I believe that the time limit from written request for an IEP meeting to having the meeting is 30 days. So the school district can probably legally put you off until the summer break, and there are no more IEP meetings until the fall. So from a practial standpoint they she's probably right that its almost impossible to have a meeting before summer starts. [At least this is how things work in my state.]
So it might be wise to accept the summer services (assuming that they are what you want) and have an IEP meeting first thing in the fall. I would think that a new diagnosis would make the old IEP suspect, but the school district probably wants to avoid looking at the old one since you now have a reason to ask for more services. Note that in ASD it is considered important to start treatment early. So it might be wise to get the written request in, and let it be scheduled as soon as the school district will do it.
Research the rules in your state, maybe you have better options. And at any rate you are going to need to know. You might want to check out the book "From Emotions to Advocacy" by P. Wright (see Wrightslaw web site).
I would agree if you said that this is not best for your child.
I'm at awe at what has happened. We had our initial PPT meeting at the first of April to determine his IEP. They decided that he would be best to have school 2 days a week and ST for an hour. I was a little upset by this, as myself and his Birth to 3 program, felt he should be in for 3 days a week.
At this time, I was not aware that my son was ASD. He hadn't been diagnosed, and I was not well versed when it came to the autism spectrum to see the warning signs. Since then, we have received the diagnosis (less than 2 weeks after). At that time, ds's neurologist said to keep everything the same as we had. He wanted to run blood tests and have an EEG.
Well, DS, as far as I can tell, has been progressing somewhat. He's saying a few more words, but now he's parroting MUCH MUCH more. (He had in the past, but now he's saying a word or two out of every conversation/commercial/tv show he hears.) Plus with the diagnosis, I started requesting that his teacher observe and report to me how DS plays and interacts with other children (something she has yet to do). I also asked if DS was eligible for summer school (seeing as it's the end of the year, I didn't think this was an odd question). The teacher informed me that they had to wait and observe him more before evaluating if he needed summer school.
Well, after much discussion with my husband and the Birth to 3 program we were with (who's now also dealing with my younger DS's speech delay), I decided to request a new PPT to review and change his IEP to include summer school and to request more days per week. That afternoon, after putting in my request, we had another visit with the neurologist to go over test results. The doctor made it clear that he wanted DS in school 5 days a week, to have ST, OT and PT during the week, at least one form each day, and for summer school. He even said if the school gave me any problems with these requests that I needed to talk to him so he could contact the school himself.
So I waited all last week for a phone call or letter. Today was DS's day back obviously since Memorial day (he goes Mondays and Tuesdays). Well, I receive a letter back in the communcation book (which has yet to communicate what DS is ACTUALLY doing).
"I spoke with my supervisor about your concerns. At this time it is almost impossible to hold a PPT. Daniel's IEP is still appropriate and it was written for one year. However, we have enough data to recommend summer maintenance if you would like it. We can add this as an ammendment to the current IEP without a PPT if you would want this."
Basically, they think what they've giving him is sufficient and don't want to give me a new IEP. And obviously, they won't amend an IEP that they see as fine (which is why I wanted the meeting, because I knew they wouldn't agree to my changes). So I'm waiting to hear back from the Sp. Ed. supervisor.
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Anyways, to my question, they aren't allowed to deny me a new PPT meeting to revise the IEP if we are in disagreement on what my son needs, right? It doesn't seem like they should be able to do that. I read Wright's Law, but I can't seem to find if they are required to have a meeting if it is requested.
NUH UH! I thought we had that option ... I HOPE?
Will be following your situation closely, and best wishes for getting what your son NEEDS!
You have every right to call a meeting (and from what I gather, there is a change in your child's diagnosis, therefore a change is needed in classification)(b) Review and revision of IEPs.
(1) General. Each public agency must ensure that, subject to paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section, the IEP Team--
(i) Reviews the child's IEP periodically, but not less than annually, to determine whether the annual goals for the child are being achieved; and
(ii) Revises the IEP, as appropriate, to address--
(A) Any lack of expected progress toward the annual goals described in Sec. 300.320(a)(2), and in the general education curriculum, if appropriate;
(B) The results of any reevaluation conducted under Sec. 300.303;
(C) Information about the child provided to, or by, the parents, as described under Sec. 300.305(a)(2);
(D) The child's anticipated needs; or
(E) Other matters.
We had our first IEP meeting over the summer, so it can be done when schools are closed.
I agree with the last post...ALWAYS request an IEP meeting in writing and make sure copies of your "formal letter" go to the principal, the teacher, the school special ed liason, and anyone else you think is appropriate. Keep a copy for yourself and document when they were delivered. If you mail them, make sure you send them certified mail with "return receipt requested" so you can prove it.
There is ALWAYS time to squeeze in an IEP meeting! I know how hard it is for the teachers at the end of the year, but you are your child's best advocate, and the squeaky wheel DOES get the oil! Let them put someone else off who is more timid. Stand up for your rights. Do not "wait" for calls...call them! Be nice and polite and pleasant, but let them know that you know the law and won't tolerate anything inappropriate...
Good luck to you!!!
PS I just remembered something...Even if you do get the IEP meeting in before the school year ends, it won't totally apply until the new school year. The extended year school program generally has an area that they focus on...your child's most needed area. In my son's case it is speech. But when school starts, your child will start immediately with the new complete IEP instead of dilly dallying around for several days or weeks or whatever!
Well, I never got a call back from the administrator yesterday. I waited all morning and called again, still with no answer. I also called my Birth to 3 program, and they said the state DMR could help provide advocates. So they're sending me a packet of information.