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She just got her progress report and it's not looking good. We have an IEP meeting set up for the 17th of May, they will read me the results of the testing they have done on DD. Remember that quack of a child psychiatrist i took her too? well her report is finally in. I was not a happy camper when i read her report. It paints me as being too pushy in pursuit of dd's learning disabilities, it also had a list of recommendations from her, which i find laughable since she never even tested my dd or evaluated her or even questioned her that whole day.So now i have to defend myself against this whack job of a doctor against the school district. I'm getting worn down from the battle of all this.
I don't want to see her repeat the 5th grade but on the other hand if i fight for her to move on and they still provide her no extra help,it will be even harder for her next year academically. I just don't know what to do anymore. School keeps saying they don't have the extra "funds" to help dd, yet it was just in our local newspaper that her principal got a raise this year, he makes $106,000 per year in this rinky dink little town?!!!
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I'm sorry, Tanya. Personally, I don't think you are being too pushy. It sounds like your school district is not on the ball and in order to get service you NEED to be pushy!
You are dd's best advocate!
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I agree with Claire!!! This has been going on for way too long. You have been more than patient!!!! I hope you figure something out to get her the help she needs!
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Have you found out who the SN advocates in your district are? If not, get in touch w/them. Here, lawsuits are going on where people are suing districts and individual schools when the needs aren't met. So many just aren't prepared! But call your district - that will raise a little dust because the wagons will start to circle. Also, I know it's work and discouraging when one quack ruins the whole pond, but get your child to a different psych., or a devel. ped. Insurance should cover a "second opinion".
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I agree with everyone so far. Did you know that if you don't agree with the school districts choice for the DR. they must pay for a private Dr to do an evaluation? Yep, check out Wrightslaw of borrow my book from Emotions to Advocacy. It has what a school must do by federal law.
I know I always go to the legal side first and I should not. I am working on it but as an ex paralegal, it is what comes to mind first. A good friend here is setting the example for me of how to follow an order that is not so sledgehammer to start out with. I am learning! Slowly.
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man that just sounds soo Frustrating!! Im sorry I have advice for you but know I ampraying you get her what she needs!!! keep Fighting for her!! (she will know how imp she is to you!!)
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Too many parents DON'T fight for their kids these days. The system likes it that way to an extent since it makes it easier on THEM. You keep on it. You are doing GREAT!
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The next time money or funding or lack there of is brought up at an IEP meeting, ask for it to be documented immediately.
I did that and suddenly the subject of money was dropped.
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If your daughter has special needs her school district is required by state and federal laws to meet her needs...an IEP is a contract that shares how they will meet her needs. THey cannot deny her needs based on funding!
Here is the federal governments link on the formation of IEPs and their implementation. It includes your rights as a parent and the responsibilities of the school system. I would print this out and highlight your rights and bring it to the next meeting.
Jen
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First, I posted in your last topic about my DD repeating 3rd grade.
What is it that they cannot afford to do to help your DD? I hope that's not to personal.
The psychiatrist that tested my DD made me so mad. His recommendations were to take her out of Christian school. He told me that my DD's brain went from a moron level to a genius level. That she needed medication. That I needed to hire a tutor to help her because someone else would do a better job than me.
I told him right fast that he had better have some other doctor to send me to because nothing he was telling me gave me the whole picture.
I chose to take her out of Christian school because they did not have extra help for LD children. I could not afford a tutor. Beside I had already discovered how she learned differently and I was the one to help me. She did take Ritalin for 5 years. The meds that psy. gave her made her have heart palpatations.
Oh, I so feel your pain. I would be glad to talk to you on the phone if you think I could help you any. PM me if you want.
You are in a really tough spot. I felt like I spend all my DD's school years fighing to get her help. Moms really have to do it all sometimes. Hang in there.