Re: Today's IEP

[Guest guest]

is 13 years old, and I read on the list about things and programs

available now, that weren't available 10-13 years ago. I think it is wonderful

that we are seeing the development of new techniques, therapies, etc., that will

continue to benefit our kids in the future.

I think the reason this is happening is because of just what is happening

here on this list. Everybody is making choices for there children. Some

choices and programs have already been set in place, some are making new choices

and I think the reason for all of this is for all the mom's who went before us.

Raplph Waldo Emerson said it best " Do not go where the path may lead. Go

instead where no path is and leave a trail. " That is what all the others have

done before us so that we CAN make choices, and there will be many who will

continue to pick up the slack and blaze new paths because that is the choice

that is BEST for their child, thus another choice is created, and in the end we

benefit ALL children who will come after.

Loree

Re: Today's IEP

I think we all have to balance OUR dreams for our kids with what is

best for them. You are all lucky to have the choices you have these days,

altho

I'm sure some are better than others and have to be balanced out. These

things you have sound

great to me now. jessie

is 13 years old, and I read on the list about things and programs

available now, that weren't available 10-13 years ago. I think it is wonderful

that we are seeing the development of new techniques, therapies, etc., that will

continue to benefit our kids in the future.

Sharon H.

Mom to , (13, DS) and , (9)

South Carolina

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/8/2005 11:48:01 AM Eastern Standard Time,

writes:

Well, I am officially one of those parents who allowed testing to be done on

their child. Today, I got some pretty devestating news...Karrie was

consistent with the results in only one area...that she's cognitively and

developmentally at approx. 3 years 7 months old. We are in the process of

planning Karrie's 9th birthday party.

It is very hard being confronted with numbers. We live with our children and

know pretty much how delayed our child might be without actually hearing the

numbers. We haven't allowed quantitaive testing to be done on Sheila, because

(1) I didn't believe it would help in the decision making and (2) I couldn't

handle having the numbers shoved in my face and (3) I felt it would give the

district ammunition to move her out of district.

Sheila will turn 18 in 19 days (pretty hard for me to believe) and we are in

the process of filing for guardianship. It is not something that I hear many

parents doing on the two Ds lists I'm on, but why am I doing it?

In many ways Sheila acts more like a 7 year old than she does like a 17 year

old. She is unable to read because of (1) dyslexia and (2) peripheral

blindness (she can't track across a page). She does read a lot of individual

words.

She also has significant and complex medical problems that would be hard for her

to monitor.

Despite her delays and her medical concerns she has two young men quite

enamored with her and I discoverd last night that she is an amazing flirt. So,

she

has " scattered skills that are age appropriate " . LOL

The biggest problem with hearing that your own child is delayed ___ years, is

that we forget that those numbers don't really tell the whole picture.

You are not failing your child as long as you are meeting your child's needs

to the best of your ability. The better question to ask is not, " Am I doing

enough? " it really needs to be, " Is the district doing enough? "

nancy (mom of , Sheila-DS and Colleen)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/8/2005 11:48:01 AM Eastern Standard Time,

writes:

Well, I am officially one of those parents who allowed testing to be done on

their child. Today, I got some pretty devestating news...Karrie was

consistent with the results in only one area...that she's cognitively and

developmentally at approx. 3 years 7 months old. We are in the process of

planning Karrie's 9th birthday party.

It is very hard being confronted with numbers. We live with our children and

know pretty much how delayed our child might be without actually hearing the

numbers. We haven't allowed quantitaive testing to be done on Sheila, because

(1) I didn't believe it would help in the decision making and (2) I couldn't

handle having the numbers shoved in my face and (3) I felt it would give the

district ammunition to move her out of district.

Sheila will turn 18 in 19 days (pretty hard for me to believe) and we are in

the process of filing for guardianship. It is not something that I hear many

parents doing on the two Ds lists I'm on, but why am I doing it?

In many ways Sheila acts more like a 7 year old than she does like a 17 year

old. She is unable to read because of (1) dyslexia and (2) peripheral

blindness (she can't track across a page). She does read a lot of individual

words.

She also has significant and complex medical problems that would be hard for her

to monitor.

Despite her delays and her medical concerns she has two young men quite

enamored with her and I discoverd last night that she is an amazing flirt. So,

she

has " scattered skills that are age appropriate " . LOL

The biggest problem with hearing that your own child is delayed ___ years, is

that we forget that those numbers don't really tell the whole picture.

