What are IEP’s made of?

Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs’ tails…

More like gnashes and wails and long paper trails –that’s what this little boy’s IEP will be made of! While Nik is still battling the upper respiratory bug and the ear infection which have kept him down (but never out!) for nearly ten days now, I’ve spent the last few days doing some research in preparation for another IEP meeting.

I’m hopeful that the next one will go better, or at least leave us a little less battle weary. We’re going to take a very different tack on this next go ‘round and will do everything in writing and record the session. We’ve already got some specific points we need to follow up on which weren’t addressed in the last IEP. And, going forward, we’re going to be cordial but, frankly, a pain in the butt about requesting an independent educational evaluation (IEE). We have already provided our own privately done evaluation which school has virtually ignored. You may recall that Bobo indicated that it didn’t matter anyway. Well, we’ll see about that one.

We will play their game only better. We’re going to be looking over the goals and objectives with the proverbial fine-toothed comb. We truly feel the goals they have set for Nik are not appropriate and seriously underestimate Nik’s abilities. Of course, we’ll also be looking for an increase in services and now, with the change of Nik’s placement from school to “home instruction,” we’ll be pushing for a teacher to come work with him at least one day each week.

The challenge now is for me to sit down and write up cogent arguments supported by facts and concrete data. It’s a challenge getting my emotions and mama-bear protectiveness out of the way. But I have to in order to give Nik the best shot at a meaningful IEP. I don’t want to go through another year like last year. I mean, I know that Nik will grow and progress and flourish on his own (well, perhaps Niksdad and I might have a tad to do with it, too). But the things he could do, the catching up he could achieve if he is given the right combination of supports, services, and challenges… he could actually benefit from his FAPE instead of just filling space and marking time.

In the time since he’s been home, in spite of his being ill and running a continual low-grade fever, Nik has been so much more animated and focused. He’s consistently (well, almost consistently) cooperating in most requests such as “lie down so I can change your diaper,” or “turn the toy off and give it to Mommy, please.” Yes, that’s right. Along with the newly emerging skill of standing independently, Nik has already made significant progress on TWO of his IEP goals. Frankly, I don’t think it’s much more than the fact that he’s not so bloody overwhelmed by is environment. But, hey, what do I know? I’m “just his mom” and can’t be objective. (Sarcasm dripping from her voice…)

So anyway, I may be a little quiet online for a while as I gather resources and compile data. I’ll be lurking and commenting from time to time but I may not write much this week. Don’t worry though, I’ll be back!