Blog/News
The latest news and notes
One of the most important IEP meeting tools
You just finished your child’s IEP meeting. Everyone had a lot to contribute, and it was a fairly productive meeting. The team shared feedback on your child plus ideas, suggested edits, goals and services to be added to the updated IEP. IEP meetings can be stressful so you may have felt anxious or emotional during the meeting. Now that the meeting is over, you are reviewing your notes and processing everything that was discussed. What should you do now?
Documenting Concerns and Communications with the School
This isn’t a sexy blog post, but it is an essential reminder: put any concerns about your child’s progress, services they may or may not be receiving, IEP, 504 plan, Zoom issues, etc. in writing.
Back to school stress? Looking for ways to improve your ability to handle uncertainty?
Improve two Executive Function skills that are helpful, not just in dealing with the continued uncertainty of the pandemic but are also necessary life skills. This article from Beyond Book Smart discusses practical steps for enhancing two Executive Function skills: Emotional Regulation & Flexible Thinking.
Are you concerned whether your child’s IEP will be implemented? What are schools required to do?
DESE’s most recent FAQ continues to remind districts of their obligations to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with IEPs
Is your child entitled to COVID-19 Compensatory Services?
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) provided technical guidance to schools, districts and IEP Teams to assist them in making determinations for COVID-19 compensatory education or supports to students with IEPs.
Executive Functioning: What is it and a free conference to help you learn more and skill build.
Understood.org says that executive functioning can be described as “the management system of the brain.” This is a good umbrella way of thinking about the executive functions but to get more specific, executive functions generally include the following skills: impulse control, emotional control, flexible thinking, working memory, self-monitoring, planning and prioritizing, task initiation and organization.
Learning Disabilities Association of America Presents Angst
Angst is a film-based education program designed to raise awareness around anxiety, with an emphasis on youth and families.
IEP services and 504 Plan accommodations during the pandemic
It is paramount to note that districts must continue to provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to our children even during the pandemic. This means school must provide special education and related services even if they may look different.
Back to School 2020-2021: In-person, Hybrid or Remote? What about students on IEPs?
The initial guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (“DESE”) instructed each district to prepare Learning Plans for in-person, hybrid learning and remote learning. Many districts have presented hybrid and remote learning plans to the community. What is the guidance for hybrid or remote learning 2020-2021? How will students on IEPs be considered?
The American Academy of Pediatrics comprehensive guidance for back to school.
The American Academy of Pediatrics created comprehensive guidance and recommendations to support caregivers when planning for back to school, sports, therapy appointments, and other activities.