I like the idea of having them write it in the IEP anyway so that we can go back later and say - yes, that does need to be addressed. We got our dev ped report back THIS MORNING (thank goodness!) so I can bring that to the meeting. Unfortunately, the ped did not go so far as to recommend OT and SLP, but he did say that he supported the school providing it and said "perhaps" the school could provide OT in addition to the private OT that we are paying 10% of the cost for! However, to be fair, he did lambast the school for not qualifying my son for services. He said he was "shocked" that the school initially chose not to provide services because his scores on the ADOS should have qualified him under the autism spectrum. He quoted the school district's report that said although he met the criteria, it was not impairing his learning and the ped said that ASD clearly was impairing his learning when he scored at the 1st percentile for fine motor skills! In addition, he commented that social issues are a huge part of school and since he has significant impairment in those that his learning will be affected. I can't wait for them to read that!
Thanks for the support and advice - I'm nervous, but I know that the teachers are very good and I can handle the supervisor (at least I think so!). I am going in asking for their help, not telling, and I also know not to sign anything today. I will just tell them that I want to read it over more and think some more and that I will get it back to them soon. I have a good excuse as I will need to be bringing my baby girl along and it will be a bit more difficult to concentrate with her around (she's a very active almost 16-month old!). Thankfully, we are having it at the pre-school and there will be tons of toys and plenty of room for her to move around in. My husband can also take her out if need be - but it provides me with a good out to not sign today.
Anyone else have any last-minute suggestions?
We are having our first IEP tomorrow afternoon for my son who is 4. I have several different goals in mind, not the least of which is having him learn to go to the bathroom by himself. He is able to do this at home, but he won't go in public without me or my husband there. We don't have to go in the room with him, but we have to be in the building. My son has a PDD-NOS diagnosis and is on the very mildest end of the spectrum. Our dev ped said that most doctors would not have given him a diagnosis, but he saw some behaviors that concerned him and he believes firmly in early intervention.
Anyway, any things I should be on the look-out for at the meeting? I plan on bringing up issues and asking how we could help my son deal with them, rather than just presenting my goals. But, I have them as a back-up anyway. I won't have an advocate there - my case manager can't make it and the other advocates in the area just aren't very good. I am a former social worker, though, and very capable of advocating for my son. They initially denied him services and I fought and got him qualified on an override - and I did that without an advocate as well.
Anyone have any experiences they want to share that could help me out? It will just be my husband and me, his pre-school teacher, the ECSE teacher and her supervisor. The OT might be there as I told them I wanted to discuss OT services - my son tested at the 1st percentile for fine motor skills and we have been getting him private OT in a medical setting (which we pay 10% of the cost for). The ECSE teacher is wonderful and the pre-school teacher is as well. The supervisor is okay - she is uncomfortable in her role as she used to be an ECSE teacher and more used to advocating for kids. Now, she has to worry about money issues so she can't advocate as much as she used to.
Even if you don't have advice, support and encouragement are welcome!
Good Luck!
I am cheering for you!
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