ARD - advice needed

We're getting ready for our ARD* meeting on the 18th. I'm attending a sort of "getting ready for your first ARD" training session next week.

Our OT (last visit, so sad) told me that if Kira starts in the blended class, to request that we have an OT monitoring Kira's progress periodically. (Assuming that Kira isn't offered OT, initially.) Laurie said that whenever we have an ARD, to make sure that we have concrete reasons for requesting various therapies, rather than just saying that we want OT (or whatever). Specifically, she said that we should request that Kira be monitored for hand strength, hand skills (grasp patterns, bilateral skills), and self help skills (eating, dressing herself, etc).


Brenda left this comment on an earlier post: Be sure to keep notes and documentation on/about all the ARDS.......keep copies of everything, phone calls, etc. You never know when you might need that data. (Thank you, Brenda!)


Beth recommended visiting classes to see what we feel the best fit for Kira would be. (Thank you, Beth!)

I'd love any advice anyone else wants to share about being prepared for the ARD. I don't anticipate having problems. I just want to be ready!

Thanks, y'all!

*ARD Meeting (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) - Annual review of a student’s special education program that includes an update of the student’s progress, a review of the current Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and development of a new IEP for the upcoming year.