You are not failing your child as long as you are meeting your child's needs

to the best of your ability. The better question to ask is not, " Am I doing

enough? " it really needs to be, " Is the district doing enough? "

nancy (mom of , Sheila-DS and Colleen)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My son turns 18 in August. We start SSI in July for apts and paperwork. Then

we also talk to Lawyers about types of Guardianship. Many of my friends

have not taken any form of it others have taken all and some have pieces of it.

I don;t know enough yet to decide which we are doing.

Jean

[Guest guest]

Hi,

My son turns 18 in August. We start SSI in July for apts and paperwork. Then

we also talk to Lawyers about types of Guardianship. Many of my friends

have not taken any form of it others have taken all and some have pieces of it.

I don;t know enough yet to decide which we are doing.

Jean

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2005 5:46:12 PM Central Standard Time,

NEHolroyd@... writes:

Sheila will turn 18 in 19 days (pretty hard for me to believe) and we are in

the process of filing for guardianship. It is not something that I hear many

parents doing on the two Ds lists I'm on, but why am I doing it?

Hi

I too will look into this when Sara reaches the age of maturity

.......................... Shoot sometimes I feel like Im still my adult

children's

guardian

With Sara's health issues and other reasons, I feel (at least right now)

that this is best for all

Like I'll have to check the legalities

Kathy mom to Sara 13

¸...¸ ___/ /\ \___ ¸...¸

,·´º o`·, /__/ _/\_ \__\ ,·´º o`·,

```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | | | ```)¨(´´´

¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-.¸

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Josh. 24:15

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2005 5:46:12 PM Central Standard Time,

NEHolroyd@... writes:

Sheila will turn 18 in 19 days (pretty hard for me to believe) and we are in

the process of filing for guardianship. It is not something that I hear many

parents doing on the two Ds lists I'm on, but why am I doing it?

Hi

I too will look into this when Sara reaches the age of maturity

.......................... Shoot sometimes I feel like Im still my adult

children's

guardian

With Sara's health issues and other reasons, I feel (at least right now)

that this is best for all

Like I'll have to check the legalities

Kathy mom to Sara 13

¸...¸ ___/ /\ \___ ¸...¸

,·´º o`·, /__/ _/\_ \__\ ,·´º o`·,

```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | | | ```)¨(´´´

¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-.¸

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Josh. 24:15

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2005 5:46:12 PM Central Standard Time,

NEHolroyd@... writes:

You are not failing your child as long as you are meeting your child's needs

to the best of your ability. The better question to ask is not, " Am I doing

enough? " it really needs to be, " Is the district doing enough? "

HI Again

Forgot to add that the above statement is sooooooooooooooo true ........ in

MY area!!!!!

Kathy mom to Sara 13

¸...¸ ___/ /\ \___ ¸...¸

,·´º o`·, /__/ _/\_ \__\ ,·´º o`·,

```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | | | ```)¨(´´´

¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-.¸

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Josh. 24:15

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2005 5:46:12 PM Central Standard Time,

NEHolroyd@... writes:

You are not failing your child as long as you are meeting your child's needs

to the best of your ability. The better question to ask is not, " Am I doing

enough? " it really needs to be, " Is the district doing enough? "

HI Again

Forgot to add that the above statement is sooooooooooooooo true ........ in

MY area!!!!!

Kathy mom to Sara 13

¸...¸ ___/ /\ \___ ¸...¸

,·´º o`·, /__/ _/\_ \__\ ,·´º o`·,

```)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | | | ```)¨(´´´

¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-.¸

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Josh. 24:15

[Guest guest]

>

> Sheila will turn 18 in 19 days (pretty hard for me to believe) and we are

in

> the process of filing for guardianship. It is not something that I hear

many

> parents doing on the two Ds lists I'm on, but why am I doing it?

>

,

Parents are doing it - they just aren't sharing that with the list. I had

always hoped that could be his own guardian, but I highly doubt he

will be able to. I'll have to check and see what options are available at

the time and figure out what the legalities are. Also - remember that

you are an original internet parent pioneer..lol....so many of you have

children that are transitioning to adulthood now. Statistically, when that

doctor in Florida kept a database for all us AOLer's, only 2% had children

that were teenagers or older.

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.859 / Virus Database: 585 - Release Date: 2/14/2005

[Guest guest]

>

> Sheila will turn 18 in 19 days (pretty hard for me to believe) and we are

in

> the process of filing for guardianship. It is not something that I hear

many

> parents doing on the two Ds lists I'm on, but why am I doing it?

