"Screening Meeting"
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Anonymous
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I searched the forum but didn't see this particular question so I hope I'm not duplicating....
We are new to the area and have a rising 9th grader with various learning differences requiring (we think) an IEP. I submitted all of the MCPS paperwork to the office of special education and we're having what the message said was a "screening meeting" at the school in a couple of weeks for parents only. Can someone tell me what this is before I call back? I want to have any questions prepared in advance. Is it to let us know what they think our daughter needs/doesn't need or is it just to review the paperwork I submitted? Thanks for any info you can share. |
Anonymous
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It’s a meeting to decide what, if any, screening is necessary. You need to prepare for this. If it’s determined that screening isnt necessary, the process is done.
To prepare, make sure you have documentation of the diagnosis. Make a list of the reasons you think the disability is impacting the ability to access the curriculum. Have any evaluations and class work examples ready. |
Anonymous
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This would be a great time to hire ( or ask the school to provide) an advocate if you can afford one. They are great for helping with first meetings.
www.wrightslaw.com |
Anonymous
| Anytime a parent requests an IEP, a "screening meeting" is held to review key pieces of information; a parent questionnaire, a classroom observation, an educational history, and a teacher report. (This is in MCPS). All the pieces of data will be reviewed, teacher and parent concerns, and a decision made about whether or not there is an indication of a disability, and if there is an academic impact, and a need for specialized instruction. If there is, testing will be recommended, and then what type of testing is needed will be discussed. It may be that the team suspects a disability, but there isn't an academic impact or need for specialized instruction, so they may recommend assessment for a 504 plan if ADHD or Anxiety is the concern. |
Anonymous
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Also know that in MoCo the school can provide testing OR you can do it privately, but not both.
Do you have a private neuropsych already done? (Strongly recommend that.) If you are planning on getting one, make sure you have it timed so you will get the report within the 90 days of initiating the screening. It really helps to know what you are asking for in advance, the neuropsych will help with this, since MoCo operates on an LRE basis meaning the Least Restrictive Environment. So they start you off on a 504 and then increase as it fails your kid. Did you have an IEP at your last school? If not you will need to really show need, otherwise they will try to do a 504 first. Since you seem unsure of whether your kid qualifies for an IEP I would recommend spending a few hundred to have a consult with an educational consultant. Unfortunately in MCPS, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. |
Anonymous
It’s like that in every county in every state I’ve worked in, not just MCPS, sadly. I strongly agree to immediately hire an educational consultant or advocate. |
Anonymous
| This is one of the trickiest meetings in MCPS. You need to convince them that your child has a disability that warrants specialized instruction. If you can’t convince them, they will end the IEP process. Go in swinging with lots and lots of data. |
Anonymous
Is that true that you can't have both school and private testing submitted? I'm not in MD. Where I live you can submit private testing, but the school will always do its own testing. I wouldn't rely on school testing. At my child's former school, the reading specialist found that she was reading on grade level while by every other measure she was two years behind (according to classroom teacher, outside OG tutor, and the neurospych). |
Anonymous
| OP here - we had neuropsych testing done privately two years ago which resulted in an ASD and ADHD diagnosis. DC has struggled with anxiety and depression, over the past few years, and we have diagnosis paperwork from an intensive outpatient program from this past Fall. As part of that paperwork, the psychiatrist also confirmed the ASD and ADHD diagnoses but he isn't a neuropsych tester. I appreciate the advice. It is sad that people need to hire advocates in order to get services - I bet now more than ever MCPS is inundated with IEP applications. |
Anonymous
It sounds like you have the documentation of the disability, also make sure that you can show what areas your child needs specialized instruction. For example, does your child struggle to make inferences while reading? Is your child not able to work with peers without guidance? Does your child need specialized math instruction due to not being able to break problems down? Basically, you should be able to show how the disability impacts your child's education. In general, an ASD and ADHD diagnosis shouldn't be too hard to get through screening unless your child is earning all A's or something. I don't think you will need an advocate. |
Anonymous
Well autism diagnosis basically secures your right to an IEP vs 504, definitely push for that as you have more options for services and more protections to ensure the IEP is being correctly implemented. Advocates or lawyers have always been necessary because IEP is under federal law and typically the school isn’t even well-versed in this broad area. Schools also usually care more about money than the children and try to get parents just to sign off on whatever draft they propose. That’s not how it’s supposed to work. Advocates and lawyers are often helpful for you to have as you can meet prior and go in with a plan of need and supporting documentation. During the meeting you Can refer to them about how the goal or services can be adjusted to better fit your child’s needs. The school will not help much with this part IME their goal is getting you to sign the draft as close to written as possible as quickly as possible. Don’t waste their time but take the time and work through each area to ensure all needs are covered. You can always have a second meeting if the first goes too long, not uncommon when school and parents don’t see eye to eye. If you go in prepared that shouldn’t be necessary, just saying don’t feel rushed. Also never sign something you don’t agree with or are unsure about. Take the IEP home, discuss with advocate, make sure it’s right before signing off. |
Anonymous
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My child with ASD switched from an IEP to a 504 when moving between middle and high school. He had behavioral issues in early elementary that resolved as he got older. He is going great with a 504!
Does your child not already have an IEP or 504? What services does your child need that they are not already getting? |
Anonymous
We moved from South Carolina and our public middle school was small. No more than 12-15 kids in a class so my DC was able to easily take breaks when overwhelmed, didn't need preferential seating because any seat was good, the teachers gave him extra time if needed etc. I knew we had it good but I had no idea....! I'm glad your child is doing so well! |
Anonymous
| Not OP but I am waiting to hear back regarding our initial meeting (which sounds like its the screening meeting). It also sounds like they already know exactly what they'll offer in terms of services at this meeting, which makes the name (screening) kind of funny. |
Anonymous
Wow! That school sounds fantastic! Everything you mentioned would be covered in a 504 which the autism diagnosis will get you. You might want to start there and then pursue an IEP if that is not enough support. |