My son has a learning disitiabilty and the school not helping him. What do I ask for in a IEP meeting..?

Question

He was in private school but I moved. He hates school and he reads on about a 5 grade level.. He forgets alot and I have a meeting tomorrow.. Please help me with anything u can.. I am losing this battle and I don't want my son to quit school...

Answer 1

Public schools have to provide an education appropriate for your child's special needs. They may try to put you off because, it costs them money to have them tested, unless the school system employs a counselor. If they do, that counselor may cover several schools, so it may take months to get the testing done.
Once the diagnosis has been made, the school system is obligated to provide appropriate educational techniques for him to be able to learn. There should be routine parent/teacher conferences - and depending on the age of your son, it might be a benefit to have his input at some of these conferences.
You have to be your child's advocate. I did battle with my son's school to have accomodations made for him. He had ADHD, so taking tests in a classroom full of kids wasn't good for him. And he had learning disabilities in math and English. It took me having him diagnosed as ADHD at a counselor to get things in motion.
Good luck with the meeting, and don't be afraid to get pushy about what you need for him. I'm pretty sure it was said I was bitchy - I don't care - I got what my son needed, and that's what is important.

Answer 2

The IEP is going to set a series of goals that you son is going to achieve over the next semester or term.

For example. your son will slowly increase the number of assignments completed in the classroom. You'll start with 50% completiom for 3/4 of the assignments by December of this year, then 60% of 3/4 by March 07, then 70% of 3/4 by June 07.

There will be constant feedback, evaluation, observation and documentation.

Not only will they work on the scholastic aspect,but social skills as well, so your son can get along better in the classroom

The school does not want the child to quit either and the IEP will help achieve those goals though a modified school day.

You have to approve the goals and can request more help or assistance.The resource specialist is on your side and is the person who will act as the bridge between you and the teachers

Answer 3

However, to answer your question. I was the one who start the ball rolling on the IEP. When you request this to be done it is the responsibility of the school system to follow it up. Sounds like you have that ball in play. If not you can ask that one of the tests be performed. They were very helpful and did all the question asking. Ryan was set up with a Special Education teach with other students with similar problems. He had to meet with her one period a day. It was automatcally worked into his schedule. He was not severe enought to go in the Special Ed. class all day. So he was what they called mainstreamed. This was much better for him. However if he was having difficulty in a particular class he was allowed to take any of his exam with theSpecial Ed. teacher. This was all coordinated with the other teacher. Sometimes he did this and sometimes he did not. The Special Ed teacher would also give him tasks to work on his specific learning disability. He also had an IEP done at the end of HS, so he could use the disabilities program in college. (Unfortuantely, he chose not too...he wanted to do college himself so it has taken him a little longer to get through college but he is still plugging away. I am very proud of him.) He is a great kid and will do fine in life.
Source(s):

Answer 4

arent Rights and Responsibilities which explains all your rights as a parent with a child in Special Education. I am also a Special Ed teacher and there are far too many parents who don't follow up with their child's services because they are unaware of their rights. There are so many children not receiving services required and specified in their IEPs and it's very frustrating from a teacher's standpoint because there is little we can do other than repeated requests. The parent on the other hand, has rights and therefore can make changes. If you need explanations for your child's rights, you need to ask someone from the child's IEP team to to explain further.

One last thing, please don't let your child think that having a learning problem (LD, emotional, developmental- whatever) is actually a DISABILITY. It's not. Dis-ability means NOT ABLE, and your child is most certainly ABLE to learn. It should really be called learning differently because that is all it is. In that sense, every child is LD... Once a child believes he can't do it or is "less than" other students, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Your child is just as capable as the top-performing child in your school- it's a matter of finding what works best in order for your child to understand and apply the material. Good luck and don't be b

Answer 5

My son also has a learning disability which sounds similar to your sons. He is not 24 doing well he is still in college so it does sometimes take them a little longer. However, to answer your question. I was the one who start the ball rolling on the IEP. When you request this to be done it is the responsibility of the school system to follow it up. Sounds like you have that ball in play. If not you can ask that one of the tests be performed. They were very helpful and did all the question asking. Ryan was set up with a Special Education teach with other students with similar problems. He had to meet with her one period a day. It was automatcally worked into his schedule. He was not severe enought to go in the Special Ed. class all day. So he was what they called mainstreamed. This was much better for him. However if he was having difficulty in a particular class he was allowed to take any of his exam with theSpecial Ed. teacher. This was all coordinated with the other teacher. Sometimes he did this and sometimes he did not. The Special Ed teacher would also give him tasks to work on his specific learning disability. He also had an IEP done at the end of HS, so he could use the disabilities program in college. (Unfortuantely, he chose not too...he wanted to do college himself so it has taken him a little longer to get through college but he is still plugging away. I am very proud of him.) He is a great kid and will do fine in life.

