Re: IEP and labeling / Kim

[Guest guest]

I think you want that question directed to . Thanks. Kim

In a message dated 5/1/2007 8:13:34 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

imogeneyassi@... writes:

Kim, who are you going to for neuropsyc testing in boston? We live there and

I was just wondering who someone recommended as a good tester. Imogene

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/1/2007 9:40:37 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

imogeneyassi@... writes:

, what was your rationale for going ahead with the label. It seems so

wrong, because she is not severely emotionally disturbed. And labels can

stick and prejudice people against her. Why did the lawyer say to go ahead?

Makes no sense to me.

Imogene....

I have to agree. Although, I must admit I haven't been through the same

with the schools myself. I just feel that it's so much harder to get something

reversed once a decision is made. I would also be interested in what your

lawyer's thinking was with this. He may have his reasons.

It's hard enough to get school admin to go along with what you want (God

forbid a parent ever 'know more' than they do!) but it's even harder to convince

them to go back on something already done. There have been parents who have

fought long & hard to avoid that classification for their child. I hope

your lawyer has a plan in mind.

LT

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Kim, who are you going to for neuropsyc testing in boston? We live there and I

was just wondering who someone recommended as a good tester. Imogene

IEP and labeling

Hi . My daughter is currently diagnosed Bipolar disorder NOS and

anxiety disorder NOS. We are currently having her evaluated for an IEP. I

asked about the EBD and OHD categories to the director of special ed in my

district just yesterday based on a concern of her psychiatrist. He did not

want her to end up being put with a group of kids with behavioral problems.

I thought I would share her response with you. I don't know if it will help

you, but here it goes:

Kim, I think doctors sometime have an old view of EBD. No, we would not put

with a group of kids with behaviors disorders. Looking at the EBD

criteria allows us to determine what emotional issues are affecting her in

school. The OHD label really was created for children with significant

health problems--it has morphed into a catch-all category now with kids

with ADHD and mental health issues being served. I urge you to allow the

team to gather the information about 's emotional status.

Programming and placement in special education are individualized for the

child and must be approved by you. Don't get caught up in the label

discussion, just make sure that you are comfortable with the services being

proposed. I am not trying to ignore the doctor, but I don't make

recommendations to the medical community as to how they should treat

children and I would appreciate the same respect from them. They are not

educators and do not know the system.

As for dropping classes... If you have a doctor's note, can go ahead

and withdraw without penalty.

Sincerely,

Renae

I don't know if that helps you any, but it is the response I got. I have

decided to let her be evaluated for EBD, Here is the response when I said I

would agree to it.

Thanks for being open to my suggestions. I assure you that you will have

the final approval of the IEP plan. You are welcome to review it with your

psychiatrist if you like.

Renae

I hope you are having success getting Elise the help she needs. Good luck.

Kim

_____

See what's free at AOL.com <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000503> .

[Guest guest]

right, , who are you going to for neuropsyc testing in boston? We live

there and

I was just wondering who someone recommended as a good tester. Imogene

Re: IEP and labeling / Kim

I think you want that question directed to . Thanks. Kim

In a message dated 5/1/2007 8:13:34 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

imogeneyassi@... writes:

Kim,

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

<<<< My husband and I just decided to go ahead with the label Severely

Emotional

Disturbed (with an addendum stating that we are opposed) after talking with

a lawyer from the NH Disabilities Rights Center today.>>>>

, what was your rationale for going ahead with the label. It seems so

wrong, because she is not severely emotionally disturbed. And labels can stick

and prejudice people against her. Why did the lawyer say to go ahead? Makes no

sense to me. Imogene

IEP and labeling

Hi . My daughter is currently diagnosed Bipolar disorder NOS and

anxiety disorder NOS. We are currently having her evaluated for an IEP. I

asked about the EBD and OHD categories to the director of special ed in my

district just yesterday based on a concern of her psychiatrist. He did not

want her to end up being put with a group of kids with behavioral problems.

I thought I would share her response with you. I don't know if it will help

you, but here it goes:

Kim, I think doctors sometime have an old view of EBD. No, we would not put

with a group of kids with behaviors disorders. Looking at the EBD

criteria allows us to determine what emotional issues are affecting her in

school. The OHD label really was created for children with significant

health problems--it has morphed into a catch-all category now with kids

with ADHD and mental health issues being served. I urge you to allow the

team to gather the information about 's emotional status.

