What are good statagies to use in an IEP meeting in order to get the best placement for my child?

Question

My child is ADHD with Post Traumatic Stress and possibly Depression. She is receiving resource assistance, but needs a more therapeutic setting in order to advance academically. How can I get his across to the powers -that -be during her IEP meeting?

Answer 1

1. Go over the current IEP and highlight any areas you feel need to be changed.

2. Go over your parent's rights handout and highlight everything that pertains to the process for getting the changes. This can be a lengthy process, since new assesments may need to be done, so make it clear you know the fedrally mandated time frame that all of this needs to be completed by. And know that 90 days does not mean 90 school days as many schools will try to convince you. 90 days is just that...90 calendar days from start to finish.

3. Have any information or reports that can back up your requests handy, as well as forms with you that will allow the school to contact your child's therapists and medical providers to discuss his treatment needs and disabilities as they apply to his educational needs.

4. At least a 2 business days prior to the meeting (more if possible) call the school and inform them you will be brining a recording device into the meeting. The school can not deny you this, but are required to have sufficent notice to inform other participants of the use of the device and to procure a recording device of thier own to use simultaneously.

5. Bring another set of eyes and ears if possible. If this is the next in a series of meetings and things have gotten progressively more adversarial, I would recommend a parent advocate at the very least. If things have gone past adversarial and your child is having severe issues, I would try and bring an educational attorney along. If things are just getting going, then ask along another parent who has experience with IEP meetings or who can be there to help keep you calm if you have a tendency to get worked up or angered easily.

Know that loosing your temper will do little to forward your cause. Most admininstrators are yelled at daily by parents over a variety of things and getting the reputation as the screaming Mom will often do more harm to your working relationship with them than good. You want to stay calm, focused and know your rights. If, at any time, you feel the meeting has reached a stale mate and/or your frustration level is rising to a danger point, ask for a 5 minute break. Other than acknolwleding receipt of a copy of the minutes and to sign in as a participant to the meeting, do not sign anything you don't understand or agree with. Remind the school politely of the legally mandated time frame, call frequently for updates (being polite, but firm about getting the information) and, if you fail to get the response you want, take it to the next level. Keep copies of EVERYTHING...recorded notes, handwritten notes, any communication from the school should be noted in a log, written notices..everything. It will help if it comes to the point of going to mediation or beyond.

Being an advocate for your child is a tough job. You know what is best for your child. You know what your child is legally entitled to. And, like most parents, you know the school district is facing a tough financial year and they will do their best to do what they feel is right for the child and for the bottom line. Our instinct is to get screaming mad and just let go on the nearest person. Remember tho, that unless you are dealing with the head of the district, you are not dealing with the ultimate decision maker but one of the middle managers. Get angry..that's good. But when you do, channel it into positive actions and communication. Angry yet calm is scarey...angry yet scarey is counter-productive.

Answer 2

Bring your documentation, doctors recommendations, anything you think help support the more restrictive environment which you suggest. Make a few calls to the district to see what kind of program or location of a more therapeutic setting exists. Is there one, what is criteria for going there? Can you visit first? If there isn't, then can her time with a counselor be increased?
You sound like you want the schools help, depending on the size of your district, they may or may not have a program. In that case they need to put something together..its your right.
Be specific. You have gotten enough IEP by now, pull out some only ones and look at the way the goals are written. A parent I had came to the IEP with her own goals which were so well written/ aligned with the state standards, that we adopted them on the spot!
Good luck!

Answer 3

Your child is more sensitive than others as a result of the ADHD. The intervention need to be as unobtrusive as possible. According to law, you are the ultimate authority in deciding what your child's IEP is going to be. Keep in mind that Einstein and Freud both had ADHD.

Another path to treatment to try first is to get more physical activity. The activity seems to release chemicals in the body naturally that help with the condition. Rushing around the building a couple of times between classes it will help. Get a friend to do it with you while telling everyone that you are trying to get exercise. Volunteer to decorate for holidays. Anything that keeps you busy and moving. Your child may need a PE class in the morning and one in the afternoon. Get exercise at lunch time. Go out for sports.

