Making Homework Enjoyable for Kids with Special Needs

by jphilo | Aug 14, 2012 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

Making Homework Enjoyable for Kids with Special Needs

Homework has a way of slowly burying kids with special needs as the school year progresses. Thankfully, before that can happen this year, new Different Dream guest blogger Esther Leung offers 8 tips to make doing schoolwork at home enjoyable for both child and parent.

Homework: 8 Tips to Make it More Enjoyable for You and Your Special Needs Child

Part of adjusting back to the school routine includes adding homework to the long list of activities your child will need to get used to. Going back to school can be hard on any child, but typically takes longer for a child with special needs.

Completing homework, for example, can be a time where power struggles and tantrums take place. Parents and children can both get frustrated from the work. Children may not want to work after a day at school, especially if it is a difficult subject. Parents are tired from work, the commute, and caring for their other children—just to name a few of many things you need to do. Both of you want the opportunity to unwind and relax at home. To ease into the schoolwork routine, here are some tips to make this time more successful for everyone:

Set a schedule that makes sense for both of you: A schedule helps everyone stay on track. What is your normal routine after getting home at the end of the day? Do you prepare meals and eat dinner at the same time every night? Are there extracurricular activities that you have to schedule in? Use a daily and weekly calendar to help your child anticipate when homework is going to happen.
Build opportunities for “learning time”: If your child is younger or does not receive homework from school, there is still a way to build in opportunities for some “learning time.” Start with a short sequence of 2-3 activities – for example, a puzzle, coloring sheet and reading a book. This helps to create a routine of sitting down together and learning a new skill.
Be considerate of downtime after school: Just like those of us who work all day, children want to come home and unwind after being at school all day. It is likely that many children with special needs work very hard to participate and follow the expectations of their teachers and interacting with their peers. Children are tired at the end of the day and likely want a familiar activity that they are successful at. A snack and some rest time can be helpful before sitting down to study. If you are concerned that your child might have difficulty transitioning out of an activity, use a timer. Also save the more motivating activity for after homework is complete.
Know your child’s learning style and optimal working environment: Is your child sensitive to lighting and noise? Too much stimulation may be a distraction, particularly during difficult subjects. On the opposite end, some children need movement to help them concentrate and may be fidgety while trying to complete a task. Regardless, schedule in movement breaks if there are a few items that need to be completed.
Encourage your child to plan: As your child gets older and has more work to do after school, encourage him/her to be a part of the planning process for when and what subjects will be done. Have them decide when homework and breaks will take place. Write it out on a white board, on a piece of paper, or an organizational app.
Chunk large projects, assignments, and studying for tests into manageable blocks: Some work assignments are not meant to be done in one night. Some students have difficulties understanding this and become anxious thinking that a big project is due the next day. Help your child figure out natural stopping points and break it down into manageable chunks.
Know your child’s limits: There is a limit to how much homework can be done each night. If you notice your child or teenager expressing frustration or anxiety about the difficulty of work, it is okay to stop if you feel they are not able to complete the work. As parents, we are not teachers expected to give the lessons from school, so do not feel that you need to help your child stay up and complete the task at hand. You know your child best and if they are genuinely having a difficult time. Encourage your child to talk to their teacher the next day or speak with the teacher on their behalf.
Ask your child’s teacher for help: Always take the option to approach the teacher and special education department about a more specific plan and additional supports to make study time more successful and positive for your child and you.

Remember, homework is an opportunity to increase and reinforce learning that your child has at school. We want to support and encourage their success. Taking some time to plan can make this time more pleasant for both of you!

What Homework Tips Work for You?

Esther’s 8 tips are a good reminder of the importance of knowing your child and planning for success. What tricks and tips make study time more enjoyable at your house? Leave a comment or ask a question.

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Author Jolene Philo

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Yes, school is out for the summer and IEP annual review season is over. But this post about check lists for kids with transition IEPs just showed up on my radar screen. Judging from the popularity of last month’s Gillian Marchenko and Ellen Stumbo’s guest posts about IEP annual reviews, most of you would rather see the post now than have me forget about it before annual reviews roll around again.

What Is Transition Planning?

