IEP and rising AAP student

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC has experienced both the AAP center and LLIV (no IEP or special needs). When I asked DC was there any difference betw either classroom, the answer was "at the Center we wasted a lot of time because the teacher had to deal with crying or angry boys."

I'm afraid I just don't understand how people feel their kids who have emotional issues have the "right" to special attention both from an IEP and AAP. This is public education - the majority of the children get no special attention what so ever. Be happy that you get either an IEP or AAP.

are you for real? So, in your opinion, despite the fact that a child has been identified as being in need of gifted services, you feel that this child should be kept in General Education, so your snowflake genius does not have his or her learning disrupted? Any special needs parent would love to give up their IEP to have a child without issues. What you are asking for is a private school, who can weed out "problem" students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC has experienced both the AAP center and LLIV (no IEP or special needs). When I asked DC was there any difference betw either classroom, the answer was "at the Center we wasted a lot of time because the teacher had to deal with crying or angry boys."

I'm afraid I just don't understand how people feel their kids who have emotional issues have the "right" to special attention both from an IEP and AAP. This is public education - the majority of the children get no special attention what so ever. Be happy that you get either an IEP or AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the feedback. We had planned to stay at the base school until we reviewed the different curriculum. It will work well for my son, especially the constant projects I keep hearing about that take place in 3rd grade. My son's creativity is off the chart and he often does his own elaborate projects. He has poor coping skills and often will go from 0 to 360 in anger. We have him in OT, speech and regular therapy on our own and have made really great strides this year. I don't think he needs 30 hours next year but definitely help with transitions and specials.

The 30 hours is over the course of the week. There is one teacher assigned along with an assistant. They rotate between my son's class in which there are three special needs kids and another class which has 4 special needs kids. The teacher and assistant manage all seven kids so it is not like there is just one person for him.

I will reach out to the special needs teachers at his new school this spring instead of waiting for the fall so we can be sure we are working together for him to succeed.

If this is a big reason for your choice, I'd confirm with the school and parents about these projects. Ours are infrequent and not too elaborate at our center.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again for the support. I do believe my son will excel in the AAP program despite having an IEP. I also believe he has a right to be there. The law supports this right. If I could go back and have an average kiddo without special needs, I would probably do it but he is who he is and we must work with him to have him succeed. We didn't go with AAP just because of the projects, but it was in the plus column. Interestingly, we got a call from AAP center's principal yesterday and she was clearly trying to talk us out of AAP for our son. It wasn't whether he is good for the program or not. We know she doesn't want to add a kid with a big IEP to her school. She doesn't want the extra budget and work involved. She really talked down to us and it gave us a bad taste for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks again for the support. I do believe my son will excel in the AAP program despite having an IEP. I also believe he has a right to be there. The law supports this right. If I could go back and have an average kiddo without special needs, I would probably do it but he is who he is and we must work with him to have him succeed. We didn't go with AAP just because of the projects, but it was in the plus column. Interestingly, we got a call from AAP center's principal yesterday and she was clearly trying to talk us out of AAP for our son. It wasn't whether he is good for the program or not. We know she doesn't want to add a kid with a big IEP to her school. She doesn't want the extra budget and work involved. She really talked down to us and it gave us a bad taste for her.

I'm sorry that stinks. Was the call unsolicited? Is there any LLIV program at your current school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has experienced both the AAP center and LLIV (no IEP or special needs). When I asked DC was there any difference betw either classroom, the answer was "at the Center we wasted a lot of time because the teacher had to deal with crying or angry boys."

I'm afraid I just don't understand how people feel their kids who have emotional issues have the "right" to special attention both from an IEP and AAP. This is public education - the majority of the children get no special attention what so ever. Be happy that you get either an IEP or AAP.

Fortunately, that's not the law. If an educational option (AAP) is offered in the school district, it must be offered to a student with a disability. It is public school. If you don't like it, shell out for private school.

