IEP Has Not Been Implemented Yet

[Anonymous]

I am the OP for the thread "Need Advice Regarding Eligibility/IEP Meeting Held on March 1".We signed the IEP on March 1.

Today is March 30 and my son has not received an official placement (nothing given in writing). I received a phone call today about a possible school, but the school that is being proposed is not set-up - meaning there's no furniture in the classroom yet, no knowledge of who the teacher and aides will be, etc. I'm so furious! I don't know what to do at this point. Please someone offer me advice.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I think it's time to talk to a good education lawyer. I'm not saying it's time to sue, but to think about options, like placing your child in private school and asking DC to pay for it. My recollection of your thread is that your child has physical and developmental problems and needs a classroom aide.

Think about writing a certified letter to the coordinator/placement team saying you expect placement no later than X date and that if it is not coordinated, you will have no choice but to consider private placement or other alternatives.

[Anonymous]

Hmmm - sounds like a situation in which existing classrooms are full to capacity? Can you remind us - which school district, how old is your child (preschool, K, 1st, etc.), what type of class was recommended as part of the IEP?

[Anonymous]

What school district are you in?

[Anonymous]

Former special ed teacher, now a school psychologist--there is no excuse for this delay. You need to get an advocate. To be honest, I'm questioning the ability (and willingness) of your child's school system to provide appropriate services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Former special ed teacher, now a school psychologist--there is no excuse for this delay. You need to get an advocate. To be honest, I'm questioning the ability (and willingness) of your child's school system to provide appropriate services.

I agree with this! Where are you located?

[Anonymous]

OP here. DC Public Schools. My son was diagnosed with ASD.

[Anonymous]

OP again. Thanks to everyone for your advice.

My son is 3 years old, IEP requires 26 hours/week of ABA therapy and specialized instruction through an Autism Classroom.

I did receive a recommendation for an advocate. Can anyone recommend an attorney?

[Anonymous]

18:51 here, I've been looking over the DCPS website. They do have a lot of helpful information about autism and special education. I'm assuming you've seen/read those links. After reading this particular page, it seems that they allow themselves 30 days to implement an IEP. I live in another state, and we implement IEP's within a couple of days, so I wasn't aware that DC schools took up to 30 days. Now that you've reached that point, your child should be receiving services, for sure. If they don't confirm a beginning date right away, then I definitely recommend that you get an advocate.

http://dcps.dc.gov/downloads/SPECIAL%20EDUCATION/Navigating%20Special%20Ed/DCPS-OSE-Navigating-Special-Ed-May-29-2009.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

18:51 here, I've been looking over the DCPS website. They do have a lot of helpful information about autism and special education. I'm assuming you've seen/read those links. After reading this particular page, it seems that they allow themselves 30 days to implement an IEP. I live in another state, and we implement IEP's within a couple of days, so I wasn't aware that DC schools took up to 30 days. Now that you've reached that point, your child should be receiving services, for sure. If they don't confirm a beginning date right away, then I definitely recommend that you get an advocate.

http://dcps.dc.gov/downloads/SPECIAL%20EDUCATION/Navigating%20Special%20Ed/DCPS-OSE-Navigating-Special-Ed-May-29-2009.pdf

This info is helpful. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

18:51 here, I've been looking over the DCPS website. They do have a lot of helpful information about autism and special education. I'm assuming you've seen/read those links. After reading this particular page, it seems that they allow themselves 30 days to implement an IEP. I live in another state, and we implement IEP's within a couple of days, so I wasn't aware that DC schools took up to 30 days. Now that you've reached that point, your child should be receiving services, for sure. If they don't confirm a beginning date right away, then I definitely recommend that you get an advocate.

http://dcps.dc.gov/downloads/SPECIAL%20EDUCATION/Navigating%20Special%20Ed/DCPS-OSE-Navigating-Special-Ed-May-29-2009.pdf

This info is helpful. Thank you.

You're more than welcome. I'm so sorry you're having these difficulties. You've probably seen it, but just in case, here's the page with the special ed link/info. Here's hoping you'll connect with someone in the system who genuinely cares!
http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/In+the+Classroom/Special+Education

[Anonymous]

Have you spoken to Heather Rothenbuscher? She is head of autism programs for elementary schools in DCPS. She is totally awesome. I know the younger years classes are quite full. They may just not have a space right now (not that they don't HAVE to make a space, but it is a challenge). Are you open to any of the programs? They bus you anyway? Do keep on it as I met someone in almost the exact same situation who they took like 7 months to place. Finally did, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you spoken to Heather Rothenbuscher? She is head of autism programs for elementary schools in DCPS. She is totally awesome. I know the younger years classes are quite full. They may just not have a space right now (not that they don't HAVE to make a space, but it is a challenge). Are you open to any of the programs? They bus you anyway? Do keep on it as I met someone in almost the exact same situation who they took like 7 months to place. Finally did, though.

I'm speechless. For a young child with special needs, that's a completely unacceptable length of time to be denied services.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you spoken to Heather Rothenbuscher? She is head of autism programs for elementary schools in DCPS. She is totally awesome. I know the younger years classes are quite full. They may just not have a space right now (not that they don't HAVE to make a space, but it is a challenge). Are you open to any of the programs? They bus you anyway? Do keep on it as I met someone in almost the exact same situation who they took like 7 months to place. Finally did, though.

OP here. Yes, I have spoken with her. I must say that I am disappointed with all DCPS personnel who are responsible for ensuring that my son receive services. I have been given the run-around. I toured Tyler Elem only to be told that there are no placements available at this time. Why weren't they prepared to place my son at the IEP meeting? They had a general idea of what his needs would be in advance of the meeting.

I feel like I need to get a law degree to handle all of the issues I'm facing.

[Anonymous]

OP the 'navigating special ed' document will probably tell you how to file an admin. appeal. You can generally write one yoursel in non-lawyer English. Do this quickly even before getting an advocate . The school will have a certain number of days to respond and you can get your lawyer/advoc. while the clock is running. I suspect they may be trying to run the clock down so they don't have to place your child this school year.