IEP meeting for dd in an hour.

CleoKitty

And I have no idea what to expect.

She's recieved one hour each week of one-on-one speech services through EI for the last 18 months. She's turning 3 y/o on Thursday and aging out of EI. Due to snow days and general disorganization they're now trying to cram us in by Thursday since they're legally required to do so by her 3rd birthday. 

Anyhow, so far all they're offering her is a once a week group session for 30 minutes with a couple of other preschoolers. I'm not satisfied with that option- the time doesn't work well for us, it would be logistically difficult for us to drive her there just for a 30 minute lesson, and frankly with preschoolers by the time you get them all in, coats off, settled down, etc. the 30 minute time slot will be over! 

I had been fully expecting them to offer her a couple mornings a week at a developmental preschool so was surprised that the short group session was all they were willing to offer. 

I'm a little nervous since I'll be going to this meeting by myself and will have to take both kids (no time to arrange childcare since they just called me yesterday to schedule this!) Any words of wisdom? 

Brewster

What is her actual disability?  Artic or language? 

I think the amt of services they are offering sounds pretty typical, although usually for a preschooler they meet twice a week (just from my past experience).  Do know that you are an essential part of the meeting and you do not have to agree to what they propose.  They don't get to make all decisions.  You are just as much a part of the committee as anyone else in the room.  If you can not come to an agreement today, the meeting will recess and go into mediation.  I can promise you, the school will not want that.  I think you should ask them for all possible options and definitely don't settle if you feel what they are offering is not best for you DD and meeting her individual needs. 

KrisBriMcBunny

tell them that you are not happy with the way the meeting is progressing and you want to stop right now & reschedule.

What does the EI speech therapist suggests....does she agree with the school?  If not see if she can come to the meeting with you to back you up.  Bring any documentation you might have.

I would also look at what your rights are....the school should have sent you their "bill of rights" for special ed.

CleoKitty

Purely articulation. No language issues at all.

I'm just surprised that we'd go from a full hour of intensive one on one each week to a 30 minute group lesson. I really want to be proactive about this and don't want to until she's 5-6-7 years old and possibly having some literacy issues before we get serious about this. Her EI speech therapist knows her well and has worked with her for over 18 months but still says that she can only understand dd about 50% of the time.

KrisBriMcBunny

brewster said it better than me lol....its hard to type out what I was trying to say with Michelle all up in my face about her show & tell day lol

Brewster

CleoKitty:

Purely articulation. No language issues at all.

I'm just surprised that we'd go from a full hour of intensive one on one each week to a 30 minute group lesson. I really want to be proactive about this and don't want to until she's 5-6-7 years old and possibly having some literacy issues before we get serious about this. Her EI speech therapist knows her well and has worked with her for over 18 months but still says that she can only understand dd about 50% of the time.

Do you have any reports from her EI teacher?  I'm sure the school consulted with her prior to this meeting.  I know you are short on time, but I would try to get in touch with her and see what she feels is appropriate. 

  The whole point of Sp. Ed services it to meet INDIVIDUAL needs.  The child should not have to fit the program.  I've seen it happen so many times, it is ridiculous. They should be creating a plan just for her to meet her needs.   If you can not come to agreement today, do not sign anything.  It is actually federal law that they provide her with appropriate services.  I know that is subjective, that is why I mentioned getting with her EI teacher since she knows your dd's (educational/speech) needs better than anyone. 

I'll step off my platform now!    It really gets me going when "the system"  is not doing what is right for children. 

KrisBriMcBunny

Amen Brewster!!!!!!

M's EI teachers were awesome...they went to bat for Michelle at the meeting

GinandTonic

Is the EI teacher not attending the meeting?

At DD's transition meeting (from EI to the public schools), the EI teacher came.  We had discussed beforehand what we wanted out of it, so I certainly felt like she was on my side (although I knew all the players, since DS is in speech at that school).   DD actually ended up "graduating", which is fine with me - she doesn't stop talking now and has no articulation problem.  She was being seeing every other week - it had been about a year.

DS started speech therapy at three.  Purely articulation - but he was a late starter.  He started with the school district - never had EI.  He was seen once a week for 1/2 an hour (remember, 3-year-olds don't have the biggest attention span), one-on-one most of the time (every once in awhile, he'd have a boy in there from as reschedule - I though it was actually helpful to have the peer interaction.

He's still going at his school - 3 weeks a month and his IEP meeting for next year is next week (snowed out last week).  I have a feeling he'll "graduate" as well.

I just wanted to let you know what my kids received, so you know what options might be available to you.

Don't sign anything you're not comfortable with.  Good luck.

Glendi2.0

Another thing to keep in mind is the HUGE shift in mindset from EI to a special ed department within a school system... EI is really working to meet the needs of the child and family in the best possible way, while the school system is only obligated by law to provide a free and appropriate education, not the best possible education. They may determine that a group speech session is perfectly appropriate for your DD.  Especially considering your daughter's speech issues are articulation-driven as opposed to cognitive, I'm not that surprised that she wasn't offered a spot in the preschool.

You may be better off arguing for one-to-one speech as opposed to a slot in the preschool. I've only been in the sped preschool world for less than a year now, but I've quickly realized I'm wise to pick my battles.

Good luck... this is SUCH a stressful thing for parents to go through!

jlw2505

After my DD aged out of EI, we were moved to the school districts Early Childhood Special Ed department.  I would ask to meet with your districts special Ed Department and see what they can offer.  My DD has been going to a 2x a week, 90 mins each time speech preschool for 4-5 year olds all year and it is great.  Class meets from 1:15 to 2:45 on T and TH.  What I love is that the k-5 special ed rep is totally aware of what the kids are doing, where they are at, etc.  She sat in on our fall EIP meeting so when my DD starts Kindergarten in fall 2012, they will already know her history.

My DD has done both 1:1 and group and honestly, she has progressed way more in the group setting.  Hearing the other kids has really helped her.  Sometimes she is the one that can say that sound and other times she is the one having issues.  Her speech therapist is always at the IEP meetings by the way.