[Lisa0512]

Hello everyone,
As always I have another question. :-) I recently received an email from my 'future's daughter's SW in which she provided me more information about my child. Of course she can not provide me a lot of information because my last homestudy visit is not until this Wednesday.

Well, I was asking her about Terri's schooling so I could begin the process of learning more about her needs. She did explain to me that Terri is not in any specific grade; she is in a special educational setting. Terri is ten right now and will be eleven in July. Can anyone provide me the names of books, websites, et cetera that I can utilize to help Terri transition from one IEP setting to another, et cetera. Basically any information on adopting older children with special needs would be appreciated.

[rindava]

Your local public school system is required to have a parent resource center to provide you info and specifics on their programs and your child's disability. If you really want to read the laws type in IDEA 1997 and it will pop up. Your state's department of education should also have alot of info.

Actually, under the new IDEA regs, she has to be grade place, but it does not mean she is working on grade level. There are so many different types of Special Education and so many different levels ( consult, inclusion, mainstreaming, self contained, day treatment, etc...) It really depends on what she is identified as having. Also, by federal regulation they must accept the other school districts IEP and place the child. They have 30 days to write a new one and can also insist the child be re-evaluated by them. Another problem you may run into is that in some states before finalization you do not have a lot of say over IEP issues and the kid is assigned a suragant parent for IEPs. This was the case with my Va girls, but not my Missouri son. Different states, a little different laws.

This is a great site for special needs adoption questions.

Visit Mothers from Hell 2, if you want some great advice about IEP meetings (but it also shows you how bad the meetings can get.)

You need to know your child's disability and what approach you want to take. Also, the more I am in this special needs adoption world the more I think the root to a lot of the kids problems is attachment disorder. Read up and find info about that. Of course, exposure to drugs in utero and brain damage cause by abuse is not treatable through RAD parenting methods. SOme kids just do have disabilities or other mental health problems.

Don't let your local agency mess you over on an adoption subsidy and advocate for all the services you and your child will need.

Good luck.

I recommend Adopting the Hurt Child by Keck. It was an easy read, it's loaded with information and most case workers recommend it.

Best of luck to you on this journey!