tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post7613534725843499247..comments2023-09-27T11:22:05.849-04:00Comments on Cornish Adoption Journey: Yay for a good IEP team!Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07974293935380325338noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-36932108876412309442008-09-04T10:35:00.000-04:002008-09-04T10:35:00.000-04:00Hi Meredith! I too have been on the other side of...Hi Meredith! I too have been on the other side of the IEP team when I worked as an OT (before having kids-Madison-7 and Joshua-3 (Ds). I worked in Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, FL. I was floored to hear that they STILL use that terminology of TMH, ect. I worked there in the early 90s!! That's 15 years ago and they still use those antiquated, degrading labels, wow!! <BR/><BR/>And as I'm sure you already know if you are a teacher, you don't have to take what the IEP team says they recommend as the "be all end all" decision!! They may say "no" several times to SP but if you stick to your guns and have documents to back up what you want, then I'm sure you can get her SP!! I know there are lots of others out there to help you, such as advocates that can attend the IEP meeting with you if you need it. I found that taking my child's evaluations with me to the meeting, learning how to interpret the scores he received (scaled score, mean, standard deviation, etc) and plot him on a bell curve, to show his great need vs. just the fact that I'm his mom and of course I want all the related services for him. They told me no a couple times, but I stuck to my guns, showed his scores and basically said tell me why you think he doesn't need it. I've got proof right here on paper, what do you have? You can use the same reasoning of Emma's history and lack of stimulation as back up if they give you the "her language scores match her cognitive level speech". She definitely would benefit and you want it and that's that! Sorry, I'll get off my soap box now. All those excuses made sense when I was a therapist without kids, but now I realize how ridiculous they are!! I don't live in FL anymore, but it shouldn't matter where you live! I recommend Wrightslaw.com and their books and conferences. They talk a lot about being well versed in interpreting test scores if you forgot everything you learned in Statistics 101 in college like I had:) Good luck!<BR/>WendyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-65248536882128889922008-09-03T13:25:00.000-04:002008-09-03T13:25:00.000-04:00Emma may not be able to speak up for herself, but ...Emma may not be able to speak up for herself, but what a loud and clear voice she has through her Mom and Dad. I think it's great that you are using your voices to let that little girl be heard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-8813862366478406912008-09-03T12:36:00.000-04:002008-09-03T12:36:00.000-04:00I did read all of this, do I get brownie points(I'...I did read all of this, do I get brownie points(I'll take the brownie instead), but am a bit confused. Are the kids going to Ap.. next year, or a school closer to your house, Or is Ap.... the school closer to your house?<BR/><BR/>ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-78894719968265644552008-09-03T12:00:00.000-04:002008-09-03T12:00:00.000-04:00Hi!! I have been praying for Emma and your family...Hi!! I have been praying for Emma and your family since I found out about her surgery thru a different blog! I CAN NOT believe that Emma is not getting speech thru your school system. I live in MA and am a consultant for our local Early Intervention Program. I work with many children with Down Syndrome and we help the families make the transition from EI to preschool at age 3. It is the legal right for a child who is non-verbal to receive speech therapy (and whatever other kind of service they need OT, PT, etc.) at age 3!! Please, please do not allow this from your school system. You do not need to seek private speech therapy for Emma. I am sure their is an advocate in your area that would go to any meeting with you to explain these legal rights! Maybe contacting your local DS organization or go national!! <BR/><BR/>Emma can learn so much, and since she is homebound at present, the school should be sending you a SPL(speech-language pathologist) an OT and a PT along with an educational therapist!<BR/><BR/>I hope this doesn't sound too harsh. I just can't believe that a school system would not provide these services especially with IDEA(Individuals with Disibilities Education Act).<BR/><BR/>You are an amazing Mom with an amazing family! <BR/><BR/>SusanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-15373066914003842132008-09-03T10:22:00.000-04:002008-09-03T10:22:00.000-04:00Sounds like a great IEP. Thank God for the one per...Sounds like a great IEP. Thank God for the one person being so late. What a great mom you are for taking the opportunity to tell the others about Emma and her progress and for taking Mike and Emma with so they could see the interaction and how she is at a non home setting. I say non home setting because my SN daughter does things at home that she doesn't do at school. The school people only get a glimpse of your Emma(did Emma have any testing done before the mtg?) Glad things worked out. I know that the 25 minute drive sounds horrible but it sounds like it would be temporary until the kiddos are in the system. I live in Indiana and things do work a little differently.I do the 20-30minuted drive every day, twice a day through sunshine, rain, sleet, or snow but for peace of mind it is totally worth it. They call her classroom a life skills class instead of Special Education room. Right now there are 9 kiddos in the room, 1 teacher, and 2-3 aides in the class at all times. They usually have an intern in the class a couple days a week too. Also the kids get to do "specials" with the typical kids and spend a certain amount of time with the typical peers to interact and learn how to do age appropriate things. The life skills class is for K-5, middle school is 6-8, and then high school. We also have an integrated preschool that for every SN child their is a typical peer. The preschool works with the elementry school and places the child in the stage/room to best fit the childs need. The typical classes have aides in them for kids