Fighting for Answers | Category Archives: PATHPATH Archives

just another manic monday

Well, David and I met with the respite care providers. Nice family. Mom and Dad seem to think a lot like us. Neat this is that they have adopted a couple of kids as well. So we are excited. This should enhance David’s life by giving us a break from each other. I made sure to let David know that he is still our son, but that this is just a place for him to take a break from our family. The case worker told him to think of it as his vacation home. We spent almost two hours in their home just talking. We talked about our challenges from the past year, about fighting the school district to ensure that David has access to an education in accordance with state and federal law. The mom is studying for a degree in early childhood education. On the way home, David

Dad, I killed the car!

Another day done. For the most part, I would call this day a success. My girls, who have both been licensed to drive for less than 6 months killed the car tonight. They thought that they were in trouble, because it wouldn’t start… They walked home, then we went and got it after mom got home. A simple jump start cured it. Probably a weak alternator belt isn’t allowing enough juice to be generated, coupled with someone not shutting the door all the way and an interior light blinking occasionally. No big deal. And even so, if they had wrecked it or something, a car can be replaced. Lined up another IEP meeting for our oldest boy. Next week unless something shakes loose in the schedule this week. Tomorrow, our youngest son and I are going into the city for a psych consult. Hopefully he can get back on the

Day 8 ~ Facilitated what? and new friends !Success!

Since coming online with the new blog and website on January 3rd, I have made an incredible number of new friends. Some really fantastic people are connecting with me. How lucky am I? ==== Back to the topic for the night. Have you ever experienced a Facilitated IEP? According to the website http://www.directionservice.org, a facilitated IEP is: “A facilitated IEP meeting is an IEP meeting that includes an impartial facilitator who promotes effective communication and who assists the IEP team in developing an acceptable IEP. The facilitator keeps the team focused on the proper development of the IEP while addressing conflicts that arise. IEP Facilitation is not used to resolve disputes unrelated to the IEP.” In the state of North Dakota, the facilitator is paid by the state, which in turn enforces the impartiality of the facilitator because they can’t be influenced by either the school district or the parent.