Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Flip

Original poster

Questions to ask about I.E.P.?

15 replies

KangaSantaMummy · 15/12/2004 10:51

We are meeting DS teacher this afternoon as she has written his first IEP.

What do we need to ask?

He has Dyspraxia, hypermobility, and some autistic traits, a speech delay processing { I have forgotten the correct term again}

He is going to have school psych assesment next term.

He is 9½ btw.

OP posts:

DingleAlltheWay · 15/12/2004 11:05

No help I'm afraid. Not been there-yet.
Just sending you some good luck-hope it goes well.

coppertop · 15/12/2004 11:13

Has she already set the targets? Usually you as a parent would have some say in what aspects are to be worked on.

I would ask for a full explanation of how they intend to achieve each target. What outside agencies/resources etc will they be using? Have they had advice from professionals as to what ds needs and how to go about it? I would also ask if there's anything that they would like you to do at home which will help in meeting the targets.

With ds1 we usually have an IEP meeting with his teacher, the SENCO, the SALT and ds1's LSA. We start by reviewing the success (or otherwise) of the previous IEP and discuss what the outcome has been. We use this as a starting-point for the new IEP. The teacher and LSA talk about any difficulties in the classroom and I mention any problems we are having at home. The possible targets are then discussed and written down, along with how they are to be achieved.

Original poster

KangaSantaMummy · 15/12/2004 11:26

Thanks

SALT went to school to watch him and do another assessment BUT unfortunatley his class teacher was doing the rehearsals for school performance so was not there for the meeting between us and SALT {but was headteacher who was present.}

I didn't realise about targets we have had short meeting earlier but they weren't specicially discussed.

SALT are sending a report to be included into IEP.

He has to wait 3 months for SALT weekly visits to school

The school psych is going to assess him when he visits in Jan.

His OT has sent some exercises to be included into PE lessons I think.

Please could you give me an example of a target?

OP posts:

coppertop · 15/12/2004 11:38

Ds1 is only 4yrs old but his targets have included things like:

to use a visual timetable in class.

This will be achieved by using a large timetable in the form of photographs for the whole class. When it is time for free-choice activities will be offered smaller symbols using the Widgit program.

He has also had targets set to encourage him with role-play, turn-taking, and a recent one to encourage him to see drawing as something that can be an enjoyable activity. The last target also helps with his fine-motor skills.

ladyrobinredbreast · 15/12/2004 11:43

Agree with CT,they should also give you a copy of his IEP so you can go through it at home.We just got a copy of ds2's new oneit includes references to the pupils main strenghts ie.educational and social,referance should also be made to the long term objectives also measurable educational targets for the coming year.Ours also includes the nature /level of support requiredeg Ed dudiology service,autism,literacy,classroom assistance.there will be an opportunity for you to discuss any worries or concerns you may have as well,we discussed his dyspraxia,limited self help skills,poor awareness of danger etc,and came up with some stratagies to help him to cope better, these were all written down and included in his IEP.The first one is difficult as you dont know what to expect but it is well worth it as it then becomes an ongoing plan which can be updated and changed to meeet you childs needs.Good luck todayxxxKeep us postedxxxxx

ladyrobinredbreast · 15/12/2004 11:56

kanga my sd2 is eight and here are some of his targets for this year
1learn and retain p4 literacy and maths concepts with support where necessary(this means class ass explaining things to him and making sure he udersatands as he gets distressed if left to do something he doesnt understand)
2 listen to peers when in group discussions,wait for his turn to speak/carry out an activity
3understand and carry out sequence of 2/3 and then4/5 instructions with a decreasing ammount of support(we are still working on the 2/3 [smil])
4 develop fine motor skills
5 refrain from shouting out in class

hth mrs redboobsxxxxx

mum38 · 15/12/2004 12:59

hi. This caught my eye as I was just reading my ds's IEP -we had the meeting last week. Ds is 5 and has speech & language problems. I think the others covered everything though. IEPs usually have about 4-5 items and list the resources/ideas they are going to use to to try and achieve each target.

