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[burnsun]

to no surprise of her mom at all....she qualified for ECSE.

drumroll............. the school diagnostic team think the regular ECSE setting where Colin, Melea have gone and Eliza is at currently (adrian is in the class as a model)

is to high functioning and not an appropriate placement for her. I really y hit the floor when they said this! THey want her in a "intense therapy classroom" with only four children now and nor typical children at all. Basically these are the ones "too fragile medically.... on vents" or function so low that integration (ever) is highly unlikely. What the school children refer to these children is worse than the R-word!

I actually for the first time and 30+ IEP under my belt as a parent did not sign or agree to the placement!

I felt like immediately demanding the other placements like COlin, Melea and Eliza have/had. But Then I remebered the night before I was looking at pictures of Colin plodding off to school with his bookbag, he could walk and sign and could carry it. Melea said a few words.... walked, run climbed carried her own pack and pretty much told me to leaver her alone.

Miranda says only NO and signs all done and more! SHe smiles pretty, could never even drag her bag more than 4 feet behind her in a bear walk and probably could have a stroke at any minute. And at the christmas party.... I remeber thinking all these kids look do huge compared to Miranda.... what are they going to do with her. ANd she still eats mulch!

I was actually hoping the "growth fairy" would make her bigger this morning or at least before the 4th of Feb (first day for her to go to school)


SO....I told them I would visit the classroom TUESDAY and maybe take miranda Wed and then make a decision.

I have so many concerns and since it really doesn't "give" or provide or change her therapy minutes I find the name so misleading anyways.

I have made a list of pros and cons!

PRO
one on one time all the time

maybe it wouldn't be bad cause we could do it for rest of school year and then move into other later (anyone think that is as easy as it sounds....)

one ECSE bus, one time to be ready and one place for conferences, parties, etc.

CON
35 minutes from house (not same school) & another short bus for morning driveway mess up

I am afraid Mirand will take vast quantites of germs to these kids
morning driveway mess up

I feel they are already writing her off! And she isn't even three

Miranda will make 9 children in the regular ECSE room (3 would be mine) and that is 4 models and 5 with IEP's (Miranda having gloabl delays and Eliza major and rest for either one or two areas only)

Her not walking sucks for both places....cause people have to carry her up and down steps!

Adrian was really looking foward to being there with Miranda too! She has been marking the days off the calendar since we took her into be evaluated!

both schools start & stop at same time and reall yhard to be in two places at once since not even on same side of town (different than our Elementary to Middle to high.... they are all within 2 mile of each other) including parties and activities!

*****************************
I guess pesonally I feel that she needs this, I also feel like I failed her so bad and that if they put her there she will never get anywhere. Usually these children are never integrated or mainstreamed not even lunch!

But I do realize she is nowhere near where they other children were when they started (but she is a year behind aeveryone due to heart....

I want to sweart she is in there and coming.... just slowly.... but is she? Am I just reading and seeinging something that isn't there! Ifeel so helpless and like whatever I decide will be wrong! And detrimentally effect her forever!

I really cried all through her special lunch (just daddy and me) usually it has been a tradition to take the IEP child ourt to lunch where ever they want to eat after meeting and we celebrate the three of us and then we go out again on first day of school as whole family..............

it has always been fun and a "grow up " tradition thing.... and I feel we got cheated out of that too! Cause it just really sucked!

So welcome to my self doubt moment and pitty party!

_________________
Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS & type 1 diabetes, ASD
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism & Partial Complex, Seizures terology of Fallot
& Retinal detachment w partial blindness at this time
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03) ADD
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS , ASD, pulmonary hypertension, ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy & Stero Typical Movement Disorder & AV Canal
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)ADHD
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie
Sarah Emmaline "Emma" Grace (2/15/2011) 35week little one with a variety of issues inc: cp & fragile x & Seizures & severe birth trauma & G-J tube, Severe reflux, and recurent pnumonia and tracheosomy and vent chugging princess since 8/24/2012!




wife to the best & greatest guy Eric



http://princessgrumpy.blogspot.com/
read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

http://thegrumpyfamily.blogspot.com/
the family blog of our unique & special family

[Amy]

Don't do it. Austin could say maybe 10 words at 3. He was walking...but, he wouldn't wear his backpack. I still carry his bag to and from class. There is a child in his class that never gets out of her chair, doesn't talk and has a very poor prognosis. But the other day, I went in with Austin and she looked right at me and was sitting up on her own. This is MAJOR. What I'm trying to say is that Miranda needs the peer pressure to do more... putting her in a class where the children are performing at a really low level is not going to help her improve. That's why we have Austin in BOTH types of classes...typical and special ed.