>

,

Parents are doing it - they just aren't sharing that with the list. I had

always hoped that could be his own guardian, but I highly doubt he

will be able to. I'll have to check and see what options are available at

the time and figure out what the legalities are. Also - remember that

you are an original internet parent pioneer..lol....so many of you have

children that are transitioning to adulthood now. Statistically, when that

doctor in Florida kept a database for all us AOLer's, only 2% had children

that were teenagers or older.

---

Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.

Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).

Version: 6.0.859 / Virus Database: 585 - Release Date: 2/14/2005

[Guest guest]

You are soooooo correct, Ann-marrie. Most schools do encourage their life

skills programs before talking inclusion. I still can't believe school

districts don't think parents will do their research and know that they must

start all children in the LRE and not vice-versa. They are blatently breaking

the law and how some schools get away with it is beyond my comprehension.

was one of the first students to be included in elementary school many

years ago. The decision back then was entirely up to me. I liked what I

observed in the life skills class on many occasions before entered school

and I knew the importance of keeping the preschool connections he had made at a

local preschool in our community that had attended for 2 years prior to

kindy. They were new at inclusion and not very good at it, but they got better

as we went. He had the best of both worlds.......a little life skills

(resource room is what it was called then) and inclusion. He still does.

Jackie, Mom to 17ds, 14, and Bradley 11

--------- Today's IEP

> >

> >

> >>

> >> Well, I am officially one of those parents who allowed testing to be done

> > on

> >> their child. Today, I got some pretty devestating news...Karrie was

> >> consistent with the results in only one area...that she's cognitively and

> >> developmentally at approx. 3 years 7 months old. We are in the process

> >> of

> >> planning Karrie's 9th birthday party.

> >>

> >> Karrie will be moved to a different school. I visited the new classroom

> >> today. Next year, Karrie will be one of 3 first through third graders in

> >> this class. It's a modified life skills (will the pain of just hearing it

> >> ever ease??). She has gotten so physically aggressive that this is the

> > only

> >> possible placement that I can see where she will get the help she needs.

> >>

> >> I writing this with tears streaming down my face. She started out as the

> >> first child with a disability included in her pre-school, then elementary

> >> school. Just this year, we have gone from fully included in a second

> >> grade

> >> classroom, to a cross-cat classroom to life skills. There will be intense

> >> behavior modification plus academics.

> >>

> >> So, yet another dream has died. What will happen to help me start healing

> >> over this betrayal I feel I am committing against my baby?

> >>

> >> Sue mom to Kate 15 and Karrie 8 w/ds and other issues

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

You are soooooo correct, Ann-marrie. Most schools do encourage their life

skills programs before talking inclusion. I still can't believe school

districts don't think parents will do their research and know that they must

start all children in the LRE and not vice-versa. They are blatently breaking

the law and how some schools get away with it is beyond my comprehension.

was one of the first students to be included in elementary school many

years ago. The decision back then was entirely up to me. I liked what I

observed in the life skills class on many occasions before entered school

and I knew the importance of keeping the preschool connections he had made at a

local preschool in our community that had attended for 2 years prior to

kindy. They were new at inclusion and not very good at it, but they got better

as we went. He had the best of both worlds.......a little life skills

(resource room is what it was called then) and inclusion. He still does.

Jackie, Mom to 17ds, 14, and Bradley 11

--------- Today's IEP

> >

> >

> >>

> >> Well, I am officially one of those parents who allowed testing to be done

> > on

> >> their child. Today, I got some pretty devestating news...Karrie was

> >> consistent with the results in only one area...that she's cognitively and

> >> developmentally at approx. 3 years 7 months old. We are in the process

> >> of

> >> planning Karrie's 9th birthday party.

> >>

> >> Karrie will be moved to a different school. I visited the new classroom

> >> today. Next year, Karrie will be one of 3 first through third graders in

> >> this class. It's a modified life skills (will the pain of just hearing it

> >> ever ease??). She has gotten so physically aggressive that this is the

> > only

> >> possible placement that I can see where she will get the help she needs.

> >>

> >> I writing this with tears streaming down my face. She started out as the

> >> first child with a disability included in her pre-school, then elementary

> >> school. Just this year, we have gone from fully included in a second

> >> grade

> >> classroom, to a cross-cat classroom to life skills. There will be intense

> >> behavior modification plus academics.

> >>

> >> So, yet another dream has died. What will happen to help me start healing

> >> over this betrayal I feel I am committing against my baby?

> >>

> >> Sue mom to Kate 15 and Karrie 8 w/ds and other issues

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

, what good advice! The " balance " is the key to success for our kids.

