Hi Ellie! You are in the right place! My older son has SPD and anxiety. My younger son was just evaluated on Sept 13th but don't have written diagnosis yet. My older son has had an IEP/504 since 1st grade.

If you don't mind, I'll copy and paste my post from the school section in the general SPD area:


"Post: #2RE: IEP or 504 plan ?
I think my son actually has a 504 plan, but I always call it an IEP. I'm not really sure what the difference is because he's getting all the things he needs from school. I'm so incredibly happy with the resources he has gotten over the last 4-5 years.

In Kindy, the social worker worked with him in the classroom to model social behavior for him. (This was before a diagnosis and before a plan was in place.)

In 1st grade, his teacher, principal, social worker, OT, special education teacher met to discuss his needs and what plan would work best for him. The commotion at the start of the school day with kids coming in from their buses and putting away their backpacks really overwhelmed and upset him (having a meltdown), so they had an aide get him from the bus and take him to the playground for 5-10 minutes of swinging. By the time he got to the classroom, things had settled down and he could handle it. He had about 3 other motor breaks during the day. He would go to the OT room to do: mini trampoline, punching bag, wheelbarrows, sitting scooter thing, or other activity. End of day was overwhelming too so he'd go with an aide to either swing or read a story in the library. He also started having sessions with the Special Ed teacher.

That was the plan for 2nd grade as well, maybe fewer OT breaks during the day. The people I listed meet every 6 weeks to discuss all the kids with plans, see if things are improving, meeting their needs, not meeting their needs, what to change, what to keep. Then once a year hubby and I go to a meeting with them to review it all.

They did a full academic testing in maybe 1st or 2nd grade (??) to see how he learns, to work on an academic plan for him. He gets tested every 3 years.

I just noticed that I forgot to add that he continued to see the social worker twice a week to work on social behavior. I think it was in the classroom and in her office.
Lynn
mom to 2 boys, one avoider and one seeker

07-31-2011 09:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2010

Post: #3RE: IEP or 504 plan ?
Just wanted to add:

His plan changed as he got older. He got less and less OT and more academic help. He's great with math but his writing skills really needed help. He's slightly behind with reading but seems to be catching up, he's just about at grade level. His main issue is timed tests and activities. So he's allowed more time or untimed tests, like for the statewide mastery tests.

He continues to meet with the social worker to develop his social skills and to help with his anxiety."

Yes, definitely good to avoid triggers and plan ahead. Your son sounds a lot like my older son. Mine also has a hard time with transitions and changes. My son has been in social skills group since he was 7 or so. I highly recommend it once things get better. Your son is probably holding it together at school and letting it out at home. Hopefully once he gets settled in, his meltdowns will lessen.

I want to write more but I gotta go for now. I definitely want to ask YOU about picky eater!