any advice on IEP/ staments and other stuff please

[emd4]

Hi,
I was just after a bit of advice over a few things, just wondering if anyone can help.

I am due to meet my ds teacher next week to discuss his progress etc, we were supposed to meet in june but she has said that he's not hitting his IEP targets and so they need to be changed.

As far as Im aware the idea of the targets was to keep them untill he was hitting them and if he wasnt then to get extra help in place for him. Is this right? Or is it normal to change the targets if they are not making progress?

I'm only concerned as hes had these since September and they were kept in the Feb IEP meeting. And he really doesnt seem to be learning at all in school. She has said that he will not cope next year, which from what ive seen from working with him at home is true, but nothing has been done to address this problem. She is a fab teacher, but Im concerned that maybe its the school funding or something thats stopping any more support being put in place.

I am wondering if this is the stage to mention statments? dont know much about them but from what I understand they take a long time to be put in place. I'm not sure if he'd qualify though? He has support from the TA but she is for the whole class (30) and I feel that hes loosing out on the opportunity to learn at this stage which seems to be so important. So any tips on when is the right time to start with the statement or if I even have a shot?

He is currently under (at the cdc) the child dev paed, clinical psychologist, and physio and OT, but becasue this was all arranged by hv, early years and me, it feels like the school are relying on me to tell them how to manage him and relay all the info, whereas I thought they were supposed to get people in through the school?

anyway, my other question was is it common for children with ADHD/ asperger type symptoms to have other learning disabilities, such as not learning to read or understand numbers (basically school work), not just because of the behaviour issues. I thought his problems learning may be due to lack of attention or sensory overload in class or unwillingness to join in the group activities, but even at home, we are doing one thing over and over (~in as fun way as possible) and I think he will be starting to get it, then the next day its as if we havent done anything. Is this linked to the conditions or something else? The docs have mostly been focused on behavioral issues and I wasnt sure which one would be best to discuss this with?

Oh wow I wrote alot, ,
I feel a bit nervous posting on here as I know theres some children and parents with so much more to deal with, but any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Firstly I would say its not usual to change the targets, unless they are not clear, specific and achievable but what they should look at changing is the strategies and support to help him achieve those targets as, what they are trying isn't working.
The school can ask the Educational Psychologist to assess him, there is no harm in you suggesting that this may help.

A statement in itself is not automatically a way for a school to access additional funding or support but it is a legally binding document that lists what support must be provided for your son.
The process of the LEA issuing a statement should (in theory) include a full assessment that adequatley assesses his needs which may in turn lead to increase support & therfore additional funding for the school.

Not reaching targets will support any statement request as the LEA usually asks for evidence that the child is not making progress with the current support.
An ed psych assess is also needed as part of the statment so you could get ahead of the game.

My ds has asd, mild cp and learning difficulties he certainly learns differently it is just a case of someone identifying the best way to teach him. An educational psychologist will also be able to identify his strengths as well as any difficulties and help work out how best the school can support him.

Sorry i've rambled, apologies if you already know ll of this. Good luck.