The people that are unhappy are the ones with kids with behavioral/mental health issues - they are upset that they don't get twice the services. It doesn't bother the rest of us except to possibly waste class time. I feel quite lucky that DC has access to a more challenging curriculum, but I don't think it's the public school system's responsibility to provide it. If they do provide it - great, if they don't - it's just a shame.

I think what you say above actually applies to the unhappy parents to whom I am referring - if the public school system does not provide your child with all the services you need, think about paying and going private.
AAP is being offered to all students that qualify. You can't be up in arms that your child is not getting ALL the services you want at the same time. As I mentioned before, most of the kids in this country get no special services what so ever. Consider yourself lucky that you are being offered whatever services your child gets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks again for the support. I do believe my son will excel in the AAP program despite having an IEP. I also believe he has a right to be there. The law supports this right. If I could go back and have an average kiddo without special needs, I would probably do it but he is who he is and we must work with him to have him succeed. We didn't go with AAP just because of the projects, but it was in the plus column. Interestingly, we got a call from AAP center's principal yesterday and she was clearly trying to talk us out of AAP for our son. It wasn't whether he is good for the program or not. We know she doesn't want to add a kid with a big IEP to her school. She doesn't want the extra budget and work involved. She really talked down to us and it gave us a bad taste for her.

Also wondering if your DS could stay at his base school. This isn't a good intro to the center school.

[Anonymous]

The call from the principal was basically unsolicited. We talked to one of the third grade teachers at the open house and asked questions about his experience with IEPs. We didn't say we wanted anyone to follow up. The principal was calling to talk about the questions I have and I asked her who asked her to call. I was surprised the third grade teacher talked about my son to her (which by the way was there and very well-behaved/completely normal). I figure we will try it out and if it doesn't work we'll go back to the base school. It is a nice thought to mention private, but we cannot afford it so it is not an option. Also, my in-laws were educators (one a FCPS elementary school teacher) and my husband is staunch public school supporter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has experienced both the AAP center and LLIV (no IEP or special needs). When I asked DC was there any difference betw either classroom, the answer was "at the Center we wasted a lot of time because the teacher had to deal with crying or angry boys."

I'm afraid I just don't understand how people feel their kids who have emotional issues have the "right" to special attention both from an IEP and AAP. This is public education - the majority of the children get no special attention what so ever. Be happy that you get either an IEP or AAP.

Fortunately, that's not the law. If an educational option (AAP) is offered in the school district, it must be offered to a student with a disability. It is public school. If you don't like it, shell out for private school.

The people that are unhappy are the ones with kids with behavioral/mental health issues - they are upset that they don't get twice the services. It doesn't bother the rest of us except to possibly waste class time. I feel quite lucky that DC has access to a more challenging curriculum, but I don't think it's the public school system's responsibility to provide it. If they do provide it - great, if they don't - it's just a shame.

I think what you say above actually applies to the unhappy parents to whom I am referring - if the public school system does not provide your child with all the services you need, think about paying and going private.
AAP is being offered to all students that qualify. You can't be up in arms that your child is not getting ALL the services you want at the same time. As I mentioned before, most of the kids in this country get no special services what so ever. Consider yourself lucky that you are being offered whatever services your child gets.

Lucky for the OP, the law says differently. AAP is being offered to the OP's child because he qualifies based on his ability. The OP's child has an IEP because the child qualifies based on his needs. The two are not mutually exclusive. The service's the OP is requesting should be available to her DC based on the current rules and regulations. There is already too much discrimination against children with disabilities.

To the PP, consider yourself lucky that you do not have a child with special needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The call from the principal was basically unsolicited. We talked to one of the third grade teachers at the open house and asked questions about his experience with IEPs. We didn't say we wanted anyone to follow up. The principal was calling to talk about the questions I have and I asked her who asked her to call. I was surprised the third grade teacher talked about my son to her (which by the way was there and very well-behaved/completely normal). I figure we will try it out and if it doesn't work we'll go back to the base school. It is a nice thought to mention private, but we cannot afford it so it is not an option. Also, my in-laws were educators (one a FCPS elementary school teacher) and my husband is staunch public school supporter.

