How important is it that the school give my daughters disabilities a specific label? They used the blanket term “specific disability”. Will it make a difference in her IEP if they don’t pinpoint the disability? Also, when they say “30 days from the determination to the IEP” are they talling “working” days or calendar days?
Thanks
Re: naming a disability
The actual label is *infinitely* less important than lessons and goals which are teaching appropriate skills at an appropriate level using appropriate methods.
The label is generally for the purpose of establishing eligibility for services. You got the label, you get an IEP>
Now, the IEP is supposed to INDIVIDUALLY figure out what your child needs. Operative word supposed — nine times out of ten the process is “okay, here’s what is on our menu, which choice fits best?” and you *hope* and pray that the right thing is on the menu.
IT does not matter what they’re calling it. They should be able to talk about what your child can do and what she’s learning and how they’re teaching it to her.
Hi! I’m a parent not a teacher but I think I can help somewhat.
There are certain “labels” that are writen into Federal law. SLD or specific learning disability is such a label. Dysgraphic, dyslexic, etc are not. That is why your school used Specific Learning Disability, its the legal term for it. They still have to pin point what the issue is before doing the IEP.
As for the 30 days, laws vary by state but I beleive “school days” is more common than “calandar days.” You could check by calling or looking up your state laws via your state department of education or your states “Parent Training Information Project.” I prefer calling the PTI. At least in my state, the state is more concerned about covering itself than the student sometimes. The PTI is more kids focus. You can get your states info by clicking on “LD Resources” in the yellow bar above the posts and going to state by state info.
I also like the www.schwablearning.org forums for questions like this. Its very active and their porbably is already a parent from your area posting there who could help.
Good luck,
Barb