Last year at my son’s ARD, it was determined that he needed an assistive technology evaluation. One has not been done. I was told at the ARD that any questions concerning his IEP and related services should go through the resident school diagnostician. I’ve emailed the diagnostician at his school twice and have not received any response. I would like for the evaluation to be done as quickly as possible because I want him to begin using the technology. He has a Disorder of Written Expression and has entered seventh grade, where writing and note taking are very important for his academic success. I don’t want him falling behind. What should I do? What is my next step?
Also, he was found to have a severe discrepancy between IQ and achievement in math calculations, as well. Because he was working on level in mathematics and making all A’s and B’s, it was determined he would not receive any services for math. Since the ARD, however, he failed the state-mandated math test. I now am interested in his being assessed for AT for math, as well. How do I go about requesting this? Can I request this without an ARD to determine whether or not he is eligible for AT in math?
Finally, I think life would be a heck of a lot easier, if he was able to bring his laptop and a tape recorder from home. I am receiving opposition from the school on both of these, and I can’t figure out why. It’s no problem for them, and we do not expect for them to pay for the technology since we already own these things. Do I need to call an ARD to address these issues?
The school year has just begun, and I already am beginning to get frustrated, fearing I’m going to be fighting this school for the simplest, most obvious, of things. Ugh! HELP!