Many times in my career, parents who have seen their child struggle with academics in school have asked me for suggestions. My perspective is that of a special education teacher, and this blog will discuss a progression of the evaluation process that should exist in every public school today. How much struggle is too much is […]
How to Use Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis in a Special Education Classroom
Many teachers already know of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the science of applying principles of behavior change to affect socially significant behaviors. ABA-based strategies are used to either increase skills or prevent and decrease maladaptive responses. Its principles are in use across many different fields, including special education. Special education teachers may be familiar […]
When Do You Need an Advocate and How to Find One
When I was a young special education administrator, I was very concerned whenever an advocate arrived at a meeting. Over the course of my career my opinion changed considerably. Yes, I did find that some were very helpful, some were just there and others were a pain in the backside. In all, however, I felt […]
Inclusion Programs: Questions to Ask When Your Child is Placed in an Inclusive Classroom
This is a fictional first-person account, meant to portray the real pros and cons of inclusion for a child with special needs through the eyes of a parent. Although the characters in the story are not real, the facts about inclusion and the suggested questions and process are. My Introduction to Inclusion I walked into […]
What Are Extended School Year Services and Who Qualifies?
Have you heard of extended school year services, but aren’t sure what they are or what qualifies a student with special needs for them? We’ve got answers for you. If you have a child with an IEP and you’re curious about extended school year services, here’s the deal: You might be able to get Extended […]