My daughter & I are both dyslexic & we have LD- learning disabilities.My daughter also has SPD sensory processing disorder more specifically visual processing disorder.We took her to a developmental specialist and had her independently evaluated she was diagnosed with LD when she was five.I had an IEP (individual education plan) all through school.When my daughter was in kindergarten towards the end of the year she was evaluated through school  for an IEP.She didn’t meet the criteria the  discrepancy formula and did not qualify. I was very unhappy & unsatisfied with that out come. I mentioned this to another mom & she said – That’s good right?- that means she’s ok. No it didn’t. It was not ok because my daughter couldn’t identify all the letters in the alphabet at the end of her kindergarten year let alone read.
I didn’t expect that response from that mom and it made me think a lot & I understood my own perspective & why I had it so much more than before.I saw an IEP as  insurance-a safety net-a guarantee even that my educational needs would be met. That I would have the help accommodations & modifications that I needed and I always did.Did I need to advocate for myself to insure that -absolutely.I had always had an IEP all through school.We moved a lot I went to many schools & my IEP was constant.Of course I was re evaluated over the years details changed goals were met but I never fazed out..there was always a discrepancy I always had an IEP.So naturally when I saw similarities in  my struggle to learn  and how my daughter was struggling with learning.I knew what I needed to do.Take her to a specialist & request an evaluation at school and that’s exactly what I did. Our family was on a six month waiting list to see the specialist. When the appointment arrived the Dr. agreed that she needed to be evaluated.Many diagnoses were discussed & given along with referrals to other specialist.All the while I was communicating with the school about our concerns.Back to when she was evaluated& didn’t qualify for the IEP.We continued to take her to see the specialist& made sure her teachers were aware that she was receiving services outside of school.She was re evaluated the following year to changes in her vision& in my opinion her SPD / visual processing disorder becoming more of an issue in the class room.She qualified for an IEP there was a discrepancy.I remember the relief I felt when we signed the IEP.I had hope that they could finally address her educational needs.Her progress was slow but her determination was a powerful force.When she had teachers & paras she could trust & bond with she wouldn’t give up no matter how hard she struggled.The summer before third grade boundaries changed in our district and our kids had to change schools.We enrolled her in a special program for kids with LD not covered by health insurance recommended by her specialist that we had been taking her to sense kindergarten.It was a costly endeavor but we knew if we didn’t try everything possible to help her learn that her self-esteem & future would be negatively affected.Most importantly I wanted to instill in her that she was deserving of any and all help she needed. The special program did help her confidence and prepared her to continue trying to learn to read no matter how hard it was.Her 3rd grade year was her most successful up to that point and her determination continued to grow. She had a teachers and para’s who understood her and who enjoyed having her as a student. She also had a special education team who also understood her and she bonded with. For my daughter all of those things fitting together was SO important to her having a sucessful transition to a new school.My hope for her continued to grow as well.Fourth grade came along with more unexpected changes. A new special education teacher and IEP team members.My daugter liked her new special education teacher but she wasnt always sure that her new sped teacher understood her and what her needs were.I continued to encourage my daughter to communicate and self advocate and she did.Fourth grade as a whole was a challenge for various reasons and on many levels not much change was made as far as her LD/ dyslexia and reading ability was concerned.She grew very frustrated with the amounts of homework. Even with accommodations & modifications she was bringing home on average 14 pages a week and no more time to complete the home work than other students.Emails were sent meeting were scheduled without much change.That summer appointments were made for her with more specialist & doctors.Fifth grade started and everything was going well.She was coming home happy. She had less home work and for  our daughter and our family  in turn had less stress.She had a teacher who instantly understood her and she bonded with.I was so relieved and happy.As her mother I felt like she and I were finally in a place where her education/ special education was concerned  we both could relax.Parent teacher conferences were scheduled & we found out the most amazing news.Her reading level that had been at a stand still had taken off not a little a lot.At the end of 4th grade she had been at a 3rd grade reading level.Her reading level had jumped to a 5th grade level- 2 years growth! I teared up I pinched myself I was in awe – I always knew the spark was there – I never doubted she could get where she needed to be. My concern had always been would we find the right educators, the right tools the right approach to help her? Proud doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt. I told my daughter how awesomely amazing she was! I hugged her teacher- every person at the conference was beaming! In my own mind I was wondering what this would mean for her future…her problems with spelling,her executive functioning and processing issues hadn’t disappeared.Her need for accommodations & modifications hadn’t left on a permanent vacation. She was succeeding and her confidence was growing and that was absolutely wonderful. What was far from wonderful was the uncertainty that I felt.In the state where we live the (out dated in my opinion) discrepancy formula is still used to determine who qualifies for and IEP.If the discrepancy is no longer found when my daughter is re evaluated even though she has a SLD (specified learning disability/Dyslexia) how I understand it she will no longer qualify for an IEP.Worry concering this fact has been fueling anxiety in my heart and mind ever since.I’ve tried my best to compartmentalize it to the back of my mind and remind myself that it is not in front of us yet.for the most part Ive been able to remember that and keep the worry at bay. Here we are towards the end of her 6th grade year several times a year certain test are given for reading.Last week my daughter comes home and tells me that she is very concerned because she took a reading test on the computer that day and felt like she wasnt sucessful.She couldnt de code words and ran out of time to complete the test.I tell her not to worry and to advocate for herself by telling her special education teacher her concerns.that following day she brings home information about the test and how she did.  Her worry was unnecessary she had made vast improvements and her reading level had advanced. It was wonderful news on one hand and concerning news on the other on how it could affect her IEP.She had another unrelated issue at school that I sent an email about. Her special education teacher called to check in about and discuss my daughters progress and upcoming parent teacher conferences. When I got off the phone my heart was full of gratitude and I had an even greater appreciation for my daughters special education teacher.I think at least for now we are at a point where-my daughter and our family can pause the special education IEP rollercoaster and enjoy the beauty of her acheivements.