Do not let this come between you and your child. You may end up being the only one on their side.

Having been through this, your battle is just beginning. Read this and feel free to contact the people at the web site for suggestions.

http://www.keystosaferschools.com/parent_article0405.htm

Not to scare you but this needs to be addressed in a way that makes sure that your child is successful. There is absolutely no reason why they shouldn't be.

Answer 4

The way the laws are changing you have to prove that the current placement cannot provide what your child needs.The way I've done it is to make sure theres plenty of correspondence from school/teachers of the difficulty.Then speak with SPED Dept. and discuss your concerns but be sure you can back it up with proof.Do some research on different programs just in case so that it shows you are being serious about the help your child needs.
In the past I've made contact with programs looking for information.I do let them know my child is struggling in current placement and am looking for a program that can help him/her.

Don't go into the meeting with an attitude.Once they see an attitude from you, you've lost.

Answer 5

First of all know your rights and your child's rights as well as the rights of the school district. Have documented information from doctor's, therapists, counselors etc. about your child's conditions as well as what services have been provided in the past and what is currently being provided outside of the school. You may bring advocates with you but, please, don't blindside the rest of the IEP team. Let them know ahead of time who to expect when they walk through the door. Work with the team, not against them. Make suggestions as to what you want but be open to other suggestions that may be as effective with a different approach. Most school districts I work with are in dire straights when it comes to $$ yet are responsible for providing every student with what they need to succeed. It's a balancing act that takes creativity and extra effort and understanding from all members of the team. Treat each member of the team, and their ideas, with respect. I look at it kind of like Camelot's round table. Oh, and make sure you are putting forth an effort at home and possible school to help you child to succeed, and communicate that effort to the team as well.

Answer 6

Do your homework. Which facilities are you referring to and are they in your school district? Most school districts can not place a child in a facility outside of their jusistiction. If it is a private facility they will have to pay for it only if they do not offer comparible services and you can prove those services are absolutely called for. Come prepared to explain why that faciility would be the best placement for your child. Also inquire at the facility if there are openings. If there is not an opening ask that your child be put on the waiting list through the auspices of your school district.

Answer 7

First of all -- work with your MD and Therapist to develop a sound recommendation for Accomodations in the Scholastic Environment to allow your child to perform their best.

Second -- what are your own observations of the child at home and outside of the school day? Are there things that work better than others -- is distractability helped by re-direction or re-wording statements/questions? Do they need to have someone there to help them with daily tasks? How close can they be to others before they start being uncomfortable?

Answer 8

Are they trying 2 classify your daughter as L.D(learning disabled) or E.D(emotionally disabled)? If she is not in special education classes right now, you should consider a 12:1:1(12 students-1 teacher-1 paraprofessional).Did they do the evaluation based on her performance or behavior? If you've been receiving numerous phone calls in regs 2 her behavior, tell them you want a crisis management para 4 her. That would be her own personal para 2 make sure she doesn't get in any trouble. If it's L.D. tell them u want a tutor. If she takes the bus 2 school and she is a behavior problem, tell them you want a bus para as well. She needs counseling , get that 2. You decide if you want group or 1to 1.
I don't have enough info 2 go on with your situation, if you need additional info e-mail me.

Answer 9

Check out Wrightslaw.com. It is an awesome website for information regarding the right things to say or do at IEPs.

Answer 10

I would hope that your child is receiving therapy from a licensed therapist. If not, get her into a therapy program and then ask the therapist to go along with you to the conference. You have to DEMAND that your child get the services she needs. It is the schools responsibility to meet your child's needs, but you have to be forceful in getting them to relinquish the money to have a program for your child. Also would be helpful to take along a child advocate from the state. They usually have alot of clout during meetings.