Many Special Education Students are in great need of a teacher’s assistant not only because of their specific needs but also because of the impact they have upon the everyday classroom.
When we revised our son’s Individualized Education Plan for next year we tried to “fight” for a Teacher’s Assistant (TA) but they did not want to provide him with one because his IEP for next year is extensive and the classroom he will be in is much more conducive to his needs.

Today’s topic is Goals and Objectives within the IEP. But before you can do anything with an IEP you must first define your child’s needs clearly and specifically.
Goals and Objectives MUST be written after much of the initial IEP preparation is already done. You have already prepared for the IEP by brainstorming your child’s strengths and weaknesses (or you should have), you have brainstormed possible accommodations, modifications, you have gathered all of your documents, and you have mustered up a positive attitude.
Now, FINALLY, its time to evaluate everything and create the goals and objectives with the entire team. …read more

A few days ago I wrote about accommodations to the IEP, stating that accommodations refer to the actual teaching supports a student receives in order to get an equal education. But, what about modifications?

Well, modifications are the actual modifications that are to be made to the curriculum base in order to meet the needs of the student. However, accommodations provide tools for the student, modifications will minimize expectations depending upon skill level and performance.
For example:
1. students may be included in the same spelling test but only have to do the first five words because they are at a lower …read more

When we talk about IEPs, or Individualized Education Plans, we are not just talking about goals and benchmarks that your child needs to meet (and that the teacher needs to teach to) but we are also talking about accommodations that the IEP teams needs to make to ensure that your child meets those goals and state benchmarks.
When creating an IEP the entire team must evaluate all types of 7. accommodations that your child might need in order to be successful.
Accommodations are: adjustments to make sure kids have equal access to curriculum and a way to be successful.
An accommodation is …read more

Do you know the all the services your child qualifies for? Even kids with just speech or occupational therapy should get all the services they deserve. Sometimes, and in some states, if Sensory Integration is severe it can qualify a student for special education services.
But, many parents don’t know what services their child qualifies for.I don’t always.
That is part of the reason I freelance…to learn more about my son, his disabilities, and the services for which he qualifies.