Ask if she can transition slowly in to the other class room where Colin went. that was Miranda I saw pics of eating with a spoon ...right? That is NOT an ineducable child. Don;t let them underestimate Miranda. Time to put those 30+ IEP meetings to good use and say NO. I want more.
amy

_________________
Keep the Faith, Amy
Mom to Kristin (26) Jessica (24) Rebecca (21) Rachel (16) Sarah (14) Hunter (11) & Austin (7) DS

[ecki]

Sometimes I find myself facing a reality check.

Kayla's school has several universal preK classes (mostly typical with about 2 or 3 IEP kids), one high functioning special ed class and one lower functioning special ed class. Kayla's in the lower functioning one, although I didn't even know THAT until she started because last year they only had ONE special ed class. It wasn't until I actually visited the class when I realized that the entire class was non-verbal. At least last year some of the kids could talk!

I was a bit upset when it occured to me that they had put her in this lower functioning class (her IEP just specifies self-contained) and I have asked about somehow placing her with some kids who are at least verbal or even spend SOME time with typical kids.

But honestly Kayla is really thriving in this class, to the point where she is one of the highest functioning kids in her class. At this point in time I don't want to disrupt her routine, but for her next IEP I will definitely ask for the higher functioning class and some time, if even just lunch or free play time, with one of the integrated classes.

I find it hard sometimes to have both high AND realistic goals for Kayla. And trying to balance a "least restrictive environment" with "appropriate education" is making my head spin. And it's going to be worse when I have to decide on Kindergarten placement!

Anyway, back to Miranda....I suspect that the fact that she can't walk is a big factor in her being put in the lower functioning class. Kayla wasn't walking well at the end of last school year, which is why I suspect they put her in the lower functioning class. They are not allowed to carry the children. If they can't walk, they have to be transported in a wheelchair or stroller. Which is a real PITA, if you know what I mean!

I've always heard that it is easier to start with an integrated placement and then go to a more restrictive environment. But depending on the school district, I don't think that your child is doomed to low expectations
forever. Last year Kayla wouldn't have been able to survive in an integrated class. She was so tiny (I could even put her INSIDE her backpack -- it was bigger than she was!) and could barely walk and couldn't walk up or down stairs at all. But I do have hope that she will eventually be able to spend some time with her typical peers.

Anyway, let us know how your school visit goes and if you can get the IEP committee to make some adjustments regarding Miranda's placement.

{{hugs}} I know how hard this all is!!!

_________________
Ecki



MomMom of Kayla (Ds/Autism 4/5/04) and Laurie (PDD-NOS 7/12/01)

Our Blog - Opposite Kids
Kayla's Story http://www.ecki.com/kayla/

Friend me on FACEBOOK (please specify Downsyn, so I know who you are!)

[burnsun]

and a week of negotiating / demanding. Miranda will be attending school with her sisters/. They will be hiring either an additional pare or a nurse / para (depends on results of her CAT & EEG again today). They will be creating an intensive therapy setting in the same location as Eliza and Adrian and the same room!

So basically she goes from highest function in the therapy placement they wanted to the lowest in the other.... BUT SHE HAS HER SISTER and is so used to making her presense known among the din at our house she will be fine

(there was a lot of load discussions.... and all that stuff. Funny that this was the first problem we have ever encountered.... anyone think the last?

_________________
Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS & type 1 diabetes, ASD
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism & Partial Complex, Seizures terology of Fallot
& Retinal detachment w partial blindness at this time
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03) ADD
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS , ASD, pulmonary hypertension, ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy & Stero Typical Movement Disorder & AV Canal
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)ADHD
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie
Sarah Emmaline "Emma" Grace (2/15/2011) 35week little one with a variety of issues inc: cp & fragile x & Seizures & severe birth trauma & G-J tube, Severe reflux, and recurent pnumonia and tracheosomy and vent chugging princess since 8/24/2012!




wife to the best & greatest guy Eric



http://princessgrumpy.blogspot.com/
read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

http://thegrumpyfamily.blogspot.com/
the family blog of our unique & special family

[ecki]

Glad to hear you got them to reconsider her placement. Great job! See, all those years of IEP experiece put to good use!

_________________
Ecki



MomMom of Kayla (Ds/Autism 4/5/04) and Laurie (PDD-NOS 7/12/01)

Our Blog - Opposite Kids
Kayla's Story http://www.ecki.com/kayla/

Friend me on FACEBOOK (please specify Downsyn, so I know who you are!)

