This post on Special Education Etiquette was written by Judith Canty Graves and Carson Graves who spent fifteen years in special education with their son and now they are trying to help other parents avoid the problems they encountered. These problems include evaluations that are vague and don’t convey useful information, IEP goals that aren’t measurable, conflicts of interest for school employees and even outside professionals, and graduation standards designed to push special education students out of the system before they receive an appropriate education.
Continue Reading...Transitions: Plan, Prepare, Practice, and Patience
I was asked to fill out a questionnaire on transitions for an interview a student was doing for a class she was taking. For many youngsters, transitions do not happen easily starting with the first time you try to leave your infant with another caregiver to the day your grown child holds the key to his first “home away from home”. If you are raising a child with special needs your child will most likely have difficulties with transitions. What can parents do? How can educators help? This post has tips on the importance of starting the road to independence early and why parents must plan, prepare, practice, and have patience.
Continue Reading...Signs of Intellectual Disability in Children and Tips on Assistive Technology (AT) Options for Your Child
Besteducationdegrees.com wrote to us about their infographic entitled “There’s An APP For That – Assistive Technology (AT) and Learning Disabled Children“. The infographic is colorful, eye-catching, and has lots of important tips for parents, teachers, and all who work with children. You will love the 10 Great iPad Apps and the 10 Great Android Apps! The information will help you understand the basics—it is important for caregivers to know what Assistive Technology (AT) can and cannot do.
Continue Reading...Anatomy of Special Needs Children by Masters-in-special-education.com
The majority of our readers are parents of special needs children. Raising children with challenging needs is not easy and the more others know about the many different needs these children have the more they will understand what their parents are going through. The Infographic that follows titled “The Anatomy of a Special Needs Child” lets you see very quickly all the different needs many children and their families deal with every day.
Continue Reading...Children with Special Needs: Benefits of Physical Activities and Adaptive Sports
It is an undisputed fact that young and old must strive for a healthy lifestyle. This means kids, teens and adults must keep mentally and physically fit. Children with special needs most definitely benefit from having a balance in all aspects of their life: social, physical, and mental. My post today will bring out the benefits of physical activity for a child with special needs and what is available to make this happen.
Continue Reading...Why Have an IEP? – Tips for Parents on Their IEP Role
Are you parenting a child with special needs? Has your child been evaluated and is eligible for special education? Most likely he will receive individualized support through his IEP? What is an IEP? The IEP, Individualized Education Program, is a written document that’s developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education.
This post will focus on the following:
◘TIPS for Parents on Their IEP Role
◘Who Develops the IEP?
◘Why Have An IEP?
◘What is the Role of the Parents on the IEP Team?
◘Who Makes Up the IEP Team?
A Parents’ Guide to Extended School Year Services: Summer Break a Teaching and Learning Opportunity
A Parents’ Guide to Extended School Year Services: Summer Break an Extended Teaching and Learning Opportunity by Marie Jackson is reprinted with permission from the Autism Asperger’s Digest magazine, March/April 2008 issue. We have added the photos and subtitles. Check out this bimonthly magazine at www.AutismDigest.com.
Some information on the Extended School Year Services (ESY) may have changed since this post has been written but it is important for families of children with special needs to know about Extended School Year Services; therefore, I am reposting it. You may also find information on the web site of the U.S. Department of Education – Sec. 300.106 Extended school year services and also on WrightsLaw.com
At a Glance by Amanda Morin:
- Not all students are eligible for extended school year (ESY) services.
- ESY services are customized to meet each child’s specific needs.
- Not all kids with IEPs need ESY services.
Kids, Tweens and Teens with ADHD Focus Better when Allowed to Use Chewelry or Fidgets
(This article has been updated 22 Sep, 2018)
Excessive chewing or fidgeting is sometimes an indication that your child with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) needs to MOVE! Moreover, some youngsters with ADHD will chew or bite on anything within their reach, because chewing IS movement. For hygiene, safety and even economical reasons, we are seeing that safer alternatives to commonly chewed items like pen tops, pencils, shirt sleeves and collars, cords, etc. should be provided to satisfy this overwhelming need to chew, bite or/and fidget.
Continue Reading...SentioLife Solutions Ltd © 2019. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.