Programming and placement in special education are individualized for the

child and must be approved by you. Don't get caught up in the label

discussion, just make sure that you are comfortable with the services being

proposed. I am not trying to ignore the doctor, but I don't make

recommendations to the medical community as to how they should treat

children and I would appreciate the same respect from them. They are not

educators and do not know the system.

As for dropping classes... If you have a doctor's note, can go ahead

and withdraw without penalty.

Sincerely,

Renae

I don't know if that helps you any, but it is the response I got. I have

decided to let her be evaluated for EBD, Here is the response when I said I

would agree to it.

Thanks for being open to my suggestions. I assure you that you will have

the final approval of the IEP plan. You are welcome to review it with your

psychiatrist if you like.

Renae

I hope you are having success getting Elise the help she needs. Good luck.

Kim

_____

See what's free at AOL.com <http://www.aol.com?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000503> .

[Guest guest]

Hello to Everyone who replied,

I value everyone's input, so please let me know if you have any ideas for me

after reading this. Even if it's a criticism, it might send me in a new

direction that I haven't considered yet.

Also, the director of Special Ed has not come back to me with a final

answer. Maybe after talking with her colleagues (in her words she said she

was going to send out some feelers to see what others thought), she'll give

me the label I've asked for. Then all this contemplation has been for

nothing.

This is what " Serious Emotional Disturbance " means according to New

Hampshire standards for the education of students with disabilities.

1. a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics

over a long period of time to a marked degree, which adversely affects

educational performance:

a. An inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual,

sensory, or health factors;

b. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal

relationships with peers or teachers;

c. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal

circumstances;

d. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or

e. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with

personal or school problems.

This is the definition of " Other Health Impaired " .

Limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or acute health

problems such as a heart condition, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever,

nephritis, asthma, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, epilepsy, lead poising,

leukemia, or diabetes, which adversely affects a student's education

performance.

I can't dispute that my daughter fits all the criteria for SED (although I

have). I was told by the lawyer that this really is the best way to ensure

Elise gets everything I feel is best for her to succeed in school now and in

the future. She went on to say that if I took it further, as is my right,

and the school chose to draw a line in the sand, the next step is a hearing

with an independent evaluator making the decision as to what the label would

be. When I look at Elise objectively I know without a doubt that this person

would come back with SED. She also told me that it's not so much the label

(as that is kept very confidential) but the actual diagnoses and treatments

that she would carry with her beyond high school. Also, I have been told by

the Special Ed teacher (off the record) that the sky is the limit as far as

resources when a child is labeled SED.

So, this is our reality. She is not someone who fits neatly into the OCD,

Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Autism spectrum, Bipolar, or Non Verbal

Learning. Yet all have been put on the table by various school team members

(all whom I respect). She is complicated and becomes increasingly more so.

For her to make it at school we need to move forward with the outside

testing we've been granted by the school. I just can't justify wasting

another year fighting over this issue - the process is already so slow.

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of jtlt@...

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 10:11 AM

Subject: Re: IEP and labeling / Kim

In a message dated 5/1/2007 9:40:37 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

imogeneyassi@ <mailto:imogeneyassi%40aol.com> aol.com writes:

, what was your rationale for going ahead with the label. It seems so

wrong, because she is not severely emotionally disturbed. And labels can

stick and prejudice people against her. Why did the lawyer say to go ahead?

Makes no sense to me.

Imogene....

I have to agree. Although, I must admit I haven't been through the same

with the schools myself. I just feel that it's so much harder to get

something

reversed once a decision is made. I would also be interested in what your

lawyer's thinking was with this. He may have his reasons.

It's hard enough to get school admin to go along with what you want (God

forbid a parent ever 'know more' than they do!) but it's even harder to

convince

them to go back on something already done. There have been parents who have

fought long & hard to avoid that classification for their child. I hope

your lawyer has a plan in mind.

LT

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.

<http://www.aol.com.> com.

[Guest guest]

Hello to Everyone who replied,

I value everyone's input, so please let me know if you have any ideas for me

after reading this. Even if it's a criticism, it might send me in a new

direction that I haven't considered yet.

