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Experience the difference |
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Unity, Knowledge & Empowerment |
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School Dazes
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IEP's and ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Please, prepare for your child's ARC/IEP meetings!! Start with just a general list of thoughts. Every thought you have concerning your child's school year gets included on this list. Then, group them into categories, O.T., P.T., Speech and Assistive Technology, etc. Compile a summary of your concerns for your child and give examples of how the school can take care of such issues. Then you organize the information that you have. The cover page should include all members of the ARC/IEP team. The next page is an index of things that you want addressed. With our meeting our list of parental concerns ended up being 9 pages long. I have a lot of issues, LOL!! You will love how it feels when you give each their copy and the moment of silence as they each read their copy is awesome. From this point on I seemed to get more respect. Once they realized that I was serious in my concerns and that I knew that my child had legal rights they were more willing to work with us.
**You might also want to consider having everyone sign your copy and initial each page to verify that they did in fact, read it. **If your child's therapists recommend adapted chairs or standers or such, please have your therapist state in the IEP that it is for positioning only and NOT for timeout or restraint!! **Please, remember that if you do not like what the IEP says you DO NOT have to sign it!! Here is an example of a Parental Concerns handout!! AUSTIN'S IEP MEETING April 2, 1999 IEP TEAM (list all team members) Parental Concerns to be Addressed PT/OT Speech/Communications Assistive Technology IA/classroom-Personal Aide Disability awareness for peers Extended school year P.T./O.T. Some type of sub program for the times when the therapists are not able to come. Without this therapy Austin's primitive reflexes will become more involved causing more problems in his being able to sit in a chair, hold crayons, feed himself, along with causing several other types of problems. Swing for playground Pony-walker- for classroom SPEECH/COMMUNICATIONS Speech 4 times per week Austin to develop an increased substantive skill in expressive communication, social skills, development and demonstration of academic skills. Austin to develop a greater functioning skill in the use of devices. (cheap-talk, computer) To focus on communication partners, teachers, parents, friends to use augmentative communication devices which require special skills on the part of these persons. They must be patient to enable Austin to complete a thought and not ask questions and communicate in ways that encourage him to use the device more than just yes/no. All persons involved with Austin's school day must learn these skills, also persons in home and community. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ****(It is really plain and simple what Assistive Technology is, as it is addressed in IDEA. So, why do the school systems act like they know nothing about it???? Be sure to include this information so they can't have any excuses for not understanding what Assistive Technology really is.)**** Children with disabilities will need appropriate supports in order to successfully progress in the general curriculum. "(25) The term 'assistive technology device' means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capability of individuals with disabilities". "(26) The term 'assistive technology service' means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes-- "(A) the evaluation of the needs of an individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation of the individual in the individual's customary environment; "(B) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities; "(C) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices; "(D) coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs; "(E) training or technical assistance for an individual with disabilities, or, where appropriate, the family of an individual with disabilities; and "(F) training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of individuals with disabilities." Assistive Technology/Communication Switch activities for center time. Someone to be responsible for making the overlays for the Intellikeys to go along with Austin's daily activities. Software for Intellikeys. Environmental controls for Austin's use in classroom. (one example would be to activate the music for musical chairs) Technology promised to get us a list of technology available in the district????????? Until someone is trained as an Assistive Technology Consultant Austin needs 1 time/week at Assistive Technology lab. Disability awareness Disability awareness program for peers (the entire school). Disability awareness books and dolls for the classroom. Classroom One to one (Personal Aide) is a necessity. Concerns that Austin is too familiar with his Aide and also with his teachers, which would cause him to not put forth a honest effort. I would like for Austin to have a fresh start for educational learning by putting him into a new classroom and giving him a new IA. GOALS ** Austin's educational goal should be to increase his skills so the he can really "be involved in and progress in the general curriculum."** Extended school year Austin cannot go through the summer without services without his skills regressing. He regressed horribly over Christmas break, because he missed P.T. and O.T.!! REQUESTS Complete Assistive Technology assessment just before the start of school with all therapists involved. Substitute for Special Ed. teacher so she can help with the classroom modifications for Austin, to promote inclusion. ***Some really helpful links***
This information was compiled by Francie Robinson If I can help you with anything more specific, I'd be glad to!! |
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The Cerebral Palsy Network©1997/2014. All graphics are the exclusive property of CPN, unless otherwise indicated. Contact Cerebral Palsy Network for further information. Last updated 05/04/14 |
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