IEP Goals already met

[Guest guest]

Help! I need some advice!

My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a week.

We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

" packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process completely

unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send her

to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She will

receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all sounded

wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on our

merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail including

the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that this

teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are concerned that

this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool teacher

will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She has

had very little experience with children with CI's and deals mostly with

children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She seems

to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much. I

can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong feeling I

have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I don't

want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn and

excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that about

our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her to be

on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do the

very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible. Since

the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her needs

are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and we

would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need advice

on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the items

listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book page

with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't know the

person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot do

and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with her CI

she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals are too

basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would like

advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in advance

for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave the way

for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

What state are you in?

Binns

----Original Message Follows----

From: " Weinzapfel, A " <JWeinzap@...>

Reply-

<cicircle >,< >

Subject: IEP Goals already met

Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 08:39:16 -0500

Help! I need some advice!

My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a week.

We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

" packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process completely

unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send her

to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She will

receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all sounded

wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on our

merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail including

the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that this

teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are concerned that

this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool teacher

will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She has

had very little experience with children with CI's and deals mostly with

children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She seems

to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much. I

can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong feeling I

have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I don't

want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn and

excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that about

our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her to be

on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do the

very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible. Since

the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her needs

are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and we

would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need advice

on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the items

listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book page

with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't know the

person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot do

and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with her CI

she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals are too

basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would like

advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in advance

for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave the way

for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

[Guest guest]

,

We live in a rural county in Southwestern Indiana. I feel very good

about the school that we are sending her to and the staff there. They

have a very strong Special Needs program and even though Sophie will be

the first deaf child to attend, we have received great support thus far.

I have spoken with the preschool teacher several times already and she

is so excited to have Sophie in her classroom. I am hopeful that once

we get going, things will work out. Both our AVT therapist and our

Audiologist agree that the school that we have enrolled our daughter in

is a good choice based on the curriculum so that isn't a concern. There

are only two CI kids in this county. The other child is in high school

now and has other issues. She attended a public grade school and was

fully mainstreamed. I spoke with her mother and the only service she

received was speech until about the 4th grade. At that time there was

not a TOD for the county.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of Binns

Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:06 AM

; cicircle

Subject: RE: IEP Goals already met

Hi ,

What state are you in?

Binns

----Original Message Follows----

From: " Weinzapfel, A " <JWeinzap@...>

Reply-

<cicircle >,< >

Subject: IEP Goals already met

Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 08:39:16 -0500

Help! I need some advice!

My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a week.

We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

" packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process completely

unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send her

to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She will

receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all sounded

wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on our

merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail including

the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that this

teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are concerned that

this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool teacher

will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She has

had very little experience with children with CI's and deals mostly with

children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She seems

to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much. I

can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong feeling I

have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I don't

want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn and

excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that about

our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her to be

on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do the

very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible. Since

the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her needs

are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and we

would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need advice

on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the items

listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book page

with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't know the

person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot do

and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with her CI

she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals are too

basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would like

advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in advance

for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave the way

for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

All I can do is wish you luck. I know IEP advocates in New York and Texas,

that's why I asked what state you were in. Since you do feel good about

your school, you are probably right, things will probably work out.

Attitude is half the battle!

Binns

----Original Message Follows----

From: " Weinzapfel, A " <JWeinzap@...>

Reply-

< >

Subject: RE: IEP Goals already met

Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 09:22:11 -0500

,

We live in a rural county in Southwestern Indiana. I feel very good

about the school that we are sending her to and the staff there. They

have a very strong Special Needs program and even though Sophie will be

the first deaf child to attend, we have received great support thus far.

I have spoken with the preschool teacher several times already and she

is so excited to have Sophie in her classroom. I am hopeful that once

we get going, things will work out. Both our AVT therapist and our

Audiologist agree that the school that we have enrolled our daughter in

is a good choice based on the curriculum so that isn't a concern. There

are only two CI kids in this county. The other child is in high school

now and has other issues. She attended a public grade school and was

fully mainstreamed. I spoke with her mother and the only service she

received was speech until about the 4th grade. At that time there was

not a TOD for the county.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of Binns

Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 8:06 AM

; cicircle

Subject: RE: IEP Goals already met

Hi ,

What state are you in?

Binns

----Original Message Follows----

From: " Weinzapfel, A " <JWeinzap@...>

Reply-

<cicircle >,< >

Subject: IEP Goals already met

Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 08:39:16 -0500

Help! I need some advice!

