Building  a  Strong  IEP  to  Support  Boys  with  Duchenne  Muscular  

Dystrophy  

Kelli  Miller,  M.Ed  June  2010  

IDEA  2004  Individuals  with  DisabiliEes  EducaEon  Improvement  Act  •  Authorizes  Special  EducaEon  •  IEP:  Individualized  EducaEon  Program  

•  Can  qualify  under  Orthopedic  Impairment  

•  Requires  educaEonal  benefit  *Not  SecEon  504  Plan:  ProtecEon    

– Not  individualized  – No  goals  for  progress  

Basics  of  Special  EducaEon  DefiniEon  of  Special  EducaEon  

•   Specially-­‐designed  instrucEon  provided  at  no  cost  to  parents  •  Can  take  place  in  general  classroom,  resource  room,  hospital,  or  home  

•  Includes  PE  

Purpose  •  To  provide  free,  appropriate  educaEon  •  To  meet  unique  educaEonal  needs      

•  To  prepare  for  independent  living  

Qualifying  for  Special  EducaEon  

•  Your  child  can  receive  comprehensive  services  based  on  DMD  diagnosis  – Does  not  need  a  separate  diagnosis  to  receive  services  related  to  academics  and  behavior  

– But…you  should  have  your  child  evaluated  in  ALL  areas  to  ensure  that  you  develop  goals  to  support  growth.  •  School  •  Private  pracEEoner:  Psycho-­‐educaEonal  EvaluaEon  

Research  on  DMD  

Use  the  research  on  DMD  to  guide  you.  

•    Poysky:  OCD  and  ADHD  Symptoms  •    Hinton:  Memory,  Processing,  Social    •    Hendricksen:  ADHD  Symptoms,  Learning    

•    Wong:  Behavior  and  Steroids  •    Morley:  Behavior  and  CogniEon  •    Co\on:  Working  Memory,  Verbal  Reasoning  

The  IEP  The  IEP  process  is  collaboraEve.  

The  IEP  is  a  flexible  document  that  details:  –  Present  levels  of  performance  

– Measurable  annual  goals  –  Related  services,  supplementary  aids,  and  accommodaEon  

Common  areas  of  need:    

Academics  Physical  Health  

Mobility    Tech  

         *Think  ahead:  Be  goal-­‐oriented  

Goals    

•  The  heart  of  the  IEP:  services,  supplementary  aides,  and  supports  are  provided  in  order  to  meet  the  goals  of  the  IEP.  

•  Guides  the  whole  process  •  SMART  

–  Specific  – Measurable  

–  A\ainable  –  RealisEc  –  Timely  

IEP  Services  and  Supports    •  Academic  supports/AccommodaEons  •  Paraprofessional  support  •  AssisEve  technology/Adapted  equipment  

•  Physical  Therapy  •  OccupaEonal  Therapy  •  Adapted  PE  •  Mobility/TransportaEon  

•  Behavior  Support/Counseling  

Possible  Support/Services  

•  Paraprofessional  Assistance  – Useful  for:  

•  Physical  accessibility  •  Behavior  support  •  General  classroom  assistance  

– Be  specific  about  hours  required  and  how  the  aide  will  be  uElized.  

– Not  always  beneficial  – Good  communicaEon/relaEonship  with  teacher  

Possible  Supports/Services  •  AssisEve  Technology:  

– Alphasmart/laptop  

– Word  processing  programs  – WriEng  programs  – Math  programs  

– Reading  programs  

Helps  to  maintain,  increase,  or  improve  funcEonal  capabiliEes  

Possible  Supports/Services  

•  Mobility  – Plan  for  wheelchair/scooter  use  – Accessibility  throughout  school  

•  TransportaEon  – To/from  School  

– Field  Trips  

Possible  Supports/Services  

•  Behavioral  Support  – PosiEve  intervenEons  to  improve  behaviors  and  ina\enEon    

•  Social  Support  – Counseling  

•  Groups  •  Playground  acEviEes  

Possible  Supports/Services  •  Academic  Supports  and  AccommodaEons  

–  Increased  Eme  to  work  

– Decreased  work  load  – Proximity  to  teacher  – Specialized,  individualized  instrucEon  – Visual  Aides  

•  Strengths-­‐based  

Possible  Supports/Services  

•  Physical  Therapy:  helps  child  to  access  general  curriculum  by  maintaining  strength  and  flexibility  

•  OccupaEonal  Therapy:  helps  child  to  maintain/improve  independence  in  daily  living  

•  Adapted  PE  – Support  within  general  PE  class  – Supplement  or  replacement  for  general  PE  

Tips  

•  Be  a  team  player,  keeping  in  mind  that  you  are  the  expert  of  your  child  

•  Look  ahead  when  planning  •  Prepare  for  meeEngs/bring  support  

•  Do  your  homework  – DMD  – Laws  – EducaEonal  terms  

Resources  •  TesEng  

–  www.ets.org/testcoll/index.html  

–  h\p://alpha.fdu.edu/psychology  •  AssisEve  Technology  

–  www.rehabtool.com/at.html  

–  h\p://secEon508.gov/docs/AT1998.html  

•  IDEA  –  www.fape.org/idea/2004/summary.htm  

–  www.wrightslaw.com/idea/index.htm  

–  www.ncld.org/content/view/949/456094  

•  DMD    –  EducaEon  Ma\ers  for  Teachers  

–  EducaEon  Ma\ers:  Adapted  PE  

Thank  you!  

Kelli Miller 619.446.8617 kellimaymiller@yahoo.com