I was just reading the thread about "Do all DHH kids have IEP's" - very informative, because my HOH son doesn't have an IEP. He is 4 years old and was diagnosed with hearing loss a few months ago here in San Salvador. Had I known my kid was HOH, I would have done things differently. I would have made sure English was his first language (not Russian), and I probably wouldn't have accepted another overseas tour (we're here until 2013). But alas, we are here and I'm trying to make it work.
Recently, I heard about a great opportunity for a three-week intensive summer camp for HOH kids at Gallaudet! How great would that be? - he would have a chance to spend time with other HOH kids and work with experts in DHH education! I could actually get some advice from the experts, too (Here they gave us the absurd advice that a child with bilateral loss should wear only one hearing aid, "in the stronger ear," so that the weak ear would catch up!?)
But now my employer, the U.S. Government, which is required to provide the same special services that public schools provide in the U.S., doesn't want to authorize the camp -their logic being, he must have a neuropsychological and SLP evaluation first. That's great, but he can't schedule the evaluation before July, which means he'll miss this opportunity. Not only that, but the neuropsychologist we've been referred to specializes in international adoptees who have been in institutional settings and have severe behavioral and emotional problems. I've been trying to say that's not appropriate for my kid, who is a sweet, well-behaved HOH child (I have three children, and they are not all well-behaved! I'm serious that he is my best-behaved child!). Is it me, or is their thinking based on some stereotype about DHH kids???
I'm fighting with them now, and they tell me, "Well, don't think if you move back to the States it will be any easier - the schools are all broke, and he can't get special services unless he's failing in school." This doesn't seem to be the case - I told them that I've already been in contact with Deaf schools in several states and with total communication programs in public schools, and every one so far has said my son would be a good candidate.
Can anyone tell me what sorts of hoops they had to jump through when they got their IEP's? Can you draw the line at something like the neuropsychologist who specializes in out-of-control, "end of the road" cases? Do you really have to go with the specialists the school recommends or can you get a second opinion? My concern is that I don't want my son to be stuck with all sorts of labels that really don't apply and will only complicate his education later on. Any thoughts? (And sorry to vent!)
Recently, I heard about a great opportunity for a three-week intensive summer camp for HOH kids at Gallaudet! How great would that be? - he would have a chance to spend time with other HOH kids and work with experts in DHH education! I could actually get some advice from the experts, too (Here they gave us the absurd advice that a child with bilateral loss should wear only one hearing aid, "in the stronger ear," so that the weak ear would catch up!?)
But now my employer, the U.S. Government, which is required to provide the same special services that public schools provide in the U.S., doesn't want to authorize the camp -their logic being, he must have a neuropsychological and SLP evaluation first. That's great, but he can't schedule the evaluation before July, which means he'll miss this opportunity. Not only that, but the neuropsychologist we've been referred to specializes in international adoptees who have been in institutional settings and have severe behavioral and emotional problems. I've been trying to say that's not appropriate for my kid, who is a sweet, well-behaved HOH child (I have three children, and they are not all well-behaved! I'm serious that he is my best-behaved child!). Is it me, or is their thinking based on some stereotype about DHH kids???
I'm fighting with them now, and they tell me, "Well, don't think if you move back to the States it will be any easier - the schools are all broke, and he can't get special services unless he's failing in school." This doesn't seem to be the case - I told them that I've already been in contact with Deaf schools in several states and with total communication programs in public schools, and every one so far has said my son would be a good candidate.
Can anyone tell me what sorts of hoops they had to jump through when they got their IEP's? Can you draw the line at something like the neuropsychologist who specializes in out-of-control, "end of the road" cases? Do you really have to go with the specialists the school recommends or can you get a second opinion? My concern is that I don't want my son to be stuck with all sorts of labels that really don't apply and will only complicate his education later on. Any thoughts? (And sorry to vent!)
They can skip the hearing test part, but even basic story retelling (verbal memory) tests can give you invaluable insight.