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Make Your Child’s IEP Great

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If your child has an IEP (Individualized Education Program) have you ever wondered if it’s any good?  As a parent of a child with an IEP, I have.  There are some simple steps you can take to get an expert second opinion on your IEP and take the IEP from good to great.  A colleague and I wrote an E-book “Get A Great IEP in 45 Days or Less” and it’s available as a premium member of www.SeeMyIEP.com.

In this series of 4 short presentations I walk you through the steps of how to get a great IEP for your child.  It takes some time and work to really make your child’s IEP great but it’s well worth it.  Your child’s IEP goals will be strong and really match his or her priority educational needs.

Video one starts out describing days 1-17, how to recognize your child’s priority educational needs, and how to write a great ‘present level of performance.’ http://tinyurl.com/3z7p622

Video two really helps you learn how to write or recognize great IEP goals and IEP objectives. http://youtu.be/LE0PIab0SMM

Video three helps you learn how to advocate for the best accommodations for your child. http://youtu.be/gLMVHFon6Hk

Part four is one of the best parts because it teaches you about the IEP least restrictive Environment and how to ‘pull it all together’ to bring to the IEP meeting. http://youtu.be/a4mLIFvzEwo

Prepare for Your IEP Meeting or Else!

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Preparation is the key to success no matter what professional field, sport, or activity you engage in. The same holds true for IEP meetings. If you want to have a great IEP meeting then you must prepare ahead of time or else let the school tell you what is best for your child.  When I accompany parents to IEP meetings as a professional advocate I prepare ahead of time and don’t just show up to the meeting and try to wing it.  I learn about the child by talking to the parents, relatives, teachers, and reviewing pertinent records. I have to have a clear purpose for the meeting so that we can focus our efforts on getting a great IEP. 

You have to be prepared in advance since IEP meetings typically last between one and three hours. There is so much conversation and dialogue during these IEP meetings that it’s easy to lose focus of the purpose and your goal. I suggest you plan ahead so pull out a piece of paper and at the top of it write this statement down.  I believe the purpose or goal for this IEP meeting should be:___________________________.

 This clearly defined purpose will help you keep on track and ensure that the IEP members stay on task. These are common questions that you will be asked about your child during the IEP meeting. Consider these in advance so you are prepared.

What are your child’s strengths?

What motivates your child to learn?

What are your child’s areas of weakness? 

Have you found any techniques or strategies helpful in addressing your child’s weaker areas?

Do you have a goal or anything in particular that you would like your child to learn this year?

By taking the time to prepare for the IEP meeting now you are making an important stride in helping your child gets a great IEP.  At www.SeeMyIEP.com they offer parents expert IEP advice and a library of real IEP goals and IEP objectives that you can search to help you prepare for IEP meetings and get a strong IEP for your child.

When Should You Stop ADHD Medication?

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Many parents grapple with the question, “Should I start my child on medication?”  but just as many parents also wonder when they should stop medication.  Some children will need to be on medication throughout their childhood and adolescent years. Other kids may be on medication throughout this time but, if their medication allows it, take holiday breaks such as weekends, summer, and extended breaks.  There may come a point where your child or teenager says, “I don’t want to take this medication anymore.”  Can you force him or her to take the medication?  This often becomes a battle that many parents face.

Ask yourself this question. Are my child’s grades satisfactory? If your child’s grades are satisfactory than he or she may not need the medication. Ask yourself this question. Is my child continually getting in trouble? If the answer is no, it may be time for a medication break.  Many parents are concerned that if their child stopped taking the medication their behavior will worsen for their grades will slip. Yet, at what point does the child need to start taking responsibility for their behavior and work? The pills don’t replace the skills that your child needs to be successful. If you stop the medication you may have to provide some tutoring or coaching to help your child learn the skills.

As parents we need to provide the support our children need. If they need the medication than continue it but if your child is asking for a break you believe he or she is ready for the responsibility that perhaps it’s time to stop the ADHD medication.

When Kids Struggle

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Up to 20 percent of kids struggle to learn.  Reading is the academic area where most kids struggle followed by writing.  If you have a child that struggles in school then you know first hand how frustrating it is for your child.  Because of your child’s struggles you might call him or her names like lazy, unmotivated, or difficult.  Most schools are not equipped to effectively deal with kids that struggle.  Kids make some progress but not enough to overcome their difficulties.  So, what are parents to do? 

There are some good books parents can read to help their child.  Here are a few suggestions.  Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, The Motivation Breakthrough by Rick Lavoie, Winning With People by John C. Maxwell, and The New Dare to Discipline by James Dobson. 

I also recommend an evaluation for your child because this process determines if there is a learning disability, information processing disorder, or other subtle issue that is the underlying problem.  Most kids and teens do not want to go to school and struggle.  When they struggle, battle with homework, argue, stress, and stomach aches and headaches increase you know there are real issues.  If you see these warning signs then consider having me evaluate your child.  You can find out what is going with your on for about the cost of a new set of tires and you’ll get a lot more mileage from helping your child.  Having answers can give you an action plan for your child and peace of mind for you.

IEPs Versus 504 Plans

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Many children have repeated a grade in school, get poor grades, can not pass tests, and struggle to remember information despite being intelligent and making an effort to learn.  These children can often qualify for extra help or accommodations in school.  The type of extra help come from having a 504 accommodation plan and/or an individualized education plan (IEP).  Both plans can allow for extra time on in class tests and the FCAT, non-graded spelling tests, frequent breaks while working, use of a word processor, spell checker, and many more. 

In order to qualify for either plan, parents must provide the school with testing documentation that shows the child has an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity which includes reading, writing, learning, and listening.  A licensed psychologist in private practice can help parents and public schools have a psychologist on staff as well.  You may be thinking, “Is one type of plan better than the other?”

The 504 accommodation plan is not considered special education.  Schools do not receive any additional money to implement 504 plans.  Schools do receive extra money if a child is in special education and has and individualized education plan (IEP).  If a child qualifies for special education, they receive extra help from a special education teacher.  Students with a 504 plan typically do not receive help from a special education teacher and parents must provide tutoring at their own expense.  School personnel do not frequently tell parents that once a child is in special education, they rarely get out.  I can help you decide which plan is best for your child.