Special education and FAS....

Make sure that you have a letter from the professional that diagnosed with you and SIGNED by the professions. Bring information on FAS and its effects as justification for the accommodations and ask that it be put in her file. Offer to give a presentation on FAS/FAE at the next teachers inservice day - put this in writing and if they say it is not necessary tell them you want it signed saying that they are declining your offer. (if accepted the teachers get educated and you look helpful, if declined this signed letter may be of use later.) Take notes and KEEP ALL correspondance especially from the teacher. Ask the teacher to put in writing her reasons for thinking that your child is just not trying in spite of a diagnosis. The teacher can be sued for breach of civil rights and discrimination without going after the school. Have a Dx related reason for all accommodations in writing. The ones they accept need to be IN WRITING in the IEP. The one they reject, ask them to sign your sheet and provide justification (after all you justified why you asked for the accommodation.) GOOD LUCK, I will pray for you.

I know just how you feel (see above post). The schools just don't know what to do with our kids. They take all of their behavior and try to lump it into models they are familiar with. For my son - it's that he is attention seeking, manipulating. And yes, this is his MO and something he does. But triangulation goes both ways. And it's a very small part of the explanation for his issues. My problem with the school, is that my son is passing. Perhaps with your daughters failing grades, you will be better able to force accomodations. Theres lots of stuff that can be put into an IEP - things like extended testing time, no timed testing, 1:1 aides, etc. I would strongly advise you to bring along someone. If you don't have access to a parent advocate, then bring a friend or family member. Write down the key points you want addressed at the meeting. It's likely to get emotional in there. I swear they have a manual on how to pull parents strings. It's hard to stay focused when your emotions are rolling, that's where the friend can help. At the end of the meeting, repeat your understanding of all that they have agreed to. Let them see that you are writing this down. I've come out of meetings believing they had agreed to things that are later denied. Good luck. My son is doing so well. I just can't believe school has become such a major issue for us. DimasMom    

Originally Posted By SondraThanks so much for the help!! I am taking Tami back to the doctor today so he can fill out some paperwork for the school and provide his opinions on what kind of help Tami needs. The problem that we are having is with her teacher eveyone else seams to know that there is a problem. The diagnostician has been wonderful. He told me last week that he knows Tami needs services and make sure the doctor makes that clear in the paperwork. The principal also called me and said that she has reviewed Tami's school work for the last month and said that something is clearly going on. She noticed that Tami made a 100 on one paper, then the next day she did a paper that was similar and made a 25 yet the whole class made a 100 on the same paper. The principal said that this clearly shows that Tami is having some kind of brain synapses. She didnt come out and say it but she was pretty ticked off that the teacher has been saying that Tami doesnt have any problems and has ignored my cries. Anyway the ARD meeting has been set up for the 19th so wee shall see what happens then.

Originally Posted By SondraI will keep you informed of Tami's progress. Good luck with your son!