Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Twice Exceptional IEP Question

Agreed! Thanks CCN! And thanks for all the time you have taken, you and everyone here has been helpful.

Agreed. Good advice!

I sent an email back to the psych cc'ing the principal and the new school psych (b/c both will be on the "iep team" and at the meeting and both had received a copy of the psych's iep report.) In it, I discussed the three 'recommendations' with which I have issues: (1)fleshing out the 2e aspect a bit more if possible and requesting consult with someone in the school psych dept experienced in 2e if possible; (2) stating DS isn't in private therapy for his anxiety anymore b/c he has recovered so well once away from problem assistant and since vison issue being discovered treated effectively so no need at present to for access to private therapist since he isn't even seeing private therapist; and (3) saying no need to have a behavioral specialist and/or FBA presently because past behaviors psych seen & was concerned about in the past are not there now and should not as long as iep is folllwed and therapies continue. But that I'd be happy to revisit the issue if those problems re-surface.

I thought that those were pretty reasonable. Both psychs have already emailed back and seemed receptive. Psych who wrote the report said she was glad to hear he is doing so much better and that all that I bring up in email will be incorporated into the iep mtg and final report. I take that as a good sign! I guess I took her recommnedations a bit too personally. Anyway, I won't really know until we have the meeting but I am much more at ease now and optimistic.

I think DS will have a fab year with this iep in place and followed and with his therapies helping to make him better. He is already so much noticeably better. We had a party for him today and one of his friends' mom who hasn't seen him since last year (and had commented last year how sad and anxious DS seemed and even commented back then how she felt like the school staff in general did not understand him...going so far as to "stick up for him one day" when she thought the assistant misunderstanding him) remarked on how much happier and more confident he seemed!

Good news all! Talked to psych (the one that I do not really trust) about the three issues and it went really well! So relieved. I am starting to trust her more now So on to the meeting and may the cordial and supportive environment continue!

Aw, that's awesome Sometimes you just need to meet face to face and air your concerns.

Yes! It was over the phone - she called me re the email that I had sent to her re some of my concerns with the iep report.

She was good about the 2e thing and said she and other psych are experienced in 2e (eh -- I don't know about that but she was basically like "we don't have 'one' psych with a particular expertise in that, we all know about that." ... but she agreed to add more language about it and to say the team will continue revisiting and evaluating that particular the issue to serve that need over the months and as we think of ways to do that...

We got a little stuck on the behavioral specialist - but she did seem sympathic to my fears regarding that and we both agreed since there are no "behaviors" at present anyway it's moot point right now. We agreed we'd revisit the issuse should behaviors surface, she assured me she would need my consent to do bring in the district behavioral specialist and/or do an FBA so we would fully discuss it before, etc. and of course I wouldn't have HAVE TO consent if I didn't want to and/or if I preferred to bring in my own professional instead. And, she was fine with me not giving her access to DS' therapist - only if I think it is necessary or want to.

marytheres, it sounds like you'll be going into your IEP meeting with things in a great place - good job advocating!!! I hope you'll give us an update after your meeting

BTW, this thread has grown exponentially since I checked it the last time - there are probably at least 900 things I'd like to reply to when I have time to sit down and actually think about things

Good luck with your meeting!

polarbear

So I dusted off my lawyer hat and put it on and started nosing around to find out if vision therapy should be provided (ie., paid for) by school district under an IEP pursuant to IDEEA for a child who has a vision disability like DS' in order for Ds to access appropropriate public education. Turns out there are quite a few cases that have found that vision therapy does indeed constitue a "related service based on peer-reviewed research to the extent practicable... to be provided so as to enable the student to advance appropriately toward attaining his annual goals and to make progress in the general education curriculum." I wrote an email arguing for DS to be provided time during school week to get VT without being penalized and for the District to provide funding/reimbursement for it. Fingers crossed!

And, in order to accomplish this, I provided them with unlimited access to communicate with DS' vision therapist and doctor

Good luck marytheres, and good job doing your research!

FWIW, I know of another parent here in our district who successfully advocated to have her dd's vision therapy paid for by our school district. Our dd's wasn't covered, but she didn't meet the bar to qualify for an IEP.

polarbear