She definintely has SPD. So much to read OMG but all of it clicks except one item is wrong about her oral sensory... But talked to OT and will set up a meeting to discuss eval... Now it is like where do I go from here... I am reading out of sync child (OT thought that was a good idea) But now 1 month before school I feel like I have to figure things out for school figure things out for home find the money to pay for all of the therapy she needs. I feel pressure alot of pressure and it is just me because my husband does not get it. He tries but I truly think he does not understand.

Anyway I feel like I have to get organized very quickly. Is there any suggestions on what I should do?

I know someone told me in another post to get and IEP Advocate. First I need to figure out what an IEP is but another friend suggested I use Span.. So will try to contact them on Monday.

Any ideas or suggestions regarding school or books or anything will be helpful... I got my work to do but will do it with a happy heart because finally I got my answers.

A book I found really helpful is "The Mislabeled Child" by Dr.s Eide (husband and wife team) - it gives the best explanation of each aspect of the senses and how they might misfire that I have read.

IEP = Individualized Education Plan = what the school can/must do to accommodate your child's special needs. The hardest part is making sure each "player" on the school team accepts that your child is different, and needs to be taught/handled differently than the average.

Good luck to your family.

Thanks you Marci LOL I should have known it was simple... Do I have to request an IEP or does the school have to request it. Everyone I have read said the school asked for it. I will add the mislabeled child to my growing library list. Lots to absorb in a very short time. Thanks again Marci

(08-06-2011, 02:17 PM)Llavilette Wrote: Thanks you Marci LOL I should have known it was simple... Do I have to request an IEP or does the school have to request it. Everyone I have read said the school asked for it. I will add the mislabeled child to my growing library list. Lots to absorb in a very short time. Thanks again Marci

Usually the teacher will EVENTUALLY suggestion the IEP team evaluates your child. I know with our school district if you write your request for IEP Evaluation and mail/hand deliver the letter to the Child Study Team, they get the meetings and eval started very quickly.

So I wouldn't wait on the teacher or school staff to suggest it, just call your school district child study team and ask them how to request evaluation. Hope this helps.

Thanks FuriousKitten LOL (love your name) I will ask the teachers and supervisor are aware that I had concerns but they called their therapist (same one I used) before she got Eval and said there was nothing wrong with her.. You know they just figured that Kay was misbehaved and needed discipline and structure... Now that I have eval I guess I will contact them again and ask them for IEP... Just don't trust them because they called therapist behind my back all the while telling me that they support me and understood and hoped my daughter is alright... I think they wanted me to waste my money and have the therapist come back and say nope nothing is wrong basically your kid is a spoiled brat... Really gets my blood boiling every time I think of it.... sorry guess I vented there a bit

(08-06-2011, 05:59 PM)Llavilette Wrote: Thanks FuriousKitten LOL (love your name) I will ask the teachers and supervisor are aware that I had concerns but they called their therapist (same one I used) before she got Eval and said there was nothing wrong with her.. You know they just figured that Kay was misbehaved and needed discipline and structure... Now that I have eval I guess I will contact them again and ask them for IEP... Just don't trust them because they called therapist behind my back all the while telling me that they support me and understood and hoped my daughter is alright...

Me, I'd be looking for a lawyer if the teacher/school tried that. Clearly they'd rather not have an IEP - because an IEP legally requires them to not only acknowledge but accommodate your child's needs/disability.

Are you in a situation where this is the only school available? Do you have a district office you contact? At the district level, there is supposed to be someone specially trained to convene/run IEP meetings with a level of special ed rights knowledge your school might not have.

Look at http://www.pattan.net/ for more info on terms, options - it is the Pennsylvania state site on special ed, but I think some of the info on it is determined by federal law, so it might be helpful for you getting started.