who have moderate SN.My daughter doesn't go to the elementry school that is assigned to her (only 10minutes away) but I know she is getting the education she needs at her current school so it is worth the drive. On MWF I drive back and forth at least 4 times since my son goes to preschool. He goes to the same preschool my daughter went to so he can see how other SN kids are and it helps tremendously. My SN daughter receives OT and Speech at least 2-3times a week at school and then every other week we drive an hour to a private SLP. The school is great, but it only gives her about 20minute sessions. When she turned 3 and First Steps (home therapy) stopped then our only option was the preschool or private services. We didn't think she was ready for preschool yet so we had her evaluated by the school and were just going to get SLP,PT,and OT. Once she did the testing she did qualify for OT and SLP but the school would only do one 20minute session a week. So we did get her into the preschool after a month. While looking into other options our great SLP came into place. Yes we do have a copay, but it is worth it and most of the therapist will work with you. Plus like another commentor said, wouldn't Emma qualify for SS benifits? I don't know the laws in Flordia. Sorry to ramble on. I wanted to give a view of what others have done and I was were you are when my daughter was 3 emotionally and spiritually. My daughter doesn't have the obsticles or medical issues that Emma or your other children face. She doesn't talk and has other developmental delays, sensory issues, and seizures. We have noticed incredible progress. <BR/>You are doing a great job, keep up the good work. You are a great advocate for your children. <BR/>Take care and God Bless!<BR/>~DanielleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-62978435590810984682008-09-03T09:44:00.000-04:002008-09-03T09:44:00.000-04:00Just wanted to tell you that we have fought the sa...Just wanted to tell you that we have fought the same battle about ST with Xander. We were told in VA that because of his developmental level, ST would not be offered by the school....and Xander was already signing and everything. We're currently fighting the battle here in AL, so I'll let you know how it turns out. And, unfortunantly, insurance sux when it comes to ST. Private OT and PT are covered 100% with our insurance...but we haven't been able to get them to approve ST...yet. I'm working on that too!<BR/>One other thing, when you check with your insuance company about therapy, remember that you want therapy based on "failure to thrive" not Ds. A "Failure to thrive" diagnosis for Xander meant our insurance had to pay for private therapies automatically without question. So, you might want to check on that.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad the IEP meeting went well. It sounds like you have a good plan in place.Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05854999345315958520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-80220860840387843052008-09-03T01:21:00.000-04:002008-09-03T01:21:00.000-04:00Meredith,It sounds like a great plan. It is amazin...Meredith,<BR/>It sounds like a great plan. It is amazing how different things are from state to state. DE was behind the times, too. Thankfully we are in TX now!!<BR/>I love reading your posts!<BR/>Blessings,<BR/>CarlaCarlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16717919198038091662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-30145338250311217852008-09-03T00:40:00.000-04:002008-09-03T00:40:00.000-04:00Congrats on surviving and making out so well at Em...Congrats on surviving and making out so well at Emma's IEP! I never could get my kids ST at school when we lived in FL either. We were told that at their developmental level, they wouldn't be talking anyway, therefore they didn't need speech therapy...grr! I hope they relent and she gets all of the services she needs!Louhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01173819975698492553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-59984129518352009552008-09-02T22:47:00.000-04:002008-09-02T22:47:00.000-04:00I don't know how awesome I am, but I waited all da...I don't know how awesome I am, but I waited all day for this post - of course I'm going to read every word!! -no matter how long it is.<BR/><BR/>I'm so glad everything went so well!! <BR/><BR/>Praying for you and your babies in Texas,<BR/>AllisonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-20949465838341629222008-09-02T22:18:00.001-04:002008-09-02T22:18:00.001-04:00I am not the awesome one here, YOU ARE! You rock M...I am not the awesome one here, YOU ARE! You rock Mama Meredith! I am glad it was a good meeting and I hope that Medicaid kicks in soon so you can get the therapies she needs. I look at Emma and I see nothing but potential for such a different future! She's beautiful and deserves the best! :)Sharihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04554314908015066118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-7127082225880036922008-09-02T22:18:00.000-04:002008-09-02T22:18:00.000-04:00Of course I read the whole thing, I HAVE to know h...Of course I read the whole thing, I HAVE to know how a story ends, lol ;o)<BR/>I'm so pleased for you with the way things turned out. GREAT idea about bringing the child with you. I truthfully wouldn't have thought of it, only because of the "distraction" factor, but I'll just get the Daddy Kid Minder to come with me...since I'm the Momma lion when it comes to my kids!<BR/>Private therapy might not be too bad. If you can get them to tell YOU things to work on, you may just have to have a few visits kind of spaced out, know what I mean? I do most of Jonathan's therapy while we play or dress. I get tips from his various therapies, but I impliment them on an ongoing basis. His therapists didn't see him for five weeks while we were on vacation, when we came back he was doing so much more than when he left. They were blown away! I told them God and love can do anything!June Bergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01611299565251107517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-48398855392102640732008-09-02T21:36:00.000-04:002008-09-02T21:36:00.000-04:00I read the entire post--first because I am a speci...I read the entire post--first because I am a special education teacher, second because we are beginning a journey to adopt a kiddo with DS. My how labels can be different! In Ohio, I teach MD, which is Multiply Disabled...I think the label is more "friendly".