Question re dd’s re-evaluation The best thing to do is ask that a standardized test be given. Then, if the school-administered standardized test comes back showing that your daughter has made adequate progress, ask that the District pay for an independent educational evaluation in OT using the OT of your choice.  If THAT report comes back recommending a reduction in services, there is probably a good reason the services need to be reduced.  More is not always better.  If this happens, next year ask that another OT eval be done. If your child is not making the same progress after, say, a semester, call a meeting and ask that the OT be restored. Thank you both for your advice.  I feel more prepared now for what might happen.  Yesterday, the priliminary meeting went very well and none of those that were in attendance were in favor of her o.t. time being lessened.  (The o.t. who works with her was not there but the spl had spoken w/the person in charge of o.t. evals who was my dd's previous o.t., and she didn't think a new eval would be necessary)  So, hopefully, the o.t. dept. will all get on the same page by the time the I team reconvienes and I won't have to fight on this issue.  Thank you both again.  I will update after her next meeting. ttfn One way to point out that a reduction in services is NOT warranted is to take in work your daughter has been doing that indicates how little progress has been made... for example, if you have handwriting samples from the beginning of the year, or better yet from last year, and one that is recent that shows very little to no change, produce those as evidence not to reduce her hours. One of the other arguments, particularly going into grade level from kindergarten, etc. is that she is still struggling with mechanics - i.e., the ability to functionally write - and that having to struggle with both mechanics of writing and the content of writing - knowing what the letters are, etc. creates a disadvantage for her compared to the other students, and will ultimately impact her educational progress.  That is the argument I presented recently for my son's meeting which resulted in the inclusion of assistive technology for him.  I was willing to concede the OT handwriting goal if they were willing to provide assistive technology, since all he really needs to know how to do is sign his name...everything else he can do on the computer - much of which he does now.  We got the assistive tech. Today, there is a meeting planned to discuss my dd's reevaluation for services.  I have got wind that her o.t. wants to reduce her services down to x1 a week instead of 2.  DD has not met all her goals for the year with meeting twice a week and I can't see where reducing her days would help to meet this goal.  Can services be reduced if they meet a certain percentage of the goals rather than the total amount of goals?  I know her teacher is against them taking the extra day away.  My dd still is struggling with hand writing and the demands next year in 1st grade will be greater for her to write at a greater speed.  She also still is not able to master small buttons.  She had a goal of learning to tie shoes which in all probablity will not even be attempted. Advice please? ttfn
	Copyright Autism-PDD.net