Get Your Child What They Need at an IPRC Meeting

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, FASD, growth mindset, Parenting, schoolTags:, , , ,

We recently attended an IPRC meeting and took another step in readying T for middle school.

IPRC stands for Identification Placement Review Committee and it is made up of at least three school board staff, including a principal and psychologist.

The meeting has three functions:

  • Identification: To decide if a student meets the Ministry of Education’s criteria for an exceptionality.
  • Placement: To determine the most appropriate school setting to help the student succeed, prioritizing regular classrooms before segregated special education classes.
  • Review: To review the student’s identification and placement at least once every school year to see if the supports are still appropriate.

Following an IPRC decision, the school is legally required to create an Individualized Education Plan.

Nature is the remedy. We went for a family hike to the Bluffs after work on Friday. T mentored a younger boy on how to pick seaglass.

Prep work is key to success

We’ve never attended an IPRC meeting and I’ve heard horror stories that describe it as a battle, with parents often walking away unhappy.

We were lucky that T’s special education support in his school keeps a watchful eye on him.

At a School Services Team meeting at the start of the school year in September, she recommended that T get a psychological assessment from the school board ahead of the IPRC.

Although T already has a FASD and ADHD diagnosis, received from an external organization, playing ball with the board goes a long way.

We’re thankful that T got his assessment in December – as waits could be lengthy – and the psychologist provided a recommendation for an exceptionality of a learning disability and for T to be placed in a regular school with supports.

The hubby and I were thrilled, because the new principal – whom we are not fond of and the feeling is mutual 😂 – keeps trying to get us to put T in an intensive support program.

The IPRC meeting was only 20 minutes, so the hubby and I wanted to be super prepared.

I also got IPRC advice from T’s tutor and his psychologist, as well my psychologist.

“You can do all the talking,” the hubby said. 😂

T found two blue seaglass, which is rarer.

We went into IPRC Guns A-Blazing

Our meeting was held virtually and I had my notes ready on another screen.

In addition to committee members, we were joined by T’s principal and teachers. His special education support could not join us.

The committee asked us to start the meeting with our remarks and I covered a few points:

  • T has many strengths, including being bright, funny, caring and good in sports.
  • Because of FASD and ADHD, T struggles with executive functioning, regulation, focus, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
  • He is able to achieve success because of supports the school has put into place since JK. He’s had a challenging year, because of changes to supports; I held back from saying it was due to the new principal.
  • I summarized the recommendations from the board’s psych assessment.
  • I read a testimonial provided by T’s special education support – and shared feedback from T’s tutor and psychologist.

The board psychologist then detailed the findings from the psych assessment. Then the committee shared their decision:

  • Identification – Exceptionality of learning disability
  • Placement – Regular classroom with withdrawal supports and in classroom support.
  • Review – Once a year

T’s middle school will then create an IEP in alignment with the IPRC’s decision.

We were thrilled. This is what we wanted for T. I almost stuck my tongue out at the principal.

We went biking Sunday morning and visited the geese and ducks. T fed them raw oats from the bulk store.

The day after IPRC, we visited T’s middle school and met with his new vice principal.

She also introduced us to the special education resource, who would be a support for T.

Coincidentally, T’s class visited the school at the same time as us, as part of the transition process.

T side eyed us, as he walked by us. Some of his classmates recognized us.

We held back from overdoing the hello. We didn’t want to cramp his style. He was getting to be that age after all.

This school year has not been a favourite one for our family. I still feel uncertain about middle school – but, as always, we’re taking it one day at a time.

With a successful IPRC, that is one positive hopeful step forward for T.

44 thoughts on “Get Your Child What They Need at an IPRC Meeting”

  1. I love the way you advocate for T. It is so remarkable! Your preparation – willingness to listen to experts – and your presentation. It takes so much time and energy but also that openness to lean in and deal with things. You are amazing. Every kid should have parents like you two. But I think you should have stuck your tongue out at the principal. I’m so glad that he’s set up for such a positive move into middle school. Yay!

