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How are your classified children dealing with the home/virtual learning?

Forgive my absence, I guess I’m a little depressed over the Coronavirus and the so called “Home/Virtual” schooling that’s supposed to be taking place. I’ve been meeting with my tutoring students both in person and virtually, and am totally dismayed at the lack of instruction, and support provided to those kiddo’s with IEP services of In-Class Resource (ICR). They’ve become the forgotten, and their parents are trying to pick up the slack.

Not to mention all the students that were in a “Self Contained” classroom setting; I find they’re schooling has been left completely up to parents. Many of whom have no idea how to teach special needs, the concepts of ABA style learning, or implement OT and PT practices. I mean these children are experiencing regression BIG TIME, and no-one seems to care?

Now normally this is a big time for me… you know…. IEP Season! A time when we are usually reviewing your child’s IEP and coming together in Review Meetings to discuss what worked and what didn’t? Well, THIS IS NOT WORKING!!!

Teachers are still receiving their salary to sit at home and spit out an email saying; do pages 14 & 15 in science book today, and complete pages 12-18 in math…. yadda yadda, Now I know there are some districts out there doing it differently, but where I am that’s about the sum of it. In the mean time children on the spectrum, struggling with dyslexia, or attention deficit aren’t being instructed at all in a manner that they (or their parents) can reproduce at home. All while these poor parents are either trying to complete their own work or worse yet, laid off or unemployed.

So, that’s my rant for today. I’ll try to be more present in the weeks to come. What are you struggling with? Do you need some coaching in how to teach your special needs child? Do you need support? Some guidance? Someone just to talk to? I’m here. I can be reached through my Facebook Page, via email at specialneedsnj@hotmail.com, or call (973) 534-3402

What do you want to talk about today?

How to Write a Parental Concerns Letter for your IEP

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Have you written a “Parental Concerns” letter?

No? Why Not???

This is one of the most underutilized sections in the IEP!

It is your right to submit your concerns as the parent of a child with an IEP, and have it placed into that IEP under the heading of “Parental Concerns,” or sometimes it’s listed as “Parent Input.” And yet so many times I hear parents say they didn’t know they had that right.

I’ll admit, it is very hard to find this portion of the IEP, as it is often the smallest section possible and is easily overlooked. OR, there may be a few well chosen snippets of your concerns that were picked out of the meeting by the case manager.

What does the IDEA say about including the parents input into the IEP? Well it’s not a lot, but it IS there; listed under Other Methods To Ensure Parent Participation (300.322(c)) “Parents are free to provide input into their child’s IEP through a written request if they so choose.”

Why is the Parents Concerns letter so important?

First, understand that you NEED to do this EVERYtime you go through the IEP process, or review.

Remember that the IEP is based on the “NEEDS” of the child. It is “NEEDS” driven. NOT diagnosis driven. So your child gets evaluated to determine the areas of need, then goals are drawn up based upon those needs. The strategies and services that they then receive are based upon the goals, which are based upon the needs. All of the child’s areas of need are listed in the “Present Levels” section, also known as the PLOP or PLAAP, adn this drives the IEP. Now, do you know what else is in that section of the IEP? The PARENTAL CONCERNS! (Note: this may be slightly different and vary from state to state).

Therefore, do you understand…. this “parental Concerns” section ALSO helps drive the goals & services in the IEP. It is your right to submit one, and it MUST be included!

How long should my “Parental Concerns” letter be?

The short answer is…. As long as it needs to be. Now, some districts may tell you that it can not be any longer than 200 words. That is NOT TRUE! They may have a computer program for IEP formulation that only allows for 200 words, but that does not mean you have to limit your concerns. It simply means they need to find another way to include your concerns IN THEIR ENTIRETY into the IEP as you request. Of course that doesn’t mean you should write a 12 page dissertation about your child either. Be clear and concise, leave out emotional statements or accusatory language targeting any staff or service.

Here’s what you should include in your “Parental Concerns.”

Everything that “needs” to be there. Remember, this will drive goals and services. What are your main concerns about your child? Be concise. Be focused. Be child centered.

  • areas of need that the school identified and you agree with
  • areas of need that have not been identified that you wish to include
  • strategies that work for your child
  • strategies that feel do not work
  • behavior concerns
  • any medical or food allergies you are concerned or feel the staff needs to know
  • social and emotional struggles your child may have. ie. anxiety or fidgety do to ADHD etc…

When do you send a “Parental Concerns” letter?

