how to get IEP for Kindergarten

[Still_Learning]

I'm head is spinning and I need some help. DS will be going to Kindergarten in the fall. Thing is, we don't know where exactly. We were debating between 2 schools, one of which is a lottery and we won't know if he gets in until right before school starts.

The other is for "high achievers", he had to be tested to get in (and was accepted)

So, last week was diagnosed with Asperger's. He's going to need lots of social skills training, has problems with focus and temper....

So how do I get an IEP in place for when he starts? I really don't want to wait until he's actually in school as it'll be hard enough for him when he starts wihtout special help.

I just contacted both schools, letting them know the situation in order to help us with the decision of which he'll go to if he's accepted to both.

This is so hard!!

[KatWrangler]

Are they in the same school district?

We are in the Afton School District. However The Special School District oversees IEPs.

[Linda on the move]

Are they both public schools? Private schools don't need to accomodate special needs, and some charters don't seem to have to either.

Notify the school (or district) in writing that you are requesting an IEP meeting and include a copy of the dx as well tests supporting the dx, the evaulation, etc. Keep the letter clear and concise. Add enough documention to for clarity, but not so much that it overwhelms. Stick to the facts. Nothing you say on the phone counts -- you need to write a letter.

[KCMichigan]

As PP said, get a written request for evaluation.

The school then has a set # of days to evaluate and decide if he qualifies for an IEP. The IEP is transferable if you go to any school, though they may need to modify it depending on the childs needs in each situation. If both schools are in the same district, you should have no problems if you request an eval now.

If you want it done before the school year starts in the fall, now is when to do it. Some areas may not do evals/initial IEPs over the summer. And it is much harder scheduling wise once the school year starts---much easier if you start the year with services in place. It can take a month or 2 for the complete IEP process- depending on the # of school days.

A diagnosis does not automatically mean a child gets services--- the disability/diagnosing factors must have an educational impact. Some areas are more flexible around the interpretation of the laws---but some aren't. Sometimes if social skills are poor, but the child is not a behavior problem and is academically on par, they will not qualify for an IEP. Other times, any ASD (autism/aspergers/PDD_NOS) diagnosis will allow for services---social skills, speech, etc.

Often, if the child is on target academically but has any other 'accommodations' that need to be made (extra time, special seating, etc ), they will suggest a 504 plan.

A great resource would be a local ASD support group and http://wrightslaw.com/ has great links to 504s, IEPs, private & public school rights, etc.

We are in the process of changing one DDs IEP to a 504. She has mild CP, PDD_NOS and is in PreK with OT/PT services. Due to the fact that she is on target academically--- they are thinking *maybe* of putting her on a 504 plan w/ PT support if needed. I will know more at her IEP meeting this spring. She does not really need the services of a Spec.Ed teacher (academic, behavorial, or classroom support)---but still would get benefits from OT/PT so a 504 makes more sense.

I hope it goes well and he has a great K year!!

[leavemealone]

We transitioned from Early Intervention into preschool, but all that had to be done for us was to contact the school system. Actually, EI contacted them for us and got the ball rolling, but we did a lot of the other contact in setting up assessments/evaluations, IEP meetings, etc. If it's a public school, you'd have to contact them about starting the process, but I don't know how anything would work with a private school.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by KCMichigan

Often, if the child is on target academically but has any other 'accommodations' that need to be made (extra time, special seating, etc ), they will suggest a 504 plan.

Great post! You got everything in there!

My DD with PDD-NOS has a 504 Plan and it works well. They are easier to modify, so if you really don't know what your child will need to suceed at school and they are on track with academics, they are the better option.

[Momily]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

Are they both public schools? Private schools don't need to accomodate special needs, and some charters don't seem to have to either.

Notify the school (or district) in writing that you are requesting an IEP meeting and include a copy of the dx as well tests supporting the dx, the evaulation, etc. Keep the letter clear and concise. Add enough documention to for clarity, but not so much that it overwhelms. Stick to the facts. Nothing you say on the phone counts -- you need to write a letter.

I agree with all of this, except that charter schools do need to accommodate children with IEPs -- that they don't is awful and illegal, although not uncommon.

