IEPs and Go-Bags

Sometimes an IEP will include a plan to remove all the students in case of a student dis-regulation and the need to keep the dis-regulating student in place while quietly and orderly change of setting happens for the rest of the class.

Many times, a teacher resists doing this even if that is the recommended action by a school counselor, a psychologist and the IEP team.  If the team has a workable plan in place, the teacher is more likely to feel comfortable following through with the plan when needed.  If a  teacher has a Go-Bag containing appropriate activities/supplies that fit with the educational goal of the particular class, he/she can feel more in control and give the students the feeling of planned, safe, organized educational activity.

For example a Go-Bag for a math class, might contain math activities that work well in an outdoor setting on blacktop or under a tree.  String, pencils, protractors, scratch paper or other measuring or circle making tools might work for some activities.  For a social studies class, the Go-Bag might contain an assignment to look at various parts of the school as if you were a future historian trying to learn what the building was used for by clues in the area.

These are just examples, each teacher may have their own ideas about what will work for their class and to meet the educational goals of their subject matter.

In fact the teacher may want to have a test run through of the plan with all the students (even the student who may stay in place in crisis) just to make it an expected intermittent part of the class activities.

Also, for a one-on-one aide who is expected to accompany a student to a safe quiet space for re-regulation, a go-bag containing tactile balls or a puzzle or other activity that her particular student finds calming or distracting can be a big help in a crisis.  Keep in mind that when a student is disregulating, they may be non-verbal or may need a physical activity to burn some adrenalin so not all go-bag activities should be passive.