https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:11:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080962 Sun, 22 Feb 2015 19:26:47 +0000 ShootingStar 2080962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH has a learning disability that makes it difficult for him to retain auditory knowledge too. A lot of the time he takes notes of what he wants to remember, or he uses the voice recording feature on his phone and goes back to listen to it later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080852 Sun, 22 Feb 2015 16:58:56 +0000 ladybee 2080852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: honestly yes. Once he gets to school age PT is hard to get (at least in my district) so I'd do it as much as I could before the. OT is much easier to get and the amount of time is greater at school age. And preschool does a lot of OT. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080837 Sun, 22 Feb 2015 16:42:33 +0000 spaniellove 2080837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: She emailed me the paperwork including the PT's report and I saw that he was scored at 5 months vs his actual 8 months due to his inability to get around or even initiate anything resembling crawling. Considering that you guys have been through PT, would you have done whatever was necessary to do PT with that kind of assessment? Or looking back would you say it's not that necessary? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080473 Sun, 22 Feb 2015 09:33:59 +0000 ladybee 2080473@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I think that's the right move. Good for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080462 Sun, 22 Feb 2015 09:18:21 +0000 spaniellove 2080462@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I ended up emailing our service coordinator to cancel. When I realized that we had a meeting a month ago to increase services and they rewrote all the goals but still haven't sent me a copy, I decided there was no way I could have a conversation about our goals and whether our needs are being addressed. I told her they can send me all the paperwork including the PT stuff and then they can reschedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080144 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:19:21 +0000 MrsKMM 2080144@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: In my state, and I know EI varies by state, you're supposed to be mailed an invitation to the meeting. If not, you're requested to waive the notice by signing a box on a consent form. For evaluations, your consent is required (to have the PT come out &amp; see LO). Sometimes workers co-treat and get insight from other specialists, but you should be notified. They should explain their concerns. You're the biggest advocate for your child. Your input is most important on IFSP goals, but the team should also be giving their advice on what will help your child as an individual, from a professional standpoint. Evaluations typically last one year, and IFSP goals should be reviewed/updated/discussed every six months (or sooner, if anything changes). Hope that helps a little? Although again, I know things vary by state. Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080109 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:01:04 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2080109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: they actually only get a evaluated once a year, bit every 6 months we rediscuss the plan and make new goals. His 2nd eval is next month. </p> <p>Of course, the OT is constantly evaluating him and changing activities based on that, but it's not formal </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080087 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:40:48 +0000 ladybee 2080087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Your services are through the county correct? I would call your county office and ask for information on getting an advocate. You could also ask your service coordinator. I know, in my district, which offers ages 3-22 services that we have our own department of advocates and the services are free. Maybe call your local board of education and ask? I'm sorry, I wish I could be more helpful. I am on the teaching end and know how overwhelming it can all be. I can't imagine being the parent, the few meetings we've had with therapist always make me feel like a big ol' loser. Hang in there, you are doing great and will become more experienced as time goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080075 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:31:13 +0000 spaniellove 2080075@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ladybee: I definitely need to find one. We're running into so many roadblocks right now with insurance denials, EI, not getting info from the hospital about his implants, and it's a lot to tackle at once so if someone could break down even a part of it that would be a huge help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080066 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:27:02 +0000 ladybee 2080066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Honestly, if you want the best services you can get, I would get a parent advocate sooner rather than later. You wouldn't screwed around with someone in your corner. Our district offers them for free. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080064 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:25:18 +0000 spaniellove 2080064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sigh, I guess part of the reason I care about this so much is because I know he's not going to magically leave EI someday. I'll need them to get our district to pay for a specialized preschool, and then I'll always need to advocate for services so I have to learn how this works! