IEP Question for those with younger children

[Anonymous]

We have our very first meeting to discuss placing our soon to be 3 year old on an IEP. Any words of wisdom or advice for those of us with younger children who may be faced with years of this ahead of us?

[Anonymous]

Just that an IEP may not close the gaps on everything. We've definitely had to supplement with private therapy.

[Anonymous]

Be aware that for a very young child, he is not limited to what helps him "access the curriculum" (the traditional IEP approach for school age children). He can and should receive all sorts of supports to help him get ready for school.

[Anonymous]

Hire a consultant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that for a very young child, he is not limited to what helps him "access the curriculum" (the traditional IEP approach for school age children). He can and should receive all sorts of supports to help him get ready for school.

I agree, although that's entirely contrary to what I was told at our first IEP meeting when my child was 3. We're in DC.

OP, where are you located? I think that will guide/influence the comments you receive here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just that an IEP may not close the gaps on everything. We've definitely had to supplement with private therapy.

Agree. This was our experience as well.

[Anonymous]

OP here, we're in PG county

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hire a consultant.

Where do we even begin looking for a consultant and what would be some criteria to include in our search?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that for a very young child, he is not limited to what helps him "access the curriculum" (the traditional IEP approach for school age children). He can and should receive all sorts of supports to help him get ready for school.

What were some of the ways in which your DC was helped in "getting ready for school?" This all seems so overwhelming - especially for me as a first time mom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that for a very young child, he is not limited to what helps him "access the curriculum" (the traditional IEP approach for school age children). He can and should receive all sorts of supports to help him get ready for school.

What were some of the ways in which your DC was helped in "getting ready for school?" This all seems so overwhelming - especially for me as a first time mom.

Everything that the school system offers is geared towards making the child successful in school. But success for a kindergartener is different than from a 3rd grader. Early intervention for 3s and 4s are getting them ready for K. So beyond academic disabilities, speech, And OT, they help the children " get ready for school". What does that mean? Obviously different things for different kids, but it's things like:

-- knowing how to manage the lunchroom
--knowing how to pull up your pants and wash hands after the bathroom
--knowing how to put on your coat
---learning to listen with few verbal prompts
--- knowing how to interrupt the class properly ( hand raising)
--- knowing how to walk in line


I'm sure other people have other experiences they can contribute.

[Anonymous]

Before you go into the meeting make sure to write out your list of goals and include everything. The goals drive how many hours of service your child will receive. This is super important.

If you don't have the Wrightslaw book, From Emotions to Advocacy get it! It will explain all of this in detail.

Speak to everyone as if they are on your side but know in your heart that you are your child's best advocate and you know what s/he needs better than anyone! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that for a very young child, he is not limited to what helps him "access the curriculum" (the traditional IEP approach for school age children). He can and should receive all sorts of supports to help him get ready for school.

What were some of the ways in which your DC was helped in "getting ready for school?" This all seems so overwhelming - especially for me as a first time mom.

Everything that the school system offers is geared towards making the child successful in school. But success for a kindergartener is different than from a 3rd grader. Early intervention for 3s and 4s are getting them ready for K. So beyond academic disabilities, speech, And OT, they help the children " get ready for school". What does that mean? Obviously different things for different kids, but it's things like:

-- knowing how to manage the lunchroom
--knowing how to pull up your pants and wash hands after the bathroom
--knowing how to put on your coat
---learning to listen with few verbal prompts
--- knowing how to interrupt the class properly ( hand raising)
--- knowing how to walk in line


I'm sure other people have other experiences they can contribute.

Knowing how to tie your shoes
Knowing how to properly behave on the bus
Knowing how to feed yourself neatly
Knowing how to greet people
Knowing how to say please and thank you
Entering classroom, going to cubby, taking off backpack and hanging up coat
Doing criss-cross applesauce or sitting on the carpet quietly for story time
Doing clean up of the classroom cooperatively

In other words, little life skills that kids need for kindergarten. Now, a really good PEP or other teacher/program/environment naturally incorporates these things and brings the kids along and they don't necessarily have to be in the IEP as goals. But if you find they are not, you should feel free to write them in. And don't take the notion that they are not "educational" as a response.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the input. I've already ordered the Wrightslaw book and I am feeling better about this appointment.

[Anonymous]

If your child is on an IEP in kindergarten, does that mean that every year you go through the same thing until they no longer need the services or is it based on the school? So you would get one for elementary, one for middle school, one for high school?

It just seems like such a long road for both the parents and the kids if what I'm reading about schools not wanting to provide them is right, and you need to hire consultants or advocates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your child is on an IEP in kindergarten, does that mean that every year you go through the same thing until they no longer need the services or is it based on the school? So you would get one for elementary, one for middle school, one for high school?

It just seems like such a long road for both the parents and the kids if what I'm reading about schools not wanting to provide them is right, and you need to hire consultants or advocates.

IEP are annual and there is a review for eligibility every three years. And yes, it is a long slog and usually a costly one.