We Opted Out of IEP. Does anyone here been through the same?

[Netanyami]

Hello! I’m a mom to an 11 year-old boy (turning 12 this month) with a diagnosis of Mild Autism and ADHD (on Concerta). I’m from Canada and l am grateful of the funding we are receiving here.

But we opted out of IEP on Sep. 2018 because we believe it’s not working for him. Our experience with Special Ed. was that the expectation for our child was lower although we think he can do grade level work given the adequate means. This is also according to our SLP who was totally on board with our decision.

I will not go on great details but my son is currently still “approaching expectations”- (they don’t do letter grades here anymore) for Grade 6, but he’s doing grade level work without help. He’s self-esteem has increased dramatically and he takes pride on “doing he’s best” rather modifying the work for him too much. So all in all the best decision we’ve made so far.

Does anyone here been through the same? How’s your child coping so far? Does it work positively or negatively impacted his/her academics and behaviour?

Thanks for reading my post and wish you all the best in raising our unique and lovely angels!

[Onthemove1971]

Just curious in your country is there only an IEP? In the U.S. we have a 504 plan becuase many children with ADHD don't need an IEP ( Individual Education Plan).

Having an IEP should not lower expectations for a child. It should find the the child's weaknesses and make them strengths.

If you don't have an IEP, how will your child's teachers know what he needs next year? Or how best to make accommodations for him?

[Netanyami in reply to Onthemove1971]

Hello. Thanks for your response. As far as I know, we only have IEP here.

That’s the thing though, that’s why I am curious if someone else here is going through the same. He’s basically doing work like a mainstream student at the moment. No accommodations except Math is modified a bit. Like if the class will do 10 items, he will only do 5. He has no behavioural issue at school, and his meds seems to be working well for him.

It’s not everyday you will hear a family opt out of IEP even the principal was a bit shocked. But we wanted our son to survive in the real world. We are pushing him for sure, but because we know he can make it. And ultimately, my son is very happy.

[jongab]

I have two sons both diagnosed with autism and adhd. One has a IEP and one a 504.

Completely opting out of an IEP wouldn't make sense in the school I go to in the USA. The IEP is a list of accommodation and goals. Some of the accommodations are as simple as "gets preferential seating to sit in the front row" or "allowed extra time to complete a test".

The goals are things like "on task 70% of the time".

So, no, I wouldn't opt out of the entire IEP but I have opted out of or modified specific accommodations or goals that I felt would do more harm than good.

[ThatCat]

I guess you could say we did because we sent our son to a private school instead of public. We had our son’s therapist draw up a 504, and discussed it with the school administration. But it is not “official.” He had a rough start, but is now doing great. The small class size means that he gets help before behaviors get out of control. However, my son does not have learning disabilities beyond the usual lack of focus, and his behaviors are more due to impulsivity and frustration than very serious sensory or processing issues. I think every kid is unique, and the approach that best serves the priorities (academic, social, developmental) is the best. And it may take a lot of trial and error, a lot of patience, a lot of adjusting expectations along the way.

[beemom]

I have a son in same boat (mild autism, ADHD). I guess my question would be why not just modify the IEP rather than eliminate it? There are certain things it guarantees that I feel are very important for my son (who is also performing at or above grade level in most areas). Thing's like preferential seating, added test time, verbal rather than written questions on certain tests- I want these guaranteed rather than at the discretion of whatever teacher he happens to get in a given year. Totally understand where you are coming from- I don't want to stop challenging him to perform at least at mainstream level when I know he's capable, but there are some modifications that are not obvious to the rest of the class that make that performance possible for him.