I.E.P questions. I'm a mom that could use some advice.?

Question

My eight year old has had an I.E.P since before he was in preschool. his problems started with a speech and language delay at the age of three. At the age of four and a half he was diagnosed with A.D.H.D, but it was not included in his I.E.P. In first grade I requested a re-evaluation because I had concerns about his Behavior at home, and there were anxiety concerns with school. He was e-valuated by a child psychiatrist and even had an I.Q. test. His I.Q tested at 130 but his classroom performance was much lower than that. The school wanted to label him Emotionally Disturbed, but I refused that label. We were able to proceed that year with out that label. We did not obtain a behavioral intervention plan at that time. Now he is in the third grade. He has had multiple violent outbursts at school that resulted in lunch time detentions, and now after school detentions. The next step is a suspension from school. I was not made aware of any of these outbursts, neither through parent teacher conferences held a month ago, nor through telephone communication, until I got a letter informing me of the after school detention last week. I requested a meeting with the principal to discuss this and was informed that because he did not have a behavioral intervention plan the school was not required to notify me. The also refused to take his Disabilities into consideration when using this discipline. I'm being informed now that they can suspend him if necessary unless a behavioral intervention plan is obtained. I requested another re-evaluation today at our meeting. Should I go ahead with the emotionally disturbed label if it comes up again? I could use some advice from someone that has been through this before. We live in Illinois if that helps.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Definately seek additional assistance. An advocate to go with you to your next ARD. The IEP will help him. Like someone else had mentioned, if the behavior is listed on his IEP he cannot be punished like the general population. And of course always offer positive reinforcers (tangibles and non-tangibles).

MidGaMom · Answer

May daughter was diagnosed with ADD in 3rd grade.  The "emotionally disturbed [ADD, ADHD, Bipolar, Asperburger's Syndrome, etc.]" label is a general term used as is "learning disability[dyslexia, speech impediment, etc.".  My daughter was labled "emotionally disturbed" also.  No big deal.  My sister has her master's in Special Education and is my advocate on schooling advice.  In the 8th grade she was re-evaluated with ADHD.  My daughter is now in 10th grade and the only thing I regret is that they put her in special ed. math in the 4th grade and i feel this has held her back as her math is not that of a 10th grader.  The good side is, even when she is failing she is not held back from school activities like band, clubs, sports.  She gets extra time to complete her work, only graded on what is finished.  All of this is in her IEP.  It allows her to be a normal student but get help when she needs it.  Also, she is able to take test in the special ed. teacher's room when she feels like she needs to.  I have never had a problem with anyone picking on her but Georgia has a no bulling law.  

I would suggest you find someone, a friend or relative that doesn't live in your school district that has a master's degree in special education.  Ask them any questions you have and they can explain it in detail what your child is entitled to and what help he should be given.  

One more thing, I don't know how your child is acting but if he gets an IEP and has outburst he will not be punished as a...dare I say it..."normal child" would be punished.  Exceptions will be put in his IEP with consequences for him.  One thing they should stress is positive praise instead of negative.  

Part of the problem with the outburst are he just can't get stuff like the "other" kids get and he doesn't know how to let this out without having an outburst.

H mom of 3 · Answer

Well here on the west coast you can't get an IEP for a child until they are in school, so I'm not really sure what your laws are going to be there in IL. I can tell you that here on the west coast you have to accept the diagnosis that they give you before you can even get an IEP for your child and if you don't get a diagnosis from a Dr. then they don't have to give your child any special treatment. I am not ok with the diagnosis that they gave to my son but I know that to get the help that he needs I have to live with his diagnosis even though they rarely diagnosis kids with what they diagnosed my son with and he is only 8. So I would accept the diagnosis that they give you for your son until you can get a more acceptable or more precise diagnosis. Good luck and know that you are and will be doing what is best for your sons well being at school.

Mary J · Answer

When I was going through the fun process of IEP I found a website, http://www.wrightslaw.com/  They also have a book "From emotions to advocacy" the special education survival guide.  Very informative.

If you are able I would hire an education attorney or contact an advocacy group right away. You should find what you need on Yellow Pages for Kids with Disabilities   www.yellowpagesforkids.com

honey · Answer

Take him to a psychiatrist and have him test for bipolar disorder. The doctor will give you an evaluation to fill out and score it based on your answers. My son recently had this done, but the doctor did not label him bipolar, but said mood disorder, he is now on Rispedol, along with his ADHD meds. He is in the 5th grade and doing better in school.

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I.E.P questions. I'm a mom that could use some advice.?

5 Answers