Caitlo Educational Consulting

04/06/2023

Learn what you need before you walk in the door!

Today we discuss what you need to ensure the best outcome for your child! Before you even walk through the door, there are steps you can take to set you and your child up for success. In earlier blog posts we've talked about the IEP meeting process and given an overview of parent's rights. Today, we...

03/22/2023

Subtle Signs of a Struggling Student (and what you can do to help):

1) Know the signs:
-refusing to attend school
-claiming to be sick much more often
-beginning to claim they hate school
-acting out in class
-starting to act more like a "class clown."
-"forgetting" or "losing" homework more often

2) Gather all the data you can (report cards, class work, tests)

3) If the issue is limited to certain subjects:
--Private tutoring (there are free options out there, we can help you find them!)

4) If the issue is more pervasive:
--Consider enrolling your child in the school's MTSS or RTI program

Read there more here!
https://www.caitlo.com/post/your-title-what-s-your-blog-about-2

02/21/2023

Have a child with a newly diagnosed learning disability? Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or nervous about the future? Today, we break down 4 steps to take to make sure your child's needs are met.

1) Don't Panic:

It's ok to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or nervous. Remember that a learning disability diagnosis is not the end of the educational line for your child.

2) Understand the diagnosis:

Once you receive the psycho-educational report, ask the psychologist to meet with you to discuss the findings. It's completely ok to ask them to use clear language or to ask follow-up questions to ensure you understand what's being said (you can also book an evaluation translation session with us where we will break this down for you).

You should leave this meeting with a clear understanding of your child's diagnosis, education strengths, and needs.

3) Know your rights:

Don't go into an IEP or 504 Plan meeting without knowing your rights.

4) Create a plan

Make a plan before you attend the IEP meeting with any questions you have, what services, settings, and accommodations you would like for your child, and any outcomes that you will not accept.

We can help you develop this plan, or you can develop this plan on your own. A plan will help ensure you walk into the meeting with clear goals and expectations.

Navigating the Special Education system is challenging, even for the experienced. If you're feeling overwhelmed, know that you're not alone. There are resources to help you, and we are always ready to use our expertise to make the system work for you.

If you need help determining where to begin, our evaluation translation or free consultation will offer you the information you need to create the best plan for your child.

Read more at https://www.caitlo.com/post/your-title-what-s-your-blog-about and learn how we can help you make the system work for you.

What the heck should I do now? A learning disability diagnosis can be a mixed bag. Between the relief of finally having an answer and fears for your child's future, you might not have time to consider the practical aspects to a diagnosis. Today, I break down what steps you should take when your chil...

02/14/2023

Does this sound familiar?

"Your child is smart but unmotivated."
"If only they tried harder, your child would do so much better."
"Your child is lazy. He refuses to do assignments and always forgets his homework."

Many students with undiagnosed disabilities (and sometimes with diagnosed disabilities!) are accused of being lazy or unmotivated by teachers and (sometimes) parents. And it makes sense why they might think that: from the outside they see a smart and talented child with tons of 'unmet potential.' Teachers probably have the best intentions when they call to discuss your unmotivated child, but this kind of rhetoric can have seriously negative consequences for your child.

We debunk the myth of the lazy child on our blog. Come join the discussion!

https://www.caitlo.com/post/let-s-talk-the-myth-of-the-lazy-child

02/09/2023

Worried about what your child's diagnosis means for their educational future? Many parents struggle with these fears as they learn to navigate the special education system. Let's talk about some common misconceptions:

-Students with IEPs cannot attend college.
-Parents could have prevented their child from developing a learning disability.
-Children with learning disabilities are lazy/unmotivated or could "work harder" to overcome their disability without support.
-Students with IEPs won't learn "real" school material.
-Students with IEPs cannot take Honors/AP classes.
-Students with IEPs must be in a special class.

We discuss these fears and your first steps on our blog
caitlo.com/blog

Come on over and join the discussion!

We discuss common misconceptions and break down the pieces to the special education labyrinth.

01/29/2023

Sick of fighting with your child's school over their educational needs? Let us help you! Book a free consultation today at caitlo.com