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Peanut Allergy
You already know that if you or your child has a peanut allergy you need to avoid peanut butter. Some...
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Our district did not see any financial motivation for putting Mariah's LTFAs under IDEA. The then assist super. described it as "minimal". I'm not saying that's [i]accurate[/i] and it may be completely false. But I believe it is what my [i]SD believes[/i], FWIW.
They seemed more motivated by 'efficiency' and 'ease of administration' of the paperwork. Because Mariah had already qualified for IDEA with a learning disability, I think they were more motivated to include her LTFA as OHI since that system of paperwork was already in place.
The most convincing conversations I've had with my SD as to why LTFAs would qualify under IDEA OHI was when I compared LTFAs to some of the other 12 conditions that automatically qualified. For example, "orthopedic impairment" (not sure if that's the exact term used, forgive me if it isn't) is a qualifying condition. When I would ask, "How does 'orthopedic impairment' eafect a child's ability to learn?" it was pretty clear that "orthopedic impairment" isn't a learning disability per se, but rather a health condition that required accommodations to access the learning environment. Same with "blindness"~ it is the accommodations required that would effect that student's learning or not learning. So how is that any different than a food allergy that also requires accommodations to the school environment so that they may learn? The analogy is pretty straight forward.
While a light bulb or two seemed to turn on, the catch for them seemed to be the funding structure. . . that the accommodations required for LTFAs were not provided by 'special education'. (i.e. A fulltime school RN is not a "service" provided by "Special Education".) And that school nurses would not ever be funded via special ed.
But I think a 1:1 aide could be a different story t hough. For those of you who have a 1:1 aide, you'd have a strong argument for IDEA-OHI designation. You might want to find out how that aide is funded. If it is through special ed, then it would appear that they've already qualified your child under IDEA. If the aide is not funded though special ed, you could ask your school if it made sense for them to utilize the resources/aides via special ed instead of their own budget.
MB, I'm curious: Since 504 plans make accommodations to access the learning environment, do you think [i]all [/i] students/conditions that 'only' qualify under 504 should qualify under IDEA?
[This message has been edited by Gail W (edited August 18, 2007).]
Quote:Originally posted by Gail W:
[b]While a light bulb or two seemed to turn on, the catch for them seemed to be the funding structure. . . that the accommodations required for LTFAs were not provided by 'special education'. (i.e. A fulltime school RN is not a "service" provided by "Special Education".) And that school nurses would not ever be funded via special ed.
[/b]
That's an interesting mindset since my child endured an [i]out of district placement[/i] as designated in an IEP in order to obtain the [i]required[/i] services of a full time school nurse.
edit to add:
this is dated "2001" Might have changed, but I doubt it.
[url="http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/newsdig/nd16txt.htm"]http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/newsdig/nd16txt.htm[/url]
[b]"School Health Services
School health services under the IDEA '97 final regulations means "services provided by a qualified school nurse or other qualified person" [Section 300.24(b)(12)]. These services may be necessary because some children and youth with disabilities would otherwise be unable to attend a day of school without supportive health care. School health services may include interpretation, interventions, administration of health procedures, the use of an assistive health device to compensate for the reduction or loss of a body function (Rapport, 1996), and case management.
Typically, school health services are provided by a qualified school nurse or other qualified trained person who is supervised by a qualified nurse. In some instances, if a school nurse is not employed by a school district, health services may be provided and/or coordinated by a public health nurse, a pediatric home care nurse, or a hospital- or community-based pediatric nurse practitioner or specialist. States and local school districts often have guidelines that address school health services. State agency guidelines that address school health services for special health care needs may address staffing requirements, infection control, medication administration, nursing procedures, classroom modifications, transportation, and policies (Porter, Haynie, Bierle, Caldwell, & Palfrey, 1997).
Possible school health services include:
special feedings;
clean intermittent catheterization;
suctioning;
the management of a tracheostomy;
administering and/or dispensing medications;
planning for the safety of a student in school;
ensuring that care is given while at school and at school functions to prevent injury (e.g., changing a student's position frequently to prevent pressure sores);
chronic disease management; and
conducting and/or promoting education and skills training for all (including the student) who serve as caregivers in the school setting. "[/b]
GD: I am not offering advice, I do not guarantee the accuracy, currentness, content or applicability of the link in this post. IMMV. But why don't you think a school nurse can be a "related service" again?
[This message has been edited by The #l Mouser! (edited August 18, 2007).]
