Anyone here have a child who was with RCOC in Orange County, CA?

Question

We live in Orange, CA and my son is currently with ACES under the Regional Center. In January he will turn 3 so pretty soon we will start the process to begin with the school district. Is there anyone here who is going through it right now? I'm wondering approx. how many hours my kid might be getting at the school and any details or advice you might have to offer.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I work under IRC (Inland Regional Center) in Riverside County (next door to you).  Typically, the kids in our jurisdiction receive 4 days of 3 hour classes.  At our center, we offer every day except Wed (prep day).  It is a whole different program when you move from RCs and IFSPs to school districts and IEPs.  It can be really confusing, as well as less informative and personal.  Of course, the SELPAs can change the amount of hours you are allotted, depending on the specific needs of your child.  Is your child attending a preschool that specializes in children with special needs?  Are they giving you an SLP (Speech Language Pathologist), OT (Occupational Therapist) or PT (physical therapy) to be done in-house (at the preschool) or at another site?  Are there other related services that your child requires?  All this will determine the hours that your child receives.  Push for what you want... your child's best advocate is YOU, so sign the IEP with changes if you want them.  You don't have to sign it at all if you are not happy with what they offer you.  Believe me, the school districts will try to get away with offering your child as little as is necessary.  Legally, they only have to provide "an appropriate education"- now what this means to you, and what it means to the number-crunching, dollar-watching school district may be quite different.  I recommend you educate yourself on the IEP process so that you will know all your child's rights.  Here is a great book that really helped me understand it: The Complete IEP Guide 5th Edition by NOLO and Attorney Lawrence M. Siegel.  (about $35 from Barnes and Noble)   Good luck!

Answer 2

No, sorry, if you tell people what RCOC is than they will respond.