Re: Leah's big IEP coming up

[Guest guest]

and ,

We just completed Wyatt's evaluation for Kindergarten in November.

Like you we met with many specialists prior to the meeting and then

again at the meeting. One thing that the group had said that seemed

to have really helped them and us set an IEP that would work for all

of us was that we were very consistent in our expectations of what

Wyatt could do and what the school could offer. and I spent a

long time discussing what it was that we want for Wyatt and for our

family. We realize Wyatt is not going to be a rocket scientist,

heck he is not even going to be able to do basic math so we decided

we did not want to focus on anything that you would traditionally

learn in a school setting. We looked at what we value as a family-

enjoying the outdoors is a big one for us. So one of the goals is

that Wyatt learn how to use a motorized wheelchair so that he can

have a sense of independence and can explore outside on his own a

little. Our 2nd goal was that he be able to distinguish between a

yes switch and a no switch so that if we ask him a question he can

respond yes or no. Our third and last goal was that Wyatt not be

mainstreamed, but that he is in a class of mixed ability disabled

kids. Wyatt is very social and he would become easily bored if no

one was running around him. Everyone on the team agreed with our

goals. They were clear, realistic, appropriate for Wyatt's ability,

and something that is attainable. Everyone we met with and every

form we filled out we said the same thing. I personally believe

that that is the key to having a good working IEP- realistic, clear,

attainable and just a few goals. I am also a high school teacher

and one thing that really stresses me is when I receive someones IEP

and they have 20 things listed and I am suppose to be responsible

for 10-15 of them and the student is responsible for 5, i.e. I have

to give them extended time instead of the student coming to me and

saying I need extended time. I know from a parents viewpoint it

seems like no big deal but from a teachers it is. In a mainstream

class there could be 25-35 students. It is tough to keep track of

all of the kids, especially high school I have 175 kids each

trimester.

This is getting long and I don't know if it is helping, but one last

thing. Coming again from a teacher/schools viewpoint they are also

going to be thinking about liability issues. I would love for

someone to take Wyatt up and down the slide however Wyatt is 30+

pounds. You really need a staff member that knows proper lifting

techniques, that is in good shape, and most likely young. The

district is not going to want to have to put someone on disability

pay because of an injury from doing extra lifting and carrying. It

is too expensive for the district to do. I hope this helps some.

Good luck.

Geri-Anne and Wyatt, complex I

> Hi all:

>

> I know we've addressed this in the past; but....Leah is having her

three

> year IEP coming up on Thursday morning, January 15th. All her

> therapists, the special ed school supervisor, a regular

kindergarden

> teacher, our case worker, her special ed preschool teachers. Big

group

> of people and then there's and Me. So the big question is

what

> should and I be aware of to prepare ourselves for this

meeting.

> She is being placed in kindergarden next school year so I want all

the

> i's dotted and t's crossed. So to say. I will be addressing the

issue

> of playground, heat issues with that. But I want an aide to be

able to

> carry her out of her kidkart and slide down a slide with her. We

just

> got done building an accessible playground here in Appleton

because none

> of the schools have equipment for kids with disabilities (well

except

> the oversized chair with no straps) and Leah loves to play and I

don't

> expect her play is to just be pushed in her kidkart especially

when she

> sees the slide and will point to go and play. Anyway you pros out

there

> guide me in the right direction. Trying to get all my thoughts,

> questions together so we can present Leah's issues well and about

mito

> and our concerns. Leah has made many neat gains this year which is

> great; but I don't want them to forget what mito is and how it

affects

> her and what may happen down the road; right now she is not

regressing

> and her disease has not progressed (which we are extremely happy

about)

> but I know an illness can change that. We do have a person here

in town

> that can come and be an advocate for us as a parent and charges

whatever

> we can give afford to give her or donate to a charity in her name.

> Would it be wise to see if she can make it to the meeting to have

her

> come along? Well enough said. Will wait and see what you all

come up

> with for questions for us to think about and advice. I, or I

should say

> we thank you in advance for all your wise words.

>

> Nerenhausen

> mom to Leah