Transitioning from the IU

We just received the call to transition my four year old from the IU to her Kindergarten. I cried thinking about how difficult even getting this phone call was for us last year on our first go at it.

 I learned a hard lesson waiting on the IU to transition my five year old... because it never happened.  The "meet the teacher" day turned into me explaining to a very surprised teacher that she would be receiving a student with processing disorder, anxiety and speech apraxia.  Even with my nagging the school and the IU, it was the squeaky wheel getting no where fast.  Everyone has their own check list and blame game, but it's on a parent to just make sure it's done.  I heard about "lost" documents... I had a new IEP scripted... I hand delivered.  You would think ????!!!!!

This time I was on my game.  Meeting is set and I plan on adding a few more "drop in's" to make sure transition happens.  SO WHERE TO NOW.

If your child should be getting ready for Kindergarten and is receiving Intermediate Unit services, it is important that you set a meeting with the IU for this to happen.  Even if they say they'll call you and it's you calling them.  Even if they have a meeting and papers are supposed to transfer.  Even if you think it's all happening smoothly - MAKE SURE you are 100% right.  Call your school and have them determine if the records have been received and that they are correct.

Even with the IEP... oh the IEP. ... I have my skepticism about how well it really says what your child's strengths and weakness may be.  How can you know a child enough to write a report when you've met them once and are asking them 100 questions?  We also took them thru a neonatal follow up clinic at CHOP (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) and had a Doctor do her own evaluation and over a period of several weeks.  The report also held into account things that we as parents wanted to talk about as well.  They test with different tools as well, so you get a more well rounded answer.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket especially if your child isn't cut and dry and even more so if they don't do well under pressure and/or with a stranger.  Getting another opinion is also an eye opener as a parent.  They were able to give us recommendations for things to do at home.  This you won't get from the IU or from school.  Things that they know because they know YOU and how you are with them.

Kids with IEP's should register thru the IU for Kindergarten.  Period. But have some back-up documents for the school so this is not their only judgement of your child.  Be a jerk, be nice.  Be whatever you have to be.  Help that child.