School Issues/ IEPs

Hi parents,

Does anyone has children with current IEPs which addresses behaviors? My son just finished Kindergarten and has an IEP.

He was getting resource services and also sees the school social worker 2x/wk. He has a diagnosis of both ADHD, Tourettes and has Anxiety and Mood disorder which creates havoc in school for violent behaviors and inappropriate behaviors.

His regular Kindergarten the teacher seemed overwhelmed with others in his class too so there were major incidents to the point where other moms were blaming my son for alot but I know it wasn't only him.

Now he's in summer school where he's an angel! (knocking of wood as I type) So my question is: at what point does the school adjust IEPs in behavior cases and does having the right teacher make all the difference in a child's success(I'm referring to violence/anxiety areas)? Has your child varied year to year?

rainbow62
here is a link I hope it helps
http://www.ed.gov/parents/needs/spec...ide/index.html

My son has had one since age 4
Yes the teacher can make all the difference
You can request a meeting anytime
they I think have to answer in 30 days
Your child is usually evaluated once a year
With a totally over all one every 3 years
Sometimes helps to get outside advise
as I did with my son
The school payed for it
My Dr was involved
My son is now 17 and still has a iep
I am not going to say its a easy road as it is not
If you need a parent advocate there should be one at the meeting
Always helps to bring someone with you to the meetings too
sometimes you will have to really push to get what your son needs
good luck
muffy
hope the link helps

I edited for spelling

here in uk things are diferant, yes teachers make a diferance and if they struggl;e with a group of children playing up and ppl know your son has problems they pick it up and blame one child rather than there own

oldest daughter never got help till she was a lot older the things the head would do to not to have to cope with her , first head put her on reins on a day trip to beach she was four/five then head left another came he sent her own with allsorts of aliments when it came to group activies including infection in her nostrels

in the end she was just left roam around school she inproved when she changed school and a good teacher was involved she had simuiler to iep
son he never qualified for extra help as he only had adhd but his behaviour was good in school as i taught him to respect teachers and while on meds he could behave

good luck

Absolutely the teacher - child compatibility makes a very big difference. I would try and determine what is different from summer school and his KG experience. Make a list. Pay attention to the lights in the room, windows, any strong smells, number of children, noise level, etc. Also pay attention to how much is demanded of your child. Is summer school more relaxed ??

My son has sensory integration dysfunction and strong smells as well as blinking lights used to bother him. Just imagine for yourself how you feel when you hear a song played over and over that is irritating to you. It just adds to everything else you have to deal with.

Take notice of what your child is wearing. My son only wanted to wear short sleeve t-shirts - even in the winter. When forced to wear a long sleeve shirt ... oh boy, chances were good that he would have a blow up of some sort.

Since your child is entering 1st grade you have probably already put together his IEP for next year. ?? Take a copy of your child's IEP and show the Dr's treating your son for Tourettes and anxiety and mood disorders. The professionals working with you and your child privately can help a great deal in identifying useful behavior goals to start with on the IEP. Each goal should be measurable - meaning that you can't just say "jonny will behave". It has to be specific such as "Jonny will transition to art class keeping his hands to himself 3/5 times". Assuming that the class transitions to art class once a day 5 days a week. So you are starting out with a modest goal for Jonny to be successful 3 out of the 5 days.

I.E.P.s will be updated regularly and as a parent you can call an IEP meeting at any time. As a child masters a specific goal, the next step is to up the percentages until the goal is completely mastered.

The school will not keep your child on an IEP if the need is not there - it is too costly for the school district. It would not be a good idea to remove the IEP based on one summer school experience.

Make sure the IEP behavior goals are appropriate and then monitor through the coming school year.

I'm so glad your son is having a great summer experience !! Hopefully, he will take that good experience with him into 1st grade.

Thanks Muffy! Now I know you've been down that road til age 17 and at least I know you probably can answer some questions in the future for me.

Did your son have behavior problems for the whole time at all grade levels?

Thanks for your response Katheryn,

BTW my son started year one in England but when we moved back to the states, he was way behind in reading/writing skills and we opted to have him begin Kindergarten here.

He had very good teachers there in England for Nursery and Year 1. The major problem there was that he was bullied often and even had to have stitches on his finger which was jammed into the door lock when a student decided to slam his finger in the door.

Your post was very helpful....especially the part for sensory integration. My boy also has that and is receiving OT services to help calm him down.

Unfortunately, my son insists on wearing fleecy jackets to school for summer and is wearing it when I pick him up. He seems to be the opposite of yours.....sometimes wants to wear short sleeve even in the snow.

Have you heard of the intercom voice system that's supposed to help with ADHD kids in the classroom? My son's school is a new school which just opened this past year so they had that set up already. lol but it doesn't work with my boy...go figure!

Thanks for recommending that we not touch the IEP just for summer....I think it is more relaxed and the teacher is way more patient....the noise level is definitely lower as well. I thought we could adjust the IEP in the summer but I'll hold off just because of what you shared. Thanks!