We received notification from our FRC that it is time for her to do our mid year review and then our next step will be to get ready for preschool. Talk about fast, it seems like we only just started this and have barely gotten our feet yet.
It is becoming a time of unknown. Will Little Bug qualify for preschool? We hope so. The plan from everyone in the system, has always been that of course that he would go to preschool. But, apparently, due to the progress he has made, there is doubt as to whether he would qualify. We will have to have him evaluated by the school district and get recommendations from the wizard- the wonderful neurologist who diagnosed Little Bug- as well as his current therapists. Monday was the first time anyone expressed doubt about him qualifying- well, he does have a diagnosis, so that's a good thing.
If anyone has tips or suggestions or even a vague idea about how this process works, please let us know. I have to say everyone involved has been as vague as humanly possible while still speaking to us.
Even during this time of ambiguity, we are adding new therapies- speech and brushing as well as home made therapies. We are working on item recognition. While its great that he can say quite a few words, he doesn't always get that a word represents an idea or object. So, we have crafted a home game using memory cards to have him match pictures- which keeps him interested as it is a puzzle- and having him name the objects.
1 comment:
I'm assuming this is the start of his IEP process. We've been there, done that, have the t-shirt. I've been meaning to compile a bunch of stuff for people to look at since we get asked about this a lot. E-mail me any questions you have and I'll try to answer.
In the meantime, bookmark Wrightslaw (http://www.wrightslaw.com/) and start 'leafing' through it. This is THE reference web site if you feel like anything isn't right with your process. Well, for that matter, it's pretty much the reference site period.
With an ASD diagnosis, you've crossed probably your biggest hurdle with getting placement and services. The school system will want a 'current' diagnosis, which is a somewhat subjective idea, but I can't imagine him getting a different one.
Autism is a classified disability under federal guidelines, so how well he's doing more affects the kinds and frequencies of services he would get at school than affecting the entire eligibility thing. With an ASD diagnosis already in hand, if they really feel the need to fight you on that, which honestly I doubt they would, then they'd need some compelling evidence to support their position. They have to show compliance with IDEA guidelines, so refuting an existing - and it seems to me pretty obvious - diagnosis would be a big hill for them to climb. Like I said, I can't imagine them doing that though.
A couple of rules to keep in mind, be - and look - prepared, know your rights, and remember you basically comprise 50% of the vote on what goes into that IEP. They don't get to tell you what goes in it. If you ultimately don't agree, you have veto power and options, though exercising them is a pain. And one more rule we learned, expect things to work out and expect people to be helpful, but always be prepared to switch gears and be firm if they don't.
It's a laborious process and a lot of often tedious work, but I don't regret a single second of it because J-Man is doing so well in school. Buy some Zantac though. It can be stressful, but you can manage. You're way more on top of things than most parents I know, probably us included.
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