IEP - should we do it? - Big classrooms and SPD

Hi,




We just started our daughter in Kindergarten in the public school system. She has SPD and separation anxiety. Anyway, we went to school this week and we were able to get her in the door which was an accomplishment. We hung out in the classroom the first couple of days which the teacher was okay with since there are 27 kids in the class and no aide!

Our daughter has trouble sitting still, is sensory seeking, and difficulty relating to the other kids. However, we do think all things considered she's doing pretty good. She's never been in a formal school setting before. The public school wants us to see about an aide for our daughter (mostly because the teacher is too busy with 27 kids). In order to get the aide we would need an IEP (individual education plan). The process scares me to death. I'm very nervous because the school is not familiar with SPD and I'm afraid they are going to try and label her with something that will fit into their IEP plan like ADHD or Autism (which she definitely is not!). Also would hate to have her labeled as Special Ed in her school records. Plus the Special Ed person at the school has absolutely no personality and is a little scary. We want to do the best for our daughter but we're torn.

We would have loved to do Montesori but it is a little expensive for us right now and may be too late anyway since the school year started. I guess another question is, has anyone moved their child out of public school and into a private school mid-school year or after the school year has started? Thanks for any advice you can give!



Comments for IEP - should we do it? - Big classrooms and SPD

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Apr 13, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Montessori
by: Anonymous

I would not feel bad about not being able to afford Montessori school. We looked into it and could tell that it would be a disaster for our son who is sensory seeking, hyperactive, and often hits other kids. The several Montessori schools in the area range from 20-28 kids per class, and although there are always two teachers, they work with the children in small groups, while the rest of the kids just play freely. this would be a recipe for disaster for our son, and I saw a previous post on this website about Montessori. Several parents had SPD kids who were kicked out of Montessori. I would go ahead and apply for the IEP and try to get the aide. I don't think that it can hurt your child's education in the long run, and it could help tremendously.
Nov 26, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		Help more important than labels
by: tori

Ask for a 504 plan,use the school system's evaluations, also,get your own evaluations and contact the Department of Education in your state.

Contacting a lawyer, if financially feasible, would be a good idea.

It also helps if the teacher is open-minded. You could give him/her a reading list. If you have an OT from a facility outside of the school system, sometimes they will go to the school to provide therapy.

If your child is labeled as "disabled" or "special needs" is it really so devastating. Seeing him/her successful at school, in social situations and happy and comfortable is more important than our pride as parents.
Oct 12, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		SPD and IEPs
by: Anonymous

In my school district SPD isn't considered a diagnosis for special education services (where you would have a IEP written)or a 504 plan. Since SPD is diagnosed by an OT is not considered a "medical" diagnosis.

I've heard of some people that they've gotten a neurologist to come up with the SPD diagnosis in order to qualify for a 504 plan.

My daughter is starting Kinder next year and she was diagnosed with SPD 6 months ago. I'm a teacher in public schools and I'm looking for alternative options. It's been very difficult.
Sep 12, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		IEP
by: Carolyn

An IEP would get your child the special ed help she needs. Your child will have to be evaluated and then they will have to hold an ARD. This is a meeting where they will share the results of their evaluation. If you do not agree with the results in any way shape or form you have the right to disagree. It is possible to get her OT/PT help(if needed). After you have the ARD and she is provided services, she will have to be reevaluated every 3 years. Every year you will have an ARd to discuss her progress and new goals.

After a year or even a few months you feel like she isn't getting the help she needs you can call another ARd to discuss this. Also if you feel she no longer needs help you can call an ARd to discuss this. Just remember that you hold the power and have the right to say what is best for your child. The committee that meets with you will have you, the parent(s), her teacher, a special ed teacher, the person who did the evaluation, the administrator and other persons who might provide services to your child. Only you and the administrator have to agree. Everyone else can disagree but in the end it comes down to you and the administrator. Even at that it comes down to you. If you disagree then they have to somehow come up with a way to please you.

An aide for your child would be great but I don't know if it should be just for your child. The aide should help the teacher with all the students otherwise your child does stick out. Your child should blend in with the others as much as possible. The aide should help her only when it is absolutely needed and at that she should help the other students also.

I teach special ed and so I know quite a bit about the subject.
Sep 12, 2009
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starstarstarstarstar 		moving in the middle of the year
by: Anonymous

Why not! IEP are very frustrating cuz if school has no idea about SID or SPD meaning the same thing. It is easy to ask about an IEP yet you the parents need to keep on top of the IEP cuz the school will not. You as parents need to get her tested with an O. T. / Physical Therapist in SPD or SID. So you are prepared as parents on how to guide the school and not label your child on the forehead. She is young yet can work to manage thru it. Find out who the school district who represented for special kids.

Our child has SID and has anxiety about going to school, has a routine from locker to her desk same everyday.

Try talking to the teacher to sit your daughter on the outside edge of the table. First in line or last in line. Same with circle time. or story time. Nothing in the middle due to bumping into.

Check out is book from the library: The Secret's of Sensory kids. Carol K. Wonderful book / ideas for school/ child.

Work on her sensory diet it will help her / peace with you. Look up sensory diet.
Good luck and hope to hear from you again.
Fish

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