I filed a state complaint for non-compliance with the IEP. My son’s teacher and aide are not familiar with autism. He sits in the corner of the room and does nothing. They are not following the IEP. School staff falsified documentation, changed dates, and did not tell the truth at the last IEP meeting, so we ended the meeting. I will bring an advocate when we reconvene.
They emailed me that the CEO of the school will attend the next meeting. Is this to intimidate me?
Who cares if the CEO of the school comes to the meeting? Here’s what I would do….
Sharon advises: “I always took a digital tape recorder with me to the meetings and I would let them know ahead of time.
I use it to remember what is said so I don’t have to listen, take notes, think and answer all at once. The tape recorder takes the notes for me.
I have noticed that people are calmer, nicer, and choose what they say more carefully when there is a tape device.
This may help you get better cooperation and you will have a record of the meeting.”
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Mari suggested: “If they are falsifying documents, they will slip up and be caught.
Be sure to get a complete copy of your child’s sped file and cumulative file as soon as possible. Hopefully you have held onto all the IEP documents you received.
It’s pretty easy for state investigators to figure out who did the falsifying.
Here is another strategy: check to see if they are properly training all staff members who come in contact with disabled students.
Be discreet. Strike up a conversation with a school staffer in one department, perhaps a bus driver, and casually ask, when was the last time you received training concerning disabled students?
Then do the same with a cafeteria worker.
Make training for school personnel, which is required, a priority. Other parents of disabled kids with back you up. The CEO will now be on the hot seat.”
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Wrightslaw tools: If the school is not doing what was discussed and proposed by the IEP Team, use the forms below. These simple forms will help you keep track of what the school agreed to do or refused to do. They are an important part of your paper trail documenting dates, school staff decisions, what actually happened at the IEP meeting.
Choose one you want to use and follow the directions for using it. Take the form to the IEP meeting, then fill in what happens at the meeting.
How to use a Parent IEP attachment
Prior Written Notice (PWN) is a Powerful Tool When Skillfully Used
If you have access to a computer and printer, you can download the forms.
https://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/tips/Judy_IEP_Attachment.pdf
https://www.wrightslaw.com/info/pwn.refusal.martin.pdf
Or just make your own form like these on a sheet of paper, they are user friendly.
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You will find more problem solving strategies from the Wrightslaw online Community Helpline forum.
Check the Helpline Archives for questions asked and answered.
