My son is 2 1/2 and is currently receiving speech and physical therapy services from Early Intervention. At our recent team meeting, we were discussing his upcoming transition out of EI since he will be 3 in March. My team leader wanted to prepare me for the strong possibility that 203 may deny services because they 1) have been denying a lot of people recently and 2) their criteria is skewed away from kids w/ gross motor skill delays since those dont impact the classroom as much. I want to be as prepared as possible for this meeting since I had an older child receive these services from the school district and found them to be very beneficial, and I think that my son needs them now as well. My EI team told me that first I will meet w/ some staff at Early childhood, then my son will have a basic eval in a pre-school classroom setting, and then, if the district thinks it is warranted, they will do a "global evaluation." I think we should go straight to the global eval if possible, and I would like any ideas for how to present our case. My son does not have any cognitive impairments, but he has very low muscle tone and some motor planning issues. He can't go up and down stairs easily and he can't step off a curb from the sidewalk into the street. He also has some mild sensory issues and his low tone is affecting his tongue control and his speech. Thanks for any advice!
J.
I was an atty for a very large school district in Illinois for over 10 years. I stopped practicing about 1 year ago. if i can offer you some more guidance onhow to get through this let me know. I would be happy to walk you through what you need to know. let me know how I can help.
E.
I cannot recommend the http://www.frcd.org/ highly enough; their (free of charge) spec ed seminar is invaluable. I have a five-year-old daughter on the autistic spectrum. She was in EI at 2 1/2 and entered the Chicago Public Schools at age three. Currently, she is in an amazing program at an outstanding school. I know our family is lucky, but I also believe it has something to do with educating myself about her rights.
Bottom line: if your child has special needs, he is entitled to a fair and equal education to that of his typically-developing peers. "CPS doesn't have the money" is not an excuse. It doesn't matter what other families aren't getting. Don't let the CPS balance their budget on the back of your kid. Who knows - perhaps you'll actually get to work with CPS staff who care about your child:^)
Good luck!
J., LEt me suggest you contact a parent advocate. They know the terms to use and how to work your way through the system. I know a really good one. I think it is great that you want to be so prepared for your meeting. Once the services are denied it is harder to get them back. If you can continue then the transition is seamless. If you want it email or call me for the parent advocate I know. She has special needs kids herself so knows both sides of the issue.
P. ____@____.com
Hi J.,
I would try to get him evaluated no matter what. Do your best to present him in the best light possible,the great thing is that you are trying to get help and early intervention for your son. That will definitely benefit you and your child in the years to come!
All the Best!
J., If your son is currently receiving special services it will be continued until such time as a IEP changes. Ask now for a case study be done immediatly. This is probably what they are talking about when they say a global evaluation. But get it in writing. make sure you document everything. A case study is mandated by the state of Illinois if a parent requests it. It has to be requested in writing. they have 30 days to get it done. a case study usually has the child observed by any or all of the following teachers, social workers, school nurse, speech teacher doctors, district special ed person. has your child been to an early bird screening? if so what were the concerns? at 2 and a half if there are already concerns then the school will not usually drop the ball on it as they want what is best for the child. I would call the school directly and ask them what is the procedure for requesting and making sure your child doesn't fall between the cracks. Good luck
S.
I suggest talking to EI and getting a dr. Evaluation. The school shpuld accept this
mAny kids are being turned away for services. It's very unfortunate! Bring the team with you and have the dr. Eval!! Good luck!
Hi J..
My 5 yr old son is on the spectrum and receives OT through district 25. Prior to the meeting I provided the team copies of evaluations I had done from an OT & a PT. My son also suffers with low muscle tone, fatigue and sensory issues. At the meeting they told me they were not going to offer OT services because it didn't effect his ability to learn. I argued the point by saying that he tires easily just sitting in his chair at his table and that he has to prop himself up which distracts his ability to learn.....then they gave in. He now receives OT at school twice a week.
I would also advise you to enroll your son in the swimming program at Marion Joy Rehab Hospital. It is VERY INEXPENSIVE...$80.00 for 8-1hr sessions ($10.00 a session). Thay have some fantastic programs for our kids with muscle tone issues....check it out.
www.marianjoy.org/ConditionsTreated/PediatricRehabilitati...
I hope this helps!
Feel free to email me if you need any help!
K.
Contact the Family Resource Center for Disabilities and Parents United For A Responsible Education.
I understand how you are feeling. My son will be three next month and we were told the same thing by his PT, OT and service coordinator. my son, timothy has Cp and but is very high functioning with is why they had felt that he mightn't qualify but we just had his Transition meeting last week and evaluate today. So my best advice would be to talk them what is going with your son and how the service can help him in his development in learning. Make sure they are doing their own evaluates because assessments that the pt used and school with use may differ greatly. Good luck with getting them to provide your son services
FYI - a case study is not mandatory just because a parent requests it. The school district does have the right to deny your request, which they must respond to within 10 days. If he "passes" the screening and do not want to do the "global evaluation", then I wuold request IN WRITING a case study. You could always have him assessed by outside professionals and bring those evaluations in - which the district does not necessarily have to accept. They also may offer speech only/PT only which would mena you would have to bring him in for those services (similar to a doctor's appointmnet). Good luck!
J., I have a friend who is a teacher for the visually impaired as well as an attorney. She is in DuPage County. I don't know where District 203 is. I'm not implying that you need a lawyer, but perhaps her many years of experience in the special ed system could help you. Please let me know if you would like her contact info. Good luck.
S.