It is not the only school we live in NJ and some of the schools well lets just say the enviornment was not very nice. The teachers in the school are excellent but the quality of kids that mix in are not.. (is that horrible to say) So we opted for a charter school which is very good as long as everything flows their way. I think they have gotten to a point where they are so confident in their abilities and the way they run things that they have become unteachable... They truly believed that Kay was fine.. but I tried countless times during her school year to say doesn't this seem strange... but they would never hear me.. I think in a way she was a challenge and they were going to win... I am going to see their reactions when they find out that they were completely wrong and I am also requesting that nothing be done via telephone. It has to be email or first hand meeting (which I might request to be recorded) I feel that they should help her if not with helping her with the ot but also with the accomodations at the school for the classrooms and lunch.. (in this school you can't talk during lunch or you get detention) and also just the stupid (did I say that) rules that you get sent out for like putting your head on the desk or playing with your hands. I know it sounds like a nightmare of a school but they really do have good qualities. They were showcased on classroom closeup... Are we allowed to post links? I could show you guys the school and my my daughter too they were featured on tv. Like I said it is an excellent school if you are without challenges but sway from the beaten path and things get hard. (not sure if it will work but here is the link
http://www.njn.net/television/njnseries/...eason.html
It is show 18 and if you fast forward to 13 mins the portion with my daughter is moving schools out of blame

In the meantime I am looking into other options, one being homeschooling another are other charter schools in the area.
Going to check out that website right now Thanks so much Marci!

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Marci you are heaven sent. I went to the website you gave me for PA and looked at the content I thought there has to be a website like this for Jersey and I found it.. With so much info... I am going to read through carefully tonight

Thank you so much. Really pointed me in the right direction and it is by the state so these are my rights as parents.. First mistake I made was follow their suggestion to get eval done in summer at my expense... Does not matter I wanted to know.... my fault for not knowing my rights. Anyway Thanks Again!!!

Llavilette,
Try looking up information about schools in your area. The main area you want to look into would be their student descriptions. Each school has a profile somewhere online, but without knowing the name of the schools I cannot do it for you. Google "insertschoolname report card". Often, school district websites will also have this type of information as well. Anyway, when you find this information you want to look at the special education and IEP student #s. If there is a low number, it is likely that the school does not have the supports necessary to help students who really need it. Also, you can look at the individual school staff members list. Look and see if there are Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, Support Personnel, etc. These individuals are ESSENTIAL to maintaining a positive learning environment for students with special needs. I would also call the school districts and ask them directly which schools they would recommend for those with special (or individualized) needs. Explain your situation thoroughly, as well as provide the diagnosis you received. Just keep seeking as much information as you can!

Another great suggestion. Thanks so much ddpspd... I went immediately to the school website and this is what it says

Soaring Heights Charter School provides a free and appropriate education for every child enrolled in the school. Furthermore, the school has procedures in place governing interventions in the general education program. These procedures include convening meetings of the Pupil Assistance Committee when informed, standardized assessments are requested. If such interventions are not effective, these issues may be referred to the school Child Study Team. When appropriate, Child Study Team case managers will make referrals to community agencies. If you have any questions regarding the school’s Section 504 policy and procedures, you may contact Diane

Then did report card and it really does not say specifically about special ed went to other places too and it never states just says other expenses or support so I was not able to tell.... I contacted Span which is statewide parent advocacy network and will left my info for them to contact me. In the meantime on Monday I am setting up a meeting with me and OT and I am also writing the school requesting special ed for my daughter. On the state website it says that they have 20 days to set a meeting which is perfect. Sooooooooooo I am really trying to get the ball running. I feel like charter schools are state funded so why should I have to move her. It is not fair my taxes help pay for this school. I am really gearing up to fight. All this info really help me. You guys have been awesome because each time I find out something new. Always helps when you get pointed in right direction. The report card website will help me look into other schools just in case. Again Many thanks!

(08-06-2011, 08:56 AM)Llavilette Wrote: She definintely has SPD. So much to read OMG but all of it clicks... I feel pressure alot of pressure and it is just me because my husband does not get it. He tries but I truly think he does not understand.

I got my work to do but will do it with a happy heart because finally I got my answers.

It has taken my husband a long time to get it and in some ways he's not all the way there yet. *I* bring them to their therapies, I talk to their teachers and the school social worker... But now and then he surprises me with his understanding of the situation and our son. He may not want to label our son with SPD, but he understands that our son has needs that may be different from most other kids. He's seen that we've tried the things other people or what the books say to do, but those things don't work for our son. The OT and therapies work. So that's enough for me for now.

I hope your hubby will come around. It may take a while, but I think when he sees the progress she's making, he'll start to understand more.