From: "Suzanne Heath" To: Subject: Re: Parent in FL needs help for an upcoming IEP in 2 weeks Date: Thursday, September 22, 2005 11:01 AM There is no justification for cutting out services in an IEP unless an evaluation shows that the child is now at age and grade level. Even when that is the case, that only shows that the IEP is working it is not necessarily justification for cutting off the program that is working. See a recent First Circuit decision - http://www.drcnh.org/BryanM.htm These are web resources that will help you with PLOP and goals. http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/tests_measurements.html http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/iep.success.bateman.htm http://www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/sped/issues-IEPissues/writingiep/writingindex.htm Remember to also have your state academic content standards with you for the grade your child is in. This tells the team what the state says children in that grade need to know and be able to do. Unless you have an evaluation that specifically says your son is incapable of learning these things, then the IEP team must develop a program and a placement to teach these things to your son. And these are excellent books. http://www.wrightslaw.com/store/bb.iep.html http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0966652924/ref%3Dnosim/thespecialedadvo/103-6345750-9447800 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1879618036/ref%3Dnosim/thespecialedadvo/103-6345750-9447800 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/188547752X/ref%3Dnosim/thespecialedadvo/103-6345750-9447800 Sue ----- Original Message ----- From: lworden772@aol.com To: sueheath@wrightslaw.com Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 7:01 PM Subject: Parent in FL needs help for an upcoming IEP in 2 weeks Hello, I am a parent in FL that has a upcoming IEP for our soon to be son who is Autistic and I requested they do evals and assessments prior to our meeting which is for next Tuesday. I also have recently been observing our son on various days so that I can see "his day" and observe teaching curriculums and techniques used in various settings and I can forsee that they consider him "doing great" and they will most likely reccommend he drop Speech and/or OT. As far as they are concerned they've done their job and provided a F.A.P.E. Parents however know better and my question to is, what tools can you suggest I read to bone up on becoming a formidable advocate for our son within the next week or two. I just spent the day researching the reference books availble at our local library and well there were only 7 books and they have bits and pieces of info but I need help to suggest the exact books to order off Amazon to get here in time for me to read. I know the Wrightslaw: Sp Ed Law is a given. (IDEA, 504, 1414, Appendix A, etc.) and then I need the best one on helping to write a child's PLPs, short-term & long term goals that are specific and measurable because the previous were too vague. I know that they are counting on me to bring to the meeting a prepared list of reasonable and accurate PLP's, short and long term goals that it'll save time and provide me with a paper trail as I present my concerns in writting (a parent's C.Y.A. policy). Unfortunalely, the school and it's district is lacking professionals with specific knowledge on Autism this will adversely affect their ability to assess & evaluate our son by relying only on the tests to measure these children and not true insight or knowledge. I understand our area is limited to the resources available and I am trying to change that by helping the community by opening a CARD Chapter and an ASA Chapters in our area. I know it's not their fault it is the way it is and I must work very hard to amicably work with these folks to see if I can get the services he will need and be able to educate and provide factual evidence/laws to do so. I'm sorry if this doesn't make any sense I'm doing homework with our son and I'm on and off trying to finish writing this letter to you. I understand you do research I am trying to do a little research of my own but am very limited to the resources available to me, so I thought perhaps you could provide me with a fast track plan of attack to do one heck of a job so after going through it I can one day help others without all the stress of doing their own research. I need to be as accurate, professional and thorough as possible to ensure our son gets what services he truly deserves without having to go through mediation and/or due process. I appreciate anything you toss my way. If you would rather we talk on the phone please do not hesitate to call me anytime between 7 AM - 11 PM I'm on a deadline and somehow I found you and thought oh well what the heck maybe she can help. My number is 772-468-2171 my name is Lisa Worden-Olsen were in FL. I wish I lived in your neck of the woods who knows maybe one day. Thanks again and have a great day/weekend. Lisa