Help Non ds IEP autism

[vicki]

Scott is 6 and is testing at 3 years old. He was diagnoised with mild autism and with Agensis of Corpus Callosum.
Now the school wants to change his IEP from AI to health impaired. The school has known since he has been going there for 3 years that he has no Corpus Callosum.
Now he is health impaired. What happended to the autism? Any one else going thru anything similiar not wanting to recognize high functioning autism?
The team is not happy with me.
Oh well.
Vicki

[momofrussell]

Well.... I have learned over the years with Russell that school DX's and medical DX's don't have to be the same. Russell is medically DX'd with Autism and he does NOT have a school age DX of Autism.. his school DX is like MR or Mulity Disabled or something like that. I think it's Multi because of the Vision IMpairments the school acknowledges.

Usually they do testing and schools will do their OWN Autism evals.. which alot of times do NOT pattern how a doctor would DX a child w/Austism. CRAZY? YOU BET! DRIVES ME UP THE WALL and locally they ALL know how I feel about it!

BUT.. bottom line is... it really doesn't matter what DX or box is checked on the IEP... just make sure ALL the medically DX's are also noted on the IEP. And no matter WHAT DX's or boxes are checked on the IEP, Scott should still be receiving services based on his NEEDS... NEVER on the DX's... medical or school or otherwise. ALOT of districts do NOT do it this way, which is actually illegal.. but I have NEVER had an issue with Russell not having a school DX of Autism. Russell's IEP reflects what he needs and that is all that matters.

Russell's IEP states something to the effect of "Russell's DX is MR with a MEdical DX of Autism, DS and Vision Impairments.

We just moved to a new district and we may eval him again for Autism... it's SO flippin obvious it's not even funny.... but the last eval in the last district was at age 6 and well, he didn't fit their school criteria for Autism.

A.

[Monique]

I have to add something here. I say be very careful with a Multiple Disabled diagonosis. Jameson just has Down Syndrome and they somehow took his medical history which i provided voluntarily (which i will never do again, it is on a "need to know basis" now) and used is heart surgery, his dental surgery, his constipation, and rolled it all into one and came out with Multiply Disabled instead of the Mentally Retarded (i know nice wording but its NY) diagnosis he has had all his life.

I was fuming. By the end of the document, it sounded like Jameson had all these health issues that would impede his learning abilities. On paper he looked like some fragile blob of a kid. SOOOOOO not true. I made them change every word, put him back to MR rating and learned to never give them medical information UNLESS it would directly affect his needs (which none of the above did as his heart surgery is fine, dental was done, and constipation... whatever!).

I think that possibly a MD on the record is more foreboding on a record and could be a good excuse for the district to be less likely to want to mainstream or integrate if you want to do that at some point. I remember a mother telling me a long time ago (when he was just a baby) about being careful how much medical information you reveal as they could use it against you later and then i found out the hard way they did.

Just something to think about. I just think they should be looking at developmental and behavioral issues before medical. Im not sure what Corpus Collesum is (my bad) but if you think that should be secondary, totally fight it!!!

Hippa is the law that says medical information is private and you dont have to share it unless you feel it is a necessary thing for them to know about.

Just my personal experience and this may certainly not apply to your situation. Just wanted to give you a different perspective maybe.

Good Luck.
monique

[momofrussell]

See.. and that is what sucks Monique.. that your district WOULD use a label and DX's like that.. because it's not legal but alot of districts do it anyway. Russell gets what he gets based on his needs... never on his DX's.. BUT.. his medical DX's DO impede his learning so we have to list them.

Russell's IEP reads MR and VI with a medical DX of DS and Autism which impacts his progress in all areas. (verbatem) It then says: "He is unable to perform grade level curricular tasks and interact in an age appropriate manner with peers. Cognitive, Speech/Lang, Academics and Gross and Fine motors delays impede the ability to complete grade level curriculum without 1:1 assistance."

And that's pretty darn accurate for my boy! LOL

A.

