Initial IEP soon for a 9th grader - any advice?

[Anonymous]

My daughter was recently found eligible and we have the initial IEP coming up soon. She is in 9th grade and failing or borderline failing most classes. We feel pretty hopeless at the moment and don’t even know how to go into this process. She was found eligible for OHI with adhd. Any and all advice is welcome.

She’s had a 504 for years with accommodations that don’t seem to be given or helping if they are. She’s highly distracted, disorganized, does not want our help at home and fairly weak in most academic areas but doesn’t qualify for a learning disability.

[Anonymous]

That’s good news. The most important point I can think of is trying to figure out why she’s not successful. For example, does she have difficulty when it comes to expressing herself in writing and if so why. in addition to extra time would a scribe or reader help. figuring this out will help you formulate goals amd services.

the school will have a lot of ideas for you. and remember, if you all don't get it right the first time, you can reconvene and revise.

two of the best things we got were weekly reports from the case manager and advance notification to me of projects that would affect the grade.

[Anonymous]

Kids with ADHD need concepts and assignments broken down into chunks, stronger accountability, and more frequent feedback. Your DD might be given an IEP goal related to staying engaged in class and asking for help instead of "checking out." If she needs academic goals too, make sure to ask for them.

Some schools like to provide most IEP services in the context of a homework help class. Ask what IEP services will be provided in the subject classes, and what is meant to happen in the homework help class. Ask about the case manager. Will they know DD from any of her classes? How often will they have a chance to check in with her?

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the advice. You both brought up good points, especially the reminder that this is a starting point that can always be changed. -OP

[Anonymous]

Honestly - see a psychiatrist and see if ADHD medication would help. Get a tutor so she can start seeing she is not stupid and IS able to learn with the right kind of help. Get an executive function tutor who can do a deep dive on her grades and start figuring out why she is failing - is she failing tests and quizzes? is she finishing them w/i time? what kind of errors is she making - attentional, impulsive or substantive? is she turning in assignments late or not at all? Many ADHD kids don’t understand why they are getting the grades they are getting.

Did the school do a *full* psychoeducational assessment by the school psychologist - that means IQ testing and a *full* battery of achievement testing that tests all components of reading, math and writing as well as questionnaires to assess for anxiety, depression and attention. If the school didn’t do this, they didn't really meet their child find obligation and then you really can’t be sure what is going on with her. Did they do this kind of testing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Did the school do a *full* psychoeducational assessment by the school psychologist - that means IQ testing and a *full* battery of achievement testing that tests all components of reading, math and writing as well as questionnaires to assess for anxiety, depression and attention. If the school didn’t do this, they didn't really meet their child find obligation and then you really can’t be sure what is going on with her. Did they do this kind of testing?

Some of what you are suggesting goes beyond the boundaries of a psycheducational eval. Schools only do the testing that the team feels necessary. If you want it all, typically you need to do it privately.

[Anonymous]

Best thing you can do is go in with records and knowledge about deficits. Have all evaluations, reports, teacher emails, etc ready as backup. Know what you’re asking for before you go. I’d hire an advocate or attorney to meet with you prior to discuss options and accompany you to the meeting.

www.wrightslaw.com

[Anonymous]

Having dealt with FCPS and IEP for years- know that you are your kids biggest advocate and the schools want to do as little as possible for your kid.

Ask for team taught classes, extra time on assignments, help with organization, half the homework, monthly progress reports, and goals that can be measured and define what those measurements are upfront.

The whole process really sucks and getting help really takes some pressure.

[Anonymous]

What school system are you in, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What school system are you in, OP?

FCPS. I think they did the complete testing that the other poster described. So far, the teachers and counselor seem like they want to work with us so I’m not sure what we would hire an advocate for at the moment. It seems like team taught classes, check ins for organization, the study skills class, frequent breaks and class seat could be a good start. I can see grades online in real time but some teachers are not good with keeping Schoology updated with assignments or then entering grades when things are handed in. -OP

[Anonymous]

I worked for FCPS for years and did all I could to support students. It’s BS that teachers don’t care.

I would let her start with what they recommend, and then call an IEP to review, if she’s not doing well. I’d also consider the self-esteem needs if she’s not doing well and consider some private counseling, if it seems warranted.

Ask the school psychologist to meet privately with her to go over the testing, so she understands how she learns and feels free to ask questions.

If there is a very weak academic area, like math or writing, get a summer tutor.