Met last Friday to write IEP for DS8 in 3rd grade. We wrote the IEP on his tourettes. When I tried to get elements of the gifted issue addressed I was shot down. I can say that the speech and occupational therapist were right there with me. I made sure to get as many minutes a month with them as possible. Just so he is with people who get it. His one teacher said "He still makes noises, He stops when you ask him and then just starts up again" She just doesn't get it. I swear I saw the OT roll her eyes as she tried to explain his needs one more time.
When I pressed for pretesting as suggested by Dr. Amend, the issue was raised of what will he do then? He wouldn't get any instruction if different things were given to him. I did sign the IEP b/c I want him to start getting some services. but I am still ready to take on the old paradigm and said maybe its time to make some changes.

I completely understand where you are. My DS7 (autism) also makes noises or hums and the art teacher said the exact same thing! "I tell him to stop and he does, but then he starts up again just to get on my nerves." (okaaaayyyyy.....!) The special ed liasion rolled her eyes at US when we requested formal gifted identification. (He already had the required IQ and she implied that he wouldn't make the other qualifications...which he did with flying colors LOL.) Two teachers on his entire team seem to be able to work with the gifted requirements and accommodate for the other parts...the rest of the teachers and the administration see only the dreaded autism!!!!! It's hard. Nan

I have the opposite problem, all the school sees is Jacob's giftedness and none of the Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, and OCD. We were denied an IEP and 504 by the school. The say that he gets in trouble when he's bored and so they've skippend him one full grade and are wanting him to skip another.
Becky