IEP question

[Anonymous]

We live in DC and never used the early intervention program. Dd has aspergers and is in kindergarten at a private school, where the teachers report that she has trouble with unstructured time and social engagement, but has no academic difficulties. Would she be likely to qualify for an iep? Would there be any reason to pursue getting one if we don't plan to even consider public school for at least another couple years.

[Anonymous]

If she got an IEP, how would it be implemented if she is not in public school?

[Anonymous]

I don't know. Maybe we'd be eligible for services or maybe it would be easier to transition to public school later. I hadnt thought about t until I learned that some of her classmates in moco have ieps.

[Anonymous]

I would wait until the year before your DD goes to a public school to get an IEP. Your DD can get an IEP with an diagnosis of ASD (which Asperger's will be rolled into in the DSM-V next yr) even if she is grade level. My DS in a DC public charter with AS and has an IEP with no academic issues and my understanding is that an ASD pretty much guarantees an IEP.

[Anonymous]

My child has Aspergers and we were originally going to put him in a private school for K (we're in Maryland). We chose to go through the IEP process regardless so we'd have as much information as possible for his private school.

We ended up putting him in the public school last minute. Part of the reason is because he has awesome supports in place with his IEP, which they were much better equipped to handle than the private.

If we'd kept him in private, they would have still completed the process, giving us documentation and suggestions for the private. BUT, we would not have the same level of access to things like the OT.

(that's just our very specific experience -- I'm not advocating for public if private's what's best for your DD - just mentioning possible differences in services. They'll help you to a degree public or private).

With that said -- not all ASD qualifies for an IEP. There does NOT have to be a learning difficulty. But there needs to be evidence that your DC can't access her education like a "typical" child.

Mine qualified because of his difficulty with transitions, sensory needs, social difficulties, etc. that would prevent him from accessing his education.

To sum it up -- I'd go through the IEP process with your DD whether you plan to go to public school now or not. They'll keep a file for her, give you documentation you can pass along to the private school, and you can call another meeting when your DD is in public. The sooner supports and ideas are in place, the better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child has Aspergers and we were originally going to put him in a private school for K (we're in Maryland). We chose to go through the IEP process regardless so we'd have as much information as possible for his private school.

We ended up putting him in the public school last minute. Part of the reason is because he has awesome supports in place with his IEP, which they were much better equipped to handle than the private.

If we'd kept him in private, they would have still completed the process, giving us documentation and suggestions for the private. BUT, we would not have the same level of access to things like the OT.

(that's just our very specific experience -- I'm not advocating for public if private's what's best for your DD - just mentioning possible differences in services. They'll help you to a degree public or private).

With that said -- not all ASD qualifies for an IEP. There does NOT have to be a learning difficulty. But there needs to be evidence that your DC can't access her education like a "typical" child.

Mine qualified because of his difficulty with transitions, sensory needs, social difficulties, etc. that would prevent him from accessing his education.

To sum it up -- I'd go through the IEP process with your DD whether you plan to go to public school now or not. They'll keep a file for her, give you documentation you can pass along to the private school, and you can call another meeting when your DD is in public. The sooner supports and ideas are in place, the better.

OP, these are often the types of issues that are given serious weight in determining if a child with ASD qualifies for services. Also, if found eligible, the eligibility is "good" for 3 years from the date signed. Unless you're going to access services, I agree with the PP's advice that you should wait for initiate the process.

[Anonymous]

I also agree that you should wait. My SN child has gone through a lot of evaluations over the years, and what is accurate in say, june, doeesnt necessarily stand up for him in the following February. The IEP that was written for him this past April needs to be changed as he has moved into a more challenging academic situation and his needs have changed.

Also, keep in mind that to get an IEP in DC (and i imagine anywhere) -- you just dont walk into and write it yourself. Your child needs to go through an extensive evaluation. Not the end of the world, but you should weigh if thats the best use of your child's and your time.

Also from my experience, DC is just not that sophisticated in laying out goals and needs for services for children to access. so if you are in a private school where you think the school is wise to supports that can help your child, my guess is they will probably have more useful guidance than what you would get through the IEP process.