Because of my son’s speech delay he also struggled to write (same muscle family) So one part of his IEP (Individual Educational Plan) was occupational therapy (OT) in order to strengthen his hands and fingers. He had been making progress but after a couple of years, the district inexplicably determined that he no longer needed it. But his handwriting was still basically illegible! The district’s decision to cease services was unwarranted, so we called for a Planning and Placement (PPT) meeting to address our concerns and asking for them to reinstate his OT services.
For those unfamiliar with special education services; each atudent has a document called an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). An IEP is exactly as it’s named. Children are unique and each has their own requirements for what will allow them to learn. Accommodations can mean extra time for tests for those with ADD/ADHD or executive functioning deficit, large print and/or Braille texts for students who are visually impaired. There are many types of services that can be provided, these are just a few. However, many school districts would rather refuse services than provide them.
There’s an interesting article in the New York Times from 2005 (a link is below) which addresses how contentious the issue became with parents and schools. Instead of partnering together to ensure an education. Parents and districts were going to court to fight over it.
We called a PPT meeting (parents have the right to call for one; anytime). We wanted to them to explain to us why they wanted to stop the OT. After a lot of blah-blah-blah, the highlight of the meeting was when we were told that handwriting isn’t critical to students because, according to her, “everybody uses a keyboard nowadays.”
She said that with a straight face.
We countered, “what about forms? Job applications?” They just waved our concerns away but when our son was asked to speak on his own behalf, he told the room that “I can’t read my own handwriting, I can’t read the notes I take for class.”
That stopped them cold. They reinstated the OT.
The point of this story is that your child has a right to an education and the state is obligated to provide it. You have rights, you have a say, and you have choices. There are many resources at your disposal, so take advantage of them so that you can be an informed advocate for your child. The most important thing is that you accept your child’s differences and love them unconditionally. For all the challenges I’ve faced as a parent—I wouldn’t change a thing about my children.
I think the thing she likes best about me is:
I work hard; My mom is always happy when: I am there”