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080060 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:22:06 +0000 spaniellove 2080060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumn865: I am...he's 8 months. Sometimes I feel like they take advantage of his situation being a low incidence disability and there being two Teachers of the Deaf in our county but really only one that anyone wants to work with, and even people from neighboring counties complain that they have no TOD services. So the attitude is "put up or shut up". It also just occurred to me that we signed a new round of paperwork a month ago to increase all of our services but I never received a copy of that paperwork so I know they rewrote all his goals but I haven't even seen it yet. How can I go into this meeting not knowing what goals they currently have for him?</p> <p>@Mrs. Tiger: Do you ever get updated evals? Or do they just work based on the initial eval? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080057 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:19:30 +0000 ladybee 2080057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Just move to Ohio and I'll be your advocate :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080053 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:16:22 +0000 ladybee 2080053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumn865: Work in the field? I don't know how many times a year I say, "An IEP is a legal, fluid document that can be amended at any time." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2080051 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 19:15:15 +0000 ladybee 2080051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Tiger: That's how OH does it as well. It makes me sad that not every state is the same. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079990 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 18:35:00 +0000 autumn865 2079990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're from NJ they're absolutely glossing over a lot of procedural things. You should ask your case manager for a copy of the nj administrative code (the blue book) and a copy of your parental rights. In the district I worked in the population was quite litigious so we followed the laws very closely but I do know not every district is so careful and EI does some things differently. As a parent you have the right to refuse to sign anything handed to you if you are not in agreement. You also have the right to request a meeting at any time to discuss anything or to make changes. Nothing should ever feel set in stone. The IEP of IFSPis a legal but fluid document.</p> <p>Are you on south Jersey? And how old is your son? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079905 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 17:20:19 +0000 Mrs. Twine 2079905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would highly reccommend pacer.org as a resource. They have professionals who will walk you through your rights, and help answer your questions. There is no charge, and we were really shocked at how many things we didn't know we didn't know. Also, if you have a social worker, he or she would be another excellent resource. As parents it can be so overwhelming because we need a legal education, a teaching education, a medical education... not literally, of course, but when there are things we don't know it can sometimes allow us to be pushed into choices that don't work for us, or be unaware of options that are there if we just request them. There is a lot to learn, and having information can help us make sure our children's needs are more effectively met. I hope you are able to find some great resources that work well for you and your family because it makes a big difference. &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079884 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 17:07:25 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2079884@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The way it works here (in MD) is the evaluation is done without much back and forth (they just ask a bunch of questions about what he's doing) but then the plan for EI services is absolutely done in conjunction with me. They actually ask me to come up with goals for the next 6 months (could be based on the eval, but doesn't have to be) and then they come up with a plan to get us there. </p> <p>I guess MD had issues before about parents not feeling involved, so this is the solution, to give more control to the family. </p> <p>I wonder if it's just the eval and not the plan forward that they won't discuss? Still weird. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079866 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 16:45:56 +0000 spaniellove 2079866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Glad you guys told me I don't have to sign anything; it's better than canceling the meeting outright. It occurred to me that in the next six-month period J will be getting his cochlear implants and his needs will change drastically - he'll need speech therapy and more frequent TOD visits at the very least, but no one has discussed that with us yet, so without understanding it and having a private discussion with my husband about costs (ugh) and how we're meeting LO's needs I can't sign anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079861 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 16:29:36 +0000 brownie 2079861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in California and have a speech IEP for my son through the school district (over 3 years old). The process we went through was the evaluation with no details. We went to the meeting and that is where I got the plan. We went through it in detail in the meeting and were able to make changes (there weren't many I wanted to make). Then I got a copy of it in the mail. After we moved districts we did it again and I got a copy after the meeting. You do NOT have to sign anything (except the yes there was a meeting page). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079854 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 16:20:48 +0000 ladybee 2079854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Im in Ohio so our laws are different but regardless, you are your child's advocate. The IFSP is supposed to be family based so the fact that no one has contacted you is beyond wrong. I'll be way more helpful once J moved to an IEP since I write those but either way, the family should be included.