Woo Hoo! It's over!!!

[laurasnowbird]

LOL, I hate IEPs. I really, really do.

We are done, hopefully for another year. I'd hate to have to volunteer for another of those beatings mid-year. We had a very successful IEP. Ethan was promoted to kindergarten, and there were no dissenting voices on the team. He'll have ST three days a week and OT 2-3 days a week. His full-time aide will follow him to kindergarten. She's very hands-off, and only steps in when he needs re-directing, help staying focused, or assistance with fine-motor tasks, so I'm grateful to be keeping her!

I found something I thought would be cute for a teacher gift for the end of the year, so I thought I'd share. Because his Young Fives teacher is a regular ed teacher, and not special education, I found a transfer from the Disabilty is Natural website that I thought she'd appreciate. Here's the link:

www.disabilityisnatural.com/store/page15.html

It's about three quarters of the way down the page and says "I teach ALL kids!" I thought that was pretty awesome. I'm going to have Ethan put his handprints on it, and sign his name to it.

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Sounds like a great meeting. I'm glad your pleased

Cute transfer's too. Only $4 bucks..... can't beat that.

[jelanismom]

Verrrry Good News! I should be so lucky...maybe I should come hang out with you...Ethan sounds set for the best...WTG mom and Ethan

[laurasnowbird]

Thanks you guys. We have had a great experience at his elementary school after winning the battle last year to have him included.

Having said that, I have to say that it's working for Ethan, for now. How long will full inclusion work for him? Can't say. There might be a time when we feel another placement would benefit him, and a lot of that depends on the willingness of the school to be partners in all this fun stuff. You can know the law inside and out, and demand full inclusion for your child, but honestly, in some districts, it's just not gonna work. It shouldn't be that way, but we have to deal in reality. I can say I truly have no complaints about our district at this point, but man, there's a lot of years of school ahead, LOL!!!

I DO think that it's easier to get your child fully included in the early grades, then change to a more restrictive environment later, than the other way around. Just speaking from what I've seen around here, if your child starts out those first few years in a totally special education environment, it can be hard to overcome the presumption that the placement should change if you feel they would benefit from a more inclusive education later.

[Connie]

Laura,

I am so glad your IEP is over and it went well for you!!!

For me no matter how well they go it's still hard for me to sit and hear all my son is not doing out loud....These things are things I already KNOW....I really don't need to hear it said

As far as full inclusion....Collin was fully included for his first year of Kindy. But, this year I chose to have pull out time so he could get more 1:1. Your right its what works best for each child. When Collin was new born this is not what I would have pictured for him....I was a go getter!!! Take no Prisoners...my way or the high way!!!

But, as he has grown so have I and I had to swallow my pride and put him first and look at his needs not mine!!!

You are right about going from self contained to inclusion. If, I had allowed Collin to be placed in the Moderate class I don't think I would have ever got him out...no matter what they say!!! I would like to think I'm wrong but .....

PS!!! I love the shirts!!

Connie

[Claire]

Glad to hear Ethan is going to Kindergarten. WTG Ethan. Abd thank you for the link, real cute transfers

[damarasmom]

What great news! I like to hear about successful IEPs...they are such a tough thing for all of us to go through...

[CC]

;D ;D ;D

Glad to hear the IEP went so well

After having many IEP's, good ones, bad ones, so so ones and sometimes Many of them in one year I love when I hear one went WELL

Wishing Ethan a SUPER year in Kindy.

CC ~

[Emilysmom]

WTG on the IEP meeting, Laura!! I never had any doubts that it would go well!

Great idea for a teacher gift!

Susan

[Myria]

Glad to hear the IEP went well! So cool that Ethan gets to keep his aid, and great news that he's getting promoted to Kindy, WTG Ethan!