Quote:Originally posted by The #l Mouser!:
[b]But why don't [i]you [/i]think a school nurse can be a "related service" again?[/b]
I didn't state in my post that a school nurse was or wasn't a "related service". Frankly, I don't know if the position (school nurse) qualifies as a "related serice" or not. <> I think that in our previous discussions on this topic, I've stated that I thought that YES, a school nurse "should" qualify as a "related service". I mean, it makes sense [i]to me[/i].
What I was trying to communicate in my post is that the position of School Nurse is not funded by "special education" in our school district.
I was also trying to convery, that while it is reasonable to assume that my (or any) district would be financially motivated to either define the school nurse as a "related service" or to pursue removing school nurses' salaries from their budgets and seek their funding via "special education", my school district has not been financially motivated as such.
[This message has been edited by Gail W (edited August 18, 2007).]
Quote:Originally posted by Gail W:
[b]MB, I'm curious: Since 504 plans make accommodations to access the learning environment, do you think [i]all [/i] students/conditions that 'only' qualify under 504 should qualify under IDEA?[/b]
ATM, <<>> to you. You couldn't have said it any better had I been able to find the words myself. My comment on your post is "DITTO".
I was up until 5 this morning, most of that time I was working on 504 stuff, IHP for my other son, Food Allergy Fact sheets for both my boys...... and I just finished talking with DH about what we needed to be ready for school.
On our to do list:
Medical kit bags
Epibelt
Benedryl
Epipens
Wipes to supply for class
Wipes to put in lunch bags, backpacks, etc.
New photos to attach to Emergency Action Plans
Copies of Allergy info for classes
etc., etc. etc........
I told DH that I wished our list was just about new shoes and shirts. If we forgot to get enough pairs of socks or didn't get an extra shirt our kids couldn't end up dead on their first day..... if they go.
How many other parents out there get to have that be their "Back to School" ritual? How many others even have to talk about the ins and outs of whether it will even be possible for their child to attend the first day to begin with?
I'm tired. Lots to do.
But....... again:
[b]It's okay, Jesse's not getting a cupcake because his parents have sent in a safe treat box and he'll be getting something wonderful (reading from what is included in some special treat boxes by parents here) or what I probably would have provided had I ever done so - a box of Smarties. So no, Jesse's okay. He's not doing without. He has something. I can gobble my cupcake now.
I can hand out the cupcakes now because I know that Jesse will get something else. I can keep baking cupcakes and bringing them into the classroom (although it says no food or peanut free food or whatever requirements) because I know the PA kid has a special treat box.
Sorry, you give each and every one of them an out!
[i]I don't know how to make this any clearer.[/i][/b]
Yes. Ditto.
And:
[b]Sadness about old threads I re-raised, gvmom, a lot of which would be personal, but what struck me the most was the PASSION I had with regard to sorting this stuff out. And being capable of having other people call or e-mail me and help them out (as I was helped by others).
However, I do think that that passion (which I do not think can be replaced), in my son's earliest school years, has made some stuff easier for my guy. He knows what's *right* and *wrong* as far as exclusion and will speak up about it (even that BENCH).[/b]
Another, yes. My personal sadness with this journey I know isn't near the same as what yours is... given all that you've had to go through and continue to personally... but I worry about the passion. I have it... and then I don't. It is a wax and wane. I think if I had more support in life it might make things go on a more even keel. It is just not to be though. My resignation to that reality is what deflates me many times. Showing my children what is right and wrong, taking a stand, living according to the principles you espouse.... those are things that re-energize me.
Self preservation will help motivate them through their lives, but I'd like to think that they'd end up with a passion for it, finding their inner advocate. I think that can end up being a much more positive force in a persons life.
But what do I know?
Is Claremont close to you, gvmom?
[url="http://www.claremont-courier.com/pages/Topstory081807.2.html"]http://www.claremont-courier.com/pages/Topstory081807.2.html[/url]
Even if it isn't... there are public cybercharters operating in your area, I'm pretty sure. Feel free to e-mail me if you are interested.
([i]IF[/i] ... and I do hope it doesn't come to that for you.... [i]IF[/i] safety simply cannot be had in a B+M setting at any cost. Hey-- sometimes it happens, and it just doesn't matter how many things you do right, you can't make all the school's 'wrongs' go away. Look at what happened to b+bmom last year.)
