I think it's an excellent idea. Remember, too, that it's your meeting. They typically follow an informal format and all you have to do is ask for a moment to say something. The accommodations will be addressed a bit later in the meeting, and you will have the opportunity to agree or disagree with them. Good Luck!! 

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Shelle, 49 in So Cal - stressed - Celexa 20mg, Xanax 0.5mg rarely as needed
Mom to Rachel, 12 - BP, anxiety, ADHD (or maybe not) - Lamictal 150mg am+Seroquel 50mg am/200mg early pm, Modified schedule in public at end of last school year / Hoping for placement in therapeutic school for the fall
We also have Birdie, the love bird - she bites; and Velvet, the kitten - she does too

Thanks. I know I'm freaking myself out over this and I really do believe they are on my side and also want whats best for my dd.  Somehow its a much bigger deal to me than her ongoing treatment.  Maybe because I know that it is an element of her life that we can control a bit?

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Karenj

Self: as sane as I can be everyday
A - DD (17yo) well adjusted, high functioning, motivated, successful, waiting patiently to go away to college
M - DD (13yo) Mood Disorder NOS (dx 4/2011) ADHD (dx 2nd grade), dumb high IQ, mainstream education with 504 only but failing miserably, Abilify 10mg and Equetro 100mg evenings, Concerta 36mg before school
BF - Live in boyfriend of 5 years, supportive and learning more every day
EX - Ex-husband, divorced since 2002, family history of bipolar, unpredictable and sometimes raging

Maybe; you do have some control over this and it is important. But don't freak yourself out too much. I do that a lot and it'f often counter-productive. It might not even be a bad idea to wait and see what accommodations they offer before limiting yourself to what you're asking for. If what you want isn't offered, you can always ask for it to be added. 

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Shelle, 49 in So Cal - stressed - Celexa 20mg, Xanax 0.5mg rarely as needed
Mom to Rachel, 12 - BP, anxiety, ADHD (or maybe not) - Lamictal 150mg am+Seroquel 50mg am/200mg early pm, Modified schedule in public at end of last school year / Hoping for placement in therapeutic school for the fall
We also have Birdie, the love bird - she bites; and Velvet, the kitten - she does too

Yeah I have that in my strategy - see what they offer and then make sure they didnt miss anything from what I think she could use.  My opening remarks are more of an over view of my dd - strengths, challenges, and hopes for the long term future.  It also points out that she would not have been as successful as she has been without accomodations that were provided by caring teachers who saw her as an individual who needed help.  Teachers who went beyond their requirements to work with her on a daily basis.  And that at this point I want to document those accomodations so that she can continue to thrive as she struggles with her emerging illness.

Thanks for you help.  And calming.  :)

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Karenj

Self: as sane as I can be everyday
A - DD (17yo) well adjusted, high functioning, motivated, successful, waiting patiently to go away to college
M - DD (13yo) Mood Disorder NOS (dx 4/2011) ADHD (dx 2nd grade), dumb high IQ, mainstream education with 504 only but failing miserably, Abilify 10mg and Equetro 100mg evenings, Concerta 36mg before school
BF - Live in boyfriend of 5 years, supportive and learning more every day
EX - Ex-husband, divorced since 2002, family history of bipolar, unpredictable and sometimes raging

Whew.  She was granted an IEP and I was given the option of keeping her in her current school with eveery available support or transfering her to a theraputic school.  I chose to keep her where she is and explore the possibility of transferring the following year for high school.  We still have to work out the details of the specific accommodations, but I am so relieved that she qualified.  I am pretty sure they will grant me whatever I ask for - within reason - and they told me to keep requesting meetings if it doesn't seem to work.

I hope everything works out as well for you.

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Karenj

Self: as sane as I can be everyday
A - DD (17yo) well adjusted, high functioning, motivated, successful, waiting patiently to go away to college
M - DD (13yo) Mood Disorder NOS (dx 4/2011) ADHD (dx 2nd grade), dumb high IQ, mainstream education with 504 only but failing miserably, Abilify 10mg and Equetro 100mg evenings, Concerta 36mg before school
BF - Live in boyfriend of 5 years, supportive and learning more every day
EX - Ex-husband, divorced since 2002, family history of bipolar, unpredictable and sometimes raging

 That is great news Karen! I hope it all works out. I haven't had my IEP scheduled yet ... still waiting to hear from the district once they receive the report from DMH. I did tour one therapeutic school however. The director there made it clear that if you discover after a few weeks or however long, that your first choice doesn't turn out to be everything you hoped, you have the option of changing your mind. It's really great that you have a backup plan built into your IEP - congratulations :)

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Shelle, 49 in So Cal - stressed - Celexa 20mg, Xanax 0.5mg rarely as needed
Mom to Rachel, 12 - BP, anxiety, ADHD (or maybe not) - Lamictal 150mg am+Seroquel 50mg am/200mg early pm, Modified schedule in public at end of last school year / Hoping for placement in therapeutic school for the fall
We also have Birdie, the love bird - she bites; and Velvet, the kitten - she does too

Karenj -- congratulations on a positive outcome and being a great advocate for your child!

We ended up in therapeutic day schools, but we did it in stages too and I personally feel that's the way to go as if it is possible to stay in the home district, that is preferable.  However, you are fortunate that your school district gave you a choice!  Recently, that hasn't been happening too often.  I hope it all works out for you and your dd too.

Joan

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Joan in CA
Co-Moderator of Dual Diagnosis/Substance Abuse group with Becky
Family Response Team Volunteer
Link to my bio: http://www.bpkids.org/user/29354
To support CABF, go to https://www.bpkids.org/donate