writing
-
The First Few Weeks of School: Common Special Education Problems Parents Should Watch For
The school year has started. Everyone has new shoes, new backpacks, new teachers, new schedules… And somewhere in the building, a special education parent is thinking: “Okay. Let’s see how this goes.” Because the first few weeks of school can be exciting. They can also be chaotic. For students receiving special education services, the beginning… Continue reading
-
School Calling for an “Early Pick-Up”? Why You Need It Documented as a Suspension 🎒
As a parent of a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan, you are likely used to working closely with your child’s school team. But there is one common scenario that catches many well-meaning parents off guard: receiving a phone call from the school asking you to come pick up your… Continue reading
-
IEPs: A Deep Dive Into Goals, Services, Accommodations, and What Parents Should Know
If your child has an IEP, you’ve probably received a document that contains enough acronyms, educational terminology, numbers, percentages, and legal language to make your head spin. And then someone hands it to you and says: “Let us know if you have any questions.” Um…I have approximately 47 questions. Let’s start with the most important… Continue reading
-
Your Child was Just Diagnosed. Now What?
Take a deep breath or two. Seriously. If your child was just diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability, a learning disability, a mental health condition, a physical disability, or another condition that means your child may need additional support, you may currently be experiencing about 47 different emotions at the same time. Relief. Fear. Grief.… Continue reading
-
Glossary of Acronyms
504Section 504 AACAugmentative and Alternative Communication ABAApplied Behavior Analysis ADRCAging and Disability Resource Center BCBABoard Certified Behavior Analyst BIPBehavior Intervention Plan CMHCommunity Mental Health CVCConsonant, vowel, consonant (reading goals) FAPEFree Appropriate Public Education FBAFunctional Behavioral Assessment IEPIndividualized Education Program IFSPIndividualized Family Support Plan ISPIndividualized Service Plan IDEAIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act LRELeast Restrictive Environment OTOccupational… Continue reading
-
IEP vs. 504: What Parents Actually Need to Know
See the YouTube video I’ve created for a warm up! If you have a child with a disability, there is a pretty good chance that at some point someone is going to say the letters IEP or 504 to you. And then, if you’re anything like me, you may smile, nod, and think: “Okay…what exactly… Continue reading