Answer 6

I'm a learning disabilities teacher in middle school. The most important things to make sure he gets are:

1. Correct placement. He needs to be in the correct classes where he can be the most successful. The school pysch or someone should have some recent test results. Using these results and teacher observations the IEP team should be able to choose the best educational environment for him. These are the various levels in my middle school:
-full inclusion, monitor only (he will get little help, this is for very high functioning LD students, who are orgainized and successful)
- team taught (regular class with a mix of regular and special education students. There is a regular teacher and special ed teacher in the room to help insure the success of all the students)
-self contained (this is only LD students and there maybe anywhere from 1-15 students in a class, students work at a slower pace, get more help, and sometimes are on a reward system to try to improve behavior and overall homework performance.

2. Make sure you get all the modifications he needs. You can ask that he gets shortened assignments, have the tests and quizzes read to him, get more time on assignments/tests, receive lecture notes, use of the resource room, seat close the the teacher, use a daily progress sheets/ daily planner, use of behavior modification plan, positive reward system, etc. There are a million modifications he can get. Just make sure you put the ones he needs in and that they are followed by all his teachers. This is especially crucial if he's in regular or team taught classes. In the self contained classes the teacher should be providing many of these modifications automatically.

Thats the most important in my eyes. Make sure he gets the right classes and modifications. Then make sure the modifications are being followed in every class. If he gets these things and has a good teacher he should find success right away. Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

I would reschedule if you can, to try to find a parent advocate to go with you to the IEP. Depending on which disability he has, there should be an official organization dedicated to it that give you a referal for an advocate.

It sounds pessimistic, but the school district is on a budget and they will offer you some services, but it may not be everything he should be getting without someone who can help you push harder. They should provide him any counseling and/or type of therapy he needs for him to do well in school. If he isn't doing well in school, than they need to revise the plan and bump up their part until he DOES do well. It's their job. No child left behind.

Also, if they offer therapy but it's only 1 hour a week and you think he needs more therapy time than that - speak up. Don't 'ask' them what they think - they will say they've evaluated him and that's what they recommend. (the budget thing) He is your child, you know him best; if you think something is not enough - tell them why you think it would be better for him IF... and then explain how it would help him.

Be as nice and genuine as you can be without being a pushover. It's not easy when surrounded by 5 or 6 people that you can't remember all their names or what all they do. So find an advocate pronto. If you can't find one on such short notice; go ahead and do the IEP meet and when you do find an parent advocate - you can contact the school and request a revisal meeting. You can always review and revise an existing IEP at anytime you want - but if you dont' request than by default a meeting is held once a year.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Hi. My suggestion is ask the school principal how to schedule an IEP meeting. Documentation on your part is important. Log your calls and conversations with the teachers/school. Better safe than sorry.

There is usually a committee that will be formed depending on the needs of the child. Usually there will be teachers, the principal, and sometimes the schools district representative who is over the special needs services for that school district. The school psychologist usually does the testing on your child. OH...and your child...if he is old enough...can be part of this meeting as well. Let him be active in getting the help he needs.

NEXT...always remember...YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR CHILD. Don't let anyone tell you any different. They may be educational instructors...but no one knows him the way you do. IF THEY DON'T have the services that your child needs...the school needs to get them. I have had more good experiences than bad...if that is any encouragement.

If testing has not been done yet...that will be a good place to start. Testing that will show his deficits and particular learning style and needs.

I have a son who had an IEP his entire academic life. Sometimes you can find advocates in the county you live and it is part of their job to help you find your way through testing and developing an IEP. DONT let the teachers tell you they don't have time or resources and don't let them single your son out and make him feel "different" than his peers.

He has a right to a "free appropriate public education" better known as FAPE. The link for that is in the source link below.

By the way...GOOD FOR YOU...for recognizing that your son needs help and GOOD FOR YOU...for going after it.

Tell your son to hang in there that you are working on it and it will get better. GOOD LUCK to you both.

Answer 9

I'm dyslexic myself and a college graduate with a degree in Social work tell your son as frustrating as it may get do not give up there is hope as for an IEP which means Individual Education Plan tell him for me I would tell the teachers what worked best for me how I could improve in school for example when taking a test I would go to a separate classroom by myself monitor with a teacher this way I didn't feel rushed or nervous when the other kids were done in 3 minutes and it took me an whole hr for the test my grades improved and school was less frustrating to me ask him what can help him feel better at school and go from there don't be nervous just be supportive of your son and expect the teachers to treat him with the same respect that he needs and deserves to be treated

Answer 10

At an IEP meeting you will be working with his teachers to make a plan to help him with his weak points. You could ask if they have any tutors available. Alot of times kids with learning disabilities just need a little more one on one time for things to click. Also bring up areas that he is strong in. If he is learning one subject but struggling in another then maybe it would be possible to make a change in the teaching style to make it more understandable to him. Just keep reminding him that he can do the work and encouraging him. He isn't alone and will get through this.

Answer 11

I have two children who have learning disabilities, and they have both graduated from high school. They are productive people, and I will tell you it does get easier as time goes by.
First, prepare yourself for a lot of homework sessions with your son. It is very important that you stay on top of things.
In your IEP, ask what is available from your school. Know that you have the right to request any help you think he needs, be that tutors or a private room to take tests, permission to use a calculator when taking tests, someone to read the test to your son, or a recorder to take notes in class.
I have lots of things I have learned over the years if you would like to email me, I would be more than happy to answer anything you have questions about.
Good luck, email me at [e-mail]