First Ever IEP Meeting On Oct 5th

[Guest guest]

Okay so we have the official AS diagnosis and the school has done their testing

and we have

the big mysterious " meeting " on October 5th. Everyone in my town whom I am

speaking w/is

telling me how tough it's going to be and that they don't want to give, etc. I

am coming from

basically limited knowledge on the AS subject as I just heard of AS for the

first time in June,

when my husband showed me an article. Any pointers on how to deal w/the big bad

board at

the meeting? Any regrets about your meeting what you wished you had or had NOT

said or

done? Any advice will be helpful as my husband and I will be studying up for

this from now

until then. What helps is the diagnosing psychologist is going to be there w/us

for a half hour

of it. Thanks in advance for your input.

Mom to 7 (2nd grade) in Massachusetts

[Guest guest]

Just remember....There Is No Delete Button On Your Lips. But keep

asking questions.

Take notes. Record the meeting. You will think of many things

after the meeting

is over. Summarize in a letter and KEEP asking questions. Did I

mention that you

should keep asking questions?

Jackie

On Sep 25, 2006, at 8:38 AM, wrote:

> Okay so we have the official AS diagnosis and the school has done

> their testing and we have

> the big mysterious " meeting " on October 5th.

[Guest guest]

OUr son is 12 and I have been attending meetings for a LONG time.

First our ds had a Section 504 plan <which was a joke> and

eventually we got him an IEP. We struggled to get services for our

son for many years. Then this past summer we got the AS dx and

things with the school system has improved greatly. Last year our

son was failing everything and ended up on medical homebound the

last few months. We have already had 2 IEP mtgs this year with

another one October 3rd. Here in SC autism services have made alot

of recommendations to teachers and helped facilitate writing a new

IEP for this year. I can't say it wasn't stressful, but we also had

a parent advocate go with us to the meetings.

If you have suggestions make sure your requests are put in writing

at the meeting. Someone always takes notes for the meeting and you

need to be sure your requests for services, concerns, etc. are

written in the notes for each and every meeting. If it isn't written

down....it didn't happen. Good luck with your first meeting! Get a

binder to put all your notes and copies of meeting minutes, copies

of the IEP, and any other important information in for quick access.

Make an agenda of the topics you want to discuss at the meeting too!

EX. asking for OT services, social skills training, shadow support,

extra books to have at home, anything you think will help your son.

Just remember that you are your child's EXPERT. You know more than

anyone else and your input at these meetings is VERY important. I'm

sure you will get alot of advise here and there are tons of websites

out there with suggestions as well. It gets easier.....

Hugs,

>

> > Okay so we have the official AS diagnosis and the school has

done

> > their testing and we have

> > the big mysterious " meeting " on October 5th.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , just read your post. Here are a few things I know that

I need to do at my next IEP meeting.

Ask what kind of in-service training the teacher/aide has had

specifically on Aspergers. Get it written into the IEP that they

have training by a specific date.

Ask who specifically is in charge of making sure your child receives

the services outined in the IEP and that the IEP is being followed.

Ask " which one of you is my main contact, etc. "

If your child has not had a Sensory Survey done, ask for one.

If you're needing Occupational Therapy (OT) services, carefully read

the IEP to see if your child is receiving DIRECT OT services from

the OT. I made this mistake.....my son's IEP actually says he

receives a " CONSULT " which means the OT gives the teacher " ideas "

on things to do in the classroom. I'm finding that none of the

suggestions are being implemented. Get it in writing in the IEP.

These are just a few that I'm realizing I need to ask for. FYI, my

son is 5, he started Kindergarten in mid-August. We're still trying

to get things figured out, he's struggling in school. Very

smart/high IQ, but trouble sitting still, staying on task, following

instructions, etc. I find that very few teachers understand AS.

They think he has a behavior problem.....we're waiting for a

behavior specialist to do some observation and give more feedback.

Hope this helps, email anytime if you want. Thanks, Gaye (this

Group has been helpful to me. We only got a diagnosis in Feb.

I've known since he was 3 there was an issue)

>

> Okay so we have the official AS diagnosis and the school has done

their testing and we have

> the big mysterious " meeting " on October 5th. Everyone in my town

whom I am speaking w/is

> telling me how tough it's going to be and that they don't want to

give, etc. I am coming from

> basically limited knowledge on the AS subject as I just heard of

AS for the first time in June,

> when my husband showed me an article. Any pointers on how to deal

w/the big bad board at

> the meeting? Any regrets about your meeting what you wished you

had or had NOT said or

> done? Any advice will be helpful as my husband and I will be

studying up for this from now

> until then. What helps is the diagnosing psychologist is going to

be there w/us for a half hour

> of it. Thanks in advance for your input.

>

> Mom to 7 (2nd grade) in Massachusetts

>

[Guest guest]

And don't sign anything that day!

-- Re: ( ) First Ever IEP Meeting On Oct 5th

Just remember....There Is No Delete Button On Your Lips. But keep

asking questions.

Take notes. Record the meeting. You will think of many things

after the meeting

is over. Summarize in a letter and KEEP asking questions. Did I

mention that you

should keep asking questions?

