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Advice please, 5th grade IEP

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Any advice would be appreciated for Eric's annual IEP meeting coming up next Wednesday the 18th of October. He is in 5th grade and will be starting at the middle school next year in August for 6th grade. What should I ask to be included in the IEP for 2006-2007 to prepare for middle school? For this year, I am going to ask for more services to help with social skills and address the issue of who will discipline him and the techniques used in case of misbehavior at school, in addition to, continuing to provide an aide during instructional hours to keep him focused, and to continue with one on one time for reading comprehension and math. (I got some of these ideas from all who posted under the other IEP topics - thanks so much to all of you!!) I am getting very nervous thinking about his transition to middle school next year and would love to hear about any creative solutions in helping ASD kids adjust.
The following is what my advocate told me I need to do for Adam's IEP for 7th grade. He is still in elementary school this year for 6th. I basically sent this in a letter to the special ed teacher and have had several discussions regarding this.

First step that I would suggest is: Have the annual IEP as you normally would at the beginning of the school year. At the IEP start asking questions such as: 1) When will the transition IEP be held? In most school districts, this meeting is held in the spring and it gives you and Adam a chance to meet staff from the MS. 2) How does the New Berlin School District help special ed students make the tranisition to the MS/HS? 3) Do the have school visits where the elementary students "shadow" the MS students? 4) How does the school district help parents make the transition with their child? 5) Is it possible for Adam to have an aide in the beginning of the year to support him or has the district done this in the past with other students?

Second step: Sometime during the school year, you may want to make a contact with the MS Principal and sit down and talk with him/her. Let them know of your concerns and your desire for Adam to have a successful experience in the MS.

Third step: Talk with other parents/families who have made the transition before you. If you don't know of anyone, ask your teacher for a recommendation.

Fourth Step: Ask Adam how he feels about school and the transition to MS next year. Make sure that at his next IEP he shares what he likes and dislikes about school, what he's good at and what he needs help with. Sometimes having the student talk about himself at the IEP meeting makes all the difference! If you are concerned with his eligibility, please bring the checklist with you to the next IEP meeting so that you can discuss it with the team.

Fifth Step: Always assume you're on the same team with the school staff until the prove otherwise. You mentioned that they might "fight" you on services - please keep an open mind and work with them.

Sixth Step: Document your concerns when they occur and bring the documentation with you. Maintain a file with any communications from the school about concerns they have or about incidents that have occured. Bring it with you to the meeting as well.

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	Any advice would be appreciated for Eric's annual IEP meeting coming up next Wednesday the 18th of October. He is in 5th grade and will be starting at the middle school next year in August for 6th grade. What should I ask to be included in the IEP for 2006-2007 to prepare for middle school? For this year, I am going to ask for more services to help with social skills and address the issue of who will discipline him and the techniques used in case of misbehavior at school, in addition to, continuing to provide an aide during instructional hours to keep him focused, and to continue with one on one time for reading comprehension and math. (I got some of these ideas from all who posted under the other IEP topics - thanks so much to all of you!!) I am getting very nervous thinking about his transition to middle school next year and would love to hear about any creative solutions in helping ASD kids adjust. The following is what my advocate told me I need to do for Adam's IEP for 7th grade. He is still in elementary school this year for 6th. I basically sent this in a letter to the special ed teacher and have had several discussions regarding this. First step that I would suggest is: Have the annual IEP as you normally would at the beginning of the school year. At the IEP start asking questions such as: 1) When will the transition IEP be held? In most school districts, this meeting is held in the spring and it gives you and Adam a chance to meet staff from the MS. 2) How does the New Berlin School District help special ed students make the tranisition to the MS/HS? 3) Do the have school visits where the elementary students "shadow" the MS students? 4) How does the school district help parents make the transition with their child? 5) Is it possible for Adam to have an aide in the beginning of the year to support him or has the district done this in the past with other students? Second step: Sometime during the school year, you may want to make a contact with the MS Principal and sit down and talk with him/her. Let them know of your concerns and your desire for Adam to have a successful experience in the MS. Third step: Talk with other parents/families who have made the transition before you. If you don't know of anyone, ask your teacher for a recommendation. Fourth Step: Ask Adam how he feels about school and the transition to MS next year. Make sure that at his next IEP he shares what he likes and dislikes about school, what he's good at and what he needs help with. Sometimes having the student talk about himself at the IEP meeting makes all the difference! If you are concerned with his eligibility, please bring the checklist with you to the next IEP meeting so that you can discuss it with the team. Fifth Step: Always assume you're on the same team with the school staff until the prove otherwise. You mentioned that they might "fight" you on services - please keep an open mind and work with them. Sixth Step: Document your concerns when they occur and bring the documentation with you. Maintain a file with any communications from the school about concerns they have or about incidents that have occured. Bring it with you to the meeting as well.
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