How can a 14 1/2 year old not be taught how to learn PRE-PRIMER DOLCH words? How can a Child that scores a 5 on her MATRIX in the communication domain section NOT be considered for Assistive Technology for Communication needs over the years? So many 'things' that could have been provided or taught but everyone has their reasons why this or that basic skill wasn't taught or why a device was never tried out to see if it could or might help a student communicate and be understood. I will always have a hard time understanding why some of our schools and why some of our professionals that are making lots of educational decisions for our Children continue to have a low expectation for learning basic life skills. Why is there still in our society people that keep thinking that our Children don't need to learn the same educational skills as everyone else? There is so much today in the way of technology it's absolutely a shame if schools aren't pushing and preparing our Children for their future, which is once they leave school life they have some basic reading, writing, and math skills.
The school today told the mom she was NOT ALLOW to have a copy of the MATRIX that was just updated after the IEP today. When she asked them to write a statement saying she wasn't allowed to have a copy of the MATRIX that she needed them to provide her something "in writing", she was then provided a copy of the MATRIX. During the actual IEP meeting, I asked what was the MATRIX number and was quickly told that wasn't to be discussed at IEP meetings.
Ok....so if the student has a major disability with talking and being understood, and the MATRIX is a 254, I don't understand why this student is only ALLOW to be provided with just a 1/2 hour of Language services and just a 1/2 hour of Speech services. As far as I could tell by listening to everyone speaking at this IEP this student should have been provided n Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device
ahttp://www.abilityhub.com/aac/aac-devices.htm (here is a webpage that shows some ideas for these types of communication devices!) At the meeting it was told to mom that she had been using a devices but when I asked mom if she had ever seen what they were talking about, she was not aware of any such device was being used. Again, it amazes me what some of these IEP team members come up with and to make the parent think something is being provided when in reality nothing was being done.
Getting the supports and services is paramount to our Children's success in school and post school outcomes to be successful in today's real world past high school. Being persistant and asking lots of questions and providing your PARENT INPUT throughout the entire IEP document is part of the IEP Process. This is YOUR CHILD they are all sitting around a table talking about YOUR SON & DAUGHTER...this is not someone that deserves a little less or a lot less...everyone is there to talk about what YOUR CHILD NEEDS...so let's STOP PLAYING ALL THESE IEP GAMES AND START EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN!
Parents...listen up! If you don't take some time to read up, attend trainings, disability specific conferences & conventions, meeting and getting to know other parents, being part of a disability specific support group....your CHILD will be missing out! Parents being told by other parents all sorts of stories and real life situations only helps each of us to understand how I can better help my Child be all he or she can truly be! We need to make sure the schools we choose for our Children has a great principal that is willing to work with you as a parent and the school has good teachers that are open to TEACHING CHILDREN ~ ALL CHILDREN and that means YOUR CHILD...no matter if you Child has a disability or no disability......NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND was signed into law for a reason...and that reason is YOUR CHILD!!
Read parents....research and go to trainings...make the time...take the time to educate yourself on how to be your Childs BEST ADVOCATE! Your Child is depending on you!
Here is a link to the
Florida Sunshine State Standards....is your Child being taught these? If not....why not?
http://floridastandards.org/page24.aspx
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