IEP Review

Due to the extended semester break, a weather postponement, and then a sick day, Samuel did not go to school from January 15 until January 27.  This is a long period of time for a three year old, especially considering we were just a couple weeks removed from Christmas break.  Samuel went to school Wednesday and Friday this week.  Overall, I think he did pretty good with handling things.  He was a little resistant early Wednesday morning when we told him it was a school day, but he quickly came to terms with it and left in good spirits.  April said he was determined to wear his thick winter coat, even though it was not as cold that day.  He thinks he is suppose to have it to go to school with him.  Not sure how that is going to work when spring rolls around, but we will deal with that then :).     

An Individual Education Plan (IEP) was originally done by a team of school specialists back in October, which first got the ball rolling with Samuel attending school.  In an IAP, a number of benchmarks are recorded that will attempt to be met.  These benchmarks range from number of words and sounds he makes, to learning how to climb steps. The original team determined he needed to received Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy.  They also recommended he attend school three full days a week (M,W,F) in a mainstream classroom.  The specialists that made the original recommendations were from a different school than Samuel was placed at, therefore he had a different group of teachers than the ones who assessed him.  

Earlier in the month, April and I were asked by his teacher to review Samuel's IEP on January 27.  We went Wednesday afternoon for this session.  This team of specialists all consisted of his current teacher and the therapists that work with him at school.  A number of highlights were mentioned concerning his progress. The specialists noted improvement that has been made and gave us several suggestions for things we can do at home.  These suggestions ranged from helping him learn to put clothes on, to practice eating with utensils, and preventing him from biting on his sleeves.  In addition, new benchmarks were set for him to reach over the next couple months.  However, the biggest change to the IEP was moving his weekly school schedule from three full days to two half-days.  This recommendation was made because the team feels that Samuel is overwhelmed by mid-day and they believe he will get more out of two half-day's than three full-days.  During these two half-days he will still receive the same amount of time in Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy as he has previously.  He will mainly just miss nap time and recess which generally occurs in the afternoon. 

April and I decided to go along with the recommendation of the team.  I personally felt that reducing from three full days to two half days was a overly significant decrease in time.  Our recommendation was to do three half days.  The team was firm in their belief that two half-days was best for him right now.  They feel that this is probably where he should have originally started at and by going at a slower pace it will allow him to gradually increase his days over time.  The plan is for him to eventually be at five full days by the time he is getting ready to start Kindergarten (Fall 2017).  We will review his IEP every several months and hopefully the benchmarks will be met with new ones created each time.  As a parent, we only want what is best for our child.  This sometimes includes going against our feelings to do what the experts believe is right.  We will watch carefully over these next few months to see how Samuel progresses.  Everything is very much trial and error, but we are grateful that a system is in place that wants to see him succeed. 

As always, thank you for taking time to read.  

Until next time!

Brian