[vicki]

My biggest fear right now is he will lose his subsidy and he gets ssi. Right now i am the one taking care of both boys and until they are both in school i cant work. I just wish i understood the IEP and the met team. Scott is getting what he needs school wise.
The ISD and i agree on his placement.
I wish any one of you lived closer.
I did get a counslor for scott and she is going to go to the next meeting with me. So hopefully we together we will understand what they are trying to do. She has worked with autistic kids before and i think she will be alot of help.
Vicki

[vicki]

I also gave the medical information voluntary. There is a good site about the Corpus Callosum. If anyone has a chance to read it let me know what you think.It talks about autism too. NODCC.org
Thanks
Vicki

[momofrussell]

I have never heard of an IEP or services from an IEP affecting SSI or anything state provided.. two different things. I don't think you have to worry about that. I have never heard of that.

And again... it should NOT matter what medical DX's and School DX's a child has....the IEP is based on current level of performance and a children's unique and individual needs... NOT the DX's

A.

[vicki]

The family subsidy is from the state in Michigan. And they go by what the met team decide on. So my worker says if i disagree with their findings to have an iee and they wont do the testing until sept when school starts. He will be going to school all day and now he only goes for about 2 hours. He can listen that long. I wonder if he would test differently then.
Vicki

[vicki]

And i just remembered they said they didnt have a test for autism for his age. Another reason i think he should be tested by someone out of our school district. We are very rural.
Vicki

[CC]

Hmmm you know I find it so frustrating how every state is so different in things.

Christopher is 14 now but has been labeled MD (Multiple Disabled) and it has not caused any problems what so ever. If anything it just gets the district more money for him, KWIM. States pay out monies to districts differently depending on the so called label. I am sure you all know that BUT just incase one wasn't aware I thought I would share that.

Chris is MD so I have no problem with it and honestly it has not caused us a problem at all. We pulled him out of the public school a few years back at Colin and mine request and put him in a private school for all kids with exceptional needs. Honestly New Jersey is big on trying to get kids back in district as they have been questioned for all the "out of district placements" I and I am just talking bout my son K, NOOOOOO way want him back in district and will fight it to the end. He is doing GREAT where he is ;D

Chris also has the dual and just in the last year or so of DS and ASD and honestly getting that DX the only thing it changed really was us, understanding better what was going on with Chris.

I can honestly say I am very lucky as the school he currently is in truly understands the "I" part of the IEP ;D

Not sure if I am making sense here but Chris too although for sure has other issues other then DS, like his ASD but is on the higher end of the ASD, due to the ASD he has lots of issues with OCD.

K, I could go on and on with DX and issues BUT the fact is he needs certain things and the law says he gets it and we do.

Don't let them tell you any different. You go girl. An IEP is or should be about the "I" part. KWIM Geeze even if Chris only had the DX of DS his issues would have to be dealt with, just as your child's should. Its the LAW

CC ~

[Monique]

just want to make sure everyone understands that i dont have any issue with a multiple disabled label as long as it is an accurate diagnosis. I was irked that the district somehow found that because he had tons of cavities and root canals done and that we had a GI taking care of his constipation and that he had heart surgery that has been cleared by his cardiologist that somehow combined with his DS would make him multiply disabled. If he had all those things and no DS he wouldnt be labeled disabled at all.

And if they were using the label to get more money from the district, im not sure that would be acceptable either. Just looking for fair and accurate evaluations. Sometimes you can use the system for you. If having one label over the other will get you what you need, i say go for it. Unfortunately for Jameson , it would have given him less access to the things i want for him like inclusion etc.

just wanted to clarify

[CC]

WOW Monique ~

I am totally SHOCKED that your district would take in to account
any of what you listed "tons of cavities and root canals done and that we had a GI taking care of his constipation and that he had heart surgery that has been cleared by his cardiologist" in to account for his DX or Label so called on his IEP

NONE of those things should come into play at all. Even though Jersey is not the Best Man girl you need to get out of the district you are in They down right sound NUTS LOL just my opinion

Chris is MH due to his DS, hearing impaired not even due to the ASD DX but come on root canals Hmmmm Geeze I have had lots of them Hmmmm maybe I need an IEP LOLOL Sorry but that is the nuttiest thing I have heard yet

CC ~

[momofrussell]

I understood you Monique It's interesting how districts twist and interpret things.

And Vicki.. you now lost me LOL

A.