Stressing Over IEP's

For those that don't know, parents of children with special needs have to attend IEP meetings with the child's school. IEP is an Individual Education Plan. I've done some reading of another parent who keeps a blog about their experiences of raising an autistic child. Their blog lead me to wrightslaw.com

It has a ton of info about everything. I still haven't had the chance to look at everything on that site. It's a wealth of info in one spot. One thing the parent stressed was to have an advocate at the IEP meeting. They also said to never sign the IEP sheet right away. I've attended these meetings alone and I've signed everything right then. These meetings are informal, and I've never felt uncomfortable around the staff. They all seem to want to work with me about Calen. There is, however, one teacher I get a bad feeling about. I don't like her "look down her nose at you" attitude. I asked her about a chair with safety straps and a tray on it they used with Calen. I wanted to know where I could get a similar one. She replied the chairs are special ordered through a school catalogue and they would be "too expensive". She never seemed to want to help me help my son outside the classroom, as if everything that went on in the class was a trade secret. She is someone you can just sense the attitude from.

The reason for my elaboration about her is this:

I received Calen's diagnoses report from Sparks Clinic. The next day, I made a copy and gave it to her. The report recommends 20-25 hours of ABA therapy per week. I told her I wanted my son to start off slow with the ABA therapy. She stated, "Well, we don't have a certified teacher here for that so...." and left it at that. I stated again that I wanted Calen to have ABA therapy, and again, she said there is no one in the school district that does it. She also said there is no one local that does it, so Calen can't receive the ABA therapy. She made a mistake and said my son CAN"T have something he needs. She has no idea about my powers...LOL.

She also doesn't know that I placed a call to the Riley Center in Huntsville. I left a voicemail. I received a phone call from them today. I found out that they will contract with my son's school and send someone to teach the teachers how to administer the ABA therapy! Today was field day at my son's school. I pulled one of the assistants to the side and gave her my phone number and asked her to call me this evening. She did. She informed me that the wicked witch teacher is quitting!!!! This is her last year, and I couldn't be happier. She also advised me to talk to Dr. Horton (school principal) about the Riley Center. If he says no, then I'm going to the school board. If they say no, I'm going to the local paper and TV media to let the world know that there are autistic children here who are being denied a specific type of therapy. I will run my big mouth until someone hears me and gives my son the help he needs. Some parents pack up and move. I can't being a single mom. All my family and support is here. Why should I uproot my children because someone will not do what's right?

During the field day activities, I overheard some of the parents talking about their experiences. I overheard one lady say how she's put her daughter on the gf/cf diet, but if her daughter wants Cheetos, she gives them to her!! Her daughter is almost 5 and still doesn't talk. Not a single parent is pushing for ABA therapy! Nor do they push for the gf/cf diet!! I found out that I'm the ONLY parent making the school system feed my son the gf/cf diet!!! I'm amazed!! I'm the only one pushing to make the school a little better for autism!!! I plan to try to see Dr. Horton within the next couple of days. Pray for me that I'm able to convince him to do right.

I love my baby, and I claim victory right now for him!!!!!!!

In memory of our wonderful uncle, Mr. John Hodges of Flint, MI. He lost his battle with cancer. I will miss him.