As summer comes to an end, the vacations, trips to the zoo, and times hanging out by the pool also come to an end. Not only do the activities stop, but your child’s schedule is drastically changed. Without proper preparation, this can often set the child up for a difficult start to the school year. Bonus: some of … Continue reading 5 Tips for Easing the Back to School Transition for Students With Special Needs
Planning for the Future on an IEP
Transition Planning & Services It is often overwhelming for parents when the annual review for their child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) starts to focus more on life after school. For students on an IEP, the school is required to have a transition plan in place when the child turns 14 years old. Section five of the IEP, … Continue reading Planning for the Future on an IEP
Basic Rules for Successful IEP Meetings
IEP meetings can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. However, preparation typically leads to agreement. It is important to keep the school and parent relationship a positive one: one that is focused on the student. The four most common mistakes that parents make Failing to make a long term plan that can be applicable in the future; … Continue reading Basic Rules for Successful IEP Meetings
Off To College? With a Disability?
If you were a student with a disability in elementary, middle or high school and are now in college, you’ve probably noticed a huge difference. Gone are the intervention specialists and teachers who read your IEP or 504 and kept you on track educationally, emotionally or physically. College professors expect you to manage your classes, … Continue reading Off To College? With a Disability?
Back To School Checklist: Start Now!
In just a few short weeks, it will be a brand new year and brand new start, with new teachers, new classmates, and new things to learn! To help your child get off to a good start, here’s a to-do list for parents of children in special education: 1. Organize your paperwork. Keep a … Continue reading Back To School Checklist: Start Now!
ADHD: A Starting Point
School-aged children with ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder affecting between 4-12 % of school aged children. It is a deficiency of a specific neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. The ADHD brain matures at a different rate than a typical brain, resulting in a delay of 3-5 years of the frontal cortex area, … Continue reading ADHD: A Starting Point
Dyslexia 101
Does your child struggle to read? Does your preschooler have trouble with common nursery rhymes, can’t learn and remember the names of the letters in the alphabet, or have a hard time recognizing common rhyming patters like cat, rat and bat?Does your kindergartener or first grader read “puppy” instead of the written “dog” when looking … Continue reading Dyslexia 101
Parent Obstacles During the Special Education Process
The most common obstacles that parents of students with special needs encounter are lack of information, the crushing feeling of isolation, and a constant emotional battle. The first and easiest step - join parent support groups within your school district. Taking this step helps deal with the feeling of isolation and lack of information.
Who Do I Need?
When do you need a special education attorney versus a parent advocate? Pros and cons?
AW Special Education Blog 