Could use some advice

Posted in

Our daughter went to 2 LD schools (we had to move so she went to 2 different ones) for 4 years. WE have had 2 IEEs done and a review by her past public school district that said she difinitely was a candidate for an IEP. All said she was a classic case of a learning disabled child with a high IQ. In 2008 we put her in a public school that had LD services because of financial reasons and she herself wanted to be in a public school. We were able to use a current IEP to use in the public school this year. During our re-evaluation this week the IEP team told us that she was doing well (average) and that they felt she did not need LD services except on a consultive basis where her teachers would ask for help from the LD services as needed. They explained to me that their job was to deal with LD children who did not do average regardless of their IQ. We left the IEP meeting asking for time for my husband and I to discuss further before agreeing. I am afraid the school is going to get remove her IEP status. Our daughter is going into 7th grade and a new junior high next year with many changes in classes too. Her IEE details her need for extra help in seeing the total picture, more explicit instruction and so forth. We feel that this would not be a good move for her.

I have read the school handbook where it says we have options to request an independent testing, hearing etc... The IEP team did not suggest we actually take her off the IEP but that they are moving in this direction. I am not sure what is going on or how much we can do, based upon the fact that she has gotten good grades of some A, B and Cs. Does anyone have any experience in this area that could offer us insight and advice?

You must be a member of this group to post a reply.

Parent Replies to "Could use some advice"

View 24 replies: Newest-Oldest, Oldest-Newest
Display all replies

This is a helpful guide that I have used myself and given to other parents:
www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/2488

Just remember - AT is a balancing act. It's important that the child have the underlying skills that the AT supports. For instance, Kurzwiel has a note taking/highlighting feature. This is useful if a child understands how to pull out the important information, find the main ideas, look for important concepts and definitions. This would be an underlying skill. Kurzweil helps by presenting the material electronically with a reading feature (for those kids that might have fluency and decoding problems) and the highlighting feature. But, if the student is still at the point that they highlight everything on the page, it is not a useful tool.

If you decide that AT of some sort works for your child, make sure the IEP contains goals and objectives to learn how to use the tools properly, make sure the teachers know how to use it (this is harder than you would think) and that the school supports back end tasks like scanning material, maintaining laptops, providing electronic information etc.

I've seen lots of IEPs that include AT, but they are never properly implemented. As Teachermom says, Uncle Sam doesn't check in to see if the IEP is being followed. This job usually falls to the family.

AT (assistive technology) is an evaluation to see if a laptop, Kurzwell, FM listening device, etc. will help your child access the curriculum. IDEA requires that an AT evaluation be done if your child needs help in accessing the curriculum. See below:

idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cregs%2C300%2CD%2C300%252E324%2Ca%2C2%2C

In addition, you cannot consider whether a child needs AT without an AT evaluation.

idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cstatute%2CI%2CA%2C601%2Cc%2C5%2C

www.ldonline.org/article/Tools_for_Evaluation:_Assistive_Technology_Tools_Kits

www.connsensebulletin.com/cormiernov2.html

''School ended today for the summer and we do not have a copy of the changed IEP. Should we? ''

School is suppose to give you a copy before you leave IEP meeting.

As for CAPD, I was not referring to the child in the original post here. I was just hypothetically speaking. I'm sorry,I should have mentioned that.

I am not familiar with CAPD or heard this relating to my child.

Thank you! I know I still have to read and learn, but could you tell me: What is an assisted technology evaluation?

Return to group discussion board >

1 2 3 4 5 Next >

Any contributed content above is the subjective opinion of that member or external author, and not of GreatSchools. GreatSchools does not check for accuracy in community posts or verify the contributor’s identity. If you are searching for health-related advice we strongly suggest you seek professional medical support. View our Community Guidelines for more details.

Local Q&A

Top cities

Los Angeles	Phoenix
Houston	San Diego
Chicago	Dallas
San Jose	San Antonio
New York	Miami

Browse questions about

Local Q&A is brand new! What do you think? Give us your feedback in our feedback forum.