spec ed

[Ineedfreeadvice]

What is the name of your state? delaware

My son had his first eval done last year in 9th grade. He has been an A/B student for most of his life, but had significant issues with stress in school. It climaxed in 9th grade when he "shut down" and became very depressed along with pulling his nails off! ugh!

Anyway, school eval was ludicrous and said he had trouble with writing b/c he didn't now basic grammar. He was valedictorian in 7th grade, and at the time had a B in English. I said that is crazy, and we paid for an independant eval.

He has severe sensory based dyspraxia and written expression among other things. We put him in an intense OT program, and also did a lot of nutritional therapy. All of it at our expense. We asked for an IEP and got a 504. I was ok with that last year b/c he was so depressed and withdrawn that he needed time to recover with OT, etc.

Well he has made amazing progress, and this summer he was back to his old self. We were so happy b/c we at one time feared he would become suicidal.

10th grade now, and doing so much better emotionally this year! Teachers are amazed! We had a repeat eval done, and it shows he has improved immensely in the past 6 months, but he still has issues with written expression. well, he has been doing well, but was showing signs of depression and stress again. Got his mid report and all A's except one class that has major writing requirements. Found out some teachers didn't even know he had a 504 this was October!!!

I asked for an IEP. He needs help! The eval states he needs OT. School has accepted these independ evals on everything else. Can we make them provide OT? We spent $12G last year, and we are now broke.

thanks!

 

[Just Blue]

We will need more information than that.

 

[Ineedfreeadvice]

sorry, somehow I sent it to soon.

 

[Ineedfreeadvice]

28 views and no one has any advice.

 

[Zigner]

28 views and no one has any advice.

You need a special education advocate. I found mine by emailing over a dozen attorneys with my son's story. Our case turned out better than we had even hoped.

 

[quincy]

Under Delaware's Title 14, all children with disabilities are ensured free appropriate public education, with special education and related services designed to meet their needs. With dyspraxia, continual therapy is needed so that the progress that is made is not lost. An occupational therapist falls under "related services" and should be provided to your son for free through the public schools. He may also benefit from having a teacher's aide in his English classes, to help him collect the information provided in class, process it, and work to produce what is necessary to do well. I would press the school for these services and, if they are reluctant to provide your son with the therapy necessary for his success in school, seek the advice of a Delaware attorney.

 

[Ineedfreeadvice]

Thank you so much for your reply. Well, they cancelled two hours before the mtg. They NOW say they need an OT to interpret the IEE results that the school psychologist can't do it.

Geez. When I first asked for their eval to be done I was very specific to request a person certified in ASD based upon Delaware law Title 14. I even copied each specific law and code in the requesting letter. I asked for academic and motor assessments, OT eval for SID, speach and language assessment in oral, listening, and written expression as well as adaptive behavior and social/emotional assessments. I was told they didn't have anyone like that in the state. They only did academic achv and IQ tests.

At the mtg for the results found out they just did IQ and academic tests. The psychologist did the IQ and school person did the academic test. He scored kingergarten level in writing. He was in 9th grade with A/B honor roll. He was so stressed though he was depressed and pullling at his nails so much they bled. They said it was b/c he didn't understand basic grammar. I told them that was crazy.

We did our own IEE b/c we were told they don't have the $ for IEE. He has severe SID. We were talked out of the IEP b/c they don't have the money for Spec ed. We got a 504.

anyway, they accepted the inital eval from our IEE, and now the re-eval we pay for by the same people might not be acceptable?

Also did they violate his 504 b/c a teacher didn't even know he had one in Oct. I said in sept that they were not giving him accommodations per his 504, and I was told that he definitely was getting them and all the teachers knew about it. I have that in writing as well!

I am poised to contact that lawyer!

 

[quincy]

It does seem like your son's school is not meeting his educational needs, as required under state law. You mentioned the school had limited resources. Is this a small school district?

You can contact the State Board of Education with your concerns over the lack of adequate services provided to your son in his school. You may also mention the fact that you have already provided, at your expense, an independent evaluation for your son and necessary occupational therapy. This may bring some results. And Zigner apparently had success with a special education advocate, so you may want to consider that, as well.

And I would at least consult with a lawyer in Delaware, to see where you stand legally. I believe the school is violating state law, to the detriment of your son.

 

[lealea1005]

What is the name of your state? delaware

My son had his first eval done last year in 9th grade. He has been an A/B student for most of his life, but had significant issues with stress in school. It climaxed in 9th grade when he "shut down" and became very depressed along with pulling his nails off! ugh!