Jackie

-------------- Original message --------------

>

> Sue,

> similiar boat- years apart. I just switched amanda into an alternative

> assessment program for HS. I am feeling that same as you- that after years of

> true

> inclusion- collaborative team teaching and advocating inclusion, I am putting

> her in a class with 12 kids ranging in age from 14-19 and there will be her

> and her friend from middle school and one other 14 year old. They will travel

> to regular classrooms and get modified work- but just seeing the program,

> broke my heart.

>

> BUT- I did this for my daughter- she will be in a program that she will feel

> comfortable in, possibly get some friendships going and still be part of a

> regular high school. I trully believe its a good place for her- it may not be

> my

> dream, but I'm not inside her everyday feeling frustrated about the work and

> trying to fit in and constantly being " excluded' in full inclusion.

>

> Sue, we will cry over every decision we make for them- but in the long run,

> she might be happier, her behaviors might level off which in turn will make

you

> happier and then you can cry about something else- like we all do. You know

> you are doing the BEST for Karrie

> and if you dont try it- you will never know.

>

> I remember a few people from this list telling me to find the balance for

> amanda of inclusion. So in amanda's case, her school was full inclusion model

> and other areas are with people with disabilities- like camp, her saturday

> program, her theater group. Maybe in Karries situ, her socialization stuff can

> be

> more inclusive and then you will find that 'balance' that we all are seeking.

>

>

>

>

>

> Click reply to all for messages to go to the list. Just hit reply for messages

> to go to the sender of the message.

>

[Guest guest]

, what good advice! The " balance " is the key to success for our kids.

Jackie

-------------- Original message --------------

>

> Sue,

> similiar boat- years apart. I just switched amanda into an alternative

> assessment program for HS. I am feeling that same as you- that after years of

> true

> inclusion- collaborative team teaching and advocating inclusion, I am putting

> her in a class with 12 kids ranging in age from 14-19 and there will be her

> and her friend from middle school and one other 14 year old. They will travel

> to regular classrooms and get modified work- but just seeing the program,

> broke my heart.

>

> BUT- I did this for my daughter- she will be in a program that she will feel

> comfortable in, possibly get some friendships going and still be part of a

> regular high school. I trully believe its a good place for her- it may not be

> my

> dream, but I'm not inside her everyday feeling frustrated about the work and

> trying to fit in and constantly being " excluded' in full inclusion.

>

> Sue, we will cry over every decision we make for them- but in the long run,

> she might be happier, her behaviors might level off which in turn will make

you

> happier and then you can cry about something else- like we all do. You know

> you are doing the BEST for Karrie

> and if you dont try it- you will never know.

>

> I remember a few people from this list telling me to find the balance for

> amanda of inclusion. So in amanda's case, her school was full inclusion model

> and other areas are with people with disabilities- like camp, her saturday

> program, her theater group. Maybe in Karries situ, her socialization stuff can

> be

> more inclusive and then you will find that 'balance' that we all are seeking.

>

>

>

>

>

> Click reply to all for messages to go to the list. Just hit reply for messages

> to go to the sender of the message.

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2005 9:45:26 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

jbocci55@... writes:

I still can't believe school districts don't think parents will do their

research and know that they must start all children in the LRE and not

vice-versa. They are blatently breaking the law and how some schools get away

with it

is beyond my comprehension.

They get away with it because unfortunately, from what my school's OT told

me, most parents don't even bother to show up for the IEP meeting. She said

approximately 20% of parents with children with special needs show up. The

rest leave the IEP's to the " professional's and just sign the paperwork. Sad

isn't it.

Loree

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/9/2005 9:45:26 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

jbocci55@... writes:

I still can't believe school districts don't think parents will do their

research and know that they must start all children in the LRE and not

vice-versa. They are blatently breaking the law and how some schools get away

with it

is beyond my comprehension.

They get away with it because unfortunately, from what my school's OT told

me, most parents don't even bother to show up for the IEP meeting. She said

approximately 20% of parents with children with special needs show up. The

rest leave the IEP's to the " professional's and just sign the paperwork. Sad

isn't it.

Loree

[Guest guest]

So, yet another dream has died. What will happen to help me start healing

over this betrayal I feel I am committing against my baby?

Sue mom to Kate 15 and Karrie 8 w/ds and other issues

[Guest guest]

So, yet another dream has died. What will happen to help me start healing

over this betrayal I feel I am committing against my baby?

Sue mom to Kate 15 and Karrie 8 w/ds and other issues