Updated on July 20, 2024
Let's talk about 5 Tips now that you are the parent of a learner in Special Education!
5 TIPS
1. Schedule a meeting as soon as you have concerns!
You don’t wait for the school to contact you! You can reach out to them through the first open house, the initial introduction phone call with the teacher, through registration with the registrar!
Request that meeting!
2. Provide the school with tips and tricks that have worked at home for your learner’s needs!
You know your learner's needs outside of the educational setting so you may hold the key! What helps prevent an autistic meltdown, what are their sensory needs, what helps them sustain attention, what type of breaks work for them and how often may they need them, what are their barriers and what are their strengths?
Be their advocate and help them succeed!
3. Bring support to the meeting!
Sometimes we need someone there who can: Remove the emotion and help us get our point across. Some Examples are: Spouse, Educational Advocate/Consultant, EFMP Family Support or School Liaison (For our military families)
Sometimes we need support and that’s okay!
4. Write out your concerns!
What are you worried about, what do you want the school to know, what do you want the school to answer. Some Examples: I need a daily communication log w/ the teacher, I need communication regarding specific behaviors, my learner needs breaks after Math or Handwriting because those are frustrating tasks for them, notifying the school my learner has night terrors which impacts their sleep and their for their functioning the next day, etc.
This is what I need for my learner to be successful & what I need to ease my worries!
5. Ask questions
Becoming a special education parent means an introduction to a lot of terms BUT it is also a structured process with set guidelines and laws that guide it, so it’s okay to ask the questions. Some Examples: What is an IEP? What is a BIP? What is a 504? When can I request a meeting? When can I schedule a meeting? When will we meet again? How will I know my learner is succeeding?
We don’t know what we don’t know, it’s okay to ask questions!
**Bonus Tip - Download the state's special education handbook because it has timelines and process for your states and directs you to federal laws and guidelines that will help you support your learner and ease your worries throughout the special education process as well.
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