YES!!! I have just finished fighting with my nine year old son’s school about next year’s IEP and we won!! After seeing so many parents having problems lately, myself included, I just have to tell you guys a story that turned out good for a change.
My nine year old son is ADD (possibly ADHD now), dysgraphic, and has a severe reading disability they will not classify dyslexia because his IQ is too high. Anyway, I met with the school last month to do his IEP for next year and they would not even recognize he has dysgraphia or a reading disability because the report from the doctor did not use those exact words. Anyone who has researched dyslexia and dysgraphia could tell that was what the doctor was saying, but you know how picky schools are.
After one IEP meeting, going to the county, state, and federal levels, a meeting to add a disciplinary plan to his IEP, more calls to the state board, and a final meeting today, we have an IEP that includes all the modifications for my son that I feel he needs at this time. It helps to have contacts in high places.
Anyway, he can now use his laptop to help with his writing assignments, has access to remedial reading after a two year fight, and his teachers will be paying speical attention to his written answers to questions to make certain that he has fully expressed himself instead of using a scribe. Although it has been a four year fight since I first noticed something was wrong, it has been worth all the aggrevation to know that he will be able to fully express himself. He is a highly intelligent (102 IQ at age nine) little boy, and now they will know it also.
I just wanted to let everyone know that it may take a long time, but if you hang in there and keep fighting, eventually you can wear the school down and get the help your kids need. Make certain that you know the laws, ie. ADA, IDEA, 504, and whatever state laws apply. When faced with the exact verbage, they could not keep denying him services.
Good luck in your fights and when you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on tight. I have copies of the federal laws, so if you need any help finding specific sections to help your kids, let me know and I will do what I can to help.
Crystal
Congratulations!