Tag Archives: IEPs

It’s IEP Season, Part 1
avatar

Posted on March 5, 2015 by

My daughter Katie’s birthday was in January, so that means IEP (individualized education plan) season has begun. Like most special needs parents, I dread this time of year. As a single mom, it means a ton of meetings, paperwork, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 10
avatar

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Unlike many kids on the spectrum, Katie adores variety. This tends to make transitions go a bit more smoothly—at least on the surface. So it did not surprise me that Katie plunged into her new classroom without any hesitation. Just … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 9
avatar

Posted on March 13, 2013 by

Geri, the kickass advocate, reorganized the disaster of an IEP and sent the revised version to my school district late on Thursday. The case manager responded Friday morning by stating that she wanted to go with the original, messed-up version. … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 7
avatar

Posted on March 3, 2013 by

When the principal suspended my daughter Katie on her birthday, he created a problem. I’d agreed to the upcoming IEP meeting assuming Katie would be in school. But if she was suspended, then I couldn’t attend. The principal said we … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 6
avatar

Posted on February 27, 2013 by

After two-and-a-half hours, the IEP team had finally made it through all the triennial evaluations. It was clear we wouldn’t have time to finish. To my relief, we had not discussed the alternative placement in Pleasanton. For 30 minutes the … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 5
avatar

Posted on February 6, 2013 by

On Monday, my daughter switched to a new classroom placement. This will be her fifth elementary school, and third school district, in six years. It will be her second mid-year transfer. Does anyone other than me think this is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

January is IEP Month
avatar

Posted on January 23, 2013 by

It’s January, so that means in my house it’s IEP (Individualized Education Plan) month. In other words, as any special needs parent can tell you, it’s the least fun time of the year. Some years are better than others. My … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy New Year 2013
avatar

Posted on January 2, 2013 by

Hope you had a wonderful, relaxing holiday season spent with family and friends. Katie and I are enjoying the last few days of her winter break. Or at least I am. Since Christmas, my daughter has been asking me every day to … Continue reading →

Posted in My Life | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 4
avatar

Posted on December 17, 2012 by

Last week I visited the classroom in Pleasanton. It’s a good program, at a nice, well-maintained school. I liked the teacher. But when all is said and done, I’m not sure it’s any better of a fit for my daughter … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Sometimes the Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, Part 3
avatar

Posted on November 23, 2012 by

At the end of the three-day it-feels-like-a-suspension-but-isn’t “non-suspension,” the school district held a meeting. The meeting started with the Principal and the Special Ed Director debating whether or not Katie had been suspended. The Principal insisted she hadn’t. When asked … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, My Life | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments