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What do you do when (IEP related)

MaxandRubyMaxandRuby member
in Special Needs
DS2 (almost 4.5 with CP) started the developmental preschool last March and only goes 2 days per week at this point (he will go 5 days per week starting in the fall).  We are in the process of hammering out goals before the IEP meeting which is currently being scheduled.  One question I have is, what happens if you cannot have the meeting until the current IEP has ended?  Do they do an extension?

The main question though is what do you do if you feel a therapist isn't really working on goals?  DS2 has 2 pretty generic PT goals at the moment (getting around the classroom and transition to/from his walker to various items/equipment *wheelchair is not specifically listed in any goal*). I am requesting pretty specific goals for this new IEP and the teacher and I seem to be on the same page in regards to goals.  There are no specific wheelchair goals nor am I planning on wheelchair goals for this next IEP.  The PT (and I will go back through all of her notes to get a better idea) seems to work a lot on wheelchair stuff.  Wheelchair management was apparently worked on yesterday (not sure exactly what that means) and she seems pretty hell bent on working on energy conservation which I do not really want worked on right now.  The PT and I got off to a pretty bad start for the initial IEP (took 5mos and an IEE to get him started in school on an IEP).  I am nervous that the PT is not going to agree to the goals the teacher and I have come up with and/or that she will continue to basically do what she wants vs what the goals say.  What do you do if this happens?  I really do not want a confrontation but have no problem (albeit some anxiety) in forcing an issue if necessary.  We are a military family so we will not be in this school district for his entire school "career" (in case that makes a difference). 
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Re: What do you do when (IEP related)

  • mamantrainingmamantraining member
    If the IEP is scheduled after a years time then the previous IEP will remain in place until the new IEP is signed. The IEP will not "end" until a new one is implemented.

    As far as the goals, it's good you and the teacher are on the same page. Along with asking for more specific goals I would ask for some sort of data collection or daily notes that show that the goals are being targeted. The goals are a team decision, so whatever the teams agrees on will be used as goals. I would ask for the PTs report and new goals ahead of the IEP or ask to meet before the IEP to get a sense of what they are planning.
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  • MaxandRubyMaxandRuby member
    I get a note from each therapist (PT and OT) with a short summary of what they worked on during their sessions with DS2.  That is why I feel the PT is working a whole lot on wheelchair stuff vs actual goals.  I am planning on requesting a draft IEP prior to the meeting which I do not think I will have any problem getting, but I may have problems getting the therapist reports beforehand.  Is it normal for the teacher to be the go-between/messenger in regards to setting up the goals.  The OT basically stated in her email to me that she would defer to the teacher for goals and the PT was all  (paraphrasing) I'll work with the teacher.  The teacher and I have worked out goals and she will be sending them to the therapists for their review/opinions/changes in wording/etc. 

    I am not exactly sure what data collection looks like when you have goals (for example) that are basically increasing his endurance and distance with his walker.  The district here seems to prefer "teacher observation" as their main tracking mechanism which is not reliable in my opinion. 
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