IEP question

[isis297]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NY

Our school assessed my son and feels he needs an IEP. We were denied by the district and told we needed to get a doctors diagnosis which we did. They told us if we did, we'd have a new meeting in 2 weeks. Instead, the meeting was scheduled for almost 11 weeks later. It isn't for another few weeks. The school and I are both disappointed he has missed all this time with not having OT. I am not confidant they are going to give him am IEP at the next meeting. Are they legally bound to when there's a doctor's diagnosis and their school staff all agree he needs one?

 

[FlyingRon]

What do you mean missed time? The lack of an IEP does not mean they can deny your son access to the school. Someone is feeding you a load of bullpoop here. You should immediately demand that they admit your sun into the least restrictive environment that is appropriate and accellerate access to the IEP. I'm not even sure why the shool district is directly involved in scheduling IEPs. Usually, IEPs are done by the school the studnet is enrolled in (typically, the parents, the student (if appropriate), the teacher, any specialists (OT, PT), and perhaps some school medical personnel).

Is there some argument that he is not eligible for special ed services?

What is the disibility, if you don't mind sharing?

 

[single317dad]

Most states have "child advocates" who will assist parents to some extent with navigation of the special education system. New York has such:

http://www.advocatesforchildren.org/

In my own experience with my son's IEP, the results were very district-specific. One district put him straight into an IEP and classes tailored for kids his age with his challenges, then when we moved the new school was prepared to do the same, but the district (specifically, the district psychiatrist) overruled the decision and terminated his existing IEP.

After a long and frustrating fight, I finally hired outside sources to get my son the help he needed (though no new IEP was ever granted), and he's now able to function normally in regular classes. Our advocate was of hardly any help to us, but others I spoke with felt their advocates were critical to their cases. As with many things, your mileage may vary.

It is in your interest to learn the law and be aware of resources available to you. This is the primary job of the advocate, but if that system fails you as it did me, you can find much of that information here:

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/quality/parents.htm