Those of you with children in elementary and middle school may not even be aware of transition planning. But if your child is approaching 16, transition planning should be included in the annual review meetings. Why? Because IDEA 2004 (the most recent update of federal special education legislation) requires planning for the transition kids identified with special needs make when they graduate or age out of the public school system.

Wrights Law Transition Check Lists

You can learn more about this law at Wrights Law special education transition services page. One of the many article links on the page includes two transition planning check lists. The first check list details the components of a transition plan according to the guidelines of IDEA 2004. The second check list outlines several things parents and students must do to prepare for life after high school. This check list walks parents through the entire process clearly and logically. It’s a must-have resource for parents of high school students with IEPs. You can read and print out the article Transition Planning: Setting Lifelong Goals.

Have You Done Transition Planning?

Are you a parent who’s participated in a transition planning IEP annual review? What was your experience like? What advice do you have for parents? How can they prepare ahead of time? What would you add to the check list? What other resources do you recommend? Leave a comment for parents looking ahead to such meetings.

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

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10 Things to Look for in a School for a Child with Special Needs

by jphilo | Jun 18, 2012 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

How do parents find a school able to meet their child’s special needs? Do they hope their local school fits the bill? Do they move? Do they look into open enrollment? Each of those options can be the right one, depending on circumstances. This list of 10 things to look for in a school for a child with special needs can help parents focus their search.

Ten Traits of an Inclusive School for a Child with Special Needs

Whatever your family’s circumstances, there are some things every parent should consider. The mom of a child with Down syndrome chose to put her house on the market and move to a neighborhood where the school welcomes children with special needs. She shares those ten traits at Bloom, the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s blog.

The principal must believe in the education of all children.
The teacher must believe your child can be successful.
The teaching assistant must execute his/her duties with kindness, compassion, and common-sense.
The children in the school must have a sense of humanity fostered by their parents.
Twenty percent of the parents should be willing to be your friends.
The school should be large enough to allow options for your child.
The school should appreciate diversity and not try to make everyone the same.
Live in the neighborhood so you’re seen not just as the parent of the child with special needs, but as the parent who lives down the street.
Neighborhood demographics matter. Those not in the higher socio-economic groups tend to be less inclusive.
Choose a school where you can get involved. Your involvement promotes inclusion for your child.

These ten traits of an inclusive school for kids with special needs are discussed in greater detail at the Bloom website.

What’s Your School Experience?

Have you been a school shopper? What was your experience like? What traits mattered to you? What traits would you add to the above list? Leave a comment.

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

How to Prepare for an IEP Annual Review, Pt. 2

by jphilo | May 18, 2012 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

With IEP Annual Review season in full swing, DifferentDream.com guest bloggers are willing and ready to share the benefits of their experience with you. Yesterday, Ellen Stumbo shared 2 things parents can do to prepare for IEP meetings. Today she’s back with 3 more tips you can put into immediate use.

Simple Tips Parents Can Use to Prepare for IEP Annual Review Meetings

Tip #3: Bring Food

Yes, I did just say to bring food. Why? Because food breaks an unspoken barrier. It says, “I want to be friendly, I don’t want to fight and I am thankful you are here.” Bring paper plates or napkins too.

The last few weeks I have seen one of the special education teachers stay for IEP meetings after school almost every day. She has kids at home, and it means she is not making it back to her family until late. Yes, it is part of her job, but she is also a wife and a mom. Bringing some brownies, donuts, cheese and crackers, or other snacks says, “I appreciate the time you have taken to be here for my child.” It speaks volumes when you do something to show appreciation for someone’s time.

Gifts is one of my love languages. If I could fit it in my budget, I would have taken orders from all of them to Starbucks, no kidding! Instead, I brought granola bars and cheese and crackers. Granola bars had chocolate chips in them, we were mostly women, chocolate is known to sometimes brighten a woman’s day. Enough said.

Tip #4: Know the Law

You want to be friendly, but you are your child’s advocate.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, 
for the rights of all who are destitute. 
Speak up and judge fairly; 
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9

A woman I trust and admire gave me this verse as I asked her questions about the IEP process. She is the mother of an adult child now, and was reminding me that yes, you want to be nice, but you also have a responsibility to be an advocate for your child!

