IEP

Today's IEP for Jordan went very well.  Derrick and I met with Karen, the physical therapist, Carol, the occupational therapist, JoAnne, the speech path, Pam, the ECSE classroom teacher, and Angie, the Director of special education. 

First, we went over Jordan's evaluation...the envelope I didn't want to open.  Each therapist gave their summary of Jordan and then we responded with our thoughts.  Overall, we agree with the report, although feel that the actual numbers are skewed because of Jordan's distractability and lack of focus during the evaluations. 

Next, we discussed that we would like to try Jordan in the ECSE classroom next year, but want to make sure that it is not too much for her in addition to the likelihood of outside therapy (feeding, OT following thumb surgery, etc.)  We are scheduling her for 3 days a week with the option to keep her home for a day whenever we feel that is too much.  We were thinking we would only send her 2 days to start and this was a good compromise because it allows us to easily transition into 3 days whenever we feel ready.  The director offered to provide an additional adult in the classroom on the days Jordan is there to allow assistance in monitoring her and helping her with some of her challenges.  This will be in place for the first 6 weeks and we will evaluate in mid-October if we need to continue that assistance.  We will also train the nurse and 1 or 2 other individuals in the fall to do her g-tube feedings and to be prepared to replace her tube if it comes out.  We requested that Jordan be removed from the classroom during snack time by the additional adult so that there is not a battle with her wanting to eat what the other kids are having.

Jordan will no longer be receiving individual physical therapy as she has no specific challenge areas in gross motor.  Karin offered to consult with us if we ever came across something that concerned us.  We will meet with her one more time before this school year is over.

Jordan will receive OT through the sensory motor group that she has been participating in during the past few weeks.  We will continue to meet with this year's group through the remainder of the school year and next year she will participate with her class.  Knowing that she may have her thumb surgery sometime late summer or fall, she will have individual OT following that as part of her rehab.  If we feel it is necessary for additional support, we will work that out with Carol at that time.

Jordan will be receiving speech at least 2 times a week while in the class.  JoAnne said that at least one of the days Jordan is there, she will be in the class for most of the time and will work with her individually or in a small group.  She will also work with her on the other day she is there ensuring that the educational focus for Jordan be on her speech development.  We are still waiting on the communication device, but are also going to attempt to create a usable picture system for Jordan that she can use when she becomes frustrated with our inability to understand her.  I am hoping to use this significantly this summer and help her to communicate with us as well as with others so she is better understood.

Transportation still has to be decided, but we requested that Jordan be picked up as late as possible due to her feeding schedule and be transported in a car seat on the bus due to her small size.  I am very nervous about putting her on a bus and always have the option to drive her myself...but final decisions don't have to be made until late August.

Overall, I feel good about the IEP.  I know that all of the therapists working with Jordan have her best interest at hand, I just sometimes feel that they are always so focused on what they are doing, that they might not recognize all that I am doing for her in our own home.  We work every day on speech, occupational, and physical therapy.  I may approach it differently than they do and don't have the educational background to support what I am doing...but I am a mom, and I love my girl, and will do anything to help her develop the skills she will need to be successful in life!!!