Also, the director of Special Ed has not come back to me with a final

answer. Maybe after talking with her colleagues (in her words she said she

was going to send out some feelers to see what others thought), she'll give

me the label I've asked for. Then all this contemplation has been for

nothing.

This is what " Serious Emotional Disturbance " means according to New

Hampshire standards for the education of students with disabilities.

1. a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics

over a long period of time to a marked degree, which adversely affects

educational performance:

a. An inability to learn which cannot be explained by intellectual,

sensory, or health factors;

b. An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal

relationships with peers or teachers;

c. Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal

circumstances;

d. A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or

e. A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with

personal or school problems.

This is the definition of " Other Health Impaired " .

Limited strength, vitality, or alertness due to chronic or acute health

problems such as a heart condition, tuberculosis, rheumatic fever,

nephritis, asthma, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, epilepsy, lead poising,

leukemia, or diabetes, which adversely affects a student's education

performance.

I can't dispute that my daughter fits all the criteria for SED (although I

have). I was told by the lawyer that this really is the best way to ensure

Elise gets everything I feel is best for her to succeed in school now and in

the future. She went on to say that if I took it further, as is my right,

and the school chose to draw a line in the sand, the next step is a hearing

with an independent evaluator making the decision as to what the label would

be. When I look at Elise objectively I know without a doubt that this person

would come back with SED. She also told me that it's not so much the label

(as that is kept very confidential) but the actual diagnoses and treatments

that she would carry with her beyond high school. Also, I have been told by

the Special Ed teacher (off the record) that the sky is the limit as far as

resources when a child is labeled SED.

So, this is our reality. She is not someone who fits neatly into the OCD,

Sensory Integration Dysfunction, Autism spectrum, Bipolar, or Non Verbal

Learning. Yet all have been put on the table by various school team members

(all whom I respect). She is complicated and becomes increasingly more so.

For her to make it at school we need to move forward with the outside

testing we've been granted by the school. I just can't justify wasting

another year fighting over this issue - the process is already so slow.

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of jtlt@...

Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 10:11 AM

Subject: Re: IEP and labeling / Kim

In a message dated 5/1/2007 9:40:37 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

imogeneyassi@ <mailto:imogeneyassi%40aol.com> aol.com writes:

, what was your rationale for going ahead with the label. It seems so

wrong, because she is not severely emotionally disturbed. And labels can

stick and prejudice people against her. Why did the lawyer say to go ahead?

Makes no sense to me.

Imogene....

I have to agree. Although, I must admit I haven't been through the same

with the schools myself. I just feel that it's so much harder to get

something

reversed once a decision is made. I would also be interested in what your

lawyer's thinking was with this. He may have his reasons.

It's hard enough to get school admin to go along with what you want (God

forbid a parent ever 'know more' than they do!) but it's even harder to

convince

them to go back on something already done. There have been parents who have

fought long & hard to avoid that classification for their child. I hope

your lawyer has a plan in mind.

LT

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.

<http://www.aol.com.> com.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/1/2007 10:10:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

hlballard@... writes:

I value everyone's input, so please let me know if you have any ideas for me

after reading this. Even if it's a criticism, it might send me in a new

direction that I haven't considered yet.

Please don't ever feel that any responses offered on the board are

criticisms - people will offer up what their personal experience was with

situations,

their personal opinion based on those experiences or pass along information

they've come across whether they can verify it works or not.... many times

these opinions are not in agreement with what everyone says, does, thinks or

feels. But then, that's how we all learn. One thing doesn't always work for

everyone. You might find 2 kids who experience adverse reactions to one

method & one who thrives with it. There a vast amount of knowledge & personal

experience through trial & error on this board - it's a great resource!!

To get on with what you were asking in your post, I read through the

descriptions of each " label " . Here's a question for others on the board -

hasn't

there just been something recently (last few years) that has been added about

not all mental disabilities being lumped in the same category (for things such

as OCD)? I'm trying to recall conversations on the board before about these

subjects..... I seem to remember there being some posts on this.

- the very first item on the list for SED: " An inability to learn

which cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors; " Your

child's difficulties CAN be explained by other health factors - she has OCD.

I know there are folks on the board who have a lot more information &

experience with this type of thing, I hope they have some input for you. Good

luck with this.

LT

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.