IEP accomodations, what should i ask for?

[Loony Smurf]

OK i'm going to have to make the new school redo difficult child 3's IEP...he'll be in the sped room for math, reading, writing and science. 4th grade. I'm not sure how many kids and teachers are in the class yet, and he'll be with the regular ed class the rest of the time.

So far the main complaints have been that he doesnt do Any work, has to have someone right ontop of him constantly redirecting him to get anything out of him. He's flighty and doesnt pay a bit of attention to class. Homework is impossible. he's on the IEP for writing troubles, his handwriting is like a first graders still. When he's pushed or upset he gets ornery with other kids...bugging and pestering and trying to trip them and stuff. He does get violent with other kids occassionally if they call a name, he'll hit for instance. Honestly never known him to get that way with an adult but that's what the school is claiming now.

He's very artistic and loves manipulatives...needs to move around a lot. Try and put him at a desk writing...and there's basically no chance of cooperation no matter what you threaten or promise.

He's incredibly smart, but his memory stinks.

Where he was before he had an aide anytime he was in the regular ed classroom except for gym and recess and lunch (tho he prolly should have had one then too since he still got bullied and gave it right back then.

So, i'm open to suggestions on what to ask for, I have a feeling this school district is completely new at dealing with a kid like mine. they get simple ADHD and mild autism from what i hear.

 

[Wiped Out]

I would definitely ask for an aide whenever he is in the reg. classroom. Also, I would recommend having no hw put into the iep. We had to do that with my difficult child due to the fact that he would get so violent-it just wasn't worth the battle for us. We still try to have him do it but don't fight him over it.

Does this district have spec. ed classrooms? I know in our district everything is full inclusion. That means they don't do separate spec. ed rooms. I'm not saying that's always a good thing and you could argue a reg. ed. class isn't his least restrictive enviornment.

Does your difficult child get Occupational Therapist (OT) support at school-I would think he would qualify based on the handwriting. Also, how is he doing with reading? If he is way below grade level I would ask for a direct instruction approach.

 

[susiestar]

Would an aide be a good thing to ask for? either the presence of one in each classroom or a 1:1?

Occupational Therapist (OT) is definitely something he should have. It is helping greatly with thank you's written work.

Does difficult child 3 type? Could he use an AlphaSmart for any written work? Or start learning to use it this year in the sped room BEFORE he is in a reg room for any core classes?

I always wanted an aide for Wiz more for the lunch/recess/before&after school times. Never got one but he would have been MUCH better off with one. The aide during these less structured times can lessen anxiety and help keep bullying behavior away (from difficult child AND from other kids). Those times caused more problems with Wiz than any other time, simply because he registered it as "adult-free, no supervision time".

HAve you asked difficult child 3 what HE thinks would help him participate more and do more school work? Has he been tested for auditory and receptive language problems, as well as every other learning disability? I always think of those when a child doesn't do the work. It may be so tough to sort the teacher's voice from other noises in the classroom.

Having had times when it seemed like I had no filters in my ears to keep certain sounds out, I can tell you how hard sorting the sounds can be. Every sound used to be at roughly the same volume, so I heard the people in the hall, the kid in back saying snarky things, papers rustling, the wind, pens being dropped, the teacher's footsteps and what the teacher was saying ALL jumbled up. For me it was worse with any sinus problem and I grew out of most of it, but it was a huge problem.

People with this problem often don't say anything because they assume it is what EVERYONE hears all the time. So testing can be helpful to identify this and any other problems.

Just a suggestion.

 

[Loony Smurf]

lets see, I believe the school he's going to Does have the separate sped room versus the inclusion where he Was at. I suppose the inclusion might have worked with a full time 1:1 which the school says they couldnt do. (Hoping i wont have to Make them)

He's never had Occupational Therapist (OT), The school he was at didnt think he needed it. However he didnt take to the alphasmart either, tho he does work a bit better on the computer, not much but a little. maybe 10% of his work gets done that way.

I know they tested for learning disabilities and IQ and all that, I'm honestly not sure about the auditory and receptive language stuff. I'll have to look. I hate to say most of the time it seems he just zones adults out lol.

