Today is the day.....

Giovanna and Gabby's first Kindergarten IEP will be this morning. Im just finishing up my WANTS and MUST HAVE's and printing them out to hand out. Im so nervous! BUt I know we are the ONLY ones that will be fighting for what THEY NEED! So this meeting must take place. We will be there from 10-12:30 Central time tomorrow so please say a prayer for William and I. This will be the first major meeting he has ever attended. My list is not as detailed as i wanted but you all can give me more ADVICE on what to add and what to take off!

Here it is:


IEP for Kindergarten school year 2008-2009
Gabriella Joy Andrews
Parents: William and Rita Andrews
About Gabby:
Gabriella will be a 6yr 3mth old girl with Down Syndrome starting her first year of
Kindergarten. She was adopted from Colombia, South America last summer on her 5th
birthday. She currently is taking the medication SYNTHROID for her thyroid condition.
She is very small for her age, due to illness, poor nutrition, and not being correctly
diagnosed with a thyroid condition. She has a low immune system and stays sick with
upper respiratory infections and ear infections from Nov- April. She is a fun loving and kind
little princess. She loves baby dolls, playing outside and playing with her play kitchen with
dishes.
Services we are requesting:
• Transportation via Mini-Bus to and from school. We will start this after a few weeks
of school, so she can easily transition into her new school and atmosphere.
The Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy listed below is to be done with the
therapist themselves, not paraprofessional or special Ed teachers.
• Speech Pathology (Individual) 3 times a week in 30-45 minute block AND Speech
Therapy 2 times a week for 30-45 minutes that can be individual or in a Group
setting with no more than 2 other children. Total of 5 times a week
• Occupational Therapy (Individual) 1 time a week in 30-45 minute block
• Physical Therapy (Individual) 1 time a month for 45 -60 minutes
• This is in addition to the other pull out, special ed, resource time she will be getting
Medical Concerns: Consistent Toileting.
Gabby needs to be taken to the bathroom on a regular basis. She needs help with wiping,
and hand washing.
PARAPROFESSIONAL NEEDS FEMALE only (see #11)
Regular Classroom Expectations / Modifications (i.e., testing, written work, time limits,
behavior management):
1. Must have a Paraprofessional to help with toileting, transitioning, instructional support,
and social skills training in the classroom. The Paraprofessional should have training in
Down Syndrome, American Sign Language and knowledge of providing visual aids.
2. Paraprofessional will alert Gabby to upcoming transitions.
3. Gabby needs to always be close to the teacher for clear visual reception.
4. Use of visual support for Gabby to process steps (e.g. Sign language, photos, picture
symbols).
5. Instructions should always be brief, clear, concise, and specific. Gabby needs
constant reminding. Sometimes it takes telling her 3-4 times before she "gets it"
6. Allow extra 30-60 seconds for Gabby to process verbal information. Repeat if necessary
7. Monitor comprehension and ask Gabby for feedback (ask her to try to repeat the words,
OR show you in pictures or sign language). Even though she may make sounds to you
doesn’t mean she always knows what you are saying. She needs visual.
8. Incorporate frequent breaks into her routine to allow for her to regroup and not be
overwhelmed...When she is showing signs of restlessness give her a 5-10 min break.
9. Breakdown routine into simple steps with visual supports and or sign language.
10. Gabby shall never be left unattended. Transitioning to another area of the school
such as restroom, lunchroom, library, playground etc. She may wander off but will usually
stay with a group if an adult is present.
11. Gabby needs reminding about toileting and must have someone there to help with
wiping and hand washing. She is very short for her age, so there must be a high stool for
her to stand on or somebody to lift her up.
12. The paraprofessional will help Gabby in the lunchroom with getting her lunch and
staying put at the table.
Other Information
A daily home/school communication notebook must to be used.
All therapists must send a weekly communication form to the parents so activities learned
at school can be reinforced at home.
TRANSPORTATION:
Once school starts and Gabby gets settled into a routine, we will want to use the bus. This
will be to and from school. This will be a special Ed bus with at least one aide. She needs
to have a 3 or 5 point harness seat belt, because she can unbuckle a regular belt.


