To add to what Beth said (and Beth or somebody correct me if I'm wrong
here), there's some place also called "Protection and Advocacy" which offers
free conciliations to anyone with a disability and/or their family members
to learn about rights and basically to friendly look out for them.  I have
worked with mine here before with different issues, and I'm sure if they
were asked to, they would go accompany a parent to their child's IEP.
Speaking of IEP's, that's also one of your parental rights, you can invite
somebody to accompany you to the meeting.  But however I would suggest
taking somebody respectable and not a lawyer.

Thanks,
Anthony

Visit me at http://www.ara1.net
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Elizabeth H. Thiers
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2002 2:58 PM
  Subject: Re: Living On Own


  Kimberly, Pardon me for butting in.  Do you live in America?  There is
this
  thing called the IDEA and it's not if the therapist's are interested in
  self-help skills.  Your child needs them to access his school environment
  (lunch room, rest room, etc)  you bet ya you can get this as an IEP goal.
  The goals can be small but, they can be part of the IEP, don't let them
talk
  you out of it.

  beth t the OT

  -----Original Message-----
  From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
  [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Kimberlee Ames
  Sent: Saturday, April 06, 2002 1:05 PM
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Subject: Re: Living On Own


  Dear Pam,

  I was very interested in your response to Kathy Jo's request, and I hope
you
  don't mind me asking, but I would really like to know who helped you with
  learning how to do the things that you are able to do.  Did a therapist
  teach
  you, or your parents?  I know this sounds like an odd question, but I have
a
  4 year old, and he has severe spastic quad CP/dystonia, and I would like
to
  help him be as functional as possible.  He cannot currently feed himself,
  transfer himself, etc.  The school therapists don't seem that interested
in
  teaching him self-help skills, and I was wondering if I should try and
  locate
  an outside therapist who can start working with him on that.  He is very
  motivated, just limited physically.  We are currently working on finding
  ways
  for him to communicate with assistive technology also.  Thanks for your
  help.

  Kimberlee, mom to Stefan (4) and Alex (9)