As a parent we often get worried with the condition of our children, especially if it has a problem relating to their education, or process of their maturity of their brain. This is a tips that I quoted from E. M. Robinson, that you can implement to your child.
You can start with you child's physician. Make sure your child has had a recent physical. Your child's physician can get you focused on your child's health status as well as the difficulties your child may be having in school. There are some categories of special education service that will require information and documentation from this doctor, so this is a good place to start.
Once your child has had an up-to-date physical and you have talked to the doctor, you can proceed with these steps.
1)Schedule a conference with your child's teacher(s). A face-to-face conference is preferable, but a telephone conference can be effective in discussing your concerns with the teachers.
2) Involve the school guidance counselor- whether this counselor attends your meeting, or you talk by phone, the guidance counselor is an important contact after you have made initial contact with the teacher(s).
3) Be open to hearing what the teacher(s) have to say. Their observations are important and it is to your advantage to have them in your corner.
4) Depending on the needs you have observed in your child, do your best to support your child's academic needs at home. Provide the environment and materials your child needs and stay involved on a daily basis with the routines that the teachers have established.
5)When the time comes, when the support from home and the teacher's increased awareness of your child's individualized needs, are not helping your child be any more successful, then ask for your child to be tested.
6)There will be paperwork for you to read, understand, and sign to start this process. The school system, with your signed permission, will get the ball rolling to assess your child in several areas.
7) Your input will be very important. Your observations, your recollection of family history, and your medical information from the doctor may all be relevant.
8) Once the evaluation is completed, summaries and detailed information from each evaluation will be provided in writing. You will be invited to an eligibility meeting to review this written information and decide on eligibility.
9) If your child is found eligible, it should be made clear to you on what basis your child was found eligible and what recommendations may have resulted from this process.
10) These professionals at the meeting will outline what happens next and you and your child will be on your way to receiving the interventions your child needs to be successful at school.
The important thing to know is that you can be the one to initiate this process. Don't sit back hoping it occurs to someone at school to suggest special education. You, the teachers, the administrators, and the related services personnel are a team.
You, as the parent(s), have the power to start the process of seeking special education services. It is a process and the time frame can be worrisome, but the process does work. Keep the teachers in your corner and together, as a team, you will get the IEP your child needs.