What has been keeping me busy....

[CAMary]

I am unfortunately having to spend a lot of time advocating for my son through the school district...

We had a meeting last week to address concerns his teacher and I have. He's my former preemie first grader with motor-skills (and handwriting) issues. It is pretty clear he has dysgraphia or some other graphomotor learning disability. His writing looks like that of a pre-K student. It is also evident in his drawing and cutting skills...

All I have requested (twice now) is a fine motor skills evaluation to see how far behind he shows up as, and to get appropriate classroom modifications in place and perhaps a little work with an occupational therapist to give him a boost...Well the district won't do SQUAT for him! Since he is meeting the benchmarks in reading and math (apparently writing and spelling don't count ) he is not "behind" and therefore doesn't qualify for any type of evaluation. I am beyond pissed about it! He clearly has a learning disability, but as long as they don't have to test him for it, they can ignore it. So basically I am stuck until he falls significantly behind..

An option is for me to pursue an independent evaluation, in which case if I get a "diagnosis" or "label" they *might* re-think their position. Said evaluation costs about $3500 which would be solely my responsibility. That's a big gamble.

I have put a call in to an educational advocate who can I hope tell me what our chances are of getting them to step up if we put legal pressure on them. I'm not fully versed in the law - I've spent lots of time reading it and it is confusing. But kids with special education needs DO have rights and entitlements, and he isn't getting his...

My son is due for his annual checkup. I'm going to see if I can get any help from the pediatrician - maybe a referral to a developmental pediatrician, or a place that does neuropsychological screenings for learning disabilities that may actually be covered by insurance??

Our district's motto is "kids come first" - what a heap of crap!!

Anyways that is consuming far too much of my time these days - but you are all in my thoughts and prayers for good health each day

Love,

Mary

[artteacher]

Hi Mary,

This is third hand information, but from a teacher (me) who heard it from school counselors at two different schools, one elementary in AZ, and the other a HS in WA state.. If the schools do the diagnosing, the district is also responsible for the therapy. Therefore, these counselors were TOLD that all they were allowed to do is suggest problems, or report variences from the norm, so that parents would be encouraged go for outside testing and diagnosis. ( And be responsible for the therapy, with the school offering assistance.) The counselors were not to diagnose. Not because they weren't qualified to diagnose ADD or other conditions, but because of the liability issue.

Anyway, I would get outside testing if I were you, to avoid the hassle. Then they will impliment whatever recommendations an expert has, and be more supportive, instead of fighting you.

I hope this gives you something to think about, and please forgive for unsolicited advice. Take it with a grain of salt.

Love, Marsha

[Polly]

Hi Mary!

How frustrating, but not unusual. You should request from the school the parent's guide to P.L.94-142 (education of all handiapped children law). It will tell you about your rights under the law (due process). And it is also a good idea to see the advocate.

As far as I know, motor coordination is one of the areas the school system must address. If you are not happy with the school's response, you need to go to the next level, which is usually the county level. There should be someone at that level with the title of director of special education, and you can speak with him/her about your concerns. If you STILL don't agree with the response, you can go the the state level and speak with the sp. ed. director there.

I always advise parents to inform the school that you are going to the next level. You don't want to "blindside" them (after all, they are the ones who will be doing the remediation for your son). Sometimes informing them alone will get them to start moving. You want to avoid an adversarial relationship if at all possible.

In my experience, the best results occur when the school does both the initial evaluation and the therapy. I have seen schools refuse treatment when the evaluation comes from outside sources. In the case of sp. ed. services, the sqeaky wheel gets the oil. Don't give up - be persistent.

Love,

Polly

[kate_ce1995]

It is SO frustrating! Geoff's oldest has a learning disability and he had to fight to get special help in reading for her. And he had fallen through the cracks because he too has the disability, but always "missed" the marks that would have qualified him for special help because he is otherwise pretty intelligent. He finally got special ed help starting in 8th grade, but by then it really was too late...teacher even acknowledged that to him. My Mom also sees this as she is a Title 1 reading teacher. But fortunately she is in a very small school (about 25-30 kids per grade) so she can take the kids who don't technically qualify to give them a boost.

Of course, I had attrochious (sp?) handwriting when I was in 1st grade too....all the way to jr. high when by writing my name with boys names over and over, it got better. I was told I didn't take pride in my work. Yeah right. My dad's handwriting isn't much better and he was a teacher. I distinctly remember in 5th grade getting all A's except in handwriting and that was a D.

Good luck in your fight. I'm glad you are on top of this for him at a young age. I feel bad for the kids who's parents don't realize or who aren't willing to acknowledge that their kid has a problem.

Katy

[barbaranoela]

What a thing to have to deal with---a real bitch---
There u go wanting help and phtttttttttt!!!!

I have to applaud MINNISINK SCHOOL SYSTEM for handleing issues where kids need help---because of all the help that was given to KAIT--
Home tutoring---even tutoring @ the hospital----
She was even given an hour a day for special testing to see what her disabilities might be, due to her shunt issues---

I hope U YELL and get whats good for your son!!!

Keep @ it Mary!!!!

luv Barbara