IEP and labelling?

[minkin03]

My 7yo dd has dyspraxia and currently getting OT privately (not through the school or district). The OT and I suspect that she is dyslexic and I've been trying to get the school/district to get her therapy. So far we've been paying for it ourselves but it's more than we can afford. The director at her school offered that she could be evaluated for an IEP but that it would go in her record and will be there all through her academic career. Friends of mine have also mentioned this and that it will affect her getting into college. Is this true?

[KCMichigan]

I would get an eval through the schools. Yes, it will be in her file. No, it should not affect her ability to go/get into to college. 

If she IS dyslexic and she continues to have it impact her whole life--- most colleges have programs/adaptations for students that have learning disabilities. The state university I attended used audio text books for students that had reading comp. concerns. They were also allowed to audio tape lectures, type notes, extra time, and have other accommodations. In fact, it was often a topic we discussed (all of is being in college to be Special Education teachers) and students were very open that some of them had personally struggled with dysgraphia, dyslexia, and other disabilities. At that age (18-23) it was seen as more of a positive experience that led them to go into teaching other students. A few mentioned writing about it in their application essays.

I taught students with learning disabilities at the elementary level. ALL students benefit from 'early school support'. The earlier that support from the school is put into place (for students that qualify for it), the better. It is much much easier to teach strategies and reading skills to a 6-8 yr old than a 11-12 yr old. After 2nd grade, students generally read to learn (vs learn to read in K-2) and any student that struggles with basic reading skills and comprehension, it is much harder to adapt and keep up without any techniques, accommodations, and independent reading instruction.

Some students require support for a short time (1-3 years) and they gather skills through alternative reading methods and support that they are able to drop the support. Some have it for all of Elem. School and then go on to Middle school with just a few accommodations or a 504 plan.Other students continue to have support through middle & high school. Each child is unique and needs an individual plan

I would aim to help her NOW as much as you can, then deal with any concerns you have in the future as they come up. Colleges will not look at her Elementary level transcripts and cumulative folders.

An eval is just that as well. An eval-- it will help determine if she qualifies for support through the schools, what your options are (504, IEP, etc), adn give some more insight on where she is at academically and how she learns best.

[melissa17s]

I agree with the previous poster about IEP's.  You may encounter hesitation from the school to evaluate.  My ds has dyslexia and we asked about it in 1st and 2nd grade years and the teachers said that the errors he was making reading was with in the range of normal. You many need to have an evaluation by private psychologist.  The person who evaluated ds from the school could not label or diagnose his disabilities, but could identify the accommodations he needed to be more successful in school and try to meet his IEP goals.  They also referred to recommendations from the psychologist that performed his neuropsych exams.  

[audmommy]

If you have had your daughter in private therapy, your private therapist can be brought in as a specialist to your IEP meeting (you have the right to invite anyone you like to an IEP meeting). 

It should not negatively impact your daughter getting into college.  

I agree with the other poster, I would push the school to hold an IEP meeting and get things going for your daughter if she needs this help now rather than later - I understand how expensive therapy can be..

Good luck to you!