I Hate Being THAT Parent
When it comes to Special Education parents often get ignored, thus the need for Advocates, Due Process, and yes, Court.<!--more-->
But, when it comes down to it...I am AJ's best advocate and I am his parent, the one who knows him best. And I will have to fight for his services...hmmm advocate for his services for another 14 years. I just hate being that kind of parent that I complained about when I was teaching. You know, the one who didn't agree with the classroom activities or procedures, or how the IEP was being followed, or how the teacher graded a particular assignment.
The problem is that I am being "that parent" right now because I don't agree with the way they are meeting AJ's sensory needs. I have sent numerous notes, emailed, and phoned and today I finally sat down with the OT to allow her to explain the programs she is using with him (and I even kept my cool, which is a major accomplishment).
I don't agree with one of the programs at all because cognitively and emotionally he is not able to understand it so I asked her not to use it and to stick to the IEP, which she agreed to do. The other program she had already modified to meet my take the instruction component out so I allowed that to continue. What I don't understand though is how programs can be used without parental consent if they are not specifically in IEP's.
Can anyone answer that?
I have written numerous posts about IEP's on Discussing Autism, sat in on hundreds of IEP's, had hundreds of Special Needs children in my classroom and I have never once tried to institute a program without first talking to the parent (and I have never heard of a Special Education teacher or an OT doing this either).
I was told a few weeks ago that when they create they IEP that they do not put modalities into the IEP and that they don't need consent because when I sign the IEP I am giving them consent to make adjustments within the IEP and to use modalities that fall under the goals and objectives. Is this correct?
Can someone clarify this so that I understand this correctly?
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Comments (1)
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I thought I was the only one seeing a drop in the standards of IEP procedure. I only have my experience with my son and his IEP, but he's had it for 5 years now. Until this year, I've always felt like I was a part of the program. My son's therapists and teachers have been extremely engaging and always seemed to have my son's best interests at heart. In contrast, this year, it seems that there's been a lot of making my son accommodate to the school's needs, then informing me that he's doing well after the changes have been made. At least you found out and they were willing to stick to your IEP. Did you mention that in the future you require notification before changes to the programs are implemented? I don't think they can deny you that. This year with my son's IEP has been very frustrating. I feel like I've been railroaded and given lip-service by the school district PT. I long for the days back in New Jersey where the schools were practically begging to offer services for my son. Keep us informed of how your situation progresses. Thanks.