Bring food, be friendly, but when it is time to speak up, you speak up. In order to do that, it is important that you are familiar with the special education laws! Here are some great resources for you:

Wright’s Law: The Wright’s Law website is dedicated to special education law and the law surrounding IEP’s.
Wright’s Law: From Emotions to Advocacy: the Special Education Survival Guide. This is one of the most valuable books you will ever have if your child has an IEP. It details and explains the law, your rights, your child’s rights, and what the school can or cannot do. Seriously, get this book! I in no way benefit from you buying this book, but it has been such a valuable resource as I learn to navigate the world of special education.

Tip #5: Take Notes and Ask Questions

During the IEP meeting make sure you are taking notes. Things will be said and comments will be made that you might want to come back to. Jut down where you asked for a goal to be included. Write the comment from the physical therapist that was encouraging. Make sure you take notes of the teacher’s concern about your child’s safety in the playground so you can go home and do some brainstorming as you process the conversations that took place.

Don’t hesitate to ask questions. If you are confused why your child is not getting more time in speech therapy, ask. If you still don’t understand, ask again. Be polite though, don’t point fingers, and make the questions about yourself. For example, you can say, “I am still puzzled though, if we all agree speech is the greatest area of concern, why is my child only getting 40 minutes a week of speech therapy?”
Remember, you are an important and invaluable member of your child’s IEP team. Your know your child best and you are your child’s advocate. Be prepared, be professional, and be ready. And pray! Ask God to help you through the emotions of the IEP, to help you be a good advocate, and to help you build strong relationships with the rest of the team.

What has your IEP experience been like?
Ellen

How to Prepare for an IEP Annual Review, Pt. 1

by jphilo | May 17, 2012 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

As was mentioned last week in guest blogger Gillian Marchenko’s post, IEP annual review season is in full swing for parents of kids with special needs identified by the public schools. Gillian shared 5 ways to set a positive tone during an annual review. It’s a hot topic, as proved by the number of times the post was shared, retweeted, and repinned. No wonder I did a happy dance when another guest blogger, Ellen Stumbo, sent a piece about how parents can prepare for annual reviews. Today’s post shares 2 of Ellen’s tips. The other 3 tips will post tomorrow.

Simple Tips Parents Can Use to Prepare for IEP Annual Review Meetings

It is no secret that one of the biggest woes for parents of kids with special needs comes yearly in the form of an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). Often times, parents walk into an IEP meeting as if walking into a battle in which they are outnumbered. Parents vs. School (teachers, therapists, support staff, etc.) and the child’s future is in the hands of the winning party. The end of the school year often marks a time where IEP’s are being drafted for the 2012-13 school year. I want to share with you simple tips that can help you as you prepare for your child’s IEP meeting.

Tip #1: Make a List of Goals

Ask yourself: What do I hope my child will accomplish in the coming school year? Break the accomplishments down into the different areas where your child will be receiving extra support, therapy, or special education modifications.

Remember: IEP goals are for school settings only. What does your child need in order to excel in an academic setting? I would love for Nichole to learn to ride a tricycle, and while our school has great therapists that will work on that, riding a tricycle will not necessary for academic achievement. Building leg strength and coordination on the other hand is important as children participate in Physical Education; riding a tricycle might just be a great way to get her to achieve those goals. Here are some examples I came up with before the IEP:

Speech: Nichole will be able to spontaneously use 3 word sentences.
Speech: Nichole will respond to “wh” questions: what, where, which, who

Fine motor: Nichole will independently cut a 6 inch wide piece of paper using adaptive scissors.
Fine motor: Nichole will trace her name with capital letters.

Gross motor: Nichole will climb safely on the playground equipment.
Gross motor: Nichole will demonstrate proper gait when running.

Social/emotional: Nichole will engage in dramatic play with a peer.
Social/ emotional: Nichole will take turns.

Academic: Nichole will rote count to 10 consistently.
Academic: Nichole will identify “on” “under” “besides” consistently.

The more specific you can be with your goals, the better!

Tip #2: Ask for a Copy of the IEP Draft

A draft IEP is prepared before each child’s IEP meeting, and you can request a copy ahead of time. One of the reasons you might want the copy before hand is to deal with the emotional aspecst of an IEP on your own, at home. I know how overwhelming it can be to read tests results and have your child’s delays “packaged” together in a document.