[HannahsmomUK]

just catching up with this post

I don't really understand your education system at all so apologies but I'm glad that you got them to reconsider the first options and she's with her sisters

_________________







Please visit Hannah's webpage read all about her journey
Hannah's Video

[burnsun]

as of today.....

Ironically a teacher said to me yesterday they were so happy that Eric and I were so proacitive at dealing wiht a problem with Colin and his inclusionary classroom. She felt and has had a lot of parents say "if it is happening at school, it is your problem....not ours".

Well today I am so starting to understand why any parent would say that! We are tired of fighting for our children and their rights by the time they get to 1st or 2nd or 4 th grade.... that we don't care, we don't want to participate by then WE ARE EXHAUSTED OF THIS UPHILL BATTLE!!


Many times I am beginning to think the school people are counting on this fact more than they will ever let on it makes the education job so much simplier.

I find it ironic that all the books and articles and everything....say "fight for inclusion, get all the early therapy and other services for your child to ensure their best potential outcome.

ALL I want for all my children is to go to school and learn to the best they can.... whatever this is....cause I don't even know their limits (and I am absolutely certain that a person who has spent only 75 minutes once with them certainly does not) but Eric and I certainly have a better clue. We will be here for them the day they are no longer a "problem" for the school system..... and they fall off that cliff.... so believe me I am thinking LONG LONG LONG TERM!

I am so tired of being presented with options to have them determine that "oh.... that won't work now."

I find it ironic that people have know all of Miranda's issues (OK most of her issues since SEPT).

I find it ironic that all the books and articles and everything....say "fight for inclusion, get all the early therapy and other services for your child to ensure their best potential outcome.

All of a sudden the fact she isn't walking is a problem since all the class rooms are in the basement! Not like they weren't there in sept or December or when we had her IEP on JAN 18th.

And how about every single time I have had to drag the stroller up and down the steps at school for the last three years that someone would have noticed she wasn't walking!

I DID!

Oh.... they have options.... but I don't like any of them.... and I laugh at most....

Like I want someone here in my house again! I AM TIRED OF EARLY INTERVENTION! I AM TIRED OF NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING CAUSE I AM CONSTANTLY WAITING ON SOMEONE TO COME OR TO SHOW UP OR wondering where they are or having people call and change it at the last minute.

IT WILL NOT BE 780 minutes of "academic stimulation" if she is here! I have been in this program every day for the last 7 1/2 years with one child or another..... I AM OVER IT! AND IT DOESNOT GIVE HER WHAT SHE NEEDS!!!! 3 hours each day of "typical classroom stimulation"

And I really doubt in case of a fire that Eliza (same size and smaller weight could follow a direction to get her out of the basement.... someone would have to help each and every child in that room ..... INCLUDING MY TYPICAL ONE!


Am I really thinking this is just their way to force a therapy room on us..... Probably!

So no she isn't going to school and I am not going to take itinerant services either! That is not what her IEP states and I will protest any change with the highest voice I can!

They offered to do it just till spring break.....or preferably the end of the year. Then they would move classrooms around then. Great my kid gets to cause how many kids and their families an inconvenience.... great makes me feel so good~

I know a new classroom change like that would "stress my typical child and freak out Eliza.... so why are others going to be hurt because of inadequate "reactive" planning.

Why are they so reactive and not proactive when it comes to planning.

URGH!!!!!!!!!!! I am so irritated that all I want to do is scream!!!!!!! Why is this the actual hardest transition I have done!!!!! AND IT IS MY 5th!

_________________
Jane
mom to
Colin Miguel (11/19/00) DS & type 1 diabetes, ASD
Devon Richard(4/13/01) DS & Autism & Partial Complex, Seizures terology of Fallot
& Retinal detachment w partial blindness at this time
Melea Isabelle(2/13/02) DS
Adrian Elliott (7/04/03) ADD
Eliza Marisol (5/15/04) DS , ASD, pulmonary hypertension, ADHD, ODD, Autism Spectrum Disorder,
Miranda Olivia (2/1/05) DS & Partial Complex Seisure Disorder & iratractable epilepsy & Stero Typical Movement Disorder & AV Canal
Jordan Alexander(3/17/2007)ADHD
Emerson James (1/08/2009) 33 week preemie
Sarah Emmaline "Emma" Grace (2/15/2011) 35week little one with a variety of issues inc: cp & fragile x & Seizures & severe birth trauma & G-J tube, Severe reflux, and recurent pnumonia and tracheosomy and vent chugging princess since 8/24/2012!




wife to the best & greatest guy Eric



http://princessgrumpy.blogspot.com/
read about the daily adventures of Princess grumpy and her special siblings and their daily adventures

http://thegrumpyfamily.blogspot.com/
the family blog of our unique & special family