questions about an IEP

[megs]

My son is 3 and was diagnoised at 10 months old with epilepsy.He has a speech delay and he was getting services through early intervention,now that he turned 3 he got moved on to an IEP and goes to school,on the IEP it states he needs small child to teacher ratio,but he isn't getting that,the school got a grant for 3 yr olds and he has 19 kids in his class,so my question is,is there anything I can do? I know my right is to request a IEP meeting,but thats about all I know,anyone have any advice or input on what to do? I requested the meeting last week and my meeting is set up for tommorow.Thanks in advance

[BLBnJVB3]

Are you wanting a small ratio all together or just for the speech services?

My ODS is 3 and has an IEP for speech. He was seeing a private speech pathologist and one through the school district. If you call tricare they can tell you what they will want for the referral. For my son, I had to get a referral once he turned 3 and then his speech pathologist sent in a new request every time the old one was up. they tended to be 8 weeks long. We just moved or else he would still be getting therapy with her. His speech therapy was one on one.

If you're wanting a small ratio all together and the IEP states that is what he needs then I think you're on the right track with the meeting. The problem you may face is the availabilty. They may not have enough teachers for that. If that is the case then you can ask them how you could go about getting that for him.

Good Luck.

[megs]

well I was hoping to stick with the small ratio group.The reason being is so he can get the one on one that he needs. He is already getting speech therapy twice a week with the hippo-therapy.But once you turn 3 you loose early intervention services and it gets transferred over to the school district and that is where the problem lays.Right now he is in a 3 yr old preschool room with 19 other 3 year olds and I don't think its benefiting him and how can he meet his goals if its one teacher per 20 kids..I'm just all up in the air on what to do at this point.I did already request the meeting though so we will see what ever comes of it.His Nuerologist also suggests a small ratio group also..He is 3 and maybe says 3 words. Thanks for your input.

[Victoria]

For me, I'd go to the school district's special education office and bring the ratio situation to their attention. I don't deal with Tricare anymore, now that my son's speech services are through our local school district.

[TallBlondie82]

Originally Posted by BLBnJVB3 Are you wanting a small ratio all together or just for the speech services? My ODS is 3 and has an IEP for speech. He was seeing a private speech pathologist and one through the school district. If you call tricare they can tell you what they will want for the referral. For my son, I had to get a referral once he turned 3 and then his speech pathologist sent in a new request every time the old one was up. they tended to be 8 weeks long. We just moved or else he would still be getting therapy with her. His speech therapy was one on one. If you're wanting a small ratio all together and the IEP states that is what he needs then I think you're on the right track with the meeting. The problem you may face is the availabilty. They may not have enough teachers for that. If that is the case then you can ask them how you could go about getting that for him. Good Luck.

yes request the meeting. HOWEVER, the IEP should never have stated that if the district wasn't going to provide it. That is their fault. I would bring that up at the meeting, but definitely request a meeting. good luck

[BLBnJVB3]

There is a chance he would be approved to get private speech services through Tricare even though he is 3. My son is 3 and was in private speech therapy til May. The only reason he isn't still is because we moved (long story there but it doesn't have anything to do with Tricare). There was another lady there whose DH is military so they have Tricare and their son, who was 7, was still recieving services through Tricare. I would at least call and see what you need in order to get him more therapy. When my son son was in speech therapy he was going 3 times a week; 2 with the school district and 1 private.

Since you have the meeting I would see what they say. If they don't provide him with the small ratio I would go over their heads. Contact the the district's board of education and go from there. I would also have the IEP, what all the all the doctors suggest in writting, and any other paperwork pertaining to this in hand when you go to the meeting and possibly the board of education.

Good Luck.

[theatretech11]

I would ask for a meeting. If his IEP states he should be getting a small student teacher ratio then the school should do it's best to comply.

[megs]

Well I had the meeting and basically they told me is that whatever his neurologist says won't help because they can't go back and tell the other kids that they can't come anymore because of my son who in his IEP states a small child to teacher ratio...Basically the only thing they said in the meeting was lets meet again October 21st and see how he does until then,other wise they will move him to a full time student,which I told them there is probably no way he would last all day long.He's only 3 not 5.So the meeting was worthless and is now wondering what I am to do...

[BLBnJVB3]

At this school district we have a special education coordinator for the district. I would contact that person if you have one there. If you don't or that person was at the meeting I would contact the board of education. Good Luck.

[blinkybear]

Originally Posted by megs Well I had the meeting and basically they told me is that whatever his neurologist says won't help because they can't go back and tell the other kids that they can't come anymore because of my son who in his IEP states a small child to teacher ratio...Basically the only thing they said in the meeting was lets meet again October 21st and see how he does until then,other wise they will move him to a full time student,which I told them there is probably no way he would last all day long.He's only 3 not 5.So the meeting was worthless and is now wondering what I am to do...

By law they have to carry out this accommodation. DON'T sign any paperwork that review or revises this unless you want to take it out. Tell the school that they are out of compliance with your son's IEP and that they MUST provide him with the services stated and agree upon by the last IEP committee.
If they want to meet again and revise the Least Restrictive Environment and accommodations that is fine, but in the meantime they have to follow the IEP...it is the law! Again don't sign any papers that you don't agree too. PM me anytime.