So I met with two of Elliot's evaluator's today. It wasn't the official IEP, but I was there for other reasons, and wanted to check in on the process.
The opinions of a team of folks that met with my son for a brief 2 hour period have no bearing on my own assessment of him, his potential, or his life path. However, it does impact, potentially, how he would participate in the school system.
Would Elliot be designated as developmentally delayed? In the currently flawed system, this would mean he would be in a special class, and would participate, on a limited basis with his typical peers. This is the designation I was avoiding at all costs, and only knew that it would mean I would have to seek out other options for Elliot's education. I have seen the value of inclusion, and how my son thrives to do as his peers. In a classroom with the full spectrum of special needs, there's no telling how, or if, he might be challenged.
Today, I learned that his designation is OHI, Other Health Impaired. YAY! That means he'll receive Speech (for articulation help, not language development), OT and PT. Super! Most importantly, if we choose to enroll him in a Jeff Parish school, he would participate in a class with typical peers, and be pulled out for services. Ideally, this is what the model should be. A good teacher individualizes instruction, and works with support staff to incorporate modifications into her daily practice. The word is that this is what the parish is working towards. But things move slowly in Education. I'll give it five years at least.
Whatever label is slapped on my son, and his file, matters little to me. As long as he gets what he needs, and is in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), then I'll happily sign any IEP that comes my way.
I should say, though, that I'd already contacted attorneys at Families Helping Families in the event that I needed an advocate well-informed of the law. FHF is a great resource for families of children with special needs, and as one of those parents, well. You gotta be ready to fight for what you know is best for your child.
I don't know what we'll do in August when Elliot ages out of Early Steps. We may have him get therapies twice a week through Jeff Parish (this would be in a special class with special needs 3 yo since JP doesn't have a 3 yo classroom). Or we could pick up therapies at Children's Hospital, free through CHAP. In any case, he'll be at Abeona House next year. The inclusive classroom, and the loving teachers I trust so deeply are so pivotal in his development. I don't know where the Bright School fits in, and if we'll be able to manage driving to the therapies (instead of them coming to us) + Ana at a new school + baby. Let the schleping begin.
I'm fearful of losing his web of support. His therapists have done as much for Kevin and I as parents, as they have for Elliot. It's scary thinking of his future, and of how things change in larger groups and systems. But I do believe there's a lot of love out there. Some of the most amazing people I've ever met are Special Ed. teachers and therapists. I'm so grateful not to have to do this on my own.
The opinions of a team of folks that met with my son for a brief 2 hour period have no bearing on my own assessment of him, his potential, or his life path. However, it does impact, potentially, how he would participate in the school system.
Would Elliot be designated as developmentally delayed? In the currently flawed system, this would mean he would be in a special class, and would participate, on a limited basis with his typical peers. This is the designation I was avoiding at all costs, and only knew that it would mean I would have to seek out other options for Elliot's education. I have seen the value of inclusion, and how my son thrives to do as his peers. In a classroom with the full spectrum of special needs, there's no telling how, or if, he might be challenged.
Today, I learned that his designation is OHI, Other Health Impaired. YAY! That means he'll receive Speech (for articulation help, not language development), OT and PT. Super! Most importantly, if we choose to enroll him in a Jeff Parish school, he would participate in a class with typical peers, and be pulled out for services. Ideally, this is what the model should be. A good teacher individualizes instruction, and works with support staff to incorporate modifications into her daily practice. The word is that this is what the parish is working towards. But things move slowly in Education. I'll give it five years at least.
Whatever label is slapped on my son, and his file, matters little to me. As long as he gets what he needs, and is in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), then I'll happily sign any IEP that comes my way.
I should say, though, that I'd already contacted attorneys at Families Helping Families in the event that I needed an advocate well-informed of the law. FHF is a great resource for families of children with special needs, and as one of those parents, well. You gotta be ready to fight for what you know is best for your child.
I don't know what we'll do in August when Elliot ages out of Early Steps. We may have him get therapies twice a week through Jeff Parish (this would be in a special class with special needs 3 yo since JP doesn't have a 3 yo classroom). Or we could pick up therapies at Children's Hospital, free through CHAP. In any case, he'll be at Abeona House next year. The inclusive classroom, and the loving teachers I trust so deeply are so pivotal in his development. I don't know where the Bright School fits in, and if we'll be able to manage driving to the therapies (instead of them coming to us) + Ana at a new school + baby. Let the schleping begin.
I'm fearful of losing his web of support. His therapists have done as much for Kevin and I as parents, as they have for Elliot. It's scary thinking of his future, and of how things change in larger groups and systems. But I do believe there's a lot of love out there. Some of the most amazing people I've ever met are Special Ed. teachers and therapists. I'm so grateful not to have to do this on my own.
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