IEP

Today marked the final meeting to finalize my daughter’s eligibility for an Individualized Education Program (IEP).   It’s a long and arduous process with the county to determine if a child qualifies for specialized educational help and if so, how that help will be given.  

I wish I knew nothing at all about this whole process but since we do have a child who is currently well beyond the definition of legally blind today with an ultimate visual outcome unknown, we are going to need help.   We’re going to need help from people who know how to help a visually impaired child so that my daughter can continue to be challenged mentally and be ultimately successful and happy in life.

We have been working with some very kind people who have spent lots of time trying to make the best recommendations for our daughter.   There has been a lot of questions because of the continued change in her vision and the unknown future of her sight.   The recommendation they came up with was for a pre-school for the blind.   This is a good school, a great school in fact with a 1:3 teacher to student ratio.  It is quite close to us and there are many advantages to moving my daughter to this school.  

In weighing all the aspects of my daughter’s life including he mental well being, community and “home” at her current school we didn’t think the school for the blind was the best choice for her right now.   We had many conversations with her teachers and administration at our school because we wanted their input as well and their thoughts on if and how she could be successful at our current school.

To say we were touched by all we have heard from those at our school would be an understatement.   We have always been exceptionally partial to the stellar teachers and staff at our school and their willingness to help out my daughter through this challenging time both mentally and physically, has truly moved us.  We all have an open dialog going forward because with additional surgeries, healing and the overall unknowns with her eyes, we don’t know what will ultimately be the best place for her; but for now, we are warmed by the thought she will remain in her school “home” surrounded by all her friends and favorite teachers.

From an IEP standpoint, we discussed today what other services would be provided to my daughter given our choice of schools.   Starting in a few weeks, she will have two one-hour sessions in her classroom with a visual impairment specialist.   She will have one hour each with with an Orientation and Mobility specialist to help her navigate her environment and help her understand how to move safely.

We are so grateful to the team helped bring this process through to it’s culmination today.   We all agreed the IEP needs to be open for reassessment at any point due to the potential changing of her vision based on future surgeries, healing, correction with lenses, etc.  

Today was a first step.  I would like to say we won’t be needing help permanently but that’s something only time will tell.

The Big Boy Update:  Earlier tonight I said, “you already have that one.”  My son said, “no I don’t.  I’ve been waiting for it for years.”

The Tiny Girl Chronicles:  I think my daughter got wedged into the car seat somehow with her jacket this morning.   Imagine the following sentence said in a mildly exasperated tone and you’ll understand why I couldn’t help but laugh in the front seat.   She said, “perfect…I got my bottom stuck to my butt!”