My Educational Advocate

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Posted on June 2, 2010 by Page

: Image by sfbike via Flickr

My Educational Advocate, Inc. provides Educational Advocacy and consulting in my home state of Massachusetts and on a national level, anywhere in the country.

Available to you 24/7. around the clock!

All student’s want to learn!

Have your children be diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Learning Disabilities,Anxiety, Executive Functioning Disorder, Behavioral Problems, Autistic Spectrum Disorder Asphergers Disorders Non Verbal Learning Disability, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Dyslexia…. and yet, they are still struggling in school and falling between the cracks?

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10 Back to School Ideas for Parents of Special Ed. Kids

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Page

Written By Rhonda Page M.S., LCSW

http://myeducationaladvocate.com

For free advice email me at myedadvocate@gmail.com

Please feel free to call me at 978-994-3101

1. Transitions can be a challenge. Make an appointment to meet your child’s new teacher and visit their classroom before school starts.

2. Re-familiarize yourself with the IEP, so you remember the specific services that are promised to your child. The IEP is a binding contract.

3. Take your child back to school shopping for school supplies. Use this opportunity as a “teachable moment” to talk about organizational strategies, and let your child have a voice in what is picked out! They are more likely to use materials and tools if they participated in the selection process.

4. Give the IEP to your child’s teacher personally on the first day of school as it may take a while for your special education liaison to distribute the document. You want your child to hit the ground running and get off to a great start.

5. Email or talk to your child’s teacher about what kind of communication would be helpful for you to support your child and the teacher. Email, daily notes, phone calls, text, daily assignment book?

6. Read the student handbook and understand school policies about bullying and everything else. There must be a zero-tolerance for bullying.

7. Start setting up school year routine towards the end of the summer- earlier bedtime, school day schedules, chores, routines etc. Set up the family schedule on the wall or fridge before school starts so that everyone knows what to expect.

8. Anxiety may start to increase for both you and your child as the day draws near, and will show itself in may ways. Acknowledge that it is a natural thing to be nervous or anxioux for everyone. Think of proactive ways to help alleviate the stress like fun activities, productive projects, play dates. Help your child articulate their concerns : “What I hear you saying is…”. Ask how their day went.

9. Ask to meet with your child’s teacher one month or so after the start of the year. If they have a regularly scheduled meeting with your child’s other teachers see if you can get some time in the meeting to discuss your child’s progress. This will optimize their time and provide a group perspective on your child. Remember it is your right to convene the special education team at any time, as many times as you feel it is necessary.

10.Please note that it is very important to put everything in writing! As your educational advocate one of my motto’s is; “If it is not in writing it does not exist.” Do not wait until the the going gets rough to organize yourself up with a notebook and folder for the new school year. Jot down notes of conversations with staff, keep emails, samples of work, test results, documentation of service delivery or lack thereof, etc.. Work towards a positive relationship with your school, we want to trust our educators….but documentation is critical.

Remember “Every child wants to learn.”

10 Back to School Ideas for Special Ed. Kids

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Page

Greater Boston, Andover, Newton, Lexington, Brookline, North Shore, Central & Western MA

“10 Back to School Ideas for Parents of Special Ed. Kids”

Rhonda Blair Page MS., L.C.S.W.

www.myeducationaladvocate.com

_1._{Transitions can be a challenge. Bring your child to see their new school or classroom and ideally meet the teacher.}

_{2. Re-familiarize yourself with the IEP, so you remember the specific services that you and your district agreed to. The IEP is a legally binding document between you and your school district.}

_{3. Organization is critical for your child to get off to a good start. Go back to school shopping for school sup plies. Use the opportunity to talk about organizational strategies, and let your child have a voice in what is picked out!}

_{4. Give the IEP to your child’s teacher. It may take a while for your special education liaison to distribute the document. You want your child to hit the ground running and get off to a great start}

_{5. Email or talk to your child’s teacher about what kind of communication would be helpful for you to support both your child and teacher.}

_{6. Read the student handbook and understood school policies about bullying and everything else. Know your child’s rights.}

_{7. Start setting up school year routines towards the end of the summer, like earlier bedtimes, schedules. Set up a family schedule on the wall before school starts so that everyone knows what to expect.}

_{8. Anxiety may start to increase for both you and your children as the days draw near. Acknowledge that is a natural thing. Platitudes like “It’s gonna be OK” should be replaced with, “What I hear you saying is……………..”}

_{9. Ask to meet with your child’s teacher one month or so after the start of the year. If they have a common meeting time, ask to see them all during their group meetings time. You can always reconvene the special education team at any time. It is your right to do this.}

_{10. Remember: “If it is not in writing it doesn’t exist.” Don’t wait until the going gets rough to organize yourself up with a notebook and folder for the school year. Jot down notes of every conversation; keep emails, samples of work, documentation of service delivery, etc. Work towards a positive relationship with your school, I know you want to trust your educators……. but documentation is critical.}

10 Back to School Ideas for Parents of Special Education Kids

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Page

_{10 Back to School Ideas for Parents of Special Ed10 Back to School Ideas for Parents of Special Educaation Kids}