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    1. Thank you Wynne. 😊 preparation, time, energy and openness – all the things that exhaust us as parents! 😂 But so worth it for the wins when they happen.

      13 more days of school for us. When do you wrap up?

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  2. Ab, congratulations. I am so happy to hear T will be able participate in the regular educational setting. It does often take so much to advocate, and it sounds like you were both prepared and supported. ❤️

    I also love that you didn’t want to “cramp his style” with his peer group. ❤️❤️

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  4. Wonderful to hear that the decision was what you were advocating and hoping for. Despite some roadblocks, it sounds like you had some key people in your corner, like T’s special education support. Let’s hope the vice principal is better than the principal! And hey, even though it was a tough school year, it’s almost over. And September is a whole new school year!

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    1. Thanks Linda. 😊 We’re truly blessed to have had the people in our corner during this quite frazzled year. Can’t wait till it’s over. 16 days to go.

      Hope you’re well and look forward to our rescheduled lunch this summer!

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  5. Hurrah! I love your point about preparedness. So important…including keeping one’s emotions in check. (I hope you were able to stick out your tongue away from the camera!) Cheers to terrific parenting, advocacy and laying the groundwork for other parents and caregivers to stay strong…resolved. xo! 💝💝💝

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    1. Thanks Vicki. Preparing helps calm my anxieties and channel them towards something productive. 😊There’s a future post dedicated to the principal – so stay tuned for the tongue sticking. 🤣

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    1. Thanks Gary. It’s nice to hear from you. I was going to send a search party for you.

      It’s a shame how difficult special education supports are for parents. So much bureaucracy and red tape – when the most vulnerable do not get the supports they need. I complain about ours but recognize that the UK is much more challenging. It should not be like this!

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  8. Hi AB, I’m so glad things went well! You were right to go into the meeting extra prepared (as you and hubby always are)! I’m sorry about the principal and hope they do NOT make things harder for any of you going forward. Can’t belive T is heading to middle school already! Best wishes!

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    1. Thanks Belle. Preparation helps us channel our anxiety into something productive. The principal is a piece of work and I can’t wait until they’re behind us! Hope you are enjoying the start to your summer! 😊

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  9. I feel so relieved to hear you got the outcome you were hoping for! Great work, Ab!! While I fully acknowledge I have no educational background, simply based on what you’ve shared about T, I think that a regular classroom with neurotypical kids and a few extra supports would be the best fit.

    Also, I can’t believe T is already at the age where he’s a little embarrassed to have his dads around! 😅 But also at an age (or maturity level) where he’s able to mentor and teach younger kids. He has such a good and kind heart, and clearly such great example to learn from in his life. 💕

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    1. Thanks Erin. We’re excited! The proof will be in the pudding this fall, so we shall see. Inclusion and integration are so important but they can only succeed if the right funded supports are in place.

      Yes, it’s kinda cute when kids enter the teen years and assert their independence. 😊

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      1. I hope it goes even better than you could imagine for T!

        It really is cute. They’re kids in so many regards, but also trying so hard to grow up and feel more independent. 😊

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  10. I am so happy it was a success! I would have stuck my middle finger up under the table at the principal. Lol. I hope all is well!!! I have taken a stap or 10 back from advocacy. After my husband’s stroke it just seemed appropriate to switch my focus to family. Not to mention not many want to hear from a 46 year old with FASD. there is a whole new generation coming up. Their stories are gonna give so many hope!

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    1. It’s always nice to hear from you, Rebecca. You’ve had a rough past while and it’s understandable and important that you focus on your husband and family. I enjoy seeing your updates on IG and hope all is well! 😊

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  11. This is GREAT NEWS! In spite of the school principal. AND an appropriate plan doesn’t “just happen,” – You and your hubby have paved the way for T’s success.

    Love the sea glass photo and that T is teaching a younger child.

    Congratulations! I look forward to reading about middle school milestones next year! My two grandsons are also entering middle school!