I have asked him what he thinks will help him in school...he just shrugs and refuses to discuss it. he really hates school

His reading however has gone from beginning of first grade level by the end of second grade to end of 5th grade level right now. He's got that understood finally lol...seems we found a couple subjects he enjoyed.

 

[Kjs]

These things worked well for us. difficult child has really good days, but lies to us about homework. KNOWING we will find out anyway.

Due to anxiety / frustration - he has a "cool off pass" All teachers are aware of this and also have a copy. If difficult child feels anxiety or frustration building before he explodes or loses control he will use his cool off pass and go to a designated area (with someone he likes. Up until now it was with an escort) He is able to settle down, regroup and rejoin class. He had 1 of 4 people to go to in middle school. High School he just has a designated area.
- this helped a lot with him to recognize the signs of anxiety/frustration/anger. When he can recognize it he can deal with it better.
- the teachers can also put the pass on his desk, initiating him to go cool off before something explodes.

Writing is also an issue. We have extended time on tests/state tests that require writing. Also has use of computer for any or all free style writing assignments. He can use a flash drive or email if he completes it at home. He goes to the resource room to use the computer there if needed. He was given an alpha smart in 4th grade. He asked for one now so he can take notes. Then just uploads it to the computer.

I also had them add (for ME) anytime he is removed from the class that I am notified in some way. Because what was happening is he was being removed every single day from many classes for NO reason. difficult child is an auditory learner. He needs to be in class. If he isn't doing his work, but isn't disturbing anyone he is to stay in the class.
Also, he was getting referrals. He was blamed for everything that ever happened at the school. I started checking into things (I was not aware of the referal and neither was difficult child) He was being punished, put in ISS, sent to the office to sit in a little room all alone because someone said. On a referral form there is a place for student statement. I requested he attach his statement to every referal and I get a copy. So many times it wasn't his fault and I could prove that. He wasn't always lying. Just an easy target. Now he did his share, due to his mouth and not knowing when to shut it. But he was not violent, never touched anyone.

Even with that, I can go in and review his folder and find referrals that had his statement on, and it was re-typed with-o his statement.

High School is much better. Cool off pass did help him keep in control as well as teachers. Instead of "reacting" it was "proacting" and very little outbursts in class.

 

[Loony Smurf]

I am writing all of this down, you guys have great suggestions keep them coming please!

 

[jannie]

When you say artistic do you mean creative with ideas or do you mean he's really good with drawing, painting and designing etc?

If indeed he is good with drawing and fine motor (and you mention that the school says he doesn't need Occupational Therapist (OT)), the handwriting issues you mention might truly be a result of a writing disability as opposed to a handwriting issue. I would strongly encourage the use of assistive technology using a word prediction type programs such as co-writer, writing cue, write/read outloud, inspiration etc....

It is also possible that the alpha smart your child is using is really outdated....the ones which allow several lines to show at once as well as the ones the have word prediction programs built in are so much better than the older versions. I also really like the FUSION...and I think if I were to purchase one for my child it would be the fusion.

In regards to upto date alpha smarts....etc...I really doubt the school system is required to buy the most up to date. I know our school does NOT have them, but I'm just saying they are better....

 

[jannie]

Is your child stable enough to try medication to assist with the attention piece? I'm sorry that your child is having such a hard time focusing which does really impact his available for instruction.

What great progress with reading....is he in the fifth grade and reading on a fifth grade level? that is amazing? He must have a better memory than you think if he can comprehend at this level.

I would make sure the IEP allows for him to respond orally and/or arrange for alternative formats for assessments as well as alllow child to write inaswer in incomplete assessments.

 

[Loony Smurf]

unfortunately right now medication isnt an option, his father refuses to allow it. he doesnt like the side effects, or the possibility thereof, and thinks that god made the kid ths way for a reason and we have to just teach him to function as he is. That one will have to be hashed out in the divorce.

He's very creative. loves building with legos, torn paper art, models, that kind of thing. he can handle fine manipulatives, but honestly his drawing stinks LOL. he does have weak finger muscles i remember from the testing a couple years ago. all his assessments are from 2nd grade. He's in 4th now.

He isnt using an alphasmart right now, he's refused it. I'm not sure they ever really taught him how to use it. so he prefers the computer which he understands.