My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a week.

We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

" packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process completely

unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send her

to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She will

receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all sounded

wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on our

merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail including

the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that this

teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are concerned that

this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool teacher

will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She has

had very little experience with children with CI's and deals mostly with

children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She seems

to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much. I

can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong feeling I

have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I don't

want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn and

excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that about

our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her to be

on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do the

very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible. Since

the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her needs

are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and we

would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need advice

on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the items

listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book page

with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't know the

person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot do

and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with her CI

she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals are too

basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would like

advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in advance

for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave the way

for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

[Guest guest]

Hi

IEP meetings are such a challenge. We have these meetings for my

son and they can be confusing and challenging.

I would highly recommend that you write to AGBell organization and

ask for their input. AGBell is awesome and has individuals that

assist with IEP meetings for issues just like these.

If I were in your shoes I would call another IEP meeting (which can

be called at any time by the parties involved). I would make it

clear that these goals have already been met and that she needs to

be challenged to the next level. They SHOULD have a list of goals

for all ages and pick some more challenging ones.

But clearly getting the help from a professional organization like

AGBell can help provide more insight from a numer of past

experiences.

Kim B

Advanced Bionics CI

>

>

>

> Help! I need some advice!

>

> My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a

week.

> We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

> " packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process

completely

> unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send

her

> to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She

will

> receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all

sounded

> wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on

our

> merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail

including

> the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that

this

> teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are

concerned that

> this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool

teacher

> will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She

has

> had very little experience with children with CI's and deals

mostly with

> children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She

seems

> to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

> categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much.

I

> can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong

feeling I

> have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I

don't

> want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn

and

> excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that

about

> our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her

to be

> on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do

the

> very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible.

Since

> the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

> private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

> school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her

needs

> are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and

we

> would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need

advice

> on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the

items

> listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book

page

> with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

> cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

> When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't

know the

> person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

> evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot

do

> and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with

her CI

> she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals

are too

> basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would

like

> advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in

advance

> for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave

the way

> for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kim. I appreciate your input and will look into that right away!

________________________________

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of kmbrownen

Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 9:36 AM

Subject: Re: IEP Goals already met

Hi

IEP meetings are such a challenge. We have these meetings for my

son and they can be confusing and challenging.

I would highly recommend that you write to AGBell organization and

ask for their input. AGBell is awesome and has individuals that

assist with IEP meetings for issues just like these.

If I were in your shoes I would call another IEP meeting (which can

be called at any time by the parties involved). I would make it

clear that these goals have already been met and that she needs to

be challenged to the next level. They SHOULD have a list of goals

for all ages and pick some more challenging ones.

But clearly getting the help from a professional organization like

AGBell can help provide more insight from a numer of past

experiences.

Kim B

Advanced Bionics CI

>

>

>

> Help! I need some advice!

>

> My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a

week.

> We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

> " packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process

completely

> unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send

her

> to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She

will

> receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all

sounded

> wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on

our

> merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail

including

> the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that

this

> teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are

concerned that

> this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool

teacher

> will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She

has

> had very little experience with children with CI's and deals

mostly with

> children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She

seems

> to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

> categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much.

I

> can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong

feeling I

> have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I

don't

> want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn

and

> excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that

about

> our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her

to be

> on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do

the

> very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible.

Since

> the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

> private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

> school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her

needs

> are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and

we

> would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need

advice

> on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the

items

> listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book

page

> with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

> cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

> When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't

know the

> person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

> evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot

do

> and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with

her CI

> she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals

are too

> basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would

like

> advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in

advance

> for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave

the way

> for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

My 4yo HOH (and soon to be cochlear implant recipient on July 27th)

daughter is on an IEP and I am a school counselor so I have some

experience with special education services. I been lurking here for

sometime learning about cochlear implants, but was compelled to try to

answer.

At your IEP meeting you should have been given a handbook or guide

outlining your rights as the parent of a special education student. You

should refer to these as it will spell out (usually in very fine print)

what rights and responsibilities you have in the IEP process. In my state,

parents have the right to review all IEP goals before they sign off on the

IEP. The goals are also to be covered in the initial IEP placement and

parents are to have input. If one of the professionals writing goals can

not be there, they must give you the goals a week in advance for you to

look over and request changes.

