2e kid in private, help me understand IEP for public

[Anonymous]

Our education consultants are recommending AAP over switching to another private for our DS. He has ADHD and anxiety - private is extremely focused on his behavior - which includes social difficulties during breaks, lunch, recess. He also has what they feel is negative body language and at times sighs or huffs and puffs.They also feel he can be inflexible at times (he’s still finishing an assignment and needs to move on and doesn’t do so immediately). He has had straight As thru elementary school and does enrichment on the weekends in math where he is several grades ahead (hes finishing fifth and is finishing algebra 1). Ed consultants don’t feel the privates w good experience w adhd will not be academic enough - we got him into aap years ago - and they feel that is where he will do better. Please help me understand the process for public - do we schedule a meeting this spring with new school and ask for an IEP? What goes into an IEP for behavior and social challenges? I’m worried about the bigger class sizes for him - this has been a hard road thru elementary and isn’t really getting any easier.

[Anonymous]

You enroll him for the fall as soon as you can and ask for him to be evaluated. That starts the clock and the school then does an evaluation. IME, some of it may happen over the summer, but most if it happens in the fall after school starts. There is then a meeting and if he qualifies, he can have an IEP. There is really no way to start the year with the IEP in place, so he won't have any support at the beginning.

Our experience (diff district) was that the IEP was in place by November or so. It might include things like a behavior support plan and social goals (starting conversations with peers). If he needs academic support, it could include a copy of notes, or a resource period where he can get help planning and organizing.

[Anonymous]

The families we know who made the switch were able to take care of the IEP before their child started school but it's definitely school dependent. I would aim for getting something in place and call them tomorrow to ask how to enroll and start the IEP clock.

[Anonymous]

For 6th grade looking toward middle school coming from private school, I started the process by emailing the principal of our base elementary. It took about 4 months, and was all set before starting in the Fall.

[Anonymous]

Should we hire someone to assist us? What happens in AAp if they have behavioral issues or social issues? We aren’t hitting or throwing chairs - but once. A week he is difficult w a teacher (doesn’t like the group project, doesn’t like the game in PE) or he gets involved in some disagreement among peers. Does the IEP address stuff like that? I’m so nervous he’ll be alone on the playground w no friends (he does have three at private)

[Anonymous]

Www.wrightslaw.com. If you have the means hire a lawyer/advocate to assist you with the process. Schools often don’t want to provide the level of services necessary for financial reasons but they have an obligation to uphold the federal Iep laws. Knowledge and advocacy are your best weapons especially for an initial iep.

[Anonymous]

OP I would call around and snag some free consults with some advocates and attorneys. Maybe you'll need one, maybe you won't. Shop around and compare to decide for yourself. Here's a couple of great local databases to get you started.

https://pathfindersforautism.org/business-directory/

https://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/md.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should we hire someone to assist us? What happens in AAp if they have behavioral issues or social issues? We aren’t hitting or throwing chairs - but once. A week he is difficult w a teacher (doesn’t like the group project, doesn’t like the game in PE) or he gets involved in some disagreement among peers. Does the IEP address stuff like that? I’m so nervous he’ll be alone on the playground w no friends (he does have three at private)

There is nothing that an IEP can do to help him have friends at lunch. On the other hand, he is more likely to find similar kids in AAP and avoid exclusion that way. He can't be removed from an AAP classroom for the behavior that you describe, but that doesn't mean that it won't frustrate other children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should we hire someone to assist us? What happens in AAp if they have behavioral issues or social issues? We aren’t hitting or throwing chairs - but once. A week he is difficult w a teacher (doesn’t like the group project, doesn’t like the game in PE) or he gets involved in some disagreement among peers. Does the IEP address stuff like that? I’m so nervous he’ll be alone on the playground w no friends (he does have three at private)

There is nothing that an IEP can do to help him have friends at lunch. On the other hand, he is more likely to find similar kids in AAP and avoid exclusion that way. He can't be removed from an AAP classroom for the behavior that you describe, but that doesn't mean that it won't frustrate other children.

IME our public school was a lot more active in helping DC with social issues than our private. They, and I assumed it was because they dealt with a wider range of kids, would really work with other kids to include DC in various settings. They also had a social skills class in elementary school that involved a whole bunch of kids and was pretty fun, so I hear. Private was not equiped for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our education consultants are recommending AAP over switching to another private for our DS. He has ADHD and anxiety - private is extremely focused on his behavior - which includes social difficulties during breaks, lunch, recess. He also has what they feel is negative body language and at times sighs or huffs and puffs.They also feel he can be inflexible at times (he’s still finishing an assignment and needs to move on and doesn’t do so immediately). He has had straight As thru elementary school and does enrichment on the weekends in math where he is several grades ahead (hes finishing fifth and is finishing algebra 1). Ed consultants don’t feel the privates w good experience w adhd will not be academic enough - we got him into aap years ago - and they feel that is where he will do better. Please help me understand the process for public - do we schedule a meeting this spring with new school and ask for an IEP? What goes into an IEP for behavior and social challenges? I’m worried about the bigger class sizes for him - this has been a hard road thru elementary and isn’t really getting any easier.