IEP for Kindergarten school year 2008-2009
Giovanna Grace Andrews
Parents: William and Rita Andrews
About Giovanna:
Giovanna will be a 6yr 3mth old girl with Down Syndrome starting her first year of
Kindergarten. She has been in a preschool setting three days a week for 3 yrs. She was
adopted from Guatemala at the age of 22 months. She has had open-heart surgery,
multiple ear tubes placed, and eye surgery for blocked tear ducts. She currently is not
taking any medication. She has a low immune system and stays sick with upper
respiratory infections and ear infections from Nov- April. She is a fun loving and kind little
princess. She loves baby dolls, puzzles, playing outside and playing with her play kitchen
with dishes.
Services we are requesting:
• Transportation via Mini-Bus to and from school. We will start this after a few weeks
of school, so she can easily transition into her new school and atmosphere.
For the Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy below this is with the therapist
themselves, not paraprofessionals or special education teachers.
• Speech Pathology (Individual) 2 times a week in 45-60 minute block AND Speech
Therapy 2 times a week for 45-60 minutes that can be individual or in a Group
setting with no more than 2 other children. Total of 4 times a week
• Occupational Therapy (Individual) 1 time a week in 45-60 minute block
• Physical Therapy (Individual) 1 time a month for 45 -60 minutes
• This is in addition to the other pull out, special ed, resource time she will be getting
Medical Concerns: Consistent Toileting.
Giovanna needs to be taken to the bathroom every hour. She needs to be told its "potty
time" and then taken. She has to be told to sit on the potty because she will GET UP
several times. Once she sits there, sometimes for 3-5 min she does go. She needs help
with wiping, making sure her pull up is correctly on, and hand washing.
PARAPROFESSIONAL NEEDS FEMALE only (see #11)
Regular Classroom Expectations / Modifications (i.e., testing, written work, time limits,
behavior management):
1. Must have a Paraprofessional to help with toileting, transitioning, instructional support,
and social skills training in the classroom. The Paraprofessional should have training in
Down Syndrome, American Sign Language and knowledge of providing visual aids.
2. Paraprofessional will alert Giovanna to upcoming transitions. She gets upset easily with
new situations or something she is not ready for.
3. Giovanna needs to always be close to the teacher for clear visual reception.
4. Use of visual support for Giovanna to process steps (e.g. Sign language, photos, picture
symbols).
5. Instructions should always be brief, clear, concise, and specific. Giovanna needs
constant reminding.
6. Allow extra 30-60 seconds for Giovanna to process verbal information. Repeat if
necessary.
7. Monitor comprehension and ask Giovanna for feedback (ask her to try to repeat what
was said, OR show you in pictures or sign language). Even though she may repeat it to
you doesn’t mean she always knows what you are saying. She needs visual.
8. Incorporate frequent breaks into her routine to allow for her to regroup and not be
overwhelmed...When she is showing signs of restlessness give her a 5-10 min break.
9. Breakdown routine into simple steps with visual supports.
10. Giovanna shall never be left unattended. Transitioning to another area of the school
such as restroom, lunchroom, library, playground etc....She loves to wander off and is
FAST.
11. Giovanna needs reminding about toileting and must have someone there to help with
wiping, making sure her pull up is accurately on, and hand washing.
12. The paraprofessional will help Giovanna in the lunchroom with getting her lunch and
staying put at the table.
Other Information
A daily home/school communication notebook must to be used.
All therapists must send a weekly communication form to the parents so activities learned
at school can be reinforced at home.
TRANSPORTATION:
Once school starts and Giovanna gets settled into a routine, we will want to use the bus.
This will be to and from school. This will be a special Ed bus with at least one aide. She
needs to have a 3 or 5 point harness seat belt, because she can unbuckle a regular belt.