Urgent question re: IEP's

[CaRenter]

What is the name of your state? California

Hi, I have an IEP meeting in about 30 min at my sons school. He has been diagnosed as autistic and has been in resource classes about 50% of his school day, and in a regular classroom the rest of the time and he has pretty much failed this entire school year, and in my opinion, should have been held back last year as well. We have been waiting for at least 3 months now for the school district to make a desicion on what his placement should be, because we are trying to get him into a "special day" classroom. The school called this IEP meeting together, and it has just been brought to my attention just a few minutes ago that the school has called this meeting to inform us that the school district itself STILL has not come to any decisions. I would like to know if there is a set amount of time that the school district has to decide this, or are they allowed to drag their feet as long as they wish? If they have exceeded this time frame, what do you suggest would be my best course of action? I realize this is very short notice, as I just got this information myself, but if anyone is able to advise me, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[rmet4nzkx]

What is the name of your state? California

Hi, I have an IEP meeting in about 30 min at my sons school. He has been diagnosed as autistic and has been in resource classes about 50% of his school day, and in a regular classroom the rest of the time and he has pretty much failed this entire school year, and in my opinion, should have been held back last year as well. We have been waiting for at least 3 months now for the school district to make a desicion on what his placement should be, because we are trying to get him into a "special day" classroom. The school called this IEP meeting together, and it has just been brought to my attention just a few minutes ago that the school has called this meeting to inform us that the school district itself STILL has not come to any decisions. I would like to know if there is a set amount of time that the school district has to decide this, or are they allowed to drag their feet as long as they wish? If they have exceeded this time frame, what do you suggest would be my best course of action? I realize this is very short notice, as I just got this information myself, but if anyone is able to advise me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Is your child's caseworker from the regional center involved yet? They should be able to assist in these matters.

 

[CaRenter]

We don't have a caseworker from the regional center. I've never heard of the regional center. We have a social worker from Kaiser Permanente who has helped advise us, but she has been on vacation, and is very difficult to reach in general. If you could inform me on what the role is of the regional center and maybe how I could contact them if you have that information, I would really appreciate it! Thank you for responding!

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Does your child have Autism, HFA, Asperger's or PDD? IQ?
Which Kaiser diagnosed him?
Is he on medications?

California Department of Developmental Services' Home Page
Home Page for the California Department of Developmental Services. ... services and supports to children and adults with developmental disabilities. ...
http://www.dds.cahwnet.gov/
The diagnosis will make a big difference in the eligible services.

 

[CaRenter]

He has PDD NOS (High functioning)..Kaiser in South San Francisco made the official diagnosis. He currently takes 54 mg of Concerta once a day, and 1mg of Tenex twice daily. He used to take 72 mg of Concerta, but became way too thin. I don't have his IQ score off hand, the paperwork is at my parents house, but as I recall he scored very high on the verbal or spacial (the testing with things such as puzzles and mazes) but scored very low in the other portion (reading, writing, math) which gave him a score which was high enough that he was not mentally retarded. He is a very bright 8 year old, but he is currently reading on the barely kindergarten level. But he can put together the most complex lego toys and Bionicles!

He was originally diagnosed as ADHD, and it wasn't until this past summer that it was recommended by his pediatrician that perhaps it was more than ADHD (he thought it was depression) and referred us to a specialist who in turn sent us to another one, and that is why we have such a late diagnosis.

Thank You for that information, I am going to look into it right away. Do you by chance know if this would qualify him for SSDI? Thank you so much, I really appreciate your help

 

[rmet4nzkx]

Without the actual test scores and a Dx of PDD NOS things can go either way although it can't hurt to try and also to make application to Regional center, It can take a struggle. You might also contact Stanford,
www-cap.stanford.edu/services/outpatient/autism_main.html they have an Autism (spectrum) Program and also at UC Davis, called Mind Institute
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/ They can be very helpful. As you make your applications run them by me here or some one at either Mind Insitute or Stanford It is very important to get an advocate. Also contact Protection and Advocacy http://www.pai-ca.org/
Did your child have a tramatic birth?
Any history of Autism or Odd people in the family?
Any seizures?

 

[CaRenter]

I don't think the birth was traumatic for him. I was pushing for several hours, but he was basically stuck, so they ended up doing a c-section and I ended up with an infection and had to spend 11 days in the hospital due to the antibiotics weren't working. I did have gestational diabetes, and he was a big baby 9lbs 10oz. There is no history of autism or any mental illness on my side of the family. His father however, does have severe anger issues and had very little contact with us, and I suspect it is deeper than that, his father is also adopted so we do not know his birth parents history. And no seizures.

To me he seems like a fairly normal little boy who is hyper and inmature, and I am just learning about what autism is. I've never even seen the movie "rain man." So I was completely clueless as to what this diagnosis meant, but I am learning a wealth of information, and I appreciate the links and information. I would love your input as I make out the applications, would I post it on the board, or by PM? Thank you very much, I am very grateful