I've wondered if I don't have bipolar problems sometimes.... Jeez- sometimes I just want to curl up on my sofa with a cup of coffee and stare out the window I feel so tired of dealing with it all.... and other times I'm spitting fire, making my sandwich boards up in my mind, writing letters to elected officials, fighting for inclusion at all kinds of public places, and planning to picket the governor's office personally for as long as it takes... LOL! I guess what I'm saying is that fighting 'the man' takes it out of you in ways that you don't always anticipate or see coming.
I was sadly considering my own pathetic 'back to school' ritual the other day, as well... (while on hold with someone) and thinking fondly of truly homeschooling again. Kind of. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img]
{{hugs}} gvmom.
Gail, Claremont isn't near me, but a neighboring district did decide to no longer dispense peanut butter. Can't really think of all the details right now, but it was along the lines of the Saluda thing.... right.... schools shouldn't be giving out the PB because it shouldn't be giving out a substance that could kill it's students..... or something like that.
And you know, CM, I did look into cyber schools after reading one of your threads I think it was. Anyway, the one that I thought sounded like a winner didn't serve my area. *WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA*
Thanks for the hugs too. I need them today. We decided to try PB on our younger guy, so that if he really was allergic the first reaction wouldn't be at school. (RAST & skin tests have been negative)
Anyway, we are all set up outside. Dogs on leashes, older DS (PA/TNA) nervousing at a safe distance away. We start with a bit on his skin first. Get through that. I'm wiping off his arm -- and I have to say, for those that say they are careful who don't live with PA, or even do but allow PB & such, forget about it. I could have been proceeding with such caution an outsider would have thought I was dealing with a caustic material. I wiped his arm not thinking I even touched any of the small smear with my finger, only the kleenex, but when I opened the wipe to wipe the area, lo and behold some PB came off of my index finger onto the wipe! Had I not touched that wipe directly after doing what I had done, I never would have thought I got PB on my finger, let alone enough to leave the visible mark on the wipe. Pretty wild.
So, what's the point? I move to step 2. Give a miniscule amount for ingestion. No sooner had we given him that then our older son happened to be near a plant and gets stung by a bee for the first time!!!! He's freaking a bit... but the rest of us are all immersed in the PB process! UGH! (BTW, it is ironic that his younger brother also got stung for the first time earlier this week. I guess we are working our way through the allergen list this week. Even more ironic if it lets us know some key info for being at school only for them not to be able to go! HA HA HA HA *laughing hysterically* *losing my mind*)
So, all in all, today went okay with the PB test. We will give him another bit tomorrow to see. I was concerned about some small little spot of excema on his cheek, which I thought changed color a bit. DH didn't think it did. For me it could have been one of those things like what happens if you look at your eyebrows too long in the mirror. Instead of looking nicely shaped, they start to look like caterpillars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I can sense that I'm rambling on now. I'm sure anyone reading is getting the gist... of something... and if you figure out what it is, let me know.
I think I might go look into that staring out the window with a cup of coffee thing.............
My August is a tense month. I am getting ready for this problem too. My child goes to a Waldorf school and birthdays are more of a celebration than you know. It is totally sweet. The children each are asked to bring in a flower for the birthday child or a gift from nature. (a good non - food idea). They also all color a page for a birthday book for the child. The child wears a silk cape and lights a candle and their birth story from age 0 to five is read to the class. The parents are there and they then serve that dreaded b-day treat. I let my kid eat it this year and we did okay but I am aghast at how risky it was when I think of all the people who did not call me and the misunderstandings there were about the allergy.
I can just about forget insisting on ingredient labels. EVERYTH-
ING is homemade, organic. They'd run in horror from processed foods from the store.
So, I was wondering if they could change the treat to cupcakes made and decorated in class. That way the ingredients would be controlled. Just a thought. Parents could bring fruit and cheese? Could the birthday cake be a class project? Not every class has an oven but ... its a thought. I hope my teacher does not take the suggestion the wrong way.
I can forget non food treats -- stickers and tatoos are banned. I don't think every parent is up to knitting and carving for twenty kids.
But maybe some of you who would like non-food treats could suggest the nature gift. In the winter they'd get evergreens and dried flowers, sticks with pretty stones glued on and the occasional rose from the florist -- it did make a stunning gift.
Well, I geuss I'd opt for a treat box. I did not this past year because I cannot stand for my child to be excluded. However, he still heard a ton about his allergy, was teased some, and is preoccupied with it. Even if he can have the cupcake --- the darned thing is still always there. Still -- what child wants to be left out.
People cannot let go of the cupcake because face it - we all relive our own childhoods through our children -- and arent they supposed to get cupcakes in school on their birthdays, darn it?
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