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At what stage should school give IEP

1 reply

gabbybaby · 15/02/2015 15:32

Can I insist on an IEP? Is there anything to gain in having one? I'm new to this process and I don't know what I should be expecting the school to provide in the way of support. My 5 y.o. DD, Y1, is struggling and unhappy. Her reading skills are delayed (she's just blending sounds), can barely write, doesn't know the names of all of the letters (although knows the letter sounds and can blend sounds). Just had a (private) OT assessment done (at the school's recommendation) which among many other things, highlighted issues with short attention span & focus, weak auditory memory, language issues, difficulties with forming social relationships, poor organisational skills, plus more. Among the general OT recommendations, they also suggested a full ed psych assessment to assess for underlying difficulties. School SENCO has screened for dyslexia which showed a high probability. Her class teacher has told me that her reading and writing has not progressed this term. Despite all of the above, I don't feel as though the school is offering anything much tangible in the way of extra support. They tell me she is young and will catch up (summer baby). They have refused an IEP, despite all of the above, as the SENCO tells me she is progressing, just slowly, even though her class teacher told me she is not progressing (and the teacher told the OT the same thing, so it's in the OT report). She does have booster reading. But she is still sitting in a classroom where most of the lessons are beyond her, moving too quickly (she has said herself on specific occasions) and she's unhappy at school because she's feeling under pressure and can't keep up. What can I ask/insist the school do to help?

OP posts:
JustWhenIThoughtIWasFree · 19/02/2015 19:18

The rules on IEPs change from county to county but rarely can you insist on them. The big question is what do you want the IEP to achieve? Sound like you are in contact with the class teacher - are they aware of the OT report etc? All an IEP has to do is spell out the needs of your child and the recommendations for teaching (e.g. Gabby has weak auditory memory - provide visual clues and clear guidance of a task and give plenty of opportunity to practice basic recall). Although of course it can be a clear plan support to help your child it may not be.
I'd suggest focusing on intervention rather than the IEP. If the senco says she is making acceptable progress and you disagree ask her to prove it with data (reading ages/spelling ages levels). If the class teacher says she is not making progress then it is likely the senco won't have evidence of progress either.

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