ARD meeting

If you aren't involved in the special education world, let me define a few things-
ARD meeting--conference that is required once a year to review your child's progress and need for special education services
IEP--individual education plan
SLP--Speech Language Pathologist

I've heard horror stories of awful ARD meetings, insensitive teachers and principals, deadbeat parents who don't show up for their kid's ARD.  Our ARD meetings for Dillon have never been like that.  Well, actually, we had a frustrating experience when he was 3 and wasn't getting the services he needed.  But, since we've been in the district in which we live now, they've been wonderful.  The teachers are rooting for his success.  The SLP loves him to death.  The Resource room/Content Mastery teacher treats him like her own son and he would rather spend all day in her room than anywhere else.  The principal is a professional who strives to do what is in Dillon's best interest. What a blessing to have good experiences!  There is good news and bad news.  Good news is that he is happy, engaging, shows a penchant for math, likes to participate in class, jokes with his teachers, and has a new friend. Bad news is that he has lost some ground in his speech development.  The good news about the bad news is that we have clearly documented regression in speech.  Sounds like an oxymoron huh?  This regression qualifies him for ESY(extended school year).  He will be able to receive speech 2 times a week in the summer.  He has never gotten this service and so we've had to pay out of pocket for private speech therapy every other summer.  My insurance will only pay for speech therapy if it resulted from traumatic injury, stroke, or acute illness that will improve in 2 months!  Kids born with a language disorder don't qualify-that is so unfair to these kids!!  Private speech is 50.00 for 30 minutes.  Do simple math and realize how quickly that adds up.  So, we are actually thrilled that she has documented regression.  He has also been diagnosed with Childhood Apraxia(on top of some other things).  This disorder is when children know in their mind what they are trying to say, but their brain to mouth pathway is not working correctly.  With this on his file, he should be able to get more help--like an iPad with language apps.  If anyone out there has a child with Apraxia, I'd love to hear from you.