 📣💔 I've been summoned countless times to IEP meetings 📑📚 after a parent has bravely disclosed a medical diagnosis 🩺📋 for their child. The heartbreak sets in when the team – or truly, the other side of the table – denies their child any services. 😔 There are typically two complications at work. 🔄 Firstly, simply having a disability ❌ doesn't automatically pave the way for individualized services. 🔍🧩 Secondly, schools often seem obliged to dismiss the diagnosis from the medical professional 👩⚕️👨⚕️ or claim that the child doesn't meet the criteria for services. 🏫🚫 #IEPMeetings #DisabilityServices #SchoolSupport 🎒🎓 🎯 First step: Diagnosis! 🩺 Yet, your child needs more than that to access the curriculum. According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), a child qualifies only if they fall into one of the listed disability categories and require special education and related services.📚🌐 Categories include:
📌 *Side note: IEPs should be strength-based documents, focusing on what your child CAN do, not can't. 🏋️♀️💪 To qualify your child for special ed services, the team needs to identify: 1️⃣ The medical diagnosis; 2️⃣ The applicable disability categories in IDEA; 3️⃣ How the child struggles to access the curriculum. Before your meeting, arm yourself with documentation showing your child's struggle for progress. 📈🔍 School may evaluate your child using methods like:
#DisabilityAwareness #InclusionMatters #SpecialEducation 💖🙌 What happens when the school refutes the doctor’s diagnosis?You won't believe the number of times I've attended an IEP meeting where a teacher or admin has rejected a given diagnosis. 😲🙅♀️ For instance, I was once present at a meeting where a teacher cheerfully dismissed a dyslexia diagnosis from a dedicated doctor. This expert had not only devoted his life to studying reading difficulties but was also a founding member of our state's pioneer dyslexia clinic at a renowned hospital. I was utterly flabbergasted! 🤯💔 If the school opts for this path, it's crucial to ensure you have written documentation. 📝🔐 Post-meeting, utilize your notes or those from your trusted backup note-taker (always bring one—be it a spouse, friend, mom, aunt) and craft a letter pointing out who dismissed the diagnosis and their reasoning. #GetItInWriting 📨🔎 Don't forget to ask for prior written notice. Essentially, you're requesting their written response detailing their diagnostic decision-making process. You might just find that they change their tune and become open to discussing qualification for your child. 🔄🏷️ #IEPMeetings #DyslexiaAwareness #EducationAdvocacy 🌈💪🍎 In this journey of advocating for your child's education, remember that you are not alone. 🌈💪 From the countless IEP meetings to the nerve-racking moments of standing up to educators who might dismiss a diagnosis—every step is crucial, and every victory is worth celebrating. 🎉📚 Continue to question, learn, and most importantly, persist. Your dedication will open doors to the support and accommodations your child needs to thrive. Together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding education system. 🎓🏫💡 Remember, knowledge is power. 📖💡 Let's keep sharing, raising awareness, and making a difference one step at a time. 🙌💖 #EducationAdvocacy #InclusionMatters #ParentPower #LearningDifferences 🎈✨🌎 Let's continue to transform the narrative around learning difficulties and build a future where every child is given the chance to shine. Because in the end, every child is a star, and the sky is big enough for them all. 🌟🌌💫 So, keep advocating, and let's build a brighter future together! 🔮🔭🌞 #ShineOn #EducationForAll 🚀💖📚
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OTA AuthorThe Oak Tree Academy mission is to improve the quality of life of people with language-based learning disabilities and their families by developing programs and disseminating knowledge based on current research. Archives
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