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IEP news at parents evening

31 replies

MissMunsterMogwi · 08/11/2011 17:07

I've just been to my daughter's parents evening and the teacher has said she recommends an IEP.

My DD is 7, in YR3. She is working at level 1a-1c in all core subjects. I knew she was behind and she has extra help from a TA in numeracy and literacy. The teacher said my DD zones out and struggles to follow instructions.

I offer lots of support at home and do lots with her and I obviously want the best for her. I would just like some information from other parents please!

What happens next?

Will she be assessed to pinpoint if she is dyslexic etc?

TIA

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MissMunsterMogwi · 08/11/2011 18:34

.

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Anna85 · 08/11/2011 18:50

If they are proposing a IEP then it will have targets which are then reviewed on a termly basis. When a child has a IEP they are on what schools call School Action.

If after a while targets/progress is not being made they may then decide to place your child on School Action Plus....this is when external people are brought in and could include Educational Psychologists to assess.

If you are unsure ask to meet with the SENCo

x

IndigoBell · 08/11/2011 18:55

:(

she's pretty far behind and school are right to be concerned.

What happens next depends on the school. She may or may not be assessed for anything. Probably not.

All an iep really means is that the school want to formally record they're concerned.

Is her main problem that she zones out? That's a symptom of ADD - PI ( attention defecit disorder - predominantly inattentive) not dyslexia.

If she might have ADD go to your GP and ask for a referral to a paed.

MissMunsterMogwi · 08/11/2011 19:24

Thankyou for your replies.

I don't think I took everything in the teacher said, as it was a ten minute parents appt. in a busy hall and I was a bit taken aback.

The teacher wants her to have a permanent TA of her own and she will be on the SEN list. She said she 'zones out' and afterwards doesn't know what has been discussed or what instructions given. I don't have this problem at home with her but of course it's a different environment.

I assumed she would be assessed to find out what was causing the problems. Although it might just be that I want a 'reason' IYSWIM. I will go over with the teacher tomorrow and double check, I need to sign the IEP too.

At the beginning of year two I asked if she needs any special help or reviewing but was told "no, she'll get there/just taking her a bit longer to catch on". And at the end of that year the teacher was pleased with her progress. I'm not blaming anyone at school, just a bit upset I suppose.

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MissMunsterMogwi · 08/11/2011 19:29

*needed

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IndigoBell · 08/11/2011 19:55

As well as talking to school, you should follow my advice and ask a GP for a referral to a paed so that she can be assessed for ADD.

In some areas schools can make referrals, and some can't. But ADD can't be diagnosed be school.

MissMunsterMogwi · 08/11/2011 20:01

I forgot to write that!

I'm making her an appointment tomorrow, I'm going to request a copy of the IEP to take with me.

Thanks very much for your advice.

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survivingsummer · 08/11/2011 20:13

We are in a similar boat with ds who is also 7 and in Yr 3.

Our school screen all children for dyslexia at the start of Yr 3. We've just been told ds isn't dyslexic but has 'failed' one component of the test. They are thinking about an IEP to support with specific subject areas but do a big assessment at the end of Nov so will decide then. He also zones out but school think it is an auditory processing difficulty which they have been working on.

Good luck - it is a worry isn't it but hopefully an IEP will mean your dd gets more specific and regular support

MissMunsterMogwi · 08/11/2011 20:57

Thanks, I hope your son gets all the support he needs too.Smile

I am a bit worried and my bottom lip was wobbling at parents evening.

However, once in place the plan should make a huge positive difference for my DD which is the main thing. I'm going to try and get as much information as I can tomorrow.

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AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/11/2011 09:24

Hi Miss MunsterMogwi,

Re yoru comment:-
"The teacher wants her to have a permanent TA of her own and she will be on the SEN list"

I'm sure this person does but with regards to the permanent TA, the only way DD will receive such support is via a Statement of special needs only obtainable from the LEA.

An IEP can promise much and do very little; its another way of recording information. That itself too won't give her any extra help in class. It is down to you ultimately to fight her corner for her because no-one else will.

Let us know how you get on at the GPs.

lisad123 · 09/11/2011 09:41

I disagree, maybe it is a good school and they will provide a ya without much fight, especially as they suggested it! I'm being hopeful I know but there are some wonderful schools out there.
Do agree that trip to GP with list of concerns is needed.

