from 504 to IEP Dyslexia, ADHD

[Anonymous]

For those of you who had a 504 and got to an IEP, how did you do it?

DC is in 2nd and he doesn't understand basic parts of language like decoding. i think the ADHD is different too...He's less disruptive in class, but really disorganized and I don't think he completes work.

Did the school suggest it or you?
If you suggested it, how did you do it? By yourself or with an advocate?

[Anonymous]

It's unfair, but you'll have better luck getting an IEP if you first get a private evaluation that shows exactly where his weaknesses are and makes specific recommendations for specialized instruction. The school should do this evaluation for free, but it will be done better if you're able to pay for it. I would not wait for the school to suggest it; if he's not decoding fluently at the end of 2nd grade, you need to advocate for more (including private tutoring) because kids who can't read in 3rd grade begin to fall behind in content.

[Anonymous]

Private neuropsych eval followed by making a request to the school. No need for an advocate in our case.

[Anonymous]

we did a neuropsyc, made the request, ended up with the 504. We are now asking the school to do their own evaluation for a IEP mostly because DC still can't decode and has some other issues related to dyslexia and I fear services offered this year will be cut back next and since 3rd is when everything gets quite serious, don't want that.

Was hoping for some magic words...or actions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we did a neuropsyc, made the request, ended up with the 504. We are now asking the school to do their own evaluation for a IEP mostly because DC still can't decode and has some other issues related to dyslexia and I fear services offered this year will be cut back next and since 3rd is when everything gets quite serious, don't want that.

Was hoping for some magic words...or actions.

did you make the tequest for an IEP evaluation in writing? if so, has the IEP "screening" meeting been scheduled? They have 30 days from your written request to holding the screening meeting. At that meeting, you will need to present "reasonable suspicion" of 1) disorder (dyslexia and ADHD and executive dysfunction, it sounds like), 2) adverse impact on education and 3) need for special instruction. If the IEP team agrees that there is a suspicion of disability, then there will be a discussion of what assessments to do.

How long ago was your private neuropsych?

Where are you in this process?

[Anonymous]

I made the request in writing.
the screening meeting is scheduled.
I will present "reasonable suspicion" of 1 and 3 based on work samples and some other things...and our 1year 2 month old neuropscy eval. Proving #2 is where I am going to have trouble because I'm not in the school and he's in a no-homework program and he brings home almost no work samples.

[Anonymous]

I’d just like to add be careful what you wish for - we fought to get my dd an iep and she now gets a reasonable amount of services. However, she absolutely hates being pulled out of the class and being different in any way from her peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d just like to add be careful what you wish for - we fought to get my dd an iep and she now gets a reasonable amount of services. However, she absolutely hates being pulled out of the class and being different in any way from her peers.

Ask for push in services

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I made the request in writing.
the screening meeting is scheduled.
I will present "reasonable suspicion" of 1 and 3 based on work samples and some other things...and our 1year 2 month old neuropscy eval. Proving #2 is where I am going to have trouble because I'm not in the school and he's in a no-homework program and he brings home almost no work samples.

What kind of literacy testing or tracking does your school do (the kind given to all students, typically at the beginning and end of the school year)? Ask for those test results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I made the request in writing.
the screening meeting is scheduled.
I will present "reasonable suspicion" of 1 and 3 based on work samples and some other things...and our 1year 2 month old neuropscy eval. Proving #2 is where I am going to have trouble because I'm not in the school and he's in a no-homework program and he brings home almost no work samples.

What kind of literacy testing or tracking does your school do (the kind given to all students, typically at the beginning and end of the school year)? Ask for those test results.

Also, look at your neuropsych - compare IQ and achievement scores - are they out of sync ? A gap of +22 points generally indicates "a significant discrepancy" that is indicative of "adverse impact on education".

[Anonymous]

Also review your DCs standardized test scores paying attention to any declines or periods of slow improvement. The psychologist who completed your original neuropsych should be available to participate in the meeting and make a case.