So I had the IEP today for our daughter....

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Greetings to all.. Just wanted to share my IEP today at school. Our daughter ,18, is autistic with moderate MR. She attends a vocational program in the morning in the culinary arts and textiles services, then heads to the high school for her academic classes. She is a junior and we needed to discuss her next few years, if she wanted to continue til she was 21.. Much thought was put into this for her, and I told the staff that I wished for her to graduate next year as a senior, and begin a new chapter in her life. She will then receive transitional services, help her to get employment oppurtunities, etc. Her ELSA scores were between 6-7 out of 9, which is beyond the required 5 score, so she will be fine.. What struck me was how their heads shot up when I mentioned her to graduate next year. Her teacher said, "we'll have to get a cap and gown for her, we don't get many graduating", and the Vocational director said,"I commend you ", it was very positive feedback. I guess the way I am perceiving this is that most parents just keep their kids in school to keep them busy for 8 hours,unti they are 21 yrs. old, and even thought they may not progress more, it is one easier way to deal with them.. She has been in school since she was 2 and 1/2, with early intervention, she has learned enough of the abc's and 123's. She is going to be a reluctant reader, and we have both accepted that. But I see her as a positive member of society, and she is worthy of stepping into the workforce, meeting others, and helping her socialize more....Thanks for listening, I just wanted to share this...Peace.........

congrats to your daughter. What are her plans for after graduation?

Hi rushfanatic, congratulations on your daughters upcoming gradution. She sounds like a person who will be able to stay gainfully employed and have a good life. My cousin Louise had a form of Mental Retardation that I was told as a child involved incompatible blood types between her parents. She was 5 years older than me and after graduation she stayed employed with the same company for the rest of her life. I never got her appreciation for the Lawrence Welk Show but people like different things. One thing Louise did very well was to remember to get birthday cards to people in the family on time, every year. Unfortunately she got Cancer and died 3 years ago. Between my cousin and my niece's uncle on the other side of her family (Downs Syndrome), my experience is that MR people do get the same satisfaction from working and bringing home a paycheck as the rest of society. So I think your decision to get her graduated and a career started is a good one.

good for her! She sounds well driven and I hope all the best.