DS's include:

to vary activities he chooses in free-time and under-take them independently

answer questions in small group situations

count consistantly to and from 20 including zero

I think the idea is that they are small steps to an overall goal and any target should be specific and measurable. I am impressed you managed to get his SALT to attend -we have yet to have one turn up!!

Only other thing I wanted to add is that for some reason I find them emotionally draining even when they go well. Hope it goes well.

Original poster

KangaSantaMummy · 15/12/2004 13:51

Thanks guys that is brill help

OP posts:

Lara2 · 15/12/2004 20:37

Just like to add that the targets should be achievable in roughly half a term by your child - small chunks at a time! If he's constantly not achieving any, then they need to be broken up into more managable bits.( Not like my DS2's which said No incidents with peers - NO WAY!! His teacher said that's what she wanted him to do when I pointed out it wasn't achievable for him. And this IEP is for who????) He should also know what his targets are - obviously in his terms, so he knows what he's working towards. His IEP should be reviewed regularly and new targets set - you should also be asked to look at them and sign them.

coppertop · 15/12/2004 20:42

How did it go, KSM?

Original poster

KangaSantaMummy · 16/12/2004 09:36

It went very well over an hour long much to DS frustration we told him to wait outside with a book {he was not a happy bunny when we came out}

Next time he is going to be included as Mrs G says that it is important but I thought he shouldn't be there for the first one, which I think was wrong of me.

She has given him 2 targets to start with as she feels that if there are too many then it will be too much all at once.

She was very good and really wants the best for DS which is brill.

to speak clearly and audibly in class/group
to make a range of contributions in discussion

He has this delay thing when it takes such a long time for him to come up with an answer, he needs loads of thinking time with stuff.

Other times he doesn't.

This is the first teacher who has really spotted what help he needs and how to give it to him.

Unfortunatley he is now 9½ so it would have been much better if someone had spotted it earlier but we knew about the delay but everything was put down to his prematurity and him being shy in our eyes/brain.

We are going to talk to him tonight last night he was soooo angry that it would not have been a good idea.

Will let you know how that goes.

OP posts:

ladyrobinredbreast · 16/12/2004 09:51

Kanga soo pleased things went well for you great news this taecher seems to be very capable and understanding which must be a real relief for you,
Dont be upset about ds not being at the meeting you were actingh in his best intrests,as you didnt know what to expect. Myds2 has not attended any of our meetings in fact i have never told him he has ADHD/ASD partly bbecause i just dont know how to handle this, i am going to address this soon as he is starting to worder what's with all these meetings!!!!another thread for this i guess...

Glad things turned out well for you...excuse the typos

Original poster

KangaSantaMummy · 16/12/2004 10:02

ladyrobinredbreast Thanks Mrs G said that if he was younger then it could all be done without him noticing or his classmates but because he is/they are aware it needs to have his input. I think part of the reason he was so angry is because he was left outside while we were all talking about him. He is a very private person.

We are so pleased that she wants to help.

She has got some ideas of how it can be done.

DS likes her alot too. She is the deputy head and swapped classes from 6 to 5 we were not happy at first because I thought she was fierce but she is lovely and we are so pleased with her.

OP posts:

coppertop · 16/12/2004 10:07

I'm so glad it went well.

I must admit that I'm fairly relieved that ds1 is still too young to attend IEP meetings. At the moment he wouldn't have a clue what we were talking about anyway.

I still have no idea about how to tell him about autism either. It's not that I think he'd be upset or anything. It's more a case of finding a way of explaining so that he understands. I think I'll leave that particular minefield for just a little while longer.

Original poster

KangaSantaMummy · 16/12/2004 10:16

Thanks coppertop.

I have just kind of said that his brain is wired up a bit differently.

OP posts:

Flip