If You Have a Moment, Wish Us Luck Tomorrow...

[Hambone 0]

Best of luck you should just sucker punch them back.

Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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Jaye, if your therapists have decided that they can make no more progress, it's time to insist on new therapists. Fresh eyes/attitudes/approaches are sometimes called for.

WA state does not 'require' a new therapist if the current one is not assisting the special needs child to meet goals.

Ack...ok then, we shall set new goals. New goals that ANYONE, with a concerted effort, should be able to meet with my babies...goals that REFLECT LIFE.

We will set one for the boys being able to 'Brush your hair' when handed a hair brush...
'Bring me a book' when asked.
'Come here and sit down'
'Go get your backpack'
'Tie your shoes'

We ARE going to get some EFFORT out of this team. They are not going to pass the buck on to the classroom and get away with it...

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

WOO-HOO!!! An unexpected email from a Sepcial Needs advocate/psychotherapist just came in!! She is Pam Wright, co-Author of: Wrightslaw: Special Education Law , 2nd Edition -which will be on it's way to my home tomorrow.

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Assuming this issue comes up and the school proposes to discontinue these services, you need to state that you object to this plan, that you do not consent to the termination of these services. The fact that your children have not made progress under the present program is evidence that they need more intensive services, not a discontinuation of services.


Assuming that the IEP team terminates services over your objections, you need to write a polite note that describes your children's disabilities, explain that you learned about the plan to discontinue services a short time (24 hours) ahead of the IEP meeting, that this came as a complete surprise, that you do not agree or consent to this plan.


There are procedural safeguards for parents under these circumstances but it's too late for you to become an expert on this before the meeting tomorrow. You need to do your homework now, then request another meeting.


You should get an OT and/or PT evaluation by an independent expert in the private sector - this person should test your children and describe the services they need. AFTER you have this evaluation and information in hand, and the evaluator has agreed to go to a meeting to educate the educators, you can request another IEP meeting.


I'll be thinking about you tomorrow and wish you good luck.

Pam and her husband Pete, a Speical Needs attorney with better than 30 years, run a Special Education Advocay website. I sent an email explaining my urgent situation, and very honestly I had hoped to maybe hear from them in a week or so...she sent me this just now!


I'm getting their book series, so I'll be more prepared in the future.

This one blind-sided me; we have been battling the school district for many years, but each time, it's a new twist...a new problem, a new wrench in the works. Adding this couples' books to my library is going to help in the future for sure.

Cool, I feel like I just got a personal e-mail from a celebrity.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[GravityJunky 0]

You are very welcome Acme! Sent you more info & an even better contact for your battle. trust me skip the congressman & go strait for the senator contact I sent just now! Check your DZ.com E-Mail account as soon as you get a chance! (had to import to it & too, long to send as regular DZ PM!) Good luck sweetheart!

*My Inner Child is A Fucking Prick Too!
*Everyones entitled to be stupid but you are abusing the priviledge
*Well I'd love to stay & chat, But youre a total Bitch! {Stewie}

[sartre 0]

Well? How did it go? Did you straighten out their thinking?

[turtlespeed 226]

Good luck - call if there is anything I can do.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[ACMESkydiver 0]

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Well? How did it go? Did you straighten out their thinking?

It went very well.
I signed the documents 'In attendance, NOT in agreement to IEP'. I explained that we were still working on the document as a team, and so I wanted to make it clear that it's still a work in progress. Everyone was happy with that.

I used a lot of
'We [the whole IEP team] want to be on the same page'
'We want to make the best choice'
'We want to be in agreement'
'We want to make sure that we can operate as a team'
'That's a good idea'
'Good thoughts'
etc. etc. etc...

Directed agreement. I came home with the skeleton of an IEP, and I'm going to fill it in.
I'm going to tear into this paperwork tonight and see what's what...

I'll give them our 'ideas', and if for some reason they won't put it into the plan, we'll work from there.

Thanks for the support, all. This wasn't bad at all; like I said, it's what they will or will not accept in the next week that will determine our level of 'involvement' with the system...

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.