<BR/><BR/>I am amazed by you. I just want to know how you do it!Cara and Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04587188649668952664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-41545955751047321582008-09-02T20:35:00.001-04:002008-09-02T20:35:00.001-04:00Hmmm the SLP in me is wondering how in the world s...Hmmm the SLP in me is wondering how in the world she doesn't qualify for ST services. You might want to question that one. A pretty much nonverbal five year old should be a given!Cammie Heflinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07843057037279743749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-34987571516291216332008-09-02T20:35:00.000-04:002008-09-02T20:35:00.000-04:00Of course I read it all the way through! I'm alwa...Of course I read it all the way through! I'm always interested in hearing about your children and what's going on with them and you. What's more, you have a way with writing that keeps the reader interested! Sounds to me like a very productive meeting. You are exactly the mother that precious Emma needs, I just know she is going to thrive under your watchful and loving eyes. best wishesAussieJennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16442132382715943329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-7476111936009545332008-09-02T20:31:00.000-04:002008-09-02T20:31:00.000-04:00Great Meredith! That's a wonderful START and you'...Great Meredith! That's a wonderful START and you'll be able to add more as you go along!<BR/><BR/>And yes, I read the whole thing, LOL!!!! You're a wonderful advocate for Emma!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-68171079973125733142008-09-02T20:08:00.000-04:002008-09-02T20:08:00.000-04:00What alot of great info, though we've got a little...What alot of great info, though we've got a little time still. And of course I read the whole thing!RKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259757888643034394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-19010114141290840382008-09-02T20:03:00.000-04:002008-09-02T20:03:00.000-04:00I read all the way. Thanks for including all the ...I read all the way. Thanks for including all the info. We homeschool but I am going to write an IEP for Katya anyway just so I can see how much progress she has made and make sure we stay "on task".traceylynndelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00715646149065367739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-9677717452337061012008-09-02T19:53:00.000-04:002008-09-02T19:53:00.000-04:00Sounds like a good meeting overall.The speech kill...Sounds like a good meeting overall.<BR/><BR/>The speech kills me, though. How can one teacher say that she needs to be around kids who can talk on one hand and then on the other say she doesn't qualify for speech?<BR/><BR/>Our insurance won't even cover speech for kids because they feel that it is a school issue (or it must be a "treatable" condition -- same for PT & OT).datrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11780816487520416497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-69047631237060634862008-09-02T19:39:00.000-04:002008-09-02T19:39:00.000-04:00I'm glad most of your goals were met and you left ...I'm glad most of your goals were met and you left satisfied Meredith. I hope that the process to get PT and OT started for Emma goes quicker than expected and that she can get speech therapy too. I'm sure we'll all continue to be inspired by how much Emma grows and learns.Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04474902291331595191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-21029446046867482082008-09-02T19:16:00.001-04:002008-09-02T19:16:00.001-04:00Meredith,Don't give up on speech therapy(If you ha...Meredith,<BR/>Don't give up on speech therapy(If you have all of that extra energy to fight.)<BR/>the fact that they siad she needs speech from insurance means she needs speech. These are indeed school goals. They will try to get away with this. Don't let them! (Again, if you dont' have the energy to fight, we totally understand, but if you really think she needs this, they should be providing it. CLEARLY, Emma needs educationally based speech therapy!<BR/>Mary Stolz RRAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-46525270041385997232008-09-02T19:16:00.000-04:002008-09-02T19:16:00.000-04:00Phew! I did it, and boy am I wiped!LOL, just kiddi...Phew! I did it, and boy am I wiped!<BR/><BR/>LOL, just kidding, I Love reading all things "Emma". I hope she get's medicaid, and that they provide the services she needs. Be sure to let us know. <BR/><BR/>hugs,<BR/>kathy and pjKathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07513265151132754365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-34474451563432901162008-09-02T19:15:00.000-04:002008-09-02T19:15:00.000-04:00Okay,Will she not qualify for SS disability? That...Okay,<BR/>Will she not qualify for SS disability? That would help with the medicaid issue. I have a friedn who is a wiz at this stuff and she would love to walk you through some of it if you would like. We call her the IEP queen. Let me know and I will hook you up with her<BR/>LoriLori & Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03847370506543469152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-81427336182931257642008-09-02T18:52:00.000-04:002008-09-02T18:52:00.000-04:00We are still with you! I am happy the meeting went...We are still with you! I am happy the meeting went well, and how smart of you to take Emma.Now they can see her as a person instead of just a bunch of facts on paper.I am sorry you didn't get all you wanted, but it sounds like this wil be a good stepping stone to better things in the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1855066593161369056.post-9785123898424360752008-09-02T18:49:00.000-04:002008-09-02T18:49:00.000-04:00Sounds like a productive meeting. You bet I read ...Sounds like a productive meeting. <BR/><BR/>You bet I read the whole thing. I am just starting all of this with Polly and need all the tips I can get!<BR/><BR/>Thanks Merideth!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com