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DownSyn Forum > General > What is the Least Restrictive Environment?
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Topic: What is the Least Restrictive Environment?

03-21-2006 02:16 PM

naomid   Super Member Location: California Registered: Apr 2003 Posts: 2809 Last visit: 03-24-2006

We had Callum's IEP yesterday afternoon, everyone had great things to say about Callum and I'm happy with the goals that were laid out. However I'm not happy about the placement that they recommended but I don't know if that's just because I'm in denial. They have recommended that he receives the following therapies each week: * APE x2 in a small group 35 minutes each session, * PT x1 one on one for 60 minutes, * OT x1 one on one in the classroom for 35 minutes, * ST x2 one on one in the classroom for 35 minutes each session The preschool program is 20 hours total a week (M-F 8:30-12:30) and the preschool has both mainstream classes and Special Day Classes. Goals were things like, walking up and down stairs (currently crawls), jumping, holding a crayon, drawing horizontal and vertical lines, cutting across a piece of paper. They have recommended a SDC which is for 6 to 8 special needs students. They do invite 2 typical peers into the class for 2 hours of each day (snack & outside play time mostly) but that's the only contact that he will have with his peers (on the IEP it says that he'll have 15% of his time mainstreamed). This just doesn't seem like the least restrictive environment to me. He's been in a private school since he was 3 months old and knows how to follow the class routine, plays with the other kids, is very social and learns a lot from his typically developing peers. Yes he is delayed, I'm not denying that, but is this really his least restrictive environment? On one hand I think the almost one to one teacher to child ratio will be good for him but on the other hand I think they're underestimating him and I'm worried about him losing out on his peer models. We haven't signed to say that we agree to the placement yet. It also feels a little like they're putting him where they have space. I know they only have a couple of mainstream classes currently and at least one of those is full. I just feel a bit confused, lost and disappointed maybe it's just a reality check.... __________________ Naomi Mum to Callum (DS) 3/03 and Kieran 8/04 Read all about us

03-21-2006 02:44 PM

southernbelle   Super Moderator Location: Gray, GA USA Registered: Nov 2004 Posts: 4264 Last visit: 03-24-2006

He's 3 not 6.... where the material might be over his head. I'd not be happy Naomi. I would ask for more time in mainstreamed. At least 50%. Tell them your concerns. AMY __________________ "You are an unrepeatable Miracle. No one exactly like you was ever born or ever will be." Momma to Austin(DS) 05/18/04 Kristin, Jessica, Rebecca, Rachel, Sarah,Hunter www.caringbridge.org/ga/austinluke www.xanga.com/fireflysouth I LOVE my friends at downsyn.com! Here's a kiss.

03-21-2006 03:00 PM

marci   Super Member Location: lancaster, Pa Registered: Dec 2004 Posts: 1228 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Why not talk to them tell them your concerns. If it is because the classes are full then tell them you want him in a Mainstream class in September. You could keep him in a private school until then. That way he will have the interaction with his peers now and will also be assured that he will get the therapy you want in September. Since it is almost the end of the school year it maybe hard for them to give you exactly what you want for Callum. But make sure that you have it together for next year. And don't sign anything that your not happy with. You'll kick yourself later. __________________ Marci Mom to Caleb, Cody, Evan, Ethan, Alex, Anna, Joni (ds, 4/03) "My mother taught me very early that I could achieve any accomplishment I wanted to. The first was to walk without braces:" Wilma Rudolf winner of three gold medals in running events at the 1960 summer Olympics

03-21-2006 03:51 PM

Emdad   Super Moderator Location: San Diego, CA Registered: Jul 2000 Posts: 2805 Last visit: 03-24-2006

That sounds a lot like the therapy, goals and stuff that Emma had when she was entering the public school preschool here. It may be a bit "formulaic", and I encourage you to raise the bar as you feel appropriate. They will also be able to modify those goals, as Callum meets them and shows his stuff, so don't think that they'll just stop when he reaches them. For us, we had to modify some goals for Emma "downward" a bit, one year, when she was having difficulty reaching some of them. The more enthusiasm and interest you show, the more you'll energize them to work with him, too. __________________ Nature goes her own way and all that to us seems an exception is really according to order. -Goethe

03-21-2006 08:48 PM

Beaux's Mom   Senior Member Location: Registered: Sep 2004 Posts: 106 Last visit: 03-23-2006

I agree. Looks like the standard IEP. From a negotiation standpoint, my advise is to pick an area that is most important to you and focus on getting that implemented. For instance, for us it was speech therapy. We originally got the standard once a week for 45 minutes. Now we are up to 2 45 minute sessions a week and if his goals are not meet in the quarter we will ask for 3 30 minute sessions. We also went in armed with our own speech eval. __________________ Stacey B. Mom to Colt 4 and Beaux 3, DS

03-22-2006 12:18 PM

naomid   Super Member Location: California Registered: Apr 2003 Posts: 2809 Last visit: 03-24-2006

I'm actually ok with the goals and the number of services that have been defined. What I'm not OK with is the class that they have recommended that he be placed in, I want him to be in an integrated class as that is what he is used to and I want him to have his typicaly developing peers around him so that he continues to learn from them. __________________ Naomi Mum to Callum (DS) 3/03 and Kieran 8/04 Read all about us

03-22-2006 12:44 PM

burnsun   Senior Member Location: Missouri Registered: Nov 2004 Posts: 512 Last visit: 03-24-2006

I know the following Colin's LRE is a small room with teh 6 -8 children where there are only 3-4 with IEP and rest are typical. Over 10 kids when his sisters are not among them makes him hide under tables and be defiant. Melea's LRE is way different she flourishes in a typical preschool room with daily pullout and in room services - she has 16 kids in her room and is one of only two with IEP's. HOWEVER it took a while for everyone to see this worked for her and I doubt it will work forever. You are the best advocate for your son. The other thing is- will he be attending private or daycare sittuation after school is over. Colin gets all of his typical experience there with friends- we started sending to eliminate the "education" and need for typical children. Your school may only be thinking of focusing on his immediate academic needs- and assuminng if in another type of child care setting he will be receiving enough typical children exp. there! Good luck __________________ Jane mom to Colin (11/19/00) DS Melea (2/13/02) DS Adrian (7/04/03) Miranda (2/1/05) DS wife to great guy Eric ]

03-22-2006 12:46 PM

rhonda   Super Member Location: Syracuse, NY Registered: Jan 2003 Posts: 3184 Last visit: 03-24-2006

Naomi, I think what Marci said about the classes being full right now made a lot of sense. Perhaps you should give them a call and ask about his placement in the fall. We had Dylan's meeting yesterday. He will be placed in an integrated class which will be a Total Communication class and will receive SP 4 times a week 30 minutes, OT 3 times a week 30 minutes, PT 2 times a week 30 minutes. Participation with Age Appropriate Peers: Provision of special education services in a setting with no regular contact with age appropriate peers without disabilities should only be considered when the nature of severity of the child's disability is such that, education in a less restrictive environment with the use of supplementarty aids and services, cannot be satisfactorily achieved. __________________ Rhonda Taylor 13, Jordan 11, Dylan 2 1/2

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