It's that time of year again where I find myself attending various IEP meetings. (Individualized Education Plans) I have two children, my two boys who are 9 & 10 who are still receiving their education in the public school setting, so at the end of every school year we get together to talk about what plans and placements I want to see for the next school year.
Normally I don't get myself worked up over IEP's because I know what my rights as a parent are, and I know what my children need from their education, so our IEP's usually go smoothly. I had my older son's IEP two weeks ago and although it wasn't his transitional IEP (meaning going from the elementary school to the middle school) I do have concerns about his placement. Once 6th grade rolls around, I want my two boys placed into the school for disabled children. This has been something that I've had on my mind for three years and now that I know that the possibility it there that they will go there come 6th grade, I can calm down just a bit over the transition IEP's.
Today's IEP was for my son who will be going into 4th grade next year. My son is cognitively impaired, he was born with a rare birth defect called Fetal Valproate Syndrome and during a traumatic birth, he suffered a brain injury that added to his cognitive issues. My other son is also cognitively impaired, but we are not sure why. Both boys have a form of autism called Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified. Children with PDD-NOS tend to be a little lower functioning in some areas of development. Like I said, my boys are 9 & 10 (their birthdays are in June, 4 days apart) and they both function like 5 year old in most developmental categories. Both boys are reading at a 1st grade level, and my older son is writing like a second grader, whereas my younger son is just learning how to write.
So I left today's IEP with a nice feeling and I'm comfortable with his placement. Overall, it was a good meeting and those are the kind I like to have!
Until next time...
Good IEP meetings are like a free piece of pie... Always a surprise, and you're left with an unexpected smile of satisfaction on your face. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, they are! I usually try not to stress over an IEP, but I can go from human to mother polar bear in 3.5 seconds if need be. It's only happened a few times, but now that they are forewarned, things go more smoothly. Just had to show my teeth and claws. :-)
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