</p> <p>This was on NJ EI homepage, please note how they stress the parents concerns:</p> <p>What is contained in the IFSP?<br /> Every IFSP will have a statement about the child's functioning levels of development based on the evaluation and assessment. This includes areas of sight, hearing, health, thinking skills, self- help skills, ability for expression, social or emotional growth, and movement. Based on parents' priorities, concerns, resources, and desired outcomes for their child and family, the needed<br /> May 9, 2013 services will be documented. The frequency, location, intensity, length and duration of these services. Written parent consent is necessary before any services can be provided. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079819 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:52:26 +0000 lizzywiz 2079819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: I agree with @Fronkinzankinsbride: Crappy but not unusual.</p> <p>The only option I see is for you to be a bit more demanding. It is completely within your rights to have the info emailed to you prior to the meeting. Or they can expect to wait for an hour while you read everything at the meeting. </p> <p>I am not a confrontational person so being demanding at meetings like this can be hard for me. My favorite route is a polite but clear email to the entire team, outlining my expectations. That way there is no confusion and I do not have to wonder if they are dismissing me or not. If they ignore the email then it is time to go with another agency. Something like, "Please send me a copy of your current levels of performance and proposed goals by such and such date, both to better inform me and to make efficient use of everyone's times at the meeting. At the meeting, I will also need a printed copy of any information that is presented verbally. Blah, Blah, blah."</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079800 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:31:15 +0000 spaniellove 2079800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@autumn865: I'm in NJ. There was nothing to plan the PT eval and at the end she just read me what she wrote, which I retained none of. I never got a copy either. </p> <p>It's also frustrating to me that I'm going in without any knowledge of what we're doing because I have Aspergers and Auditory Processing Disorder (which they know) and need information to be presented visually. They tend to sit at my table, rattle off the things they want verbally, and then tell me to sign the form. I was unhappy about the initial IFSP because each therapist wrote their own goals and then asked me to sign off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079794 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:21:21 +0000 autumn865 2079794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What state do you live in? I think laws and timelines are specific by state. I am/ was pre baby a school psychologist in NJ and i know you need 10 days written notice for a meeting among other timelines according to the NJ administrative code. Did you have an evaluation planning meeting to plan your PT evaluation? Because with every evaluation you should receive a formal copy of the evaluation results before the meeting for you to review. In no way should you ever feel like the decision is made and your role as the parent is to just sign off on paperwork. You are a member of the IEP team too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079790 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:14:41 +0000 Fronkinzankinsbride 2079790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've only dealt with ISPs for adults with disabilities but this is an appalling lack of inclusion of the family and yet unsurprising. I think you're on the right track that they just want you to show up and sign off because they are trying to make their own process easier. We always provided all members of the team with basically the same information and same questions we were required to answer and consolidated the information weeks/months in advance. We did write the plans in advance of the meeting but they were flexible, changed and were revised and sent out to the team. I think at this point with the meeting on Monday I would encourage you to not sign off until you are happy with everything in the plan. I'd make them include an action specific to giving you frequent updates and specific notification of meetings. They have to adhere to these things so hopefully that will help future meetings go smoothly for all parties. Good luck at the meeting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079787 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 15:09:12 +0000 ladybee 2079787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Let me go to a computer and I will reply. :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ifsp-or-iep-meetings-for-special-edneeds-parents-and-teachers#post-2079782 Sat, 21 Feb 2015 14:54:05 +0000 spaniellove 2079782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our 6 month IFSP review is coming up on Monday and I'm wondering about how they're handling this. Although I knew the meeting was coming up, we never received our formal notice of the upcoming meeting in the mail. Not the hugest deal to me but I know you're supposed to get that. </p> <p>What's more important is that we had a PT eval and I was told nothing except our service coordinator mentioned last week that the evaluator recommends services. Since she wouldn't tell me more, it seems like she plans to just show up on Monday and have me sign paperwork approving whatever they tell me to. This isn't okay with me - shouldn't they give me more information beforehand so we can go into the meeting knowing our options? And if LO is receiving other services should there have been any discussion of what will be brought up at the review in terms of his goals or change in services so it won't be a surprise? Or is that how they always do it? </p>