Ok, I found out that our results meeting is on Feb 26 - at this time he will either be approved for an IEP or a 504 (Not sure I understand the difference). If he is approved for an IEP, then the Special Ed teacher (they aren't sure who) will have 10 days to prepare this. After that???? Not sure. Also, the last time I requested test results prior to a meeting, they never sent them to me and I didn't get them until the meeting.

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Your child probably has been tested to determine his IQ (a rating that predicts success in school---not life!) and then achievement (how your child is performing academically right now). Depending on the tests you gave permissions for, he might be evaluated for ADHD as well. When you go to your IEP meeting, the faculty and staff at the meeting will tell you your child's IQ and how he did on his achievement tests. If they looked at anything else, they will also report those findings. Whether your child qualifies for sped depends on many factors that include whether a disability exists and whether it greatly impacts your child's progress in school. Recently, the federal government re-authorized the special ed law (IDEA). In the process, they changed some of the rules. One of them was how to qualify under certain disabilities such as learning disabilities and mental retardation. ADHD remains an eligibility under "other health impaired." HOWEVER, unless the ADHD is so severe that accomodations available under 504 (another federal law like IDEA that is unfunded and that does not hold to the stringent qualifying criteria of special ed) do not make him successful, then special ed may not be the right choice. The policy is to provide as limited intervention as possible so that children are not taken away from the general ed environment. That policy is call "Least Restrictive Environment." SO, the faculty will try to provide your child with the services that meet his needs with the least interference with his general education. He may just need accomodations like extra time, shortened assignments, limited distractions during testing and so forth. If you don't know your rights, ask the school to give you a copy of your parental rights (Rights of a Parent of a Child with a Disability). Read over it and be familiar with what to do if you disagree just in case. Try to stay positive so people at the meeting can be creative. Don't be afraid to offer your ideas, as well. You are a member of the IEP committee, and your thoughts count. All the best!

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Jennifer, I am a single mom 2 kids, my 14 yr old son we diagnosed when he was in 2nd grade it was not until he was in 7th grade that he recieved an IEP and that is because I never gave up trying. You are your best advocate for your child. First and foremost you should ask for copies of everything, meeting notes, if they ask you to read something over and sign it right there DON"T, tell them you want to take it home to read it over and get it back the next day, question everything, they are NOT God and they don't know your child. You can ask for specific things in an IEP, weekly updates from teachers, if there are problems you want to know right away(give them a time frame, behavior that day, work issues 2nd time it happens, something to that affect). Do NOT let them tell you something can not be put in the IEP, if you are not sure about something tell them to explain it in detail. The other thing I do is that I request a meeting 1 month into the new shcool year with the whole TEAM as they call it around here. You want everyone on board and if there are issues let them know or ask if there are issues. They say they meet 1 time a year, but you can request a meeting at the beginning of each school year. If someting isn't going right for your child address right away. Don't hold back for any reason. If you need more info just ask. I wish you the best, you are doing a great thing for your child. Quote:

Jennifer said: Ok, I found out that our results meeting is on Feb 26 - at this time he will either be approved for an IEP or a 504 (Not sure I understand the difference). If he is approved for an IEP, then the Special Ed teacher (they aren't sure who) will have 10 days to prepare this. After that???? Not sure. Also, the last time I requested test results prior to a meeting, they never sent them to me and I didn't get them until the meeting.

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