Jenna

I don't think it hurts to ask for another comprehensive eval in all areas of suspected disability. See https://adayinourshoes.com/sample-letter-requesting-iep-evaluation/ for some sample letters. If they deny that request, then you can decide whether you want to request an IEE. Remember that if you disagree with their eval and request an IEE, they could refuse and file for due process to defend their eval. Or, they could grant the requested IEE. Once you get the IEE though, all they have to do is "consider" it. Has her neuropsychologist done any evals recently by chance? If so, it'd be up to you whether you want to share that report with the district.

When did the school last do an eval in all areas of suspected disability? If it's been a while, perhaps they'd be willing to do new evals.

Start here: https://adayinourshoes.com/sample-letter-requesting-iep-evaluation/. If you want your daughter evaluated for special education, send a letter/email requesting an evaluation for special education services. Whether you choose to share the information from the private evaluation with the school is up to you. Definitely check out all the info at the above link before writing the school, and let us know if you have any further questions.

I'd recommend asking for a short IEP team meeting addressing this concern so you can talk with all the teachers, explain your concerns, hear theirs, and see what could be done. If not all those teachers would be required to attend the IEP meeting, maybe ask to speak with each teacher individually so you can better understand their position, and see how you could create something that would work for all the staff and your child. If the staff and you can come to an agreement without an IEP meeting, you could always do a no-meet IEP amendment.

Have you spoken w/ the sped supervisor? Explain that you reached out to the teacher and were told nothing could be done, but your child is now struggling behaviorally at school due to the other children's behavior. You could request an IEP meeting to discuss this, and get the district's response in PWN.

I'm in Ohio and would like to echo the above- Ohio focuses almost entirely on regression without adequate recoupment within a reasonable time.

I think it depends on the area. Lisa has info on parent observations in schools at https://adayinourshoes.com/can-parents-observe-classroom-iep/. Since it's a professional you've requested to observe and the district denied the request citing privacy and confidentiality laws, you can always ask them to show you the specific sections of the law that don't allow the private BCBA to observe.

In my state, if a parent/legal guardian submits a request for the local public school district to evaluate a child for special education (an IEP), the school must respond to that request in writing within 30 days, and if they choose to not evaluate the child, they have to state why they are refusing the evaluation. Check your state's regs to be sure of its timelines (see https://adayinourshoes.com/idea-individuals-with-disabilities-education-act/).

Sorry I can't open the attachment, but Lisa has a post on parent concerns letters, including samples and many helpful tips at https://adayinourshoes.com/parent-concerns-on-the-iep-parent-letter-of-attachment/. Is there an IEP meeting already scheduled, or did you request an IEP meeting in the letter? Be sure to include data from private providers, preschool, community activities, etc. to support your requests. Good luck.

The public school district is required to consider the least restrictive environment for each child. Is the school the district has placed him in an out of district placement, or a different building within the same "home" public school system? What is the district's reasoning for placing him in a different school? What supports/services does he receive in the other building? Are they available at the home public school building?

Does your public district offer only AM or PM kindergarten instead of full day programs? Would she be doing PreK in the am & K in the pm? Would she receive a rest period, if you feel she needs that? Has she been doing PreK all day? What did the district say was their reason for choosing an out of district placement? IDEA requires that the team consider the least restrictive environment for each child. An out of district placement is a restrictive environment. What supports did or does she need that the district couldn't provide? Does she still need those supports? Does the district have the proper supports available in kindergarten?

In my state, schools get different funding from the state Dept. of Education based on the eligibility category. Here, schools get the most funding for autism/traumatic brain injury. I agree with @Carolyn Rowlett. Why is the district proposing the ED category? What's the district's interest in pursuing that instead of ASD?

Did the school threaten you with a consequence for not signing their draft IEP? If so, what was/is the consequence? What state are you in? Does your state require parent agreement of the IEP? My state only requires parent permission to evaluate & on the initial IEP. RIEPs do not require parent agreement/permission; the parent just has to be invited to attend IEP meetings. As to all the administrators attending your IEP meetings, as others have said, the people who attend the IEP meetings are supposed to have knowledge of the child, but, the school can even invite their superintendent if they want. Parents have no control over who on the school side attends an IEP meeting in my state anyway.

Schools don't want to have to replace broken personal iPads, however, like was asked above- how have they been ensuring that your child has access to the educational curriculum since your child began school? Did they complete an AT eval initially? I agree w/ Angela and I'd have a conversation with the teacher/support staff and let them know that this is what your child needs; you've provided it; and you'd appreciate them using it in the classroom. I've seen too many children go years without access to appropriate AT. If your child knows how to use the app, let the teachers know that and share success you've seen at home. If you have any friends in the tech office at your district, see if they can help you expedite their review. Another idea is be to reach out to the district's sped director and let them know that you've purchased this, your child needs this based on (whatever private evals/progress data/etc. you have), and that you'd appreciate their help doing anything they can to expedite the process. Sure, the process can take a long time, but if people want to help, things can sometimes happen quickly. You're simply asking for your child to be able to access their educational environment.

Have you talked with the school's OT? The school evals are supposed to cover all areas of concern, however, the school doesn't have to agree to recommendations in private evals. If I understand correctly, you've already paid for an independent eval and submitted that report to the district, correct? If so, they are supposed to "consider" the private report.