Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school Do we need a new IEP?

This is a sequel to my previous question about whether I should put my gifted 4 year old into special ed preschool ... here's a link to the original post just in case, but I'll give a quick recap ...
http://giftedissues.davidsongifted..../all/putting_a_gifted_child_into_Sp.html

So, DS4 is getting ST/OT once a week through the school district right now and PT and OT through private therapists, prior to that went through a year of Early Intervention before he aged out of there ... and the school district determined he was only eligible for Speech with OT consult because he didn't have any "academic needs" that would qualify him for the Special Ed pre-school (this was as of last year and still as of this spring after his first few speech sessions and after our yearly IEP at the end of the school year) ... he also has a severe egg allergy making things complicated. We had him evaluated for ADHD and Aspergers / ASD and the psych ruled out ADHD for now and from what I'm reading in the letter of recommendation from her that I got in the mail today, she's officially giving a PDD-NOS diagnosis and recommending the special ed preschool setting to give him the social interaction and structure he desperately needs.

So, now we need to go to the district again ... I've been in touch with the special ed director and give them our therapists and the psychiatrist's recommendation and see if they offer the pre-school ... but even if they don't, given the new diagnosis ... should I ask for a new IEP meeting? ... since the old Plan only reflects his speech needs and sensory concerns but nothing beyond that? I'm not too familiar with the IEPs so not sure when or how often are these redone?

Yes, you need a new IEP; I'd share the new diagnosis with the special ed director in writing, and request the meeting. Usually the IEP is re-done early in the year at the new school, to reflect how they do things. You may want to give the special needs preschool a call and ask how they usually proceed.

An IEP must be updated annually; it can be updated more often depending on the need.

DeeDee

Thank you! Yes, I am planning on giving the special ed director the letter I received from the psychiatrist so she'll have to full information. The special ed preschool is only 3 half day classes of 4-10 kids each so very small setting and she's in touch with the teachers / therapists on a daily basis. So hopefully it won't bee too bureaucratic! I'm thinking if he does end up in the preschool, he'll need the new IEP not just because of the PPD-NOS diagnosis but also to reflect his egg allergy since it affects a lot of things too?

... I got the ball rolling in my court already and bought him a new backpack! Let's see if I can get him a school to go with it!

Since he's getting an IEP anyway, the allergy can be covered in there. (An allergy as the only disability could be covered in a 504.) You can get as detailed as you need to about what procedures they need to follow to keep him safe.

I hope the school comes with the backpack.

DeeDee