Saturday, February 16, 2013

IEP - Progress!

I feel a little like I'm putting the cart before the horse since I haven't gotten to the explanation of our Madalyn tale, but this week was IEP week.

For those unfamiliar, IEP is an Individualized Education Plan.  Students who qualify for special education services will have an IEP outlining their educational goals, services, and accommodations.

This year has been a good year.  I mean fan-freaking-tastic!  M is reading and learning at a rate we haven't seen in her before.  She has progressed socially in that she is much more socially aware and after almost 4 years of school (pre-k, 2 years of K, and now 1st) she understands the concept of friends and that friends are actually something she wants to have.  This is a wonderful step in the right direction because up to this point, her peers were nothing more than individuals who seemed to coexist on the fringe of Madalyn's land of unicorns and rainbows.  Because of these wonderful steps, her pull-out services have been stepped back: no more speech therapy or social work and less time with the OT.  We were hoping for more inclusion and in-class time and less time spent out of the classroom, so this is great news.

On the downside, we are still faced with the fact that the team is not entirely in agreement with her official diagnosis.   Don't get me wrong, I adore these wonderful people who deserve so much credit for the great progress being made and value their professional opinions, but in my own research and experience with my child, I know there is more to this picture.  I promise to work on that tale so that all things begin to make sense.  In fact, I'll start that now and hopefully post within a day or two!

In the meantime, enjoy your 3-day weekend (if you get one)!

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