December 9,2008

Well, today I received my copy of Olivia's IEP (individual education plan). Let me breathe here.....OK, We called the meeting early because she was/is having behavioral issues at school. Not listening, not paying attention, & meltdowns. Luckily, her special Ed teacher and myself are on the same page when it comes to Olivia and how she ought to behave at school. So we called the IEP meeting early to see if we could figure out what was causing these disturbances. She is not on any medications.

We tried that route last fall....Let's just say shell shock both of us! It was horrible. ups and downs and trying to find ways for her to take her pills, the patches didn't have much affect, and the liquid made her physically aggressive.

Needless to say that was all for naught we figured out that we'll never know what is going to set her off. She has no triggers. What sets her off is what sets her off no way for the rest of us to know.


Ok the real reason I started this post today was one little itty bitty thing (if your a parent of a special needs child you know there's nothing that itty bitty)

It was this paragraph:

"6. Description of points made by parent including the parent's description of their child's progress.Parent ask about extended year service. At this time there is no plan to have extended year services in the district. If the district decides to have extended year services Olivia will be able to participate. The parent also has concerns of Olivia's transition to the fourth grade. Olivia will have anew teacher as well as a new special education teacher. The special education teacher will work on transition over the year".

Does anyone see what's wrong?

According to the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT and IDEA 2004:
Extended Year Services
(a) general
1.Each school shall ensure that extended years services are available as necessary to provide free appropriate public education.(FAPE)

2.extended school year services must be provided if a student's IEP team determines on an individual basis, that services are necessary for the provision of FAPE to the student.

3. in implementing the requirements a school may not--
i. limit extended school year services to participate categories of disability; or
ii. unilaterally limit the type, amount, or duration of those services.

(b)definition. As used this section, the term extended year services means special education and related services that:
1. Are provided to a student with a disability:
i. Beyond the normal school year of the school;
ii. In accordance with the students IEP; and
iii. At no cost to the parents of the student;and
2. Meet the standards of the state.


So this means as of this moment my school district is breaking the law. I will get ESY services for my daughter. I do not doubt this. If they have to bus her to another school district to do it they will. In about 2 months I will request another meeting to see what's going on and where she will be going for ESY.

Ahh the joys of parenting a child with special needs!!

Thanks for hangin on thru my rant. I appreciate it!!