IndigoBell · 09/11/2011 09:52

Or maybe the school is planning to apply for a statement.

MissMunsterMogwi · 09/11/2011 10:57

Hi all. I've spoken to the teacher this morning and she has said the school's SENCo will assess DD's needs and make a plan of action. Then further down the line they will apply for assessment from external body if she needs it. She said again she wants her to have a TA and also thinks 1:1 learning out of the classroom will help.

I've made an appointment with the GP for next weds to ask for a referral. I looked at the ADD-PI and the symptoms were DD to a tee(sp?) the zoning out is a real concern for me.

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MissMunsterMogwi · 09/11/2011 10:58

Thanks again for all replies, they have really helped.

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IndigoBell · 09/11/2011 11:07

Start her on Omega Fish Oil (if she's not already on them) while you wait.

And keep talking to us. You've got some hard months coming up.....

AttilaTheMeerkat · 09/11/2011 11:10

Miss MM,

re your comment:-

"Hi all. I've spoken to the teacher this morning and she has said the school's SENCo will assess DD's needs and make a plan of action. Then further down the line they will apply for assessment from external body if she needs it. She said again she wants her to have a TA and also thinks 1:1 learning out of the classroom will help".

They are saying a lot but words after all are cheap and they may not actually amount to much. Its actions that matter. When are they actually going to assess DDs needs; did they give you a timeline of some sort?. With regards to the second sentence again why haven't they applied or done anything sooner (it sounds like they are thinking of a statement here and again the third sentence would indicate that).

It is not actually solely down to the school to decide whether she needs further assessment or not.

You are your child's best - and only - advocate here.

MissMunsterMogwi · 09/11/2011 15:30

I am waiting for the SENCo to call me back as I have thought of more questions, including those above.

I am willing to do everything I possibly can for my daughter and I certainly won't be simply leaving it all to the school. Another poster and some friends have also suggested taking her to the GP to get a referral to a paed which I will be doing next week. I couldn't get in sooner as our family GP is always booked up.

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mommapiggy · 09/11/2011 22:42

Welcome to what could be the start of a very long journey.

Firstly the good news is the school are concerned and are being proactive to do something about it. As you will soon learn one of the biggest battles we have are with schools, there is such a wide variation between what support you will get, some just do nothing, others are helpful, some implement statements really well and others even once you have a full statement you can still end up battling with them.

Throughout all of this YOU will be the key driver that will keep everything moving. Arrange the GP appointment, push hard to be referred to a peadiatrician and don't be fobbed off. the once with the paed ensure that they don't discharge whilst you have concerns. Need also to get the educational psycologist involved as well and get an assessment from them as well (easier said than done). between, you the school and the range of proffesionals that you come accross between you, you need to try and get to the bottom of what your daughters problems are. Once you know that then the right strategies/support can then be put in place.

Whilst this school may be willing to provide a 1:1 TA to support, generally alot of schools won't provide any significant resources to an individual child without a statement. Therefore whilst this school might provide the support she needs - will the next one? the statementing process is a long one - hit the jackpot and it can be done in 4 months, realistically 6 months, but if you fall at any of the hurdles associated with this then the road to a statement can be an awful lot longer. Therefore at some stage you will need to consider applying for one to ensure her needs are continually met at this school and the next. It only needs a change of head, a few cut back s, a different set of priorities and hey presto the support shes getting will disappear rather quickly.

Another word of warning - sometimes its easy to jump to the wrong diagnosis as to exactly what the specific issue is that is leading to SEN, a wide range of issues are spectrum disorders and its not always easy to place exactly where a child is as many symptoms of disorders overlap. Over the last few years I've convinced myself that it must be this or that and thinking weve solved it but never really do.

It sounds like you are heading in the right direction, and the fact you are even here is a huge start. it can be a rocky road, you will be exposed to a whole new world of stress, anger, frustration, confusion and just about every other emotion imaginable.

Keep on top of things, keep notes, don't go to any meetings/appoitments on your own - take someone with you - quite often so much gets thrown at you its hard to remember everything, be even more organised and take someone with you that can take notes for you!

But most of all - don't be fobbed off - stand your ground, make sure she sees who she needs to see. Whilst the school are being positive and on the case then make the most of this and try to work with them - what do they recommend that you do to help her? how will they communicate with you? once a term parents evening is not sufficient for SEN children, additonal meetings are needed and alot of us have daily home/school communication books which help to correspond between us about situations.

