The Exceptional Child

How to work with the school system to provide for the needs of the child

Background: What is Exceptional Education?

Schools changed the name of the program from “Special Education” to “Exceptional Education” to disassociate from the stigma of the term “special”.

IDEA Act: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Students may qualify for either an IEP or a 504 plan.

Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

No such thing as “garden variety” when it comes to

exceptionality! 1 in 88 children have Autism Spectrum Disorder . (1 in 54 boys, 1 in 252 girls…according to the CDC) 1 in 691 children have Down Syndrome. Approx. 2% of children born are Mentally Retarded. It is estimated that 1 in 20 people have a form of

Sensory Processing Disorder. 12% of school-age boys, 4.7% of girls are diagnosed

ADD/ADHD

Many of these often combine to affect the same child!

I know there is a problem!

*If there is already an IEP in place, take a copy of it to the school where you are placing the child.*If the problem is vision or hearing, check with the doctor first. Take your findings to the teacher to begin the S-Team process.*If the problem is speech articulation, call the school to set up a screening with the SLP. (ChildFind identification requires speech/language

screening for all kindergarteners and second graders.)

I think there is a problem! Now what?

No. 1 thing to know-the teacher is your greatest ally! Conference to discuss concerns from both sides. What works? What

doesn’t? Identify behavior triggers. Make a plan of attack-how are you going to do things differently at

home/school? Schedule a follow-up communication to discuss outcomes. Establish open communication with the teacher! Know that they are

bound by the school system to an extent. They fight behind the scenes for your child, but are often ignored. Sometimes the only voice considered is that of the parent. Work together to be as strong as possible.

*If the child is under 3, check first with the doctor. If the child is 3-5, you can call the district Except. Ed. Office to begin the screening process. Services are offered through the school system beginning at age 3.

The Support Team (S-Team) Process

Be informed. It is common for the teacher to begin the S-Team process, but a parent has the right to call a meeting asking to start the paperwork at any time!

Be patient, but be vigil. Remember, it is a process but don’t let too much time pass.

Be involved. Many interventions you try at home can be used as documentation!

Be smart, ask questions! If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification until you do understand!

Interventions worked!

Discontinue paperwork and continue to see

success.

Conference w/teacher,

brainstorm, record interventions, set

up results meeting in 4-6

wks.

Interventions did not work!

Teacher calls initial S-Team

w/admin, reading coach,

psychologist, etc.

Determine whether testing can be done and

is necessary.

Testing is done. (Schools have 45 calendar days.)

Determining Meeting is called to discuss results.

Student qualifies for

servicesAn IEP is written,

services can begin.

*A 504 plan may be written for OHI. Student does not

qualify for services

Continue to talk w/teacher, pursue again in 1 year, or appeal findings.

Annual IEP review done each

calendar year

Re-evaluation done every 3

years to determine eligibility.

The S-Team Process

Does the School test for it?

YES Learning Disabled Developmental Delay Speech/language Vision/hearing services

after diagnosis. Mental Retardation Emotionally Disturbed Behavior Giftedness (Yes, it is an

exceptionalitiy)

NO Down Syndrome (dr.) Autism (specialist testing) Vision/hearing physical

disability (dr. diagnosis) ADD/ADHD (dr.) Sensory Processing Disorder

(dr. diagnosis) OHI (Other Health

Impairment) such as Leukemia

School educators are not allowed to suggest these issues as it then becomes the district’s financial responsibility to get the testing done.

Results are in…next!

What is an IEP? IEP stands for Individualized Education

Program It is a legally binding document that must

be followed or the parties that don’t will be out of compliance. Legal action can be taken!

Can be amended when needed. Changes must be signed off on by all

parties. Good for 1 calendar year. Outlines exactly how the program will work

for your child. Goes in child’s permanent cumulative file. Can only be viewed by the parent/guardian,

specialists handling the case, and educators who work directly with the child. Written permission must be given for the school to give it to anyone else.

What are the parts? Testing/data gathered Type of service(s) to be

received How much time per session,

sessions per week Specialist to give services Location services are provided

(LRE) push-in or pull out Objectives w/measurable goals Accomodations/modifications Assistive Technology Related services

504 plan vs. The IEP Does not require a written IEP but does

require a documented plan. "Appropriate Education" means comparable to the one provided to general education students.

Section 504 requires that reasonable accommodations be made for the child with a disability. Requires the school to provide reasonable accommodations, supports and auxiliary aides to allow the child to participate in the general curriculum.

Requires schools to eliminate barriers that would prevent the student from participating fully in the programs and services offered in the general curriculum.

Meeting is not required for a change of placement. Students are served in general education with or without modification.

Requires a written Individualized Education Plan (IEP) documentation with specific content addressing the disability directly and specifying educational services to be delivered, mandating transition planning for students 16 and over, as well as a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) for any child with a disability that has a behavioral issue.

Provides individual supplemental educational services and supports in addition to what is provided to students in the general curriculum to ensure that the child has access to and benefits from the general curriculum. This is provided free of charge to the parent.

IEP meeting is required before any change in placement or services is made. Students are eligible for a full continuum of placement options including regular education with related services as needed.

We have goals, we must be done, right?!

S-Teams can reconvene at any point in the year to update goals, change amount of time for services, location of services, but all members must agree and sign off before changes can be put in place.

Annual meeting to update goals, make any changes needed.

Re-evaluation with new data required every 3 years to determine eligibility.

I disagree. What can I do? Talk to the teacher first. Bring an advocate with you. Tenn.

Voices for Children, Autism Society of Mid-Tenn, CASA, Caseworker…

Go to the administration (principal) and air your issue.

Send it in a letter to administration and the office of Exceptional Education. There are facilitators to mediate.

Due Process hearing with the Board of Ed.

What if the child is not old enough for kindergarten?

Metro starts developing IEP’s for children as young as 3.

Head-Start has a pre-K program Metro has blended pre-K. It is free for

EE students and transportation can be provided.

Children in daycares can be picked up and taken to a site to receive services.

Do all schools work this way?

All public school systems have a process that is much like Metro-Nashville Public Schools.

Some private schools offer tutor programs and some screening for SLD and speech.

Franklin Road Academy has Student Learning Services and a program designed to meet the specific needs of children with Down Syndrome.

Lipscomb Academy has a Learning Enhancement Program that screens to recommend further private testing. They provide speech/language services through a private company.

There are many private schools that cater to EE children and may specialize in that area.

Sensory Processing DisorderOne of the most common disorders you have never been told about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1G5ssZlVUw

Sensory Items

With scented grass!

For holidays!

As the glitter settles, so does the child.(A water bottle, fill ¾ with water, add a bottle of glitter glue, some fine glitter, and seal the top with silicone or hot glue.)

Resources*Tennessee Voices for Children*RIP-Regional Intervention Program – up to age 5 for behavior*Autism Society of Middle Tennessee*Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation*Down Syndrome Association of Middle Tennessee*CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocate*Metro schools have an Autism Team*Tennessee Children’s Advocacy Center*Your friends and neighbors!!

Final Thoughts…

The internet, especially sites like pinterest, have hundreds of ideas instantly.

Research, talk to other people who “know someone”!

Make copies of everything!