Independent Educational Assessments & Advocacy

Posting on this page has become such a rare event that I need to repent and do better!!!
Here's to a first step, enjoy!

How to Hone Executive Functioning Skills This Summer: 4 Fun, Easy Ideas School isn’t the only place to sharpen executive functions. Take advantage of the summer months to build EF skills with activities like sports, gardening, field trips, and more.

Punishing kids with ADHD for having ADHD makes less sense than giving kids coping strategies. We must first understand the behaviors.

It has been a long time....
Check this out and enjoy!

10 Fun Activities That Teach Executive Functioning to Kids and Teens - Left Brain Buddha 6Shares

A very good read:
https://yourot.com/parenting-club/2016/5/16/why-our-children-are-so-bored-at-school-cant-wait-and-get-so-easily-frustrated?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork

Why are our children so bored at school, cannot wait, get easily frustrated and have no real friends? I am an occupational therapist with 10 years of experience working with children, parents, and teachers. I completely agree with this teacher’s message that our children are getting worse and worse in many aspects. I hear the same consistent message from every teacher I meet. Clearly, throug

A new "FAPE" mandate? Possible new implications.

https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2017/01/12/supreme-court-may-boost-fape/23174/

Supreme Court May Boost FAPE Mandate During arguments this week, the Supreme Court appeared to favor setting a higher standard for the requirement that kids with disabilities be provided a free appropriate public education.

Referral for special education and RTI. While districts can decline a request for an evaluation IF a disability is not suspected, districts cannot choose to decide to first wait for the implementation of RTI before making a decision. Read more:
https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/06/16/schools-reminded-evaluations/22421/

Schools Reminded Not To Delay Special Ed Evaluations Officials at the U.S. Department of Education are raising concerns that school districts are inappropriately holding up or preventing evaluations of kids who may have disabilities.

How Can I Get My Child's IEP Changed........before the annual due date?

The IEP is a dynamic document that should and can be revised when necessary.

You can request an IEP meeting at any time. You can ask that the IEP be changed at any time.

Here are a few problems that should trigger an IEP meeting to review and revise your child's IEP:

* Any lack of expected progress toward the annual goals and/or in the general education curriculum
* Information from any new evaluation or reevaluation
* New medical problems arise, or a change in medication
* You want to look at new assistive technology
* Progress reports from the OT / PT advise increased therapy time
* If troubling behaviors crop up, you need to consider special factors
* Information or concerns shared by you, the parent or by the teacher
* Any anticipated needs

Put your request for an IEP review in writing. In the letter, describe your concerns and the reasons you are requesting the review.

- See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/ltrs/iep_revise.htm .Kph0F2fU.dpuf

FAQs - How Can I Get My Child's IEP Changed?: Wrightslaw Learn your rights and what to do if you want to have your child's IEP changed or revised.

Gun access and people with disabilities. Likely to be a potentially infuriating discussion for some :)

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/07/20/gun-access-disabilities/20448/

Gun Access May Be Banned For Many With Disabilities Seeking tighter controls over fi****ms, the Obama administration is pushing to ban Social Security beneficiaries from owning guns if their monthly disability payments are handled by others.

Watch out: this might be coming to a special education, self contained classroom near you!

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/06/29/state-require-cameras-special/20420/

State To Require Cameras In Special Ed Classrooms In what's believed to be a first, a new law in Texas will require schools to install cameras upon request in classrooms serving students with disabilities.

Here's, I hope, a very helpful article on planning for the future of your child, especially if s/he has a disability. Enjoy!!

http://www.bridges4kids.org/articles/2006/7-06/onesource_future.html

www.bridges4kids.org

Retention or promotion? Here is something to help with that decision.
http://www.wrightslaw.com/blog/?p=51

Retention or Promotion? What’s best for my child? | The Wrightslaw Way Parent #1: My son wants to be “left behind”. I feel that another year in the smaller, familiar middle school would be less intimidating and give him some time

Great article about "educational benefit" for students in special education. Enjoy :)


http://www.wrightslaw.com/nltr/15/nl.0303.htm

Educational Benefit: What is It? How Can You Measure It? - Wrightslaw In this issue of the Special Ed Advocate you will learn how to use psychological and educational achievement test scores to measure your child's educational growth.