Special Education Newsletter - Spring/Summer 2008

I just found out that my child qualifies for Special Education. Now what?


I get this question often from concerned parents who have just learned that their child qualifies for Special Education. Upon qualification, a school based team is charged with putting together an individualized plan for your child that will help them access the curriculum regardless of their challenges. This is often a very overwhelming process for parents. Parents are left to wonder....will my child have the same opportunities as their peers? How will we highlight their strengths? What is my child missing when he/she is receiving Special Education services? My child is very smart but how do we reinforce this in a Special Education program? These are all legitimate questions that are often overlooked. Special Education services should provide and enhance without taking any of the regular education experiences away from your child.


We've had what looks to be the same IEP for years with minor changes. Is this possible?

Special Education teachers are often the most overworked and underappreciated members of any school staff. Most get very little time for Special Education paperwork during the regular school day and are expected to find time outside of the work day to fulfill this aspect of their job. Many can not do this because of family/personal obligations. This quandary has created the construction of the most generic IEP's that I have seen in the last ten years. The less time spent on a computer developing IEP'S means more time in the classroom which I agree with on some level. However, this practice does not support the grave importance of creating a long term Individualized Education Plan that will minimize school difficulty and increase success for your child. IEP'S are road maps that help navigate around "potential accidents" and more importantly help parents to understand Special Education so that they can become their child's advocate over time.


Going into an IEP meeting with little experience and disagreeing with the team is the same as going into a mechanic's garage with little experience and disagreeing with how they fix your car. How can I learn what I need to know in a short time so that I can advocate for my child?


As with becoming an "expert" in anything you need time to develop the skills to fully understand the Special Education process. Understanding the "why" behind the IEP and using metaphorical comparisons to real life examples are two quick ways to get your feet wet. It is sometimes difficult to understand fully because the opportunities for discourse are not always included in your school based team meetings. There are some wonderful resources out there at your local bookstore which could equip you with a proverbial backpack of strategies from which to pull for your IEP meetings. Thinking with a strength-based approach and "thinking outside the box" will give you a better understanding of what kids with Special Education services need.