Re: Moving & IEP's

[Guest guest]

> Hi Everyone!

> I'm still alive and kicking, but feel like I've been through the

wringer with

> all the move plans etc. Most of the houses we found were really bad

and very

> expensive. However, we lucked out and have an address in San Diego

(not an

> easy feat) and when I called up the special ed dept., they said

what would

> happen is he would get placed in a classroom that was near us that

would fit his

> needs initially. Then, they would have an IEP meeting to determine

the

> permanent placement. I have been requested to send down his

current IEP and latest

> assessments so they can see where to place him on a temporary

basis.

>

> I really don't like this approach at all. My gut feeling is to

visit all the

> possible classrooms (2 or 3) before the IEP and wait to place him

until we

> can do so on a permanent basis. All he needs is more change. I'm

surprised

> that they approach it this way. Anyone have thoughts about this?

I have a fax

> ready to go requesting to visit possible classrooms and for the IEP

meeting. I

> also said that I didn't want to place him til after the IEP so that

the

> classroom placement was more permanent. I just don't want to shoot

myself in the

> foot by waiting.

>

> I am very behind in emails, so I hope all is well and will

hopefully catch up

> soon:)

> Thanks,

> Johanna

Hi Johanna,

I can certainly understand your concern. It seems like there is

enough disruption and change already. The only reason I can see that

they do it this way is to get him into a class right away and not

cause a break in the education until the IEP meeting. But the stress

of the added change can not be good for an aspie.

Beyond that, since I've never moved with my kids, I don't have any

good advice for you. just sending support and sympathy your way.

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone!

I'm still alive and kicking,

********GLAD TO HEAR IT!!!!!!!!!

but feel like I've been through the wringer with

all the move plans etc

********I FEEL FOR YOU - IT MUST BE TOUGH!

..

Most of the houses we found were really bad and very

expensive. However, we lucked out and have an address in San Diego (not an

easy feat) and when I called up the special ed dept., they said what would

happen is he would get placed in a classroom that was near us that would fit

his

needs initially. Then, they would have an IEP meeting to determine the

permanent placement. I have been requested to send down his current IEP and

latest

assessments so they can see where to place him on a temporary basis.

*******SEEMS TO ME - IF YOU REQUEST AN IEP MEETING IMMEDIATELY -

THEY HAVE 20 DAYS IN NJ - 30 IN OTHER STATES - TO HAVE THE MEETING -

CAN YOU WRITE THE LETTER NOW OR DO YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE

ACTUALLY IN THE DISTRICT??

I really don't like this approach at all. My gut feeling is to visit all the

possible classrooms (2 or 3) before the IEP and wait to place him until we

can do so on a permanent basis. All he needs is more change. I'm surprised

that they approach it this way. Anyone have thoughts about this?

*******I THINK YOU KNOW HIM BEST AND YOU SHOULD FOLLOW YOUR

GUT INSTINCTS. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE TRIED TO LET THEM

HANDLE THINGS AND THEN WATCH THE WHOLE THING GO UP IN SMOKE

JUST BECAUSE THEY ACTED LIKE THEY KNEW MORE BECAUSE THEY

WERE " PROFESSIONALS " AND WE BELIEVED IT? TOO MANY TIMES!!

I have a fax

ready to go requesting to visit possible classrooms and for the IEP meeting.

I

also said that I didn't want to place him til after the IEP so that the

classroom placement was more permanent. I just don't want to shoot myself in

the

foot by waiting.

I am very behind in emails, so I hope all is well and will hopefully catch

up

soon:)

Thanks,

Johanna

******SENDING GOOD THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS YOUR WAY

STAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!

TAKE CARE

DAWN

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Dawn!

They have 30 days to have the IEP meeting and I'm faxing my request today

along with the current IEP and assessments. Either they hold to the current IEP

or I get an advocate. I think all of this is just the red tape dance they

have to go through.

Someone just emailed me that they had a good teacher in that neighborhood, so

it may all work out great.

Take care....

