5 Tips For a Successful IEP When Inclusion is the Target

By Tiffany Wilson, MA from Special-Ism

As IEP season is upon us, it is always good to remember these helpful hints to ensure that your child’s IEP goes in your favor when requesting that he/she be included into a general education placement with typically developing peers.

1. Educate Yourself

• Become educated about special education law, specifically, the Individuals With Disabilities Act (IDEA).
• Your child is entitled to be educated in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). This can be an inclusion setting at a child’s home school with his/her siblings and neighborhood friends!

2. Be Prepared to Advocate for Your Child

• Have a friend or consultant accompany you to your child’s IEP for support.
• Sometimes a school is unable to effectively include a student with autism into the typical classroom without some support from outside agencies specializing in inclusion or behavioral intervention. This type of support may be needed in order for your child to have a successful inclusion experience.

Read more HERE.

Accommodations and Modifications in an IEP

By Doug Goldberg from the Special Education Advisor Blog

Accommodations – Accommodations do not reduce grade level standards but rather help provide access to the curriculum. Accommodations can include visual presentation, auditory presentation, multi-sensory presentation, response, setting, organization, timing and scheduling.

When choosing accommodations make decisions:

• Based on individualized needs;
• That reduce the effect of the disability to access the curriculum;
• That are specific about the Where, When, Who and How the accommodations will be provided;
• With input from parents, teachers, student and therapists; and
• Based on specific needs in each content area.

When choosing accommodations do not make decisions;

• Assuming certain accommodations are appropriate for every student;
• Assuming the same accommodations are needed year after year;
• By checking every accommodation on the list; and
• By selecting accommodations unrelated to a student’s needs or that give the student an unfair advantage.

Examples of accommodations include:

• Large print;
• Braille;
• Books on tape;
• Audio amplification devices;
• Visual cues;
• Note taker;
• Reduction in the length of the assignment but not the content of the assignment (i.e. every other problem);
• Audio recordings;
• Speech to text;
• Word processing;
• Graphic or visual organizer;
• Extended time;
• Breaks in assignments or tests;

Modifications - Modifications actually lower learning expectations and should only be used if this is the only way for the child to be successful. Parents must understand if modifications to grade level standards are being made their child may be at risk for not meeting graduation requirements.

When choosing to modify curriculum make decisions:

• Based on the child’s abilities;
• Based on the child’s current skills;
• Based on the child’s emotional well-being; and
• To help them be successful.

When choosing to modify curriculum do not make decisions:

• Based on what is easier for the School, Teacher or Parents;
• Without proper assessments of current skills and abilities; and
• Without first trying the use of supplementary aids and services.

Examples of modifications include:

• Reducing assignments so a student only completes the easiest problems;
• Altering assignments to make them easier;
• Requiring a student to learn less materials than are required by the State’s academic content standards;
• Providing help to a student via hints or clues to the correct answers on assignments and tests

Article HERE.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004

From the Special Education Advisor

What is IDEA 2004?

IDEA 2004 stands for “Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004”. This law was established to make sure children with disabilities have access to public education with the assistance of services. These services enable the child to continue their education in order to prepare them for life as an adult. As a result of this law, children with disabilities are given the opportunity to receive intervention services related to their disability to help them access the public school curriculum.

Click here: if you want information on how to prepare for an IEP meeting.

What is the Purpose of the law?

“(A) to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living 1400 (d)(1)(A)”.

Why an appropriate education and not the best education?

Parents always want the best for their children but in the case of IDEA 2004 “Best” is a four letter word. Be cautious when discussing your child’s educational needs from using terms like “I want what’s best for my child” or “I just want the best possible education”. The law is very specific in that it only requires an appropriate education and not the best education. (refer to purpose of the law for review)

Read complete article HERE.