By: Meena Tadimeti
Contributor: specialneedsinmycity.org
@SNinmycity

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]ith the new school year underway, here are five simple things you can do now as a parent for your child in special education. If we, as special parents (raising children with special needs) want professionals to understand our empathy for our situation and good services for our children, we first have to make regular efforts to reach out to the teacher.   If you have time only for one thing on this list, start with writing a  “About My Child” Page to include in your child’s IEP.  Not only does the “About My Child” Page give your IEP team a quick glance at your child’s ever-changing personality but it also helps in executing current IEP goals.

1) Write a “About My Child” Page (short, one-page profile as part of IEP Document)     If your child is experiencing new teachers, newschool, new aides, new service providers or new bus driver in the new school year, it’s smart on your part to educate every adult who works with your child about your daughter’s or son’s present and emerging personality and skills. Specific areas such as:
Strengths
Weaknesses (add a strength next to it)
Accomplishments (activities outside school)
Incentives that work for your child

Your viewpoint as a parent is valuable as decisions, goals and plans will be made by you and the IEP team impacting your child’s life for years to come.  Don’t forget to make a copy of the “About My Child” Page for each member of the IEP team and have a copy attached to the current IEP, at the start of every school year.
I Want to See SAMPLE of About My Child PageI Want A FREE TEMPLATE of About My Child Page

2) Meet the School Principal Take a few minutes to introduce yourself to the principal and get his/her email address.  Often as parents we’re busy working with the teacher and the IEP team that we forget to include the principal in the IEP process. It’s important for the principle to know you and your child and what your primary concerns and ideas are as a parent. So if issues arise at the school (bullying, teacher or classroom concerns, access to after school programs), you know who to go to right away.

3) Get a Copy of  Class Schedule  The schedule will indicate when your child’s is receiving instruction and services and for how long, as documented in the IEP.   Don’t assume! Big mistake. Make sure you review the class schedule for accuracy.   Ask the teacher what your child’s options are for electives, if applicable and make sure that the electives are stated in the IEP (typically starting in 6th or 7th grade).

You can even go one step further. Ask your teacher or principal for a copy of a class schedule from the general ed. teacher to understand what typical peers’ class schedule offers at the same or equivalent grade level.  Often we focus only on special education that we forget to ask about what is available to general ed. students that could serve as window of opportunity to mainstream our children .  For example, in elementary grade levels, often there is story time in the library for general ed. kids, this could possibly be a opportunity for your child to interact and benefit from strong role-modelling from typical peers.  Get a copy and review it at the start of every school year.

4) Email A Weekend Update- If your child has speech and language delays, email your child’s speech therapist and teacher about any fun outings or visits to relatives or friends that occurred over the weekend for the child. Request that they use this information to initiate a conversation with your child during that week.   Make it easy for educators to converse with your child by providing these tiny details ahead of time.

5) Volunteer at School- Offering to assist in a classroom or at school at least once a month is a great way to contribute to your child’s educational journey.  Some teachers are not comfortable having parents in the classroom but talk to the teacher or principal to see how you can help.  Persevere. Volunteering opportunities exist  through student mentoring programs, PTA, or through Parent Committees at your school.

If you want results now and want to maximize your efforts, print this checklist and start checking off!  Remember the 80/20 business rule,  20% of your efforts should give you 80% results.

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