Hi everyone,

I went for my daughter's evaluation with the school the other day, and was shocked to hear them say that she does not qualify for an IEP. She is 6 years old and has a diagnosis of PDD-NOS. She was evaluated by her developmental pediatrician who recommended OT, PT, Speech, Social Skills classes, Behaviorist to visit the classroom, etc. etc. The school did an eval. and said she does not qualify for an IEP. Instead they offered to put her on a 504 plan. Which basically means they will "keep an eye on her to make sure she does not fall behind."

The reason they say she does not qualify for an IEP is because her test scores were too high. They did cognitive/IQ testing, and she scored in the high-average range. They did speech testing, special-ed testing, etc. And in all areas she scored in the average range to above average range. My husband and I never suspected that she would fall below the average scores, as we have always known that she is intelligent. But I really feel they are missing so much.

Her fine motor skills are horrible. This was noted by everyone at the IEP meeting, but they never had an OT do any testing on her. Her gross motor skills are also horrible as she walks on her toes. The school never had an OT or PT evaluate her, but said that they will do that come September. So, I guess it is possible that she will still get those services.

Her speech (which they say is average), is very pedantic. She is extremely overdramatic in her speech, and sometimes uses her speech at inappropriate times. Most people just think the odd/quirky things she says is cute, but I know as she gets older, it will not be so cute.

They do not think she needs social skills classes, because she has one very close friend from her class. Just because she has one friend, does not mean that she is mastering social skills? And, this one friend is a boy. She does not seem to be friends with any of the girls in the class.

Okay, so thanks for listening to me ramble. Any suggestions on what I should do? Should I fight the school by getting a full range of outside evals and trying to prove them wrong? Or should I just trust that they know what they are doing? Has any one else run into this problem with their school system?

Thanks,
Steph

Steph,
I could have written the exact same thing as you several weeks ago!!! I can't believe it. Our school said the SAME thing about our 7-year-old who is PDD-NOS. Also, what is interesting is that our boy only has a few friends that are girls (mostly cousins) and no friends that are boys. And your daughter is opposite. Isn't that interesting??

I'm in the process of trying to get him ABA therapy. But I really don't think he'll qualify for that either. He scored low on fine motor/gross motor, but not under the 7th percentile which is the state's standards. His pragmatics are low too. I KNOW it is just a matter of time before the school notices some of his quirks and problems. We are going to wait and see what this next fall brings in the classroom. He will be having the same teacher (I'm not too thrilled about that because she hasn't even heard of Asperger's!). We're going to reassess everything in the fall.

This summer our NT son is having Speech, and our DD (severe) son finally got ABA so I can't handle anymore therapists for the time being. It is so hard to juggle it all--that is for sure. Everyone tells me that I can appeal and fight for the IEP. I figure there will be alot of appealing in the near future on our end. For all of our kids! So, maybe, depending on how you and your hubby feel, you can appeal.
It is hard playing the waiting game...Good luck to you--you could be my twin! Keep us posted!

My son is 9 and was diag with PDD-NOS at 4, it's was a fight all the way getting him the help he needed in school, after K when he was going into 1st they told me they thought he was doing great (which of course i wanted to believe) and wanted to try him full time in a regular classroom with just 1hr in the learning center, i asked, if it doesn't work can we get more time, they assured me we could, fought for the next 1 1/2 years just to get him more time and only could because how bad he was doing in math, 1 hr for math. It's sad but in most schools you will have to fight all the way, but better to just do it now so they can get the help they need. Call local disability places and see if they have an advocate that can help tell you what to do, we had "families together" where i lived and they helped me know what to do. Luckily we moved and now he gets the time he needs, and there was no fight involved. Hope things work out well for you. Robin :D

i can never leave maine:) my neice who is the same age as isaac but a year ahead in school is super intelligent and massively social was diagnosed with a proprioceptive disorder which basically means she has no idea how to judge physical space around her to the extend that she use to lift he foot as high as she could just to step over a crack in the pavement. she qualifies for ot through the special ed. dept. which is funny that my brother in law was fighting to keep her off the special ed. list when so many people have to fight to get on it. but i guess our local school is better than others in the area anyhow. i hope you get what your daughter needs but definately look into an advocate, local support groups if you have hooked up with any can give you the skinny on where to find the best advocates and give you ideas on how to tackle the schools:) i suppose its kinda funny in a ironic type of way, that my son who has very little hope of succeeding (though we still support him trying before anyone gets me wrong:) and we still hope he will) gets all of the services imaginable and the school bends over backwards for us... but kids who will do great with just that extra nudge get left out of the loop... so much for mr. bush's no kid left behind, huh? (they really need a wry smile on here:))

Well at least I know what to look forward to. How does one get the services they need for their child after Pre K hire and attorney? I know my big mouth only gets me so far.

Hi;

My son is 3 1/2 and is delayed in speech and social however acedemically is ahead of his peers which has posed a problem in getting him appropriate services. I had an Independent Eval done which stated his needs were significantly more than what the school was providing only to be told by the school it was worthless. Well .... I've taken them all the way to the mat to fight this. It's been one delay after another on their part however we ARE going to hearing in a few weeks. It's been a draining eight month battle and I can understand why people accept what the school "says" is best for the child because it really beats you down.

My advice to all of you is to NEVER forget that you KNOW YOUR CHILD better than they ever could. If you feel their needs will not be met by what the school is providing then YOU are YOUR CHILD's only hope in getting them what they need. I wish you all the best !! I will keep you posted on how things work out for us. Good Luck to all of you.

Ps. I just need to say one more thing: If more parents spoke up and told the school they didn't agree with the IEP, it would make it easier for the next family down the road. I feel like our school has basically said this is what we are offering, take it and shut up. Well, I refuse to accept a bandaide when I know his needs are greater than that.