There is an open Yahoo group called Fairfax Twice Exceptional that may be able to answer some of your questions. It should pop up if you google it.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all so much for the support. It is unbelievably hard to have a kid to have special needs and get resources for him. We also have two other younger sons who right now have no need for IEPs but I suspect at least one will qualify for AAP as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for that feedback 12:18. I really think he will excel in the program too but just need to work on social skills/reactions. He is a sweet kid 95% of the time. It's just that 5% I fret about!

Don't let the principal bully you. I would go to AAP and let your child soar. It will be fine.

[Anonymous]

OP, I posted earlier about have a son who was close to qualifying, but whom I chose to keep at the base. I am shocked that the principal would call you, without ever having met your son, to discourage you. Many of the educators I have met over the years frequently mention that often ADHD/autism go hand in hand with true giftedness. As a parent and educator who works with children with special needs on a regular basis, it is very disappointing. Hopefully, your experience will be positive nonetheless.

To the poster who keeps telling OP she/he should be grateful she/he is getting any services, talk to me when your child has a disability. I really love when posters come in and talk as if they have ANY idea of what it is like. All this being said, thankfully the law protects our children from prejudice.

[Anonymous]

Ugh, OP, I'm sorry. The principal call was way out of line.

I have a child in AAP with autism and mental health issues and he gets a lot of support in the AAP classroom, as well as accommodations like a quiet room he is allowed to go to if he feels overwhelmed or needs a break. He is a kid who is brilliant but with severe special needs as well. there is no reason why an AAP center can't offer the same supports as a base school. It *is* the base school for some kids. Its just not logical otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC has experienced both the AAP center and LLIV (no IEP or special needs). When I asked DC was there any difference betw either classroom, the answer was "at the Center we wasted a lot of time because the teacher had to deal with crying or angry boys."

I'm afraid I just don't understand how people feel their kids who have emotional issues have the "right" to special attention both from an IEP and AAP. This is public education - the majority of the children get no special attention what so ever. Be happy that you get either an IEP or AAP.

Fortunately, that's not the law. If an educational option (AAP) is offered in the school district, it must be offered to a student with a disability. It is public school. If you don't like it, shell out for private school.

The people that are unhappy are the ones with kids with behavioral/mental health issues - they are upset that they don't get twice the services. It doesn't bother the rest of us except to possibly waste class time. I feel quite lucky that DC has access to a more challenging curriculum, but I don't think it's the public school system's responsibility to provide it. If they do provide it - great, if they don't - it's just a shame.

I think what you say above actually applies to the unhappy parents to whom I am referring - if the public school system does not provide your child with all the services you need, think about paying and going private.
AAP is being offered to all students that qualify. You can't be up in arms that your child is not getting ALL the services you want at the same time. As I mentioned before, most of the kids in this country get no special services what so ever. Consider yourself lucky that you are being offered whatever services your child gets.

Lucky for the OP, the law says differently. AAP is being offered to the OP's child because he qualifies based on his ability. The OP's child has an IEP because the child qualifies based on his needs. The two are not mutually exclusive. The service's the OP is requesting should be available to her DC based on the current rules and regulations. There is already too much discrimination against children with disabilities.

To the PP, consider yourself lucky that you do not have a child with special needs.

Actually, my child does have ADHD but manages to pull it together in AAP without an IEP, a 504 or any special accommodations. If DC needed any of the above, I would be grateful if the school gave them in addition to AAP services, but would never EXPECT it or whine if DC did not receive it. As I mentioned, I am grateful to have access to AAP itself. This is PUBLIC education. People in this area are just too privileged - we think we have every right to keep expecting more.