NOAH AOC

I had my daughter's annual IEP meeting lasy weeek, and as usual, I feel as if they completely ignored my concerns. Her reading, as I mentioned here a few weeks back, is slow-coming, and I really feel that Mia needs one-on-one help with it daily. Her reading specialist (she's in a program now, but it will be ending in about 5 weeks) agreed with me, but failed to back me up at the meeting. Mia shares a paraprofessional with a little boy with completely different needs. Her para is good, but I don't understand how she can juggle everything AND help both kids at the same time (she is also responsible for enlarging all of Mia's papers, etc. Our TVI feels that if Mia had her own para, that it would decrease her independence, but I disagree. For 4 YEARS now I have asked the school to fix the tv/VCR that the classes use to watch videos, etc. It is STILL on a stand 6 feet off the ground. Although Mia sits in front of it, at home she sits 6-12 incles away from the tv to see properly. The children in school are being cruel to Mia at times. Supposedly there is a "empathy training" program in place, but that sure isn't being enforced.
It seems as if the bottom line is always MONEY, and we come from a supposed "great" school system.
I'm feeling ready to pull her out of school altogether. Has anyone else had problems/issues with their school? Has anyone else sent their children to private school?
I refuse to sign this IEP until they provide better services this year.

Not signing the IEP is a good step...does your school system have a director of special needs services? Try getting help there...
If not, try going directly to the board of education. You child is entitled to an education and the school system is REQUIRED by law to provide the services necessary.
As far as the difference training, that's a tough one. It mainly falls on the teacher's back with little or no help from the school system as far as what to do. (I know, we are required to teach "values". We are given a list of words to teach and little else.)

Good Luck with your quest to get your daughter the help she deserves! (you can always mention the word Lawyer...school systems here quake at that one.)

Miss Amy <--kindergarten teacher public school system

That's good advice about the word "lawyer!" I worry, though, that being a Mom, and overprotective of my little girl (naturally) that I AM asking for too much. Possibly her TVI is right, and Mia doesn't need a full-time para, etc.
Funny that you replied from Alabama. I moved to Northern AL this past Fall, but had to move back for various reasons.
We loved many things about the South, and miss it a lot.
Thanks again!

Originally posted by Missamy:
Not signing the IEP is a good step...does your school system have a director of special needs services? Try getting help there...
If not, try going directly to the board of education. You child is entitled to an education and the school system is REQUIRED by law to provide the services necessary.
As far as the difference training, that's a tough one. It mainly falls on the teacher's back with little or no help from the school system as far as what to do. (I know, we are required to teach "values". We are given a list of words to teach and little else.)

Good Luck with your quest to get your daughter the help she deserves! (you can always mention the word Lawyer...school systems here quake at that one.)

Miss Amy <--kindergarten teacher public school system

I am very sorry that you are experiencing the unfairness of the "system" I live in Ma too and have been fighting with my own public school dept as well. The unfortunate thing is money is what drives the services-not the needs of the kids.
My son is almost 3 and everyone who works with him thinks he needs to be in a private setting especially for VI children with like developmental issues.
The first place the PS suggested was in a school with 90% of the kids in wheelchairs and 100% of the kids non-verbal and with medical issues. My kid walks and has delayed speech but does communicate pretty effectively. he's also healthy. This was probably the cheapest place they could find-but not right for him.
I hired an advocate and have never regretted it. You can get one from the federation for children in Boston or ask around to see who's good in your area. It can be pricey-I pay $50/hour but she has worked tirelessly for us.
Your child's civil rights are being violated if after 4 years they still have not accomodated her. Unfortunately being aggressive is what works.
After all the arguments-we finally got a referral to the placement that is most appropriate for him. It's sad that I had to fight for that.
Feel free to email me if you want to chat-I am passionate about this subject. Good luck!

Hi,
I would recommend that you set up a time, with your daughter and your daughters' vision teacher to explain what albinism is and what aids she might be using. A lot of kids make fun of what they don't know anything about. And perhaps if you explain some things to them they will be more accepting and accomodating.
Also, we have done 2 different public schools in 2 different school districts and a private school. Even though you may not be getting what you need through the public school, it is probably better than the resources that a private school can offer.
Keep being a pain in the butt, if you don't get what you need keep climbing up the chain (documenting all the way) until you get to the superintendents office. But remember that most people have little or no experience with low vision, they figure you can put glasses on and correct the problem.
Also, you might see what type of state resources there are. WE have low-vision clinics in CO. You might have something similar, perhaps start at a school for the blind. They might be able to direct you to resources specifically for you.
Hang in there, remember this is your child and they are required to meet her needs.

There is a thread somewhere from a mother named Sheri, she had to go through a lot to get her son what he needed, try doing a search on that.

Deb

Hi Mia's Mom,
This might not be the popular opinion, but there is no need for your daughter to have a full time para. It is very handicapping in school to have a para, the other students definetly notice and will perceive your daughter to not be equal to them. Why does she need a para? Anyone can enlarge papers, she should not have someone hanging over her in class. Help her to be as independent as possible and don't send her the message that she needs someone with her at all times, as that will hold her back and make her more dependent. As a TVI, I have never seen a student with albinism with a para; as a parent of a highschooler with albinism, I would never have considered her having a para. I expected her to compete equally with the "normal" students, because as adults that is what is expected for success.

Keep fighting for the lower TV, you should not give up on that and there is no reason for the non-compliance. You'll probably get the best results by always speaking nicely; and find out who runs the audio-visual department and speak directly to them.

For her reading difficulties, your best be may be to hire a private tutor, ask the reading specialistg if she would be willing to tutor privately or if she knows someone. Yes, the school is responsible for teaching your child reading, but I have found that most schools don't have a clue and let reading difficulties go on and on. I have seen students in highschool who still can't read. Don't let this happen to your child, spend the money and get her the instrution that she needs. A good reading specialist will be able to improve your daughters reading ability, enlarge the materials yourself and don't let low-vison be the excuse for poor reading because there are many visually impaired students who are good readers. Low vison is one thing, reading disabilities (language processing difficulties) are another.

I've gone on to long, sorry, just my take on the situation, hope it helps.
Carol