If I were you I would contact the TOD and request a meeting to review IEP

goals. At the meeting, explain your concern about the goals and request

that changes be made. Another option would be to allow the goals to remain

on the IEP as is for a few months while your daughter gets comfortable and

starts to show her skills. Then it wouldn't be just you telling the TOD

what your daughter can do, the teacher could also attest to her skills.

Then you could request an IEP review meeting to draft new goals. If you

run into resistance, your guide should also contain contacts for your

state of organizations who help advocate for special education students

and their families.

Hope that is of some help!

W

>

>

> Help! I need some advice!

>

> My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a week.

> We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

> " packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process completely

> unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send her

> to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She will

> receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all sounded

> wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on our

> merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail including

> the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that this

> teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are concerned that

> this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool teacher

> will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She has

> had very little experience with children with CI's and deals mostly with

> children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She seems

> to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

> categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much. I

> can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong feeling I

> have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I don't

> want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn and

> excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that about

> our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her to be

> on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do the

> very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible. Since

> the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

> private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

> school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her needs

> are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and we

> would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need advice

> on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the items

> listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book page

> with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

> cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

> When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't know the

> person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

> evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot do

> and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with her CI

> she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals are too

> basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would like

> advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in advance

> for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave the way

> for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks . This is basically what my husband and I discussed

doing. That way, we don't look like know-it-all parents who really do

not know it all, and we give our daughter a chance to prove/disprove

herself and the TOD as well. As my husband, AVT therapist and I think

and talk it out, this seems to be the best approaching knowing full well

what we want the end result to be. Since the TOD is new, I hope she

will indeed listen to our objectives. She has been insistent on a

couple of aspects that we do not want to do at this time but can't seem

to get her to understand why. She is not very familiar with CI's though

and I think that makes a big difference. Anyway, thanks for the input.

I know it will all work out, but the IEP is still something that makes

me cringe! I know I have a long road ahead of me; I hope I adjust soon!

________________________________

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

Of mwhite@...

Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:35 AM

Subject: Re: IEP Goals already met

,

My 4yo HOH (and soon to be cochlear implant recipient on July 27th)

daughter is on an IEP and I am a school counselor so I have some

experience with special education services. I been lurking here for

sometime learning about cochlear implants, but was compelled to try to

answer.

At your IEP meeting you should have been given a handbook or guide

outlining your rights as the parent of a special education student. You

should refer to these as it will spell out (usually in very fine print)

what rights and responsibilities you have in the IEP process. In my

state,

parents have the right to review all IEP goals before they sign off on

the

IEP. The goals are also to be covered in the initial IEP placement and

parents are to have input. If one of the professionals writing goals can

not be there, they must give you the goals a week in advance for you to

look over and request changes.

If I were you I would contact the TOD and request a meeting to review

IEP

goals. At the meeting, explain your concern about the goals and request

that changes be made. Another option would be to allow the goals to

remain

on the IEP as is for a few months while your daughter gets comfortable

and

starts to show her skills. Then it wouldn't be just you telling the TOD

what your daughter can do, the teacher could also attest to her skills.

Then you could request an IEP review meeting to draft new goals. If you

run into resistance, your guide should also contain contacts for your

state of organizations who help advocate for special education students

and their families.

Hope that is of some help!

W

>

>

> Help! I need some advice!

>

> My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a

week.

> We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

> " packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process

completely

> unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send her

> to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She will

> receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all sounded

> wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on our

> merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail

including

> the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that

this

> teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are concerned

that

> this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool teacher

> will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She has

> had very little experience with children with CI's and deals mostly

with

> children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She

seems

> to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

> categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much. I

> can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong feeling

I

> have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I don't

> want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn and

> excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that about

> our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her to be

> on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do the

> very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible.

Since

> the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

> private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

> school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her

needs

> are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and we

> would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need

advice

> on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the items

> listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book page

> with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

> cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

> When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't know

the

> person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

> evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot do

> and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with her CI

> she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals are

too

> basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would

like

> advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in

advance

> for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave the

way

> for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Best of luck to you and your daughter. I'm sure she will continue to make

great strides. Just remember that you have just as much say in your

child's education as the educator. If you don't feel comfortable with

something in the IEP you have every right to tell the TOD you don't want

that for your child, regardless of the reasons why!

> Thanks . This is basically what my husband and I discussed

> doing. That way, we don't look like know-it-all parents who really do

> not know it all, and we give our daughter a chance to prove/disprove

> herself and the TOD as well. As my husband, AVT therapist and I think

> and talk it out, this seems to be the best approaching knowing full well

> what we want the end result to be. Since the TOD is new, I hope she

> will indeed listen to our objectives. She has been insistent on a

> couple of aspects that we do not want to do at this time but can't seem

> to get her to understand why. She is not very familiar with CI's though

> and I think that makes a big difference. Anyway, thanks for the input.