I recommend that you send it in when you are responding to the letter of notification for your next meeting. “Yes, I can attend the meeting on Thursday, date, time. Here is my list of parental concerns that I wish to discuss with the team and be included in their entirety within the IEP.”

You can follow that up with, “I will bring a hard copy to the meeting,” or “I will email a copy for input into the IEP.”

For further assistance with Special Education and the IEP process’

Contact IEP Coach/Advocate Linda by calling (973) 534-3402

Visit us on Facebook: Special Needs IEP Coach/Advocate

IEP Coach/Advocacy

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“Cc: 3 people on every email.”

This was one of the best pieces of advice Linda gave us and we hadn’t even signed a contract with her yet!

My son has been in the public school system since he was three years old. After being asked to leave multiple daycares, one owner suggested we contact our school district’s CST and have him tested. He was tested and was deemed eligible for their special needs pre-school program. He started with half-days and transitioned to full days.

As parents, we thought we were doing the best for him. We had our IEP meeting and everything was great. Boy do I wish I knew what was ahead of me!!!

Kindergarten started off okay, but then he was put on home instruction because he was a “public health” risk. I had hired a different advocate then, but she didn’t do a thing for me. I even contacted a special needs attorney who offered advice and we were able to get him back into school.

First grade, again started off okay, but then it went downhill. At one of the many meetings with the school, we raised the question of out of district placement. Oh no, we were told. Multiple times that year, while being summoned to the school to pick up our son due to his current behaviors, arriving and being shuttled into an impromptu meeting, we would say, perhaps out of district placement is the answer and we were told No, we have not done everything we can for him yet.

In the spring, I contacted Linda. Best thing we could have ever done. At our first meeting, she gave me so much information and I thought to myself, I had no idea that I was the person in control of my son’s IEP meetings. Linda took the time to review all of my son’s records and ask what we wanted for our son. Together, we devised a plan to fight for our child and the education he deserved. Linda is a bulldog. She knows how to ask the tough questions that parents don’t want to ask or know to ask. She is upfront and always responsive.

Months and months of meetings and emails and unfulfilled requests, we wound up in court. We had no choice. Days before my son was supposed to start his new school, I was still getting “bullied” by the school district and administrators.

My son has been in his new school since the end of November and he is doing outstanding. He was named “Student of the Month” this past month and received his first report card – all A’s and B’s. He has not been sent home once! When his teacher calls me for a weekly status update, she is nothing but positive. We could not be happier and more proud of our child. We credit a lot of people, but without Linda, our son would not be in the proper educational atmosphere, he would not be as successful as he is and I would not have my sanity.

Get yourselves educated. Know your child’s rights and your rights as parents. Understand that they are not in control of your child’s educational future, you are. Hire an advocate (IEP Coach/advocate Linda’s email specialneedsnj@hotmail.com and website www.specialneedsnewjersey.com) who understands the special educational system. School administrators take advantage of the that fact parents do not know all the ins and outs of how the system works and for many, including myself, there is so much more than just that little PRISE book they give you at the meeting.

Stand your ground. Ask questions. Ask for documentation and communication in written form. Control the conversation and the meetings. And most importantly, every communication should include at least people!!!!!

Nicole K.

Nicole is one of the parents I have served through IEP Coaching and Advocacy. You will be hearing more of her story in future posts.

If your child is struggling in Special Education, you need to learn the ins-and-outs of Special Education, have questions about what the PRISE booklet is all about, or have a newly diagnosed or classified child in your family…. Contact me at (973) 534-3402 or send an email to specialneedsnj@hotmail.com, or go to my website and fill in the contact/request form www.specialneedsnewjersey.com. NOTE: Don’t let the NJ part put you off, I serve ALL states! The laws of the IDEA are national! Some practices, policies, and timelines vary state to state, but YOUR RIGHTS and the rights of YOUR CHILD are the same across ALL borders! (NJ is simply where I am located and it was the best available domain when I started.)

I hope to hear from you soon to learn how I can help you help your child.

Coach Linda

IEP REVIEW SPECIAL

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Get your IEP review!   30% off

Contact me at linda@darknesstojoy.com or specialneedsnj@hotmail.com to request your special price.

ONLY $97.99
(That’s 30% off the regular price!)

What you get:

  • Complete Review of your child’s IEP
  • Your top 3 concerns or questions answered
  • A 50 minute consultation via phone, Skype, or face-time
  • Expert advice and tips
  • How to approach the CST team
  • What letters to write and how