Detention at Recess

Do your schools use detention at recess for students who are having trouble sitting still in class?  It may be time to take a look at some alternatives that allow these students to burn off some energy or to step back from whatever conflict or frustration they are locked into with the teacher or fellow students to regroup or regulate themselves. 

Many times, classroom teachers fall back on detention when the IEP team has not give the teacher guidance about what methods of redirecting or disengaging work with a particular student and allow the teacher to teach all the students in class.

When you are assessing, modifying or designing an IEP, keep in mind what the classroom teacher needs to know about this student in order for both of them to successfully work together to provide FAPE.

Preparing Special Education students for emergencies

Some students with disabilities have anxiety about changes.  Emergencies like fire, flood, earthquake can be very stressful for students with disabilities both because of the sudden changes to routine, and because of the dangers, and because teachers and aides can be in a hurry to get students moved from one setting to another. 

Plan ahead and use tools like role-play and social stories to help students prepare before an emergency happens.  A plan can help students know what steps to take and feel safer during a scary situation.  You can work with your child's teacher, but whatever you work out, the plan should be documented in your child's IEP in case staff change or a substitute is working with your child when an emergency arrives.

Make sure that you empower your student with knowledge and skills not just frighten your child by making them anxious about an event that may not happen.

Back to School

It's that time of year again.  Schools are starting up and for the student with disabilities it can be an abrupt change of routine.  The whole experience of getting up early, getting or being dressed, then transported by car or bus to school.  It can be overwhelming.   Take some time to prepare your child for the changes.  Check with the school to find out what schedule changes or rule changes have been decided on for the new year.  Even if you think you already know how things will go, sometimes teachers move or enrollment numbers change the way a school is planning to assign classes.  The more you know, the better you can advocate for your child's needs.

Summer school?

Is your IEP student taking summer classes?  Is his/her IEP still being followed?  Is your student included in field trips or other general education opportunities?  Remember, if you don't ask, your child might be missing some opportunities for inclusion and skill building.

Also keep in mind that most times actions are due to ignorance not malice so if you go in armed with information about your child's rights by law and what modification or support is best practice to include your student in the least restrictive environment, most school staff are happy to do what helps make it easier for your child to participate and will make their tasks easier too.

Summer CAC activities?

Now that school is out for the summer, you may be tempted to slack off in your efforts.   Summer may be the perfect time to get the word out about your CAC for next year.  Summer is when events like a local "Summer in the Park" or county fair offer a place to hand out pamphlets or post information about your CAC and about parent resources for those parents suddenly faced with the changes their children are going through with school out.