Extended School Year services - Autism Spectrum Message Board

SHReed · 05-13-2005, 07:59 AM

I hope that someone can answer me FAST! I'm going to request a meeting soon with the Special Ed dept. of our school corporation to discuss Extended School Year for my son this summer. I was originally told that he would not be eligible because 1)he is high functioning and basically he doesn't need it compared to lower-functioning kids and 2)the program is not funded by the state. But, after looking into Special Ed. law for the state of Indiana and contacting a consultant there, I learned that the school corporation cannot deny my son Extended School Year services based on the category of his disability nor on the cost of it. So before I go into another meeting with the school corporation, I want to be prepared. Have any of you gotten Extended School Year services for your children, and if so, what was the extent of the services? They're probably going to ask me what kind of services I'm thinking about, and I just don't know what would be available. Have any of you gotten your school corporations to continue speech and/or occupational therapy during the summer? I would greatly appreciate any input or helpful advice that any of you might have!

off kilter · 05-13-2005, 11:17 AM

I would suggest strongly you do the leg work on a program or services. Best case you go into the meeting with a summer program name or a detail of services. Make sure any one who knows your child ie. his Dr. writes a letter supporting your plan. Do a web search for special needs summer programs in your area. Contact any and all special needs offices in your area for information. The key word to use when requesting summer services is concern over regression of skills.Type in "Indiana summer programs Autism" for your web search. Remember even if your school system will not pay for services. Indiana has a number of summer programs and camps for kids with Autism and many of them offer coverage of fees. Keep us posted.

gin2001 · 05-13-2005, 04:05 PM

Lexi's school is going to do extended services with her and the other little boy in her class. We are going to get OT, PT, Speech and DTT. They are going to get everything they get during regular shcool. She will only go about 3 days a week. If she had to go all summer without these things we would be starting all over again next year. Good Luck with getting what your son needs this summer.

Gin

jasiusmom · 05-14-2005, 06:05 AM

Our son is HFA and he was invited to the ESY at his early childhood special ed preschool. It is 5 days per wk-half days for 3 weeks--we are in midwest, USA. He was invited, even though he has met his goals because of the concern that there could be a regression of skills if he stopped right now.

Good luck.

CindySue74 · 05-14-2005, 12:00 PM

From what I know, schools are only required to provide EYS to students who will REGRESS over the summer if they are not in school. My son will get EYS this year...3 days a week for 4 weeks. The idea is not to learn new skills, though, but to maintain skills so that they are not lost.

You need to figure out what the law in your state says about EYS. The "team" will have to agree that your son meets the "requirements" listed for EYS.

You may want to check out wrightslaw.com and search extended year services. They have an extensive site that discusses special education laws.