[freeeee]

you've got to go through an IEP if you want special services.

Why? And she isn't asking for services. She's providing her own.

[johnfrink]

Services includes the school making some sort of accomodation for the girl. A dog in class is going to be a HUGE distraction to a class of 7 year olds, and that needs to be dealt with. A girl at my wife's school is blind and has to have an aide with her to help her with braile. She needed an IEP for that, even though it just meant that she'd have someone sitting next to her most of the time.

This is just the mom trying some sympathy ploy to not have to go through what every other family in this situation has to go through.

Unfortunately, the press eats this up and makes it look like the big mean school is the one at fault. But it's the mom who thinks that the rules don't apply to her who should be blamed.

[pop-aye]

you've got to go through an IEP if you want special services.

"Why? And she isn't asking for services. She's providing her own."

If I am correct, one of the primary reasons for filling out an IEP is so that the school can get "special" (title 1 or chapter 1 iirc) funds for providing services.

It is always useful to follow the money.

[luckystarmom]

She is asking for special services. Any accomodation is a special service. Having the dog in the classroom is a special service.