    I remember substitute teaching that age group 😵‍💫

    XOV

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    1. Thanks Vickie. I know you can relate with this journey. So much work but every win is worth celebrating! 😊

      I’m truly anxious about what middle school will bring but we can only take things one step at a time!

      Good luck to your grandsons. We’ll be each others support group.

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  12. Having worked in the school system for a long time, it is imperfect. If you don’t have a great relationship with the principal (so sorry she isn’t being more accomodating and welcoming), I would recommend you look for any other people from the school who seem easier to work with. That might be the vice-principal, psychologist, special education teacher, or other teachers. I know you will advocate for T as you should, but it’s also helpful to have others on board who you know have T’s best interests in mind. (Other staff may have the same opinion you do of the principal.) I worked for some fantastic principals, some duds, and some who should have been doing something else. Keep the school board and Superintendent too, as these people, in effect, are the principal’s boss. I wish T a successful transition next year.

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    1. Thanks Pete. I always look forward to your perspective as you get in from having been on the inside.

      We’ve been spoiled with great principals and this one this year has just been so sneaky and underhanded. I know I’m not the only one in the teacher and parent community that feels this way. Thankfully, we’ve had great longer standing relationships elsewhere in the school. 17 days to go before this chapter closes. 😊🙏

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  13. p.s. i love the pic of T helping the younger child with the seaglass. over and over again he seems to be a kid who thrives in nature, in hands-on experiences and helping others, a nurturer/teacher

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    1. Thanks Beth. T gets along so well with younger kids – as is common with children and youth with FASD. It definitely brings out his caring side. A nice contrast to some of the other moments we experience with him. 😊

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  14. this is such great news! you were so prepared and knew what you wanted for T, and i’m sure it shone through. such a great outcome and then meeting the new vp, who sounds so positive and supportive is a wonderful bonus. any school will be lucky to have T and your family as a part of it – well done

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    1. Thanks Beth. Preparation helps calm my anxiety. 🤣 I do feel optimistic about next year but the proof will be in the pudding. Let’s see how the fall and new year play out! 🙏

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      1. fingers crossed for all of you. i always felt that working with children was working with the whole family. a unit of love for this child.

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  15. So very glad for the family that things so far seem to be headed in the right direction. Those clashes with one person in leadership who believe they have the answers can be daunting so I’m thrilled you had your work covered and the team behind you in placing T where he needs to be Ab. Congratulations!
    My daughter found out that the school district here has rearranged their elementary/middle school set up. I’m not sure why it is the way it is currently but the new plan is K-5 and then middle 6-8 so my youngest grand will only have one more year at the elementary just down the block. In her case I think she’ll be fine but I’m wondering what the change will mean for others who perhaps are less prepared. Educational systems and there decision makers are so different than even when my kids were in school so I relish just being the grandma who doesn’t have to to contend with all of it 🙂

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    1. Thanks Deb. It’s been a bumpy year so we’ll appreciate all the wins we can get. 😊 I absolutely dislike this principal – for reasons I will detail one day. And ready to move on.

      I’m sorry to hear about the changes in your family’s own school structure. I’m a fan of the k-8 approach and I can see how this change is so disruptive to everyone. If it’s any consolation, the middle school transition will help prepare your grandkids for high school. And yes, it’s nice that you can observe with some distance!

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  16. Yay for T being placed in a regular classroom with supports! I’m continually amazed by how well-thought of the system is in Canada where assessments like this are an integral part of a child’s learning journey. If anything, in the end I think it is designed to help the students to succeed later in life, which is great. This is such good news, Ab. One good thing at a time!

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    1. Thanks Bama. 😊 Our school system is not perfect but there are many good qualities about the public education system. I know in many Asian countries, public schools have a different standard which is why so many families, if they are able to do so, send their kids to private schools. It makes me sad to think about the gaps are already pre determined so early on in a child’s life.

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  18. That sounds like an interesting principal.😁 I have faith that T will have a good middle school year. Hugs to him. I admire how hands-on you are to your son.

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