New to Special Education?
There is so much to know and learn about special education and if you are a parent or new to special education, I’m guessing you are feeling overwhelmed. I try to break down the basics; the things you’ll need to know the most. This is mostly angled towards parents, but I think a refresher course is never a bad idea, especially when it’s only about 20 minutes long.
Getting your child into Special Education
This can honestly be a bit of a pain to do, but you need to stay on top of the process and make sure it is moving forward. Here I discuss some of the steps you can take to get the process started.
Individual Education Plan (IEP). What is it and how does it work?
It is initially what drives the IEP. It is important to know as much as you can about them.
Accommodations and Modifications
This can be tricky to understand the difference and it how it affects kids with special needs.
Post High School Education for Students with Disabilities.
Many people: educators, students, and parents assume the only way to get along in the world is to earn a Bachelor’s or higher degree after they leave high school. That’s not necessarily true, however.
Students who decide to attend a vocational school that offers an education in something that interests them can do quite well for themselves (ever pay for a plumber to come and fix something in your house?). There are a lot of choices in this area.
A two year degree is similar to the vocational credential, but is obtained at a community college. Ask your hair stylist where they learned their skills. It’ll probably be a vocational school or a community college.
Some students take their vocational classes alongside their high school general education classes. When they graduate, they are set for running a business or joining one.
A good use of time for students who might be the type who doesn’t want to continue education after they graduate. Some students do well going straight into an internship and working their way up the ladder from there.
It’s up to us to help students figure out what they would like to do and help them figure out what they need in order to do it.
Paraprofessionals
Paraprofessionals, used to be know as teacher assistances, can be heaven sent. They know how to read the temperature of the classroom and recognize when the teacher might need a five minute break or even just a cup of coffee. They can be amazing. Unfortunately, there are still a few that make you wonder how it is they are still working and you feel like you have another student on your hands. So, if you have an awesome para in your classroom (or your child does) be sure to make sure they are happy in your room.
Dyslexia
There are several types of learning disabilities, although in most schools it’s all scooped up into one designation: Specific Learning Disability, but they often don’t state which disability they have. In this podcast I focus primarily on dyslexia, a fairly common, believe it or not, disability. Despite having a difficult time learning to read, they also enjoy certain benefits seen mostly in children with dyslexia.
LRE or Least Restrictive Environment
This is important to understand, especially if the school is talking about placing the student/child in a different school not in the neighbor hood. It can work, especially in districts who have Lottery systems because then the child will know someone, hopefully, that ends up going to the next level school with them. It’s not always successful though, so it is something to keep an eye on. I personally prefer a school that has a particular program that has the resources to allow the student to be mainstreamed for a majority of their day and yet still have the support they need for their classwork, at least for some disabilities. Other disabilities, a child should be a part of the choice of where they want to go, if they are capable of participating in such decisions.
Due Process: What is it?
Due process is a legal procedure you can take when you feel your rights are violated. However, it’s not that simple.
I refer to books:
-The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child by Attorney Lawrence M Siegel
-The Complete Special Education Guide to Special Education by Linda Wilmshurst, Ph.D. & Alan W. Brue, Ph.D.
-2020 Lawyer’s Reference Guide: Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Regulations as of February 14, 2020 by U.S. Department of Education
IEP/IFSP-One Way to Write Goals
- Given a non-adapted keyboard, accessible tablet, and learning typing software, Adi will complete 1 lesson 2 times a week with no more than 1 prompt until finished with all lessons using proper fingering.
- Given an adapted keyboard, accessible tablet, and learning typing software, Adi will complete 1 lesson 2 times a week with no more than 3 prompts using proper fingering.
- Given an adapted keyboard, accessible tablet, and learning typing software, Adi will complete 1 lesson 2 times a week with no more than 2 prompts using proper fingering.
- Given a typical keyboard, accessible tablet, and learning typing software, Adi will complete 1 lesson 2 times a week using proper fingering with no more than 2 prompts.
Responsible: TVI, Teacher
- Given access to a computer, the student will be able to write a story that uses at least 2 examples of idioms, analogies, metaphors, or similes on 2 out of 3 given opportunities as shown by a teacher made rubric.
Responsible: classroom teacher, resource teacher
- Within 6 months, Angel will exhibit a raised self-esteem and self-concept as evidenced by an increase in the frequency and the quality of her social interactions and classroom participation on 4/5 given opportunities as determined by teacher made chart
Responsible: TVI, Classroom teacher, paraprofessional, behaviorist
- Within 2 months, Angel will implement healthy coping skills, such as (fill in the blank for the student), minimizing stress and coping well with school pressure. She will continue to develop good working relationships with teachers, utilizing resources that support her educationally and emotionally. As documented by school staff 4/5 given opportunities.
Responsible
- Given consumer/real-life math problems, Luis will identify appropriate methods for solving them using manipulatives where needed, performing computations with a calculator, involving 2 or more steps using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and/or division: As shown by completing an assessment of 20 problems at 70% accuracy
Modified California State Standard 24.0
- Given a computer, Luis will learn how to use the 5 steps for producing and “publishing” written work. These steps consist of planning and organizing, writing first drafts, revising, editing, and final copy. He will show these steps in writing for two written papers on topics chosen by Luis and/or a given writing assignment. He will show his work from the first draft through the final copy as shown in his portfolio.
California Modified State Standard Writing 9 and 10: .1.0
- Given the appropriate ingredients and directions, Andie will prepare a simple snack for herself and her classmates with no more than 1 verbal prompt: teacher observation 1/3 given opportunities.
- Given a simple recipe in print, Andie will, with assistance as needed, prepare a simple snack for herself and classmates as needed 2/3 opportunities.
- Given directions in print, Andie will choose an appropriate snack item, and with assistance, as needed, prepare a simple snack for herself and her classmates. 2/3