Cookeville,Reaching out to Special Needs Parents (low income, appointed)

[GermanMom]

Hello,First of all a big Thank You to all the Helpfull and Nice People on this Forum that take the time to inform us folks seeking to move to TN.When I first started out here I had no Clue in what Area/Town to move,that could fitt my family situation the most.In reading all posts I was able to get information about all the possible candidates I had in mind and Cookeville is very much in my favor.Although I was able to get very many general infos about Schools,Cost and Quality of living,there is still one thing I would like to have Parents Views that also have Special Needs Children like us.
We have a son diagnosed PDD-NOS he is eight years old,currently in 2nd grade with a sunny deposition(most times) that has also a tendensy to wander off if not properly watched,and another Son with ADHD in 7th grade.
Since this will be a permanent move anything you could share with me like experiances with Elementry,Middle and Highschools,possibilities for College,Special Programms that might be out there,Supportgroups or anything else that you can think of I might not mentioned, would be very much appreciated.Since we retiring from the military our primary medical injurance will be Tricare and I understand a VA Hospital is in the area general info about weather they have Doctors specialized in the Special Needs Area would also be helpfull.
Thank You,God Bless
MoM of 3 from Germany

[gemkeeper]

Originally Posted by GermanMom

Hello,First of all a big Thank You to all the Helpfull and Nice People on this Forum that take the time to inform us folks seeking to move to TN.When I first started out here I had no Clue in what Area/Town to move,that could fitt my family situation the most.In reading all posts I was able to get information about all the possible candidates I had in mind and Cookeville is very much in my favor.Although I was able to get very many general infos about Schools,Cost and Quality of living,there is still one thing I would like to have Parents Views that also have Special Needs Children like us.
We have a son diagnosed PDD-NOS he is eight years old,currently in 2nd grade with a sunny deposition(most times) that has also a tendensy to wander off if not properly watched,and another Son with ADHD in 7th grade.
Since this will be a permanent move anything you could share with me like experiances with Elementry,Middle and Highschools,possibilities for College,Special Programms that might be out there,Supportgroups or anything else that you can think of I might not mentioned, would be very much appreciated.Since we retiring from the military our primary medical injurance will be Tricare and I understand a VA Hospital is in the area general info about weather they have Doctors specialized in the Special Needs Area would also be helpfull.
Thank You,God Bless
MoM of 3 from Germany

Germanmon, I know that having a child with a learning disability is very difficult and having two does indeed double the frustration and concern.

In the US, there are several government programs in place to assist children with ADHD and PDD-NOS, as well as other learning handicaps. I can speak for some of these programs having taught school as a Title I teacher and later as a Leave No Child Behind educator. More importantly, there is the Right to Equal Education Act - all of these being federal programs and schools must comply to continue to receive federal monies for their system.

Individuals from particular areas, particularly Cookeville where you are planning to move, would be better qualified to make recommendations as to which schools have a good track record for providing the necessary services for their LD/ADHD students.

Any child who has been properly diagnosed either by the school district's psychologist, or an approved psychologist of your choice or any specialist approved for this diagnosic testing, is by law entitled to an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). This plan may include tutoring within the classroom, tutoring at a time sceduled outside of the classroom, special seating arrangements, assistance with note taking (such as a tape recorder, assistance from a tutorer with note taking, etc.), additional time if needed to complete complex assignments, additional time and perhaps a quiet separate area for taking exams, etc. The IEP team appointed by the school district (usually child's classroom teacher, school psychologist, resource teacher, or special eduacation teacher and any other specialist that may have expertise with your child's difficulty) will devise the IEP. They then must have a meeting with the child's parents, go over the IEP, make any changes that will better accommodate the child's needs, and be approved by all, including the parents.

The most important thing for you to realize is that you are your child's most important advocate!! I cannot stress enough how important it is that when you have a special needs child that you stand up and make yourself be heard if you do not believe your child is getting the help that he needs and so deserves. No child should be denied a sound, equal and outstanding education because he has to learn with a different set of modalities from the average student.

