IEP This Week

[katiekat]

Wednesday is Sean's IEP meeting. Here are the accomodations he is currently receiving:
Resource room for reading, writing, and math
In class support in reg. ed. classroom
OT 2Xs a week
Counseling 1x a week
Extended time and support with tests including state testing
Checklist for homework
He gets a paper copy of things written on board

I know I am probably forgetting some smaller things. It seems to me that even with this extra support things are not going well. He forgets some of his homework most days. They write their spelling words in their planner and his are spelled so incorrectly that I cannot even guess what they are. He is still reversing letters (in fact more than he used to) he is still not writing on the lines and does not use punctuation and/or capital letters where needed. I know I have said this before but I want him to actually learn these things and not just have him pushed through so that he has passing grades. I feel he is not retaining the information he is taught and therefore he does not apply the rules he learned to his work. This is true for math as well but mostly writing. Is there any specific LD which a symptom is inability to copy print? Even if he has it right in front of him he cannot copy something properly. Does anyone elses child have this difficulty and is there anything you have found to help with it? I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions of anything else I can ask for at this meeting to help. Thanks!

[charliegirl]

dysgraphia

I think I'd request that he be tested for that specifically, also, have the teachers give him a written list of the spelling words.

I found with my son that having him type everything on the computer made a huge difference. They don't have to worry about transferring the words to paper. Writing requires so many brain and body functions that writing out one letter can demand so much focus they forget the word, even the next letter.

You can also scribe for him so he only has to think about what he wants to say or spelling the word without any other distractions. For spelling, spell it the way he says it, then go over it with him.

If that works you can request a scribe or a computer for him to use in school.

It worked so well for my son that I was accused of writing it for him the first time he wrote a story for class. He wrote it all himself. All I did was write it exactly the way he said it, had him check it out and asked him to pretend he was someone else and decide whether they would be able to understand what he meant. We also worked on punctuation that way once he got used to the first steps.

He learned the fundamentals without having to struggle with the physical act of writing it out. Once that was out of the equation his mind was able to comprehend and remember the basics.

[misty]

Shannon has always had problems copying. When the Psychiatrist at the cyber school told me that he thinks she has NVLD instead of ADHD, that was one of the things that led him in that direction. He said that is one of the common problems with NVLD. Shannon hasn't been in a traditional school setting for 2 years so I'm waiting to see next year if she still has difficulties. She also reversed her letters until probably 4th grade & still cannot write in cursive. She could not write on the line properly until 4th grade also & still has spelling difficulty, although she reads at a 12th grade level. She can read & understand the words, just cannot spell them if asked to do so.

[bugsmom]

KK, I agree with everything Barb suggested. Your actually getting more than most kids ever get. See if they will test again and see what happens.

Josh also can't write in cursive. It drove me nuts forever, but I just let it go. He knows HOW to do it, he just hates taking the time to remember how each letter is formed. It actually looks better than his printing, but he refuses to do it. He complains that it hurts his hand and he get cramps...go figure.

[misty]

The hand cramps are Shannon's reason for not doing it too, bugs! But go figure--she can sit & write pages & pages in printing if she's writing something she's interested in & no cramps at all! LOL

[katiekat]

They never tested him the first place-we paid to have him evaluated privately. I am happy with the amount of help he is getting at this point although it took me years.I seriously doubt they will test him. I don't even think they have started to teach cursive which I find strange since we are coming up on the end of 3rd grade and all.
I read about dysgraphia and nonverbal LD and he has all symptoms for both except "exceptional memory" in NVLD.

[bugsmom]

So....how did it go? I was thinking of you today.

[katiekat]

It actually went very well-thanks for asking. It is so nice for them to finally be on the same page as us and validate our concerns. He will continue with the pull out for his reading and writing and also the in-class support when he is in the regular ed. class. They are considering more support for math as it seems to be getting more and more difficult for him. They are going to re-evaluate after the 1st marking period. Both the regular ed and special ed teachers are concerned with his letter reversal and (non)use of punctuation and capitalization. He will continue with the OT where writing will be the main focus. Also fine-motor skills such as learning to tie shoes. He will also continue with the counseling there. Many, many, behavior issues that are increasing. Teacher is very concerned about Sean's dependency on others. He has a very hard time working on his own and she would like to see increased independence. She has asked the classroom aide to pull back from him and suggested I do the same at home with homework and also just basic life skills. Very distracted, wandering around classroom, interrupting, constantly asking to use bathroom/get drink. He does not pay attention at all nor does he follow directions. I let them know that as soon as we get back to the psych (they had to cancel our appt. this month) that I will be inquiring about a med change and would like me to keep them in the loop as far as that goes so we can see if it is/isnt working. His 4th grade teacher sat in at the meeting so she is involved already. All in all it went well. They didn't eliminate any services and added a few othr things that he does not have this year so I am pleased.

[bugsmom]

That is awesome. Even though it took you years, its nice to see them finally recognizing his issues. I'm glad it all went well.

[charliegirl]

Its great to hear about an IEP meeting where they were actually wanting to help. You fought a long, hard battle but its paying off now. Way to go!