Good advice! Thanks!

OP, just as something to consider, you may want to get neuropsych testing done now instead of waiting for the summer.
The major downside is it's expensive (but may be partially reimbursable through health insurance).

My experience with IEPs was that basically nothing happened with them over the summer only re-assessed at the start of the next school year. So if you get new information that would shed light on this year and help set the tone for the end of this year meeting where specific recommendations/accommodations could be added. It might save you a fight at the start of 3rd grade where he would be getting the help he needs right at the start of the year.

When I went through it, any change seemed to take forever and I felt as though I was constantly stonewalled by county employees who did not seem to grasp the issues--let alone read the reports. We finally went the private route, but definitely related to where you are. Just wish you the big best of luck with all of it.

Thanks 12:31. Very helpful!

OP, your son's issues sound similar to our DC's. The disability was only Identified through a motor coordination, motor-visual integration and visual (orthographic) memory test. (My recollection is these were the Beery and the Bender Gestalt.). DC had very low scores on these tests despite having above grade level scores in academic achievement. (All the testing was done privately.). The formal diagnosis is learning disorder-not otherwise specified (since the testing doesn't show a discrepancy in DC's achievement). The reality is that these tests show that DC has dysgraphia (which has been a huge burden for DC since first grade). The school was willing to provide accommodations like you are describing, and my understanding is that if the achievement gap had been larger, DC would likely have been diagnosed with a specific learning disorder (writing) and thus likely would have been eligible for services under an IEP.

If your school hasn't already done these types of tests, you might want to request them to shed light on your DC's writing struggles.

OP here. I've been away for the last week with the holidays and was so happy to return to this page and find so many WONDERFUL specific suggestions and so much support. I often feel like everyone thinks I'm exaggerating the problem and making excuses for my son. It helps to know that he's not the only child who is having difficulties. The IEP was a mixed bag. They said he has no LD but they did acknowledge that sometimes it shows up later. They will keep an eye on him. If he continues to struggle, I'll take him for a private eval this summer. They will allow him to type for homework or have me scribe at home. He already has a scribe accomodation on his standardized tests but they haven't been providing it during the regular day. They are going to start offering him the option. A reading specialist is going to provide some additional support but i'm skeptical about this since it's not on the IEP. It's not on the IEP because they didn't find a disability. I hope they follow through but know that, without it in writing on the IEP, there are no promises. So, we'll continue to work with him on written expression at home and I'm going to explore the links provided. I made it very clear to the team that I don't want him to see any graded work for the time begin because he's becoming discouraged. The teacher fought hard against me because she thinks the feedback is useful, but she is now sending home work in a sealed envelope. In addition, I stressed to the committee that I don't agree with grading 2nd graders and that I will continue to tell my son, "grades don't matter, effort matters." Thanks again to everyone for their support.

Anonymous wrote:My sympathies OP. You're in a tough situation.

First, I forget what the program is called, but there is a way to send kids to private schools where it's publicly-funded, e.g., Chelsea School. Overall it might be worth the short term expense of a lawyer or educational consultant who can help you navigate the system.

You could also apply to privates and see if you get financial aid.

These are the list of private schools where kids go with public funding:
http://www.msde.state.md.us/nonpublic/nsab_directory/ApprovedSchoolLocations.asp?Condition=SpecialEducation

OP Linda Mood Bell programs are great but very expensive. You can get the books for both reading and math help:
http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Visualizing-Verbalizing-Math/dp/0945856075

OP, here are some examples of strategies/things that can be used in the classroom in terms of accommodations:

http://www.ldinfo.com/dyscalculia.htm#top

http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/

Also keyboarding when he's ready for it. Keep fighting for your kid--squeaky wheel gets the grease. Who cares what they think of you. If you're not already doing it, you may want to seek out outside--help, e.g., OT and reading and handwriting tutors. Yes, it gets expensive but I would not rely solely on the school to give him the help he needs. (They won't.) Check to find out what you can get reimbursed for and possibly set up a medical savings account.

Also, 18:18--pls don't post your experience with your NT kid. This child most likely has a learning disability+ whether or not it is acknowledged by the county. No amount of legos will change it.

16:36--yes muscle control can improve with lots of work over time but my kid is going on 5 years of OT--sometimes it's been 4x a week, now 2x a week--that is of little comfort. Also, so many kids have additional lds related to executive functioning on top of the low muscle tone that handwriting can be the least of their worries.

Anonymous wrote:OP, my son, 2nd grade, is also struggling with the 2.0 curriculum. And I KNOW it is the curriculum that is challenging him because he also has fine motor delays and there is a ton of writing even in math. His confidence is being ruined, as math in general normally comes easily to him. But to have to write out an explanation for how he reached each answer is laborous for him and discouraging.

I am mostly angered that the curriculum is only in a few schools, sort of like a pilot. It's not fair that the 'pilot' school kids have to endure this curriculum and not the other schools' kids.

I sympathize, and don't think it's fair to kids like ours

The curriculum is not only in a "few" schools. It is in most schools. Less than 20 schools are NOT using the curriculum in 2nd grade. There are 130something elementary schools in MCPS. All schools are using it in K and 1st.

Anonymous wrote:Also, I disagree with the pp about private placements. It is very difficult to get a private placement (i.e., private school paid) by MCPS.

No one said it was easy but worth pursuing if you can't pay out of pocket. Also Auburn in SS has a wonderful scholarship program. So you don't know until you try.