition of the child DOES impact the ability to learn.

Has the school based OT stated that Mite does not need OT in the school? If so, then you are dealing with an OT who is not experienced enough or educated enough to provide the services he needs in the school. Now, intervention provided in the school IS different than intervention provided in a clinic. At the school the therapist is limited by equipment, space and time. And all intervention must be linked to support the educational goals. But you are right, Mite needs OT to help him deal with the bilateral integration and praxis issues that prohibit him from producing written work. That is clearly a school need for OT.

Mite would probably also benefit from OT outside of a school, as in a clinic setting he would likely get more intensity, more frequency and faster outcomes. I often see children in the clinic who are also receiving school OT. And often the school therapist is *shocked* by the sudden improvements she sees in the child. Because the interventions I can provide, at the intensity and frequency I can provide, make the difference in getting results.

I think it would be great to ask directly whether they "believe" the private evaluations or are in disagreement with them. Then I would ask to see their OT degree/credentials as well as their qualifications as neuropsychs. I've actually seen teachers disagree with a developmental pediatrician who diagnosed a child as autistic. "Well, he doesn't *look* autistic to us" they say. Oy! how frustrating.

Debbie - you are a percious gem. Thanks for saying what needs to be said.

Willa Gayle - I do like the direct approach. I bet you can pull off very direct and very polite and cooperative at the same time, you have the experience and the motivation. Keep swinging!
Trinity