Jackie

On Sep 25, 2006, at 8:38 AM, wrote:

> Okay so we have the official AS diagnosis and the school has done

> their testing and we have

> the big mysterious " meeting " on October 5th.

[Guest guest]

hello hello.

I can say, go in with a positive attitude, not ready to fight, but

ready to work things out. Have a plan of what would work and what

would help your son. Offer your help, if you are able.

Do you have a book that shows the laws of the special needs (504,

etc.) Off the top of my head I can't think of it.... too late...

That would be good. Then you can read up on what you can expect or

hope for with services for your child (and accomidations)

If they see that, and they are any problematic at all, they may back

down.

Anyone that understands the laws can start of strong. THat is

important. They may be a great school, but you always want to be

prepared, and knowledgable.

Also, don't sign anything until you understand what it is you are

signing. I sign in at the meetings (used to) and then I would sign

the IEP we came up with. Know what it says, and what to expect, and

make sure it is what your son needs.

Help any?!?!

I hope so *smiles*

B

>

> Okay so we have the official AS diagnosis and the school has done

their testing and we have

> the big mysterious " meeting " on October 5th. Everyone in my town

whom I am speaking w/is

> telling me how tough it's going to be and that they don't want to

give, etc. I am coming from

> basically limited knowledge on the AS subject as I just heard of

AS for the first time in June,

> when my husband showed me an article. Any pointers on how to deal

w/the big bad board at

> the meeting? Any regrets about your meeting what you wished you

had or had NOT said or

> done? Any advice will be helpful as my husband and I will be

studying up for this from now

> until then. What helps is the diagnosing psychologist is going to

be there w/us for a half hour

> of it. Thanks in advance for your input.

>

> Mom to 7 (2nd grade) in Massachusetts

>

[Guest guest]

Try this link. Loaded with info on good IEP goals, and more. It's

on slaw, so it's reliable!

http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/plan_iep_goals.html

> >

> > Okay so we have the official AS diagnosis and the school has

done

> their testing and we have

> > the big mysterious " meeting " on October 5th. Everyone in my town

> whom I am speaking w/is

> > telling me how tough it's going to be and that they don't want

to

> give, etc. I am coming from

> > basically limited knowledge on the AS subject as I just heard of

> AS for the first time in June,

> > when my husband showed me an article. Any pointers on how to

deal

> w/the big bad board at

> > the meeting? Any regrets about your meeting what you wished you

> had or had NOT said or

> > done? Any advice will be helpful as my husband and I will be

> studying up for this from now

> > until then. What helps is the diagnosing psychologist is going

to

> be there w/us for a half hour

> > of it. Thanks in advance for your input.

> >

> > Mom to 7 (2nd grade) in Massachusetts

> >

>

[Guest guest]

This article may help you prepare.

_HS - Special Needs / IEP Preparation, - PageIt/Ver. 1.1_

(http://www.lcc.ctc.edu/pages/561.xtm)

[Guest guest]

Check out O.A.S.I.S. (Online Asperger Syndrome Information and

Support). The website is www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger . Lots of

useful information for the teachers and ideas for modifications and

accommodations to bring up at the meeting.

Also, at the last IEP meeting we had, we asked for the IEP

facilitator who was very helpful in suggesting accomodations we were

unaware of.

We also made a date for after the first interim to meet again to

see what things were working or not, and to address any other

problems that needed addressing.

Don't be nervous. It is a positive meeting to get help for your son

so he can do his best.

Diane

Mom to Ben, age 11

>

> Okay so we have the official AS diagnosis and the school has done

their testing and we have

> the big mysterious " meeting " on October 5th. Everyone in my town

whom I am speaking w/is

> telling me how tough it's going to be and that they don't want to

give, etc. I am coming from

> basically limited knowledge on the AS subject as I just heard of AS

for the first time in June,

> when my husband showed me an article. Any pointers on how to deal

w/the big bad board at

> the meeting? Any regrets about your meeting what you wished you had

or had NOT said or

> done? Any advice will be helpful as my husband and I will be

studying up for this from now

> until then. What helps is the diagnosing psychologist is going to

be there w/us for a half hour

> of it. Thanks in advance for your input.

>

> Mom to 7 (2nd grade) in Massachusetts

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/26/2006 6:33:58 P.M. Central Standard Time,

deedybug@... writes:

www.udel.edu/www.udel.edu/<WB

I have my first meeting this afternoon for my Son, the school has already

placed him in Special Education just on the letter they received from the

diagnosing Doctor who strongly suggested he be placed in SPED, I have been

trying

to read up on things, and one of the ideas I really like the most is they

suggest finding one or two other students who might be willing to be mentors for

our kids who have AS. My Son just longs for a friend so bad, but has none of

course, the info on this web site I think is very appropriate, and good for

us parents to use in the IEP meeting. Wish me luck!!!!!! I am nervous but I

believe it is not going to be a big bad meeting with the school telling me to

go away, I have found nothing but positive feedback with the SPED department,

they are so willing to communicate, which is something I have never had

before until now.

Lynda