Incoming kindergarten- should we pursue IEP?

[Anonymous]

He has a provisional diagnosis of ADHD from pediatrician. Full neuropsych is in October.

He has had a very difficult year of PK4. He was constantly leaving his assigned area and wandering around the classroom, bothering other students who are completing their assignments while doing so; shouts out during lessons; refuses to complete assignments; has a hard time keeping hands and feet to self; and will do other things like breaking crayons, flopping on the floor, making silly noises with his mouth, etc. to disrupt classmates.

Should we pursue an IEP now to get it in place for the school year next year or wait until after the neuropsych is complete?

[Anonymous]

I think you will need the neuropsych. Are you in public?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you will need the neuropsych. Are you in public?

Yes, DCPS

[Anonymous]

In MCPS the child find program was incredibly helpful and went heavily based on the preschool teachers reports. We were able to enter kindergarten with an IEP without a diagnosis (which we got during kindergarten). However we started the process on the February of the year before k, so you may be late. I would try- it was very very helpful to come in with the IEP

[Anonymous]

Start it now. It would be particularly helpful if his current preschool teachers can come to the IEP meeting to tell the team about his difficulties and the support he needs.

[Anonymous]

Do it now! There is a big wait list at Child Find (in Moco). Easier to get it in place now then when school starts.

[Anonymous]

If you’re getting a neuropsych in October, I might wait. With information as to how he’s doing in kindergarten and having testing results, you’re likely to be able to put a better plan in place. You’ve got to decide whether a few months earlier is worth the risk of not getting a plan or not getting what your child needs in a plan and then try to argue that new information should result in different decisions and a different plan.

[Anonymous]

Now, as it will take a long time to get it. Can you see a developmental ped it the meanwhile?

[Anonymous]

I would get the ball rolling now. The process takes a long time and it will be easier based on preschool teacher input. If you need Vanderbilt Assessment forms filled out, see if you can get the preschool teachers to do them now.

[Anonymous]

Hey, MD folks, if the child is already in PK4 in a DCPS, they'll do an eval within the school, not Early Stages (ie Child Find).

[Anonymous]

I thought schools were legally bound by timelines?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought schools were legally bound by timelines?

Yes, but it still takes a long time.

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t hurt to try but I’m kinnnnda on the fence about whether he will actually need it. How does he do in other settings and with other caregivers?

[Anonymous]

tbh that doesn’t sound like a developmentally appropriate PK4 program. Assignments? Assigned areas? It’s entirely possible he needs more supports but it may also be thay he could just use an extra year in a play-based PK. Mind sharing his age and what kind of program it is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:tbh that doesn’t sound like a developmentally appropriate PK4 program. Assignments? Assigned areas? It’s entirely possible he needs more supports but it may also be thay he could just use an extra year in a play-based PK. Mind sharing his age and what kind of program it is?

He is 5, it is public preschool in DC