Where I live a charter school, or magnet school, isn't responsible for writing the IEP unless the child is actually enrolled and attending. So, in your case the regular public school would conduct the evaluation and write the IEP. You would then bring that document to the receiving school who would have to implement it for 30 days as written and then meet to evaluate how it's working in the new setting and make any changes.

[Still_Learning]

They are both public schools, one is a city school, one county.

Both have said to wait until school starts to see how it goes, but I don't want him to start off with no supports and get off to a bad start. We had to pull him out of preschool because he was so stressed out and anxious. PRESCHOOL. Ugh, poor kid.

If I wait until he's in school, I imagine he'll end up going half the year without supports as it can take months to get it in place, right?

I can see the "wait and see" side as I really have no idea how he'll perform in the new environment (his preschool was Montossori and he needs structure). I'd hate to get all these special supports in place and he ends up not needing them, but I'd also hate to throw him in there with a sink or swim mentality.

They did say to connect with his teacher as soon as he gets that assingment and talk to her about what we've found that works for him at home and that they have had experience with asperger's kids.

i just don't know.

[mrsfru]

I have a 4.5 yr old w/a tentative dx of Asperger's (formally down as "anxiety", plus other physical issues)...and if I were in your shoes, I would be working on an IEP or 504 now (whatever suits his needs best). It would NOT be good enough for me that they "have experience w/Asperger's", b/c they don't know MY child! Also, it needs to be clear to them that if your child starts off the year on the wrong foot, he may completely shut down and kindy will be ruined for him. It could be really difficult to get him back on track. Sure, things could go just great...and no, noone really knows exactly what he will need in the classroom, but his therapists and doc can take a stab at it...and at least there will be something in place for him. If he ends up not needing as many services, that's great, and they can drop them.

GL! Got w/your gut, Momma!

Also, fwiw, I know it's not an option for everyone....but we are seriously considering homeschooling, b/c part day kindy or school isn't available here, even in private schools (and private schools don't have to provide services...) We also are doing a repeat year of preschool (going from 2 half days a week to 3 half days a week), even though I intend to homeschool him as needed (maybe we will change when he is older or stronger).

mrsfru

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by Still_Learning

Both have said to wait until school starts to see how it goes, .

Did you request in writing? Did they respond in writing?

This isn't phone conversation stuff -- this is business letter with a date on it stuff.

[peaceful_mama]

With the diagnosis--

As a person from both sides of the preschool-IEP, parent and former classroom staff, I would get him evaluated now if you can and start him. Yes, now.

That is the only way I can think of to get a kid on an IEP for kindergarten before they go to kindergarten.

In my district, they do evaluations all the time and children who qualify to be on IEP's can start school ANYTIME. The latest start I saw as a teacher was a little girl who came to school for a week and a half before the summer break.

The point? Then, your kid *has* the IEP. And then a public school has to accomodate it.

(I don't know about private schools, but I do know that when I worked at a local public elementary with a private elementary across the street, there were children at the private school who came to the public school for their IEP services--everything from various forms of therapy to resource-room instruction. So....it can be done.)

[KCMichigan]

Originally Posted by peaceful_mama

With the diagnosis--

As a person from both sides of the preschool-IEP, parent and former classroom staff, I would get him evaluated now if you can and start him. Yes, now.

That is the only way I can think of to get a kid on an IEP for kindergarten before they go to kindergarten.

In my district, they do evaluations all the time and children who qualify to be on IEP's can start school ANYTIME. The latest start I saw as a teacher was a little girl who came to school for a week and a half before the summer break.

The point? Then, your kid *has* the IEP. And then a public school has to accomodate it.

(I don't know about private schools, but I do know that when I worked at a local public elementary with a private elementary across the street, there were children at the private school who came to the public school for their IEP services--everything from various forms of therapy to resource-room instruction. So....it can be done.)

Ditto all this.

They are telling you to wait, because that is was it easiest for the schools ( right now is a busy evaluation time as parents/teachers realize kids are not *where* they need to be and they want an eval before school is out to see what is going on).

Doesnt matter if they have *experience* w/ ASDs, every kid is different with different needs (speech, OT, social skills, etc).

Schedulingwise--- if they already have an IEP in place services will start quickly and you will be on a schedule with the support staff (SLP, Resource room, Social worker, OT, PT, etc). If you wait until school starts it would be a minimum of 30 school days until an IEP would be in place (if you refer him on the 1st day of school- which is unlikely, they will tell you to wait and see a few weeks, all kids need time to adjust). That could be late Oct/early Nov until services are in place.

