iep meeting is done, whew. Now we wait...

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Today was my 12 year old sons ARD. After 10 years of speech therapy for an articulation problem, a year of nightmares in his first year of middle school, a manifestion hearing, testing, more testing they have finally said he has developemental coordination disorder (dypraxia). Its affecting him in all areas. He even has fallen down the steps at school. I was ready for anything, even had my 10 day letter of withdrawl ready, had my list of what to say if they say.., copies of all the information on the disorder I could find, I had my 5 page parent attatchment complete with pictures, my son's statement on what he wanted them to know, and a long list of concerns and another long list of things we wanted started. I was prepared for at least a 3 hour meeting, it lasted about 2 hours. There were so many school people, evaulators, therapists, ect that we had to use a school room instead of the conference room. It was just my husband and I there on our end.

The meeting went fairly well. I had plenty of copies of my parent attatchment for eveyone. We got most of the accommadations we wanted approved. We now have at least a plan that is more fitting for my son's needs.

I requested written prior notice since the last time we had reccomendations in March that we thought would be put in place only to be told later that "it wasn't agreed upon".. huh? I was never told why? So now I wait to see if that will happen again. I am trying very hard to have trust in the people there but our past history has not been good. I get so stressed before these meetings.

I just am so happy to have found this site as well as Wrightslaw. After the meeting the PT came up to me. She told me that my information was so well done and helpful and that I am a wonderful advocate for my son. It made me feel good to know I have come that far since febuary. I didn't have a clue about the "real world of special education"

Its a big relief to at least know my son can use the elevator now instead of falling down the stairs and huritng himself!

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Parent Replies to "iep meeting is done, whew. Now we wait..."

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You ask if we ever get used to it. Sort of. After 7 years of advocating for my son, I feel confident that I have a handle on the laws, his primary disabilities (reading and ADHD) and his needs. Yet, even though I advocate for other families, when it comes to my own child, I still can't sleep the night before the meeting and feel sick until it is over. I think it comes with the territory of being a parent and the emotional attachment.

And, as much as I know, I'm always worried about what the SD will use next for a strategy or tactic and whether or not I am dealing with it the best way.

Like I said, it is a process. And as we go on, our children's needs change, the players within the schoo change therefore each meeting brings new challenges. I guess this is what keeps life interesting..........

Forums such as this and millermom.proboards.com/index.cgi? Help keep me educated and sane!

Thanks!
I think the hardest thing to accept is how they can tell you " we don't test for that" to parents then trying to negotiate with them for what your child should have been offered in the first place. I am learning, reading about negotiating and the laws. I don't know how long it takes before people feel comfortable doing this but it makes me feel sick before these meetings, Do you ever get used to this? I am allready worried about the next one in Sept. At least I am on the right track now. Whats terrible is that I have a grown daugher with AS who is now 23, our elementry years in school were terrible but I never had this much problems getting the school to help her. The school damaged her too, after all these years she still talks about the bullying and mistreatment. Back then though the laws were not set up like they are now, she wasn't even mainstreamed until all most high school. When she was in elementry school her first year I would get calls to pick her up only to find 4-5 adults holding her down. :(
Looking back we are so lucky that she wasn't killed by that practice, other kids are. It makes me feel sick even thinking about it. She graduated and is holding down a full time job and even had her own apartment but she will always have her issues to deal with. I am very proud of her!

Love to hear success stories! Sounds like your preparation paid off. Advocacy is a process, and it seems you've started it off with a bang.

Keep at it and slowly but surely, you will get everything in place.

Excellent work.

''I requested written prior notice since the last time we had reccomendations in March that we thought would be put in place only to be told later that "it wasn't agreed upon".. huh?''

File state complaint for no PWN.

Good for you and your son. It's about time! He's very lucky to have you! :)

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