Dr. Nilson-

I would love to hear your thoughts on different ideas that we could ask for in our IEP's to help our children cope and perform better. I am desperate for some ideas. I love the blog!

Thanks-
Dallas

While I don't about your child's specific situation- in living with a brain injury and working as a special educator here are some things I have found helpful......

-Create picture schedules and checklists- it creates stability, reduces anxiety
-Having a "safe place" in the classroom (or close by) where the child can go to be alone, regroup, etc.
-Using a timer to help them understand timing, schedules, etc
-Creating social stories- pictures of the child in various social situations and possible resolutions
-Try to avoid situations where the child is being "quizzed" consider alternate forms of assesment

I hope this helps!

One more thing- having a system in place for high rates of positive reinforcement whether it's specific verbal praise, beans in a jar, stickers on a chart, etc. The key is to have it be specific, meaningful, positive and regular.

Your question is a good one. More parents should obtain more information to participate in the IEP process. Unfortunately, the question is difficult to answer adequately in this limited space. I would suggest gathering as much information as possible to put together a proposal. First, I would start with the teachers and get their recommendations, in combination with other school testing and information. The ideal is to get the most support possible, without overwhelming the student, getting the support of his teachers. There are a variety of resources available privately, if necessary.
A Blog on the IEP will be published in the near future!