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IEP questions (nut free, adaptive equipment)

MaxandRubyMaxandRuby member
in Special Needs

I've spoken with the developmental preschool teacher and also observed a small portion of her day. The school is not nut free (fine), they don't eat in the room so that isn't nut free, but the table they eat at is not nut free. DS2 has a nut allergy. Are they just going to play it safe and make his table nut free or am I going to have to tell them it needs to be? Will I need to bring documentation of his allergy (if so, what?) to the IEP meeting?

The preschool room did not have much adaptive equipment (seating). I think we have an ok fix for circle time type things but he is going to need adaptive seating when doing table work. Is this something that is worked out during the IEP meeting or is this something that I will have to push for? Who decides what chair will be appropriate for him?

The bathroom (next to the classroom) apparently has an adult size regular toilet (per the teacher). This will not work for DS2. He will require at minimum something with handles and something (like a step stool) so his feet will be flat on a stable and secure surface so he can maintain his balance. Again, are they going to tell me at the IEP meeting what will occur in regards to him having appropriate equipment or will I need to push for this? Who decides what he needs? Can I come to the IEP meeting with ideas of appropriate seating (classroom chair and bathroom seating)?

Sorry for so many questions. I'm just not sure how this all works. DS2 turns 3 early next month and his IEP is next Friday.

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Re: IEP questions (nut free, adaptive equipment)

  • houndbabyhoundbaby member

    I can only speak of my own experiences with the two school districts we've been in. SD #1 would not do anything food wise without a note from the PCP stating that  the child had an allergy and was not to be given a food and what the reaction is. My ds doesn't have any food allergies, but refuses to drink milk (were not a dairy eating family), but SD #1 tried to force it on him every.single.day because they said they were required to by law. I also told SD #1 that I didn't want ds having red food coloring because it makes his eczema flare up, they didn't listen and gave him whatever they wanted. SD #2 doesn't try and force milk on ds and will be accommodating without Dr. notes.

    You can ask about adaptive equip, I think it's kind of up to the teachers depending on if there is a physical handicap that requires it or if it's just whether they feel it's necessary to success in the classroom and what the budget is. We had talked with SD #2 teacher about getting a chair with a belt for lunch/snack after the first few days so ds would stay seated. Before doing that they tried always placing one of the adults next to him to help keep him seated and it worked, so there was no need for the chair even though they were willing to purchase it. You can bring your ideas to the IEP meeting but you are going to have to prove why he needs that equip over what they already have in the classroom. I know if I brought up the idea of something to SD #1 they would think of a hundred reasons to shoot me down before I could explain a situation whereas SD #2 would be reasonable and listen to the argument then make a decision.

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  • funchickenfunchicken member

    I can't speak to the adaptive equipment, but I can tell you how our school handles allergies.  DD1 is severely allergic to peanuts/tree nuts.  She goes to a preschool run by the county, and technically they are not allowed to make the school or classroom nut-free.  However DD's teacher typed up a note asking all of the parents to refrain from sending snacks containing peanuts/tree nuts in the interest of safety.  All the kids wash their hands upon entering the classroom, the room gets cleaned every day and the kids are not allowed to share snacks.  The teachers are very good about handling all of this.

    We had to have our pedi fill out Medication Administration forms for DD's Epi-Pens and Benadryl, and DD's meds and the forms are kept in the classroom in a lockbox.  If the head teacher is not there, I always make sure the substitute knows about DD's allergies.  I wouldn't think you'd need documentation of his allergy for the IEP meeting (not that it would hurt), but I'm sure they will require paperwork to authorize the teacher to administer meds at school if needed.

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