IEP Squared

One week - two IEP meetings - I'm tired but very glad that all is done for another year.

Ashley's IEP meeting was today. If you've been a longtime reader of my blog, you know that Ashley's educational program has been a challenge. Throughout the years, I've had to file complaints with my state education department and also dealt with a due process. For every year things would go well, there would be two horrible years. But all that was before Ashley went to high school.

She finally has a teacher that is well-versed in teaching children with deafblindness. She cares and she has high expectations for Ashley. Last year and this year, Ashley has made more progress than she made during the whole rest of her school career.

Today's IEP meeting went very well. Everyone was in agreement as to what Ashley needed, and Ashley's teacher did a wonderful job of creating an IEP - the best IEP Ashley has EVER had!

Ashley will be staying in our neighborhood school. She has made many friends, and will continue to see those friends next year. She will be receiving ESY services. She will be getting all the related services she needs. And I didn't have to fight for any of this.

I wish it hadn't taken so many years to get to this place, but I am so very grateful that we are here now. I'm hopeful for Ashley's future, and I know that other people are also. It really does a Mother's heart good!

So thank you, Selene, Angela, Scottie, Nancy, Dan, Maurice, and all the other participants. This is how education should work. I am proud of Ashley and I am proud of her IEP team!