Anyway, school eval was ludicrous and said he had trouble with writing b/c he didn't now basic grammar. He was valedictorian in 7th grade, and at the time had a B in English. I said that is crazy, and we paid for an independant eval.

He has severe sensory based dyspraxia and written expression among other things. We put him in an intense OT program, and also did a lot of nutritional therapy. All of it at our expense. We asked for an IEP and got a 504. I was ok with that last year b/c he was so depressed and withdrawn that he needed time to recover with OT, etc.

Well he has made amazing progress, and this summer he was back to his old self. We were so happy b/c we at one time feared he would become suicidal.

10th grade now, and doing so much better emotionally this year! Teachers are amazed! We had a repeat eval done, and it shows he has improved immensely in the past 6 months, but he still has issues with written expression. well, he has been doing well, but was showing signs of depression and stress again. Got his mid report and all A's except one class that has major writing requirements. Found out some teachers didn't even know he had a 504 this was October!!!
I asked for an IEP. He needs help! The eval states he needs OT. School has accepted these independ evals on everything else. Can we make them provide OT? We spent $12G last year, and we are now broke.

thanks!

I am in agreement with quincy and zigner but would also like to address the above bolded statement.

I offer this suggestion as the parent of a student with a 504/IEP and a nurse who deals with special ed. students. Have your son carry a copy of his 504 plan accommodation in school. When a teacher refuses or questions his accommodations, have him, respectfully, present it to him/her. Then, he should report it to his 504 coordinator and/or the principal who will make sure all of his teachers have a copy.

 

[Ineedfreeadvice]

I can't find an educational lawyer in DE!!

 

[dumblonde]

Aww you poor mom. I am so sorry.
I am also a parent of a child in special education. The best thing I ever did was get a parent advocate! I did a quick google search and found this group in Delaware. The parent advocate I got helped with proof reading complaints and requests and attended 504 and IEP meetings with me. It made such a HUGE difference in my dealings with the school. Good luck!
http://www.picofdel.org/

 

[quincy]

You can contact the Delaware State Bar Association
301 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
(302) 658-5279
(800) 292-7869 (from Kent and Sussex counties)

 

[Ineedfreeadvice]

PIC of De is useless, and they give false info.

I am really, really feeling overwhelmed.

I can't even figure out how to get my son qualified for Spec Ed. He doesn't have autism (lost dx after intensive OT and diet tx), blind, deaf, orthoped, etc. etc.

He can't be LD bc it is motor related.

Help!

 

[quincy]

Perhaps you could contact the National Organization for Apraxia and Dyspraxia in Pensacola for some Delaware resources (904-478-4895) or try www.apraxia-kids.org (you can email questions and get some advice) or www.dyspraxiausa.org.

Good luck.

 

[dumblonde]

Most certainly try that number Quincy posted.
Autism spectrum disorders are the hardest to get special education services for. I believe though that Dyspraxia could fall under health impairment which is a category of special education. It's sort of a catch all for disabilities that don't fall under any other special education "labels". Even if he were autistic special educations definition of autistic also includes a low IQ. If you have a higher IQ and an autistic diagnoses you fall under health impairment.
I'm certainly not an expert but I am a parent that has been in a very similar boat. I can try and help but I really really recommend to keep looking for a parent advocacy group. They will be able to help a lot better with what is in the best interest of your son.
Have you met anyone in the special education department in your school district yet that you have clicked with that is even a small bit of help? Have talked to the administrator of special education in your district yet? One thing I just noticed is they talked you out of an IEP because they didn't have the money. Thats total bull. With an IEP they get funding with a 504 plan an accommodation's made the school itself eats the cost. If I were you I would request in writing that you would like to have a meeting to start the IEP process which entails first deciding if you son qualifies for an IEP. Don't let them bully you into signing stuff you don't agree with. I've been there too. Like they will tell you they can offer adequate services with just the 504 plan then don't show it to any teachers. If you don't agree with there choices don't sign it and vocalize you don't agree. This is where the advocate is really a big help as they can help you do these things in a professional manor without loosing your cool. Before you go to the first meeting you really need to write out what your goals for the meeting are.
For example first you need to define what your sons disability is and how you know- you have a private diagnoses. Next write out how this affects his ability to receive an education. Write out what his strengths and weaknesses are and what you expect from the IEP. To have this all laid out on paper REALLY helps and it lets the IEP team know you mean business.