Good luck, you are not alone, this board has a wealth of information and experiences on it, sorry to have gone on for so long but just wanted to reassure you that we've all been there, had those moments and sometime just need a bit of hand holding to get through the complicated maze of SEN world. xx

MissMunsterMogwi · 09/11/2011 23:38

Thankyou.

The SENCo didn't call me back so I will have to wait until tomorrow now.

As I said earlier, the teacher said she will only be assessed by Ed psych if school think she needs it. She also said that this can take ages and they would need to have the paperwork and evidence that the IEP is in place to back up their request. How do I push for that sooner if the school don't think she needs it yet? Who do I speak to? The LEA?

Those of you who mention her being statemented; I thought this was if a particular SEN had been diagnosed?

I probably sound naive but I have no experience with this. I'm just gathering myself at the moment then I'm going to source as much information and help as I can.

I have listed all the questions I have thought of plus the ones raised up thread for the SENCo tomorrow.

Sorry for rambling post!

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IndigoBell · 10/11/2011 09:48

The EP is a very scarce resource. The school will have so many EP hours allocated to it a term or a year.

So unless she is the top 1 or 2 problem in the school, she won't see the EP.

No one can hurry this up.

Conversely, if she is the top 1, she can probably be seen the next term.

A statement is nothing to do with a diagnosis. A diagnosis is a medical professional saying your child has these medical problems. A statement is school (in reality the EP) saying your child has these educational problems.

It's very hard to get a statement without the LEA EP recommending it. (AFAIK)

You can apply for a statement any time you want. Tomorrow if you want to. But it will probably be turned down without all the necessary evidence.

IndigoBell · 10/11/2011 09:52

You need to think about this as a 3 pronged attack.

  1. School to provide her with more support.
  1. A paed to diagnose her.
  1. You to find out how to improve her so she doesn't need so much support in school.

Once you've got your head around what you think her problems are, there is loads and loads and loads you can do. None of which require a dx.

The only thing you need is determination, time, patience and money.

So don't get too hung up on getting her a statement. Try and get that, but in the mean time, in the many months of waiting, make sure you do other things as well. Things (therapies, treatments, diet, supplements) that can help.

post · 10/11/2011 10:10

Just to add to the great advice; the professionals you meet will all have their own agendas, targets, line managers, boxes to tick. If you can educate yourself and get an idea about what those might be, what context they're making recommendations on, it will help you.
It's not that they aren't ( mostly) well-meaning, decent people, but their priority is NOT always just going tobe what's the best thing for your child, they don't have that luxury.
Like a lot of us, you might find you need to push/ fight for her. I really wish I'd realised sooner that everyone I speak to isn't necessarily on our side.

but your school sounds proactive, which is great. And there is so much good advice and support here.

Spinkle · 10/11/2011 11:04

Have only quickly read this.

Clearly DD has raised some concerns in Yr 3. She may have been a 'bit behind' in Yr 2 and has now been flagged up as a 'stuck' child.

They probably will not screen for dyslexia unless there are other indicators. The only way the 1-1 TA will happen in thorugh Statementing. The teacher is on another planet if they think that's gonna happen quickly.

There isn't necessary anything 'wrong' to label her with. If you had a label there is no guarantee of any class support either.

I'd be more inclined to question them on what interventions they can offer her in class.

MissMunsterMogwi · 10/11/2011 11:35

Thanks. I only mentioned dyslexia as an example, it's not been mentioned by school. I'm not looking for a label but obviously as her mum I want to find out, if I can, what's causing these problems. If it's just that she needs extra help and there is no specific cause then so be it. At the end of the day as long as she gets the help she needs that's all that matters.
I am worried though about the zoning out, therefore I am going to get that checked out.

I now have appointment with the SENCo next week as she's now unavailable until then due to sickness. I am going to find out exactly what will be put in place in the classroom to help.

I am really grateful for everyone's replies, I am a bit overwhelmed if I'm honest. Which websites/books do you all recommend?

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survivingsummer · 10/11/2011 11:40

It might be worth looking into auditory processing as it would explain the difficulty in following instructions and the zoning out etc. In my ds it is quite subtle and would be easy just to describe him as a dreamer. However it has, and is affecting his educational progress.

Does the school offer a 'Fizzy' programme or anything to help with concentration/following instructions etc?