MFE Review meeting wednesday-brain overload!

[aslyn]

Background Story here

So the review meeting is wednesday, I was called by the school psychologist to add to the assesments for OT and had to go up to the school yesterday to sign my consent, she was supposed to be there to do the IQ test and send me home a report on the 19th for the meeting wednesday. I get up there and she was out due to a death in the family (sad for her, hope her family is pulling through) so they asked me to just write a note that I was ok with it and then tell me they want to add in a PT assesment too..OK I sign for it, but I was a bit taken aback since that was a surprise. Now my brain is in overtime mode, I completely understand that she's got things going on..so please don't think I am complaining..I'm just thinking out loud so to speak.

If she is going to be out at least the rest of the week I don't expect I will have that report monday. Which puts me in an akward position, I do not want to go to this meeting unprepared. I need to know what I am dealing with beforehand, an idea of what to expect. IMO my dh needs this information as well in case he has questions to add in since he will not be attending. There are now 3 evaluations on the table that aren't complete (to my knowledge), so that leaves Today, Tommorow, and Monday to do them, Tuesday DD has an all day field trip, and wednesday is the meeting..I think this is a bit of a time crunch considering they have not been done in the 7/2-8weeks since I signed the consent forms..

Now I am wondering if I should contact the principal and find out if they have enough to support that she does qualify for special ed services as of this point, I don't see a whole lot of reason to have a meeting if theres nothing to discuss except the testing isnt done and they need to reschedule. On the other hand I would really like to have some answers and piece of mind so giving them the "out" of rescheduling would just drag it out longer..

So here I am on the fence..wwyd? Ideas? Suggestions?

[Aridel]

I would call, and run through your list of questions with them. It sounds like you have a few, but I would have them written so that you remember everything & sound organized. It sounds like you have at least a few clear questions:

1. Will you be able to get the reports/when? Which reports may be late?
2. Will you be discussing all of the evals at the meeting, or will you need another meeting to talk about OT/PT?
3. What will actually be covered at the meeting?

You can always have the meeting, discuss most of the assessments, see about eligibility/draft an IEP, and agree to meet again when the motor therapists are done. Or you could wait for one big meeting. Personally, I'd keep the meeting next week, to hear some answers, and hold them to the timeline they are mandated to keep. It's getting close to the end of the year, and you really want a plan in place for next school year (possibly summer services too) even if it is one you end up fiddling with later.

[aslyn]

You have been sooo helpful through all my neurotic mamma posts! Thank you!

I really needed some reassurance I wasn't being a nut-job to the school district. I will def take your advice and keep the meeting, if nothing else to find out progress. We really need to make a plan of action for next yr either way. She is failing everything (report card wise) except Art, Music and Gym..which by their grading scale all she needs to do is be awake and show an effort on her part to pass those classes.I really cannot see them putting her in a 3rd grade general ed class next yr knowing by their own admission she hasnt mastered a K level of reading/math. Although I am super thrilled she is finaly able to write and recognize our last name!

[karne]

I just wanted to chime in and say that you really have a lot of ground to cover, and perhaps two meetings would be a good option if they don't have all of the testing/results done on time. I don't think it's a good thing that it's so pressured at the end of the process, but all in all you sound like you're going to have a substantial amount of material to digest. I also reccomend going ahead with the meeting. It doesn't sound like your dd's qualifying for special ed services is going to hinge on the PT/OT evals, more that they are pieces in the bigger picture.

Do you have a copy of Wright's Law (think that's the correct spelling) re: your rights in this process? Good luck to you. I know how crazy the first few times through this process can be. It can be really nerve wracking, but you sound like a great advocate.

[aslyn]

karne: Thank you I do have wrights Law bookmarked and am planning spending the entirety of the weekend reading and studying and making notes

I am really super nervous about the meeting..I wish I could take a lot of the btdt folks here with me to this meeting!

I did call the principal but was told she was in a meeting and that the meeting was still "a go" by the secretary. I am going to call back on monday morning to find out about the reports. According to the IDEA book specific to Ohio it says they were required to send them in writing 14 days before the meeting. I do understand things happen and am not a super b*tch (well yeah I am but..) so I agreed to the 19th, but I really do think I should have access to whatever is available currently