Advice, please...

[teachingMom]

As a 25 year veteran of teaching Early Childhood Special needs 3-5 year olds, I'm often caught between seeing what my school district is offering to children and the reality of what they should be offering.  My new principal is calling me on it and I'm thisclose to my third letter of insubordination.  That said, I once again am questioning the services being offered to one four year old autistic child.  Her annual IEP is coming up and I want to say things that I just can't in an IEP meeting. Foremost is the fact that my one little girl has been receiving  speech and language services 2X/wk 30 minute sessions within a group of 3. There's been no growth in her speech despite big improvements in her behavior, attending, adaptive,and social.  This little girl is taken out of the room for pull-out speech (we have no idea what they do) with a sweet little boy who is apraxic and a lower functioning 3 year old with significant articulation issues.  My autistic child has some good basic speech, but to spend this limited pull-out time with two other children who have totally different needs makes me so sad.  How can I get this child at least her own speech and language therapy sessions?  Parent is NOT happy with speech therapist either and tried going through therapist, then the principal. Principal put Mom in her place, so Mom is intimidated.  How can Mom ask for one on one therapy rather than the current small group?  Thanks.

[tamsmom]

I wish I had advice but I haven't gotten to that road with my little one yet. Bless you for trying to help her though! When my baby hits the school system...I hope she gets someone as caring as you.

[bellamomma]

WOWOW! Thanks for standing up in what you believe in. Really try and make a point to the parentof how you feel. I know that from my expereinces dealing with therapists that when they tell me something they are truly believing in I listen. I always listen. the power in thei case lies with the parent and not you. If the parent sees this as a problem the way you laid it out, they have no choice but to voice an opinion. I wish you the best of luck and I hope that she listens. I hate to hear that you are gettingtinto trouble for doing the right thing. I wish you were my EI teacher :)
Dina/admin