> I know it will all work out, but the IEP is still something that makes

> me cringe! I know I have a long road ahead of me; I hope I adjust soon!

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

>

> From: [mailto: ] On Behalf

> Of mwhite@...

> Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:35 AM

>

> Subject: Re: IEP Goals already met

>

>

>

> ,

>

> My 4yo HOH (and soon to be cochlear implant recipient on July 27th)

> daughter is on an IEP and I am a school counselor so I have some

> experience with special education services. I been lurking here for

> sometime learning about cochlear implants, but was compelled to try to

> answer.

>

> At your IEP meeting you should have been given a handbook or guide

> outlining your rights as the parent of a special education student. You

> should refer to these as it will spell out (usually in very fine print)

> what rights and responsibilities you have in the IEP process. In my

> state,

> parents have the right to review all IEP goals before they sign off on

> the

> IEP. The goals are also to be covered in the initial IEP placement and

> parents are to have input. If one of the professionals writing goals can

> not be there, they must give you the goals a week in advance for you to

> look over and request changes.

>

> If I were you I would contact the TOD and request a meeting to review

> IEP

> goals. At the meeting, explain your concern about the goals and request

> that changes be made. Another option would be to allow the goals to

> remain

> on the IEP as is for a few months while your daughter gets comfortable

> and

> starts to show her skills. Then it wouldn't be just you telling the TOD

> what your daughter can do, the teacher could also attest to her skills.

> Then you could request an IEP review meeting to draft new goals. If you

> run into resistance, your guide should also contain contacts for your

> state of organizations who help advocate for special education students

> and their families.

>

> Hope that is of some help!

>

> W

>>

>>

>> Help! I need some advice!

>>

>> My daughter will start preschool in the fall attending two days a

> week.

>> We had our first IEP meeting where we were offered three different

>> " packages " for her. (Let me add that the entire IEP process

> completely

>> unnerves me. It just makes me a nervous wreck.) We chose to send her

>> to our parochial school that offers a special needs program. She will

>> receive services from the TOD for 30 minutes a week. This all sounded

>> wonderful in the meeting so we signed the dotted line and went on our

>> merry way. When we received the completed IEP form in the mail

> including

>> the TOD goals for Sophie, we were confused. All of the goals that

> this

>> teacher has for her are already accomplished now. We are concerned

> that

>> this TOD, who is the " professional " that the regular preschool teacher

>> will go to for help/advice, isn't challenging Sophie enough. She has

>> had very little experience with children with CI's and deals mostly

> with

>> children that are deaf and do not use amplification or CI's. She

> seems

>> to genuinely care about Sophie, but we get the impression that she

>> categorizes deaf children in a way that they can only do so much. I

>> can't prove this or give an exact example. It's just a strong feeling

> I

>> have from some of the things that were said in the meeting. I don't

>> want my daughter to be in a proverbial box. I want her to learn and

>> excel. She is a very intelligent little girl (we all think that about

>> our kids LOL!) and I expect great things from her. I expect her to be

>> on the honor roll if possible. If not, I still expect her to do the

>> very best she can and be as much like the other kids as possible.

> Since

>> the TOD is provided by the public school and we are sending her to

>> private school, I am hopeful that the administration at the private

>> school will collaborate with us and listen as we explain what her

> needs

>> are. We will meet with the private school before school starts and we

>> would like to invite our AVT therapist to attend as well. I need

> advice

>> on what to list as goals for Sophie and the TOD. A few of the items

>> listed which Sophie already does are: naming animals on a book page

>> with 3/5 accuracy, mimicking animal sounds, Social greetings,

>> cooperating and following along in a small group, and pretend play.

>> When Sophie was evaluated at the daycare, she of course didn't know

> the

>> person evaluating her and didn't give the best " performance " . The

>> evaluator painted a pretty bleak picture of what Sophie can/cannot do

>> and this is what the IEP was based on. Not only that, but with her CI

>> she is advancing by leaps and bounds. So I feel like the goals are

> too

>> basic and need to be " kicked up a notch " (thanks Emeril) but would

> like

>> advice from those of you who have already been there! Thanks in

> advance

>> for any advice. I truly appreciate everyone who has helped pave the

> way

>> for me and other parents of kiddos with CI's.

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>