Generally, the classroom teachers that I have worked with professionally and as a parent of 2 ADD sons have been excellent. If you feel that your child has not been placed with a teacher who is able or willing to extend him or herself to accommodate your child, ask to have your child put in another classroom that will allow him the splendid experience of success.

Title I specifically targets children of families with low incomes. I don't know if you would be in that arena or not, but the income limits are available from your school district. The necessary forms and requirements for any of the federally sponsored programs are available through your school counselor's office or directly from the School District main office. Take firm advantage of any program that your two children qualify for and follow up frequently (most programs require parent conferences and reviews several times during the school year).

Again, ADVOCATE for your child. He is too precious to be left behind and unnoticed. The very best to you. Some of this passionate post may get cut - I apologize to the moderator for being so lengthy. There is so much more information available to you on U.S. government education websites. Scour them, Germanmom, so that you will be well educated on what is available to you. Your children will do just fine. They have a loving mom backing them up!

[GermanMom]

Thank you gemthornton,for your replie. Our son had an IEP since he was 3,but things are different when you work with the military speciallywhen you stationed over seas,since we will retire I was told EDIS will no longer provide for my son and we will be on our own once in the States and have to take matters up with the schooldistricts there.Kinda scary for me as I have no Idea how things work in the States.We been here for 6 years and I received services here since my son was 2. And yes you right you have to be your childs advocate I've learned that in the past six years,in school I've already have a Rep for not taking No as an answear if it doesn't benefit my sons.I will dig ,nag,have meetings,untill I get a working solution one way or another.My sons Special Needs Teacher always made sure to educate me in my rights, when her hands were tight in some matters she'd guide me in what steps I had to take and who I'd have to talk too to get matters resolved.She makes sure all her students get the best education and nurturing.When I was very Ill and theDoctors said I should not drive because it would not be safe,and my Husband is deployed,she had my son bussed from my Home to School the next day even though we're to provide transportation giving we only live 2 miles away. :-)) to this day I have no Idea how she pulled that one,but it was a relief not having to worry how to get him to school.So my kids don't just have a LovingMom to back them up but also a Loving Caring Teacher and Aid.

[gemkeeper]

You certainly have the knowledge now, Germanmom, to use the systems available to you here, stateside. It sounds like you have had access to very similar services there in Germany as you will here. Are your boys going to a base school? If so, they are probably under the same education mandates as any US school.

You have indeed very fortunate to have such a wonderful Special Needs teacher for you son. It has been my experience that when it comes to teachers involved in special education, whether for gifted, learning disabled, ED students, etc., as a group they tend to be very gifted teachers. It is not the easiest profession that they could have chosen - and they certainly are doing it for the money! - and they do choose it. They must be accredited to teach special needs students and that in itself takes a lot of effort and expense.

I think it is the thrill of seeing a child who has been floundering, overlooked and educationally neglected blossom and develop an enthusiasm for learning that the youngster has never had before, that really keeps these teachers inspired. I find that the special needs teachers that I have worked with and have known have been kind, empathic and resourceful individuals. Just what every child needs, but particularly a child with a special need.

I am sure that there are some on the forum who will guide you toward those schools in the Cookeville area that have excellent teachers in place who will be wonderful with your children.

You know about advocacy and know about your children's right for an equal and complete education. So, you are well on your way. From all of the posts that I have seen on the forum Cookeville is a well-loved area and I hope that you will love it, too.

Best of everything to your family and our prayers will be with your deployed husband as well as the rest of the family. Enjoy your upcoming retirement from the military.

[GermanMom]

just wanted to let everyone know we arrived in Cookeville and everything seems to fall in place.Schools are great,found a Supportgroup and getting a feel of the area Thanks for everyone out there for there great advise

[Travelingal2]

Welcome to Coookeville, Germanmom and family!