My daughter is 7, has Down syndrome & PDD NOS, she is almost completely noverbal and communication is a huge hurdle for us.
In her latest IEP meeting....their suggestion for ST is as follows:
Two 30 minute sessions per week with ST and then an additional 30 minutes will be used ( not with Erin) but for the teacher and the ST to consult on behaviors and how therapist can get past them during session and for the ST to explain what she is doing with Erin so that teacher can repeat in class. Giving Erin a total of 90 minutes per week ( though she actually only gets 60, they are assuring me the 90 minutes is DEVOTED to my daughter)
AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
oooooooo, thanks for letting me scream out my anger !!
My response was of course to reject that portion of the IEP....I have recommendations from her speech evaluation and her neuro psych telling me she needs daily ST with a licensed provider. I know school would cancel classes before they gave me daily......but my suggestion to them is :
Four 20 minute sessions per week with a 10 minute consult time between teacher and ST....totally her 90 minutes. I cited her progress report which STATES that she can't attend to an acitvity or work station for more than 10-15 minutes !!! Yet, they think 30 minutes of ST will work ? They just stated she CAN'T do more than 15 minutes.....so they are admtting that the last 15 minutes will be "lost".
Also Erin has difficulty transitioning in the hallway and ST is a long way from her room....I suggested the ST come to her.....which was soundly shot down
It is actually almost laughable isn't it ?? That they think their suggestion is at all helpful to my daughter ???
Thanks as always for your input and your listening !!
I just wanted to say that I think your idea makes complete sense and takes into considersation your daughter's abilities and needs. It also takes into considersation that fact that the people working with her may need some time to consult with one another.
Personally, I think the school's suggestions stink. Your daughter should be getting 90 min./week of ST, period.
They sound a tad rigid. And looking for a coffee klatch!How frustrating!!
I think your suggestions sound great...keep at it!! And good for you for declining what they gave you...in the beginning, I honestly didn't even know that was an option!
Good luck and take care!