FoggyRock General Forum
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#1 2008-05-28 22:38:41
- MinaSmol
- New member
- Posts: 3
Newbie from Maryland
Hey all, I'm new to the site and thought I'd announce my presence...LOL! I'm Mina, 37, married to Chris and living in rural MD. We're about an hour or so from Baltimore. I've got 4 kiddos; Nathan who's 5.5 and NT, Mitchell who just turned 4 and is suspected HFA, Owen who turns 3 shortly and is suspected HFA, and Lila, who's 14.5 months, and appears NT.
Right now life is a bit out of control, because although we've had many people confirm that yes, they also thought the boys were on the spectrum (their PCP, school teachers, Infants and Toddlers, etc.), I'm currently still on the waiting list to try to get an appointment to be assessed and diagnosed. Mitchell has an IEP set up now with only speech therapy once a week, and the school is unwilling to consider more at this point because they "don't see a problem yet". So, I feel that being armed with a diagnosis will help get them to look at his needs more carefully. 
Owen, on the other hand, is getting his IEP set up next week, and is getting appropriate placement because of having been in the infants and toddlers program. I still want him diagnosed, but feel like things regarding education are progressing more reasonably.
Anyway, that's where we are now. I'm glad to be part of this community!
Mina
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#2 2008-05-29 06:40:05
- LisaAutismAdvocate
- Member
- Posts: 111
Re: Newbie from Maryland
Hey Mina!
Welcome to Foggy Rock! I remember getting the dx for richie and how long and frustrating it was...I hope you find the answers your looking for soon! Dont you just love the Hurry up and Wait Game! Good luck with the IEP meeting too...those can be stressful too. Hang in there and I look forward to getting to know you!
Lisa
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#3 2008-05-29 21:04:23
- CandyM
- New member
- Posts: 2
Re: Newbie from Maryland
Hi Mina!
Welcome and Glad You can come and Join us. It took me a long time too to get a dx for my son. He's 4.5 now. Our school system seemed to take awhile before they came to me and got him the right teachers and I.E.P. But, now my son has grown so fast and learning more every day. Just keep up the good work and don't give in to all the B.S. out there. we are here to help if ya got any Questions. Take care and good luck. CandyM.
Last edited by CandyM (2008-05-29 21:06:41)
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#4 2008-05-30 06:46:02
- shannonj
- Member
- Posts: 308
Re: Newbie from Maryland
Hi Mina and welcome! You do have a very full plate, I would say.....Getting those IEPs in place will help ease your mind a bit and hopefully help you enjoy your summer. We've all been there, so feel free to ask any questions or just vent. My advice for IEP meetings is to really educate yourself on your child's rights so that they can't pull the wool over your eyes. Know it better than they do. Another mom recommended that I make an appt. with a special needs attorney early on (she gave me the name of the best in the state) and spending a couple of hours having him coach me on the law was the best money I ever spent. I'm not kidding. He told me phrases I should use to get the districts attention. He warned me of techniques they might use to deny hours or therapies or summer school. He also said to take a tape recorder to each meeting--they tend to take you more seriously that way. He also said to remember that they were not the enemy and to always treat them with respect and kindness. Being a good advocate doesn't mean you have to be nasty. Or, as I have heard, "Just because you disagree, doesn't mean you have to be disagreeable". Some of those team members will end up being your best supporters if treated with respect. Good luck!
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#5 2008-05-30 07:50:29
- carmel66
- Member
- Posts: 46
Re: Newbie from Maryland
Re: hurry up and wait - I love the push for earlier and earlier diagnosis...but then you have to wait longer and longer for the appointment to get the early diagnosis - ugh. I agree also that you have to be well armed for the IEP meetings - lay out what you want your child to have and what you base that on - research, guidelines, child's strengths/weaknesses and stick your guns. I think it's a lot like the insurance companies - they eliminate 80% of the appeals by just saying no and most people just give up. Interesting?? Respect is a two way street - yes. So if you want them to respect you - you need to respect them (hopefully it won't be too hard to do).
We have such a great TEAM but I still get stressed out at IEP time.... good luck, Cathy
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