Candice Lange

Recently I was asked about the first transition meeting to PreK/Kindergarten and I thought you might also be interested in some of the things I have learned along the way or my experience. There is so much more information than this but already it is long and hopefully not overwhelming.

Please add your comments on how you made your meetings and IEP documents successful.

One of the most helpful things we have done at our IEP meetings was asking for a projector at least 10 days in advance. The laptop was hooked up to the projector and the IEP was viewed on the wall. This allowed everyone on the team to see what was actually being written at the time it was written. The projector made it very easy for everyone to give their input while we were still on the subject and before the page/goal was completed. This is especially helpful if your meetings are large in number, have many goals, meetings run long or you have had difficulties in the past.

I have also taped the meetings in the past. Remember this also needs 10 day advance notice so the school can have their tape recorder ready. You can not tape the meeting without this notice. It was not intended to upset anyone but to allow us to review the long meeting. It actually came in handy the following year when we realized a service wasn't being provided and it wasn't written on the IEP like we had thought. The school reviewed their tape and it was corrected.

Another important tip is to have a positive look to future improvement even though this year may have been the worst you ever had. There is nothing that can be done to change the year now that it is almost over. Look at what can be done in the future to make sure those errors do not happen again and work together as a team. A negative, defensive attitude will not help the child or help you to think clearly.

Research and have documents to support your questions or concerns. It is very hard for the school to deny you of your comment if you have paper proof to substantiate your claims. This can be from the child's homework or test results.

Read IEP books such as:
From Emotions to Advocacy 2nd edition, Pam Wright and Pete Wright
Wrightslaw: IDEA 2004 Pam Wright and Pete Wright

Attend an IEP Conference by Pam Wright and Pete Wright. They are very informative and help you prepare yourself for many years of IEPs.

May you have a successful IEP and a very promising new year ahead of you.

2006 Tax Benefits for Parents of Children with Disabilities by Michael O'Connor, Esq.

According to parent attorney Mike O'Connor, "It’s likely that 15-30 percent of families with a disabled child have one or more unclaimed tax benefits."

If you have a child with a disability - a severe learning disability (SLD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), AD/HD, or other physical, mental or emotional impairment - you may qualify for valuable tax benefits.

Did you know that "tuition costs for a special school that has a program designed to educate children with disabilities and amounts paid for a child’s tutoring by a teacher specially trained and qualified to deal with severe disabilities may be deducted"?

Did you know that "Special instruction or training or therapy, such as sign language instruction, speech therapy, and remedial reading instruction" may be deductible? Did you know that related books and materials can qualify for the medical expense deduction"?

Did you know that "Parents who attend conferences to obtain medical information concerning treatment for and care of their child may deduct some of the costs of attending a medical conference relating to a dependent’s chronic health condition"?

In 2006 Tax Benefits for Parents of Children with Disabilities, Mike O'Connor provides a summary of the most significant federal income tax benefits. He advises you to print out this guide and provide your tax adviser with a copy. We agree with his excellent advice!

Download your copy of 2006 Tax Benefits for Parents of Children with Disabilities by Michael O'Connor, Esq. http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/tax.2006.benefits.oconnor.htm

Articles on dozens of special education law and advocacy topics.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/topics.htm

Information posted with permission from Sharon Gudger, Special Education Consultant and Child Advocate. She can be reached at 678-764-5554 or sharongudger@bellsouth.net.

http://cdrc.ohsu.edu/oscshn1/medicalhome/docs/cp.pdf

Having correct medical records is very important.

Through the years I have found that keeping a running Medical History of my son has been very helpful for me and for all who work with Corey such as the doctors. Many times I've gone to a new doctor to have the same questions asked and receive a report that was completed incorrectly. It is also difficult to remember the answers to all the questions as Corey gets older, especially when he did the milestones.

This was originally created after the first medicaid application and was used for the social history and medical history. We continue to use this every year by making a copy for medicaid and attaching it to the renewal forms.

Continue to read for Corey's Medical Record outline without the personal information. You can use it as a guide to writing your own child's record or your personal medical history. Throughout the outline I will add comments to clarify information or helpful tips such as the following:

Tip #1: Do this as soon as the medical records start coming in or delays are noticed. It will be easier to remember when the events are closer to when you record them.

Tip #2: Keep this posted with milestones, medical care, contacts, etc. on a regular basis.

Tip #3: Each year at a birthday or medicaid renewal, save this record under the year's date. For example, "Corey's Medical Records 2006.doc". This will give you a saved look at that year for future use. Continue updating the original file with ongoing information.

Topics included in order:

Katie Beckett Waiver Presentation given at FOCUS by Heidi Moore
Katie Beckett Waiver Denials
DHR FAQ for Transitional Funds
Contents For Katie Beckett Waiver Packet-samples of how to complete and forms
Katie Beckett Waiver Update on Denials and What to Do!
Katie Beckett Waiver History

The forms can be copied and pasted into your word processor to be filled out by you.

Thank you to all those who contributed very important information.

Sally Atwell is the person in charge of Benefits Navigation at Shephard.org. She can be contacted through Sally_Atwell@shephard.org.

This is a free service and she has been a wonderful resource to a friend of mine and her adult son.

Keeping records for school has resources to better manage all the paperwork and tips from seasoned parents. Please see the next page for more information and post your tips under comments.

If you just entered the world of special needs or been in it for sometime you probably have thought "What am I going to do with it all this paperwork and medical records?"

It is very important to keep your child's records organized to give them the best medical, insurance and school care possible.

This section will give you an excellent resource for special education, tips on handling the paperwork and form templates. Many of the suggestions come from the years of organizing my own son's papers and getting positive results from the doctors, medicaid and schools. It has also made my life easier knowing where to access the information when needed.

If you have a process that has been successful for you and the people working with your child, please make a comment and share your information.

If you need specific information and did not find it here, please make a comment and ask. I will find the information for you or someone else reading may also know the answer.