As we do life with our kids day to day, we do not deal with all of their delays all at once. It really doesn’t matter that your child is not able to identify letters when they have finally mastered using a fork at the dinner table and you are over the moon with this new accomplishment. But with an IEP, every single area where your child struggles is documented and this can be difficult. It is okay to cry. Deal with those emotions, so that when you are meeting with the team, you can push those aside and remember that your child does have great potential. The goal of the IEP meeting is to make sure there is a plan set in motion so that your child’s potential is achieved, so keep that in mind.

The IEP will have a list of goals from the teachers, therapists, and other support staff that might work with your kid. Remember the list of goals you came up with for your child? This is where you get to compare the goals. Were some of them the same? Are some of them confusing to you? Is there anything you think is important and should be added? Make sure to bring a list of the goals you want to see added, as well as questions you have concerning the “why” or “how” of certain goals listed on the IEP.

Remember, parents are team members in the IEP meeting. Do your part and be prepared!

How Do You Prepare for IEP Annual Reviews?

Do you have preparation tips for parents? Leave a comment to share your best tips. Your experience can be of great benefit to others. And come back tomorrow when Ellen will share 3 more tips to help you be a well-prepared advocate for your child at IEP Annual Review meetings.

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

5 Ways to Set a Positive Tone at Your Child’s IEP Annual Review

by jphilo | May 11, 2012 | Different Dream, School/Education, Special Needs Parenting

During my 25 years as a classroom teacher, I attended many, many annual reviews for my students with identified special needs. So I was delighted when guest blogger Gillian Marchenko sent the following guest post just in time for annual review season. Parent who will soon attend an annual review may want to get a pencil and paper so you can take notes!

5 Ways to Set a Positive Tone at Your Child’s IEP Annual Review

It’s that time of year again when trees bud, hands dig in the dirt of our front yards, and bottoms numb on wooden seats in IEP meetings for our children with special needs.

What Is an IEP?

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a document laying out the educational plan for school-aged children who show a 30% delay or more developmentally. The Illinois State Board of Education says that IEPS are like road maps, pointing out where a child is in her schooling, and where she should go.

I parent two children with Down syndrome, ages five and six. My behind has gone numb many, many times at these type of meetings. The best advice I give regarding IEPS is this: SET A POSITIVE TONE.

How You Ask?

Here are five cheat sheet ideas to cultivate a great work environment for all parties involved in helping your child reach his potential at school.

Prepare: If this isn’t your first IEP, find the previous document for review. Brainstorm goals you’d like to see on the IEP. If this is your first meeting, make a list of your child’s strengths and weaknesses and print it out. Also, know your rights as a parent. Start at the Special Education Advisor website, a social network full of information and advice.
Collaborate: This is a tough one for us because we are our kid’s best advocates. But advocacy doesn’t automatically translate into an “us against them” attitude. Of course, there are exceptions, but educators want your child to grow, succeed, develop. Be kind, listen, speak up, and be yourself. IEP meetings are great opportunities to make friends with your child’s teachers and therapists. Be on the same team.
Share: There may be a person in the IEP who hasn’t met, let alone spent considerable time with your child. Bring a picture of your kid doing something fun with the family, or jot down a funny thing she said the other day at dinner. Help those in the meeting remember that they are discussing a person, your child, a wonderful individual, who is not a statistic or a file.
Write It Down: If you request a change in the IEP, write it down and give it to your child’s case manager. Document your request as well, so that you have it to follow up, if need be.
Bring Food: I bring something for the group to enjoy; doughnuts, or fruit, or brownies. Pass out the treats during the meeting. This simple gesture lightens the mood and is appreciated by the staff. And don’t stress over providing something homemade. Swing by a grocery store and pick what looks good.

What Can You Add to the List?

Thank you, Gillian, for your 5 tips. As someone who used to attend those meetings (especially the after school ones) very, very hungry, I heartily endorse #5. How about you? Which of Gillian’s tips to you appreciate? And what would you add to the list? Leave a comment.

Do you like what you see at DifferentDream.com? You can receive more great content by subscribing to the quarterly Different Dream newsletter and signing up for the daily RSS feed delivered to your email inbox. You can sign up for the first in the pop up box and the second at the bottom of this page.

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