my kindergartener is on an IEP @ school and I was recently informed that he doesn't qualify for speech services @ school per the SP at school who evaluated last week. I am very concerned because he has a med diagnosis if APD as well as expressive language delay and anyone who even speaks to him would know it so I am wondering how do I protest this as I as his mother KNOW he needs this service @ school. Please Help!
Why is she saying this? Is there's already an IEP in place they need to follow it.
I'm DREAMING of the day my son doesn't have an IEP but that will probably be a couple of more years from now.
I would be asking a LOT of questions ASAP to see what the reasoning is.
Rachel K. is right- medical diagnosis does NOT automatically qualify you for an IEP. Having him tested outside of school and having the results sent to the school also will not automatically qualify him for an IEP or speech services. It's just not that simple!
If there was an IEP in place already, then yes, they have to follow it. If speech is not on the IEP, then no, he does not get the service without an evaluation and a determination of qualification for these services.
If speech WAS on the IEP, they cannot simply dismiss him without conducting a complete re-evaluation and justifying the dismissal.
Have a chat with the SP at school and read your IEP. Good luck!
A medical diagnosis doesn't automatically equal an iep.
You can get an advocate for your child, have him evaluated outside of the school (this is at the schools cost), but usually once you even mention an advocate things usually start to go more smoothly. She must have given you a reason why he doesn't qualify for speech at school. Unless his iep was up which would be possible if he started getting services at age 3 and he is now 6 that would be 3 years otherwise the only thing that should have changed was his goals. When you went for your meeting you should have gotten information on how to dispute findings and services.
Is there a speech goal on the IEP? If so, he must be given everything listed on that legal document. I'm surprised about this... I would ask to see a copy of the formal evaluation. I don't know what your relationship is with your school, but I have a great relationship with my son's sped teacher and the vice principal, so I would go to them if I wanted to address any concerns. I agree with the other mamas to get a private speech evaluation. Also, I don't know when your son's IEP was written, but you have the right to call an IEP meeting to have it rewritten at ANY time. This seems odd that they wouldn't give him services. Keep pushing Mama!!! I think intervention is SO important and I'm so happy to see that you are concerned for getting your son SLT. Good luck!!!
I agree with Christine J. Ask questions of the speech therapist. Find out why she's made this decision. There may be a misunderstanding. He has an IEP. My grandson's IEP lists speech therapy as a part of it. Perhaps the therapy is covered by the IEP, will be provided at the school and thus won't be provided elsewhere. Or she may think he's getting therapy elsewhere and he's not.
If he's not going to get speech therapy from the school district then ask how you protest this decision. Also ask for other resources for therapy.
My grandson was getting therapy thru his medical insurance. Thru school and private resource.
My daughter had major articulation issues, but did not qualify for services through the schools. In order to qualify for services at school, the problems specifically have to be having a negative effect on their education. So we went through our medical insurance. It is very possible that your insurance will cover it if the schools do not -- check your benefits. It's more inconvenient, as you'll have to take her to an independent speech pathologist yourself, but it might be better in the long run. I know my daughter got more frequent sessions for a shorter time period than she would have in school, and that has been shown to be more effective.
I would certainly object to them and to anyone who would listen. Provide them the proof of the med diagnosis of APD and all that. If needed, have him evaluate by another outside source to help back you up. I would ask them if they still say that he doesn't qualify what the procedure is on how you can protest this. Who can you contact, etc. You are your child's best advocate. Do what needs to be done. You keep on it and eventually someone will have to listen.
My daughter (8) is receiving special needs resources such as speech at school and my son (2) just recently got approved for speech therapy as well through a state organization. While he was getting evaluated I was informed due to the state budget cuts their funding has been hurt so they aren't able to accept as many kids as they were able to in the past. As a result they've had to make their criteria harder for the child to meet in order to be qualified for their services. I'm saying all that to say that could be part of the issue with what you are dealing with. I'm strictly guessing here because I don't know if Oklahoma is having the same issues budget wise as Texas is.
But regardless, do what you have to for your child. You know he needs and you have the proof. So just get them to reconsider. Good luck!
Get him testing outside of the school. Then have the results sent to the school.
I really don't know much about this but be persistant, its you child future...