Johanna

[Guest guest]

--- Hi Johanna, I can definately feel for you during all of this

moving stuff, but you will get trought it :-)

I am so behind on emails and haven't had the time to read much no

less respond to anyone but have tried to read some when I can and

have gained a lot of knowledge from this group even though I would

have to categorize myself as a " lurker. "

I wanted to be sure to respond here though because I wish I had

known more about what would happen as far as IEP stuff before we

moved. As you probably recall we moved from North Dakota to

Washington State in June. (my 5 year old aspie) started

school Monday wiht no IEP in place!! The reason being as I found

out later than I would like is that there is no law that any school

district has to accept an IEP from another state. We have met once

and I have even contacted mediation as things are not going really

well only to find out that they are wihtin their rights to

completely start the proces over and throw the old IEP out. WHat is

going ot happen wiht us is they are going to allow the old IEP to be

aproved for a maximum of 30 days (from the time of the next meeting,

hopefully next week but they are having trouble getting the team

together.) Then during that time they are going to ask for new

assessments and write a new IEP that will go into affect within 30

days. is now in regular pre-school wihtout support and that

placement will remain even after his IEP is complete as their are no

alternatives in the area. What I am hoping is that we are able to

add his Social Skills Training, OT, PT, brushing, special sensory

accomidations etc. to his regular classroom stuff and come up wiht a

good IEP that is VERY similar to his old one. I am sorry that your

little guy is going to have to deal wiht so much change but

hopefully if you can be prepared fr what you are going to be facing

it will be esier for hi too. Let me know if there is anything I can

add to help you understand how it seems the IDEA is written for

moving to another state. I am leatning as I go but have spet A LOT

of time studying and learning about this whole " special education

maze " to use another author's terminoligy. I am hoping we are

beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel here.

Talk to you soon and good luck!!

Kellogg

tkellogg@...

http://tkellogg.themomteam.com

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thankfully we are moving in state, but still a lot of new stuff to discover.

I talked with his current teacher and she said that what CA does is place

them using the current IEP and then hold another IEP meeting to evaluate how he

is doing in current classroom and if he needs to be moved. She did say I can

request to see the class ahead of the temporary placement just to be sure he

isn't put in with low functioning kids or kids that aren't talking much. So,

now I'm going to visit his current class to see if I can get something similar.

Also, it sounds like he has been crying in class and so I want to see how

they handle it etc. The current teacher is highly recommended from several

people so I'm sure she is handling it well.

I just connected with another mom via the Internet that lives in the

area.....I love the Internet. This group is my saving grace and I'm looking

forward

to things settling down and being able to " read " more emails.

I hope your IEP and placement happen soon. I think if they try to change his

IEP I'll just hire an advocate and stop it before it goes too far. I hope

your mediation goes smoothly and you get all the services you need. If not, I'd

try to get a hold of an advocate to help them move themselves along

Take care,

Johanna

In a message dated 9/17/2003 10:04:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

tkellogg@... writes:

> --- Hi Johanna, I can definitely feel for you during all of this

> moving stuff, but you will get trought it :-)

>

> I am so behind on emails and haven't had the time to read much no

> less respond to anyone but have tried to read some when I can and

> have gained a lot of knowledge from this group even though I would

> have to categorize myself as a " lurker. "

>

> I wanted to be sure to respond here though because I wish I had

> known more about what would happen as far as IEP stuff before we

> moved. As you probably recall we moved from North Dakota to

> Washington State in June. (my 5 year old aspie) started

> school Monday wiht no IEP in place!! The reason being as I found

> out later than I would like is that there is no law that any school

> district has to accept an IEP from another state. We have met once

> and I have even contacted mediation as things are not going really

> well only to find out that they are wihtin their rights to

> completely start the proces over and throw the old IEP out. WHat is

> going ot happen wiht us is they are going to allow the old IEP to be

> aproved for a maximum of 30 days (from the time of the next meeting,

> hopefully next week but they are having trouble getting the team

> together.) Then during that time they are going to ask for new

> assessments and write a new IEP that will go into affect within 30

> days. is now in regular pre-school wihtout support and that

> placement will remain even after his IEP is complete as their are no

> alternatives in the area. What I am hoping is that we are able to

> add his Social Skills Training, OT, PT, brushing, special sensory

> accomidations etc. to his regular classroom stuff and come up wiht a

> good IEP that is VERY similar to his old one. I am sorry that your

> little guy is going to have to deal wiht so much change but

> hopefully if you can be prepared fr what you are going to be facing

> it will be esier for hi too. Let me know if there is anything I can

> add to help you understand how it seems the IDEA is written for

> moving to another state. I am leatning as I go but have spet A LOT

> of time studying and learning about this whole " special education

> maze " to use another author's terminoligy. I am hoping we are

> beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel here.