Have you looked at or spoken to the folks at Commonwealth Academy? My good friend ahs a middle schooler there that is whip smart and they have been able to challenge him - I think he goes to above grade level classes in math and history. They are very happy with it.

[Anonymous]

I assume your child is into the AAP program?

If yes, I would enroll and send a letter to the school Principal stating that your child has a ADHD diagnosis and you would like to get a full evaluation to determine if your child's learning difference impacts ability to access the curriculum such that they would qualify for an IEP.

Having this as a written request triggers the process to start. The Principal might refer you to your home school - but it will get the process moving.

While the process is moving, you want to frame out your concerns. How ADHD impacts your child throughout the school day. Familiarize yourself with the language of special education so that you can have meaningful engagement and not feel like you are drinking from a fire hose.

I would also look around and find an advocate who is familiar with your school. I would not start with a lawyer. You mentioned you are working with an educational consultant - I assume this person is more of a specialist in the different schools available that special education advocacy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Should we hire someone to assist us? What happens in AAp if they have behavioral issues or social issues? We aren’t hitting or throwing chairs - but once. A week he is difficult w a teacher (doesn’t like the group project, doesn’t like the game in PE) or he gets involved in some disagreement among peers. Does the IEP address stuff like that? I’m so nervous he’ll be alone on the playground w no friends (he does have three at private)

There is nothing that an IEP can do to help him have friends at lunch. On the other hand, he is more likely to find similar kids in AAP and avoid exclusion that way. He can't be removed from an AAP classroom for the behavior that you describe, but that doesn't mean that it won't frustrate other children.

This is not true. A teacher at our child's school hosted groups of kids for lunch and recess. Sometimes they were kids with IEPs or 504s but sometimes they were just kids who were struggling to find friends. I have heard from parents that this can be written into the IEP as part of a social skills goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I assume your child is into the AAP program?

If yes, I would enroll and send a letter to the school Principal stating that your child has a ADHD diagnosis and you would like to get a full evaluation to determine if your child's learning difference impacts ability to access the curriculum such that they would qualify for an IEP.

Having this as a written request triggers the process to start. The Principal might refer you to your home school - but it will get the process moving.

While the process is moving, you want to frame out your concerns. How ADHD impacts your child throughout the school day. Familiarize yourself with the language of special education so that you can have meaningful engagement and not feel like you are drinking from a fire hose.

I would also look around and find an advocate who is familiar with your school. I would not start with a lawyer. You mentioned you are working with an educational consultant - I assume this person is more of a specialist in the different schools available that special education advocacy.

You don't need to say you want a full evaluation. You can also present your own which might speed things along. Some schools will accept those for transfer students especially if you let them know your child has had some challenges in the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should we hire someone to assist us? What happens in AAp if they have behavioral issues or social issues? We aren’t hitting or throwing chairs - but once. A week he is difficult w a teacher (doesn’t like the group project, doesn’t like the game in PE) or he gets involved in some disagreement among peers. Does the IEP address stuff like that? I’m so nervous he’ll be alone on the playground w no friends (he does have three at private)

That seems like not a big deal in public school and if it bothers the teacher she'll probably just bring in the resource teacher. Some teachers will be more communicative than others and may let you know about it while others won't bother. It sounds like the behavior may be annoying but not disruptive at all. Many kids complain about the work or the PE activity but they will usually grudgingly participate. Is your child participating or will he go off into a corner and refuse to move?

[Anonymous]

My two cents: the school is hyperfocusing on these tiny behavioral moments to make a case to either get you to leave or counsel him out. You smartly took the hint. I have a sneaking suspicion that once he’s in public and the school/teacher are not breathing down his neck getting them to fit into their mold, he will not need too much intervention. Public schools don’t micromanage the kids in the way you describe your son’s school. He’s more likely to get a 504 with accommodations like a flash pass to take a break or see the counselor, extra time to finish, cues/warnings/reminders for transitions, etc. It’s trickier but not impossible to make a case that he can’t access the curriculum and needs an iep when clearly he is achieving academically at a high level without intervention. It sounds like targeted supports and accommodations would set him up for success.