If you refer/do an evaluation now,best case you have an IEP lined up for the first day of school. If he needs the services great, if he doesnt end up using them you can readjust the IEP, much easier to reduce services than to increase them. Worst case- he does not qualify for services and you can get a 504 in place, again making sure he has some support/accommodations in place the FIRST day of school. I would not wait and see- because if he does need support then you will be trying to repair a situation rather than start off with support in place.

We had a lot of kids not referred until 2nd/3rd grade when 'quirkiness' started to stick out more and the social differences could no longer be dismissed (wide range of 'normal' for 3-7 yr olds). IMHO that is late and earlier services the better, little kids are more receptive to fun social activities, doing therapies, and generally more accepting of support services than older kids. I am much happier 'dismissing' a kid that I have had since K/1st from Spec. Ed. because they no longer qualify in 4/5th grade than when I get a kid in 4/5th grade and then trying to 'catch up' or do all I can before Middle School.

BUT as a parent of a child w/an IEP, a mom, (and a former Spec.Ed teacher) get the referral in writing now. They have to comply. Be your childs best advocate. Right now the schools are getting a lot of worried phone calls from parents of Kindergarteners starting next fall and if they are going to be 'ready'. Most of the kids will do great and the schools know that, but YOU know your child.

[isign]

Originally Posted by sandcastle

We transitioned from Early Intervention into preschool, but all that had to be done for us was to contact the school system. Actually, EI contacted them for us and got the ball rolling, but we did a lot of the other contact in setting up assessments/evaluations, IEP meetings, etc. If it's a public school, you'd have to contact them about starting the process, but I don't know how anything would work with a private school.

This. We just did this yesterday. Make sure they have copies of all the tests the Dr has done. DS did the ADOS and Bailey (I think) so the only thing needed is an OT eval that will be done right before he turns 3 (Aug 20) so it's current. Since he'll be receiving speech over the summer, as well as OT, I will get all those evals to the school as well.

[cchrissyy]

the IEP process is pretty drawn out. spring is exactly the right time to get this rolling if you want supports in place for the fall!

your letter requesting an IEP gives them 30 days to hold the meeting. but since he's new, they'll want to do assessments, and (this varies by state) that means they have 30 days to sign anassessment plan with you and 30 days to do them and 30 days to hold the meeting. Also, IEP meetings can stretch multiple days, which can really stall out the process. I've been at ones where we agree on some and then agree to reconvene a month later, or after a certain test gets done, and then we meet again but somebody's not present so we have to schedule yet another follow-up. Also, I've dealt with districts who ignore written requests - for instance they might take your written requets for assesments and meetings and just sit on it - that violates federal law but the only way to force movement is a state board of Ed compliance complaint, which has its own timelines...

hope you get the picture - i don't want to overwhelm, I'm just saying don't delay, and put it all in writing.

[peaceful_mama]

I wanted to add here....when I took my son for evaluation at age 3, they did his initial "preschool screening".

That day, they were able to tell me they wanted to do some more detailed testing.

It seems like they did that and we had results within 2 weeks. I am fairly sure I took him sometime in November, shortly after 3rd b-day and he started school Dec. 11th. (I remember the date for some weird reason, he went to school for one week before the holiday break.)

A bigger school district might take longer but IME, they *want* to start helping kids, that is their goal, so they will get it done sooner rather than later.

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by peaceful_mama

A bigger school district might take longer but IME, they *want* to start helping kids, that is their goal, so they will get it done sooner rather than later.

Our school really wants to help kids, but there is a wait list for evals. Funding is a HUGE issue, the state we live in has a deficiet (sp?) and hasn't paid the districts money they are owed. It isn't a good situation, but the school is doing the best they can with what they've got to work with.

I do think there is a certain amount of needing to see exactly what the problem is for kids before they can figure out what they need to do for them. Every kid with aspergers is different -- it's not like they can just write down what needs to be done for a child before they get there, and with minor things like this part of it really depends on the teacher(s) and how flexible they can be without it being official. My DD had many, many accomodations for her before she had a 504.

There's a big difference between a child need physical therapy (or whatever) and a child needs needs extra patience and understanding.