> Talk to you soon and good luck!!

> Kellogg

>

> tkellogg@...

> http://tkellogg.themomteam.com

>

[Guest guest]

I really don't like this approach at all. My gut feeling is to visit

all the

> possible classrooms (2 or 3) before the IEP and wait to place him

until we

> can do so on a permanent basis. All he needs is more change. I'm

surprised

> that they approach it this way. Anyone have thoughts about this?

I have a fax

> ready to go requesting to visit possible classrooms and for the IEP

meeting. I

> also said that I didn't want to place him til after the IEP so that

the

> classroom placement was more permanent. I just don't want to shoot

myself in the

> foot by waiting.

>

> I am very behind in emails, so I hope all is well and will

hopefully catch up

> soon:)

> Thanks,

> Johanna

Hi Johanna! ITA with you and your thoughts. You should definitely

visit the various schools prior to sticking him in a placement. You

can request to have the IEP first if you want. Remember, just

because they " always do it this way " doesn't mean you have to do it

that way with your child. Just keep smiling and tell them this time

will have to be different. Tell them you want to put the " I " in

IEP! lol

Roxanna

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/17/2003 6:35:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

kneeleee@... writes:

> Tell them you want to put the " I " in

> IEP! lol

>

> Roxanna

>

Thanks, Roxanna! One thing about moving to a new place is you can act like

you had no idea they would have a problem with what you are asking. Also,

being that its so big, hiring an advocate is probably a normal thing and not a

big

deal. I have requested to visit the classrooms and also heard that the

school closest to us has 2 very good teachers.....that is half the battle!

Johanna

[Guest guest]

Oh that's right Johanna, I had forgotten you currently live in CA.

I am sure you will have a bit of an easier time then. THanks for

the words of encouragement on our process too :-)

tkellogg@...

http://tkellogg.themomteam.com

[Guest guest]

Johanna,

Which school is that? Is it by any chance the School? Just curious...

Liz

sjparvin@... wrote:

> Thanks, Roxanna! One thing about moving to a new place is you can act like

> you had no idea they would have a problem with what you are asking. Also,

> being that its so big, hiring an advocate is probably a normal thing and not a

big

> deal. I have requested to visit the classrooms and also heard that the

> school closest to us has 2 very good teachers.....that is half the battle!

> Johanna

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/18/2003 3:46:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time, lbohn@...

writes:

> Johanna,

> Which school is that? Is it by any chance the School? Just curious...

> Liz

>

>

Actually, its kson Elementary....I guess they have a special ed preschool

class there....we shall see. Any good reports come from that area?

Johanna, soon to be a San Diegean

[Guest guest]

I don't know that one, but then I don't know most of the preschools! I only know

the one at School because a friend's son went to the preschool

there, and the preschool mainstreamed with the special ed preschool on occasion.

So that's the only reason I know it even exists!

You've got the right idea, planning to observe as many programs as possible,

then deciding where to place him. Nothing substitutes for good old

fashioned observation.

Liz

sjparvin@... wrote:

> In a message dated 9/18/2003 3:46:50 PM Pacific Daylight Time, lbohn@...

> writes:

>

> > Johanna,

> > Which school is that? Is it by any chance the School? Just curious...

> > Liz

> >

> >

>

> Actually, its kson Elementary....I guess they have a special ed preschool

> class there....we shall see. Any good reports come from that area?

> Johanna, soon to be a San Diegean

>

>

[Guest guest]

Johanna, I know you have alot going on. I'm praying the move is not

to stressful and that school goes ok. Take Care, a