• AS Resources,  Education

    10 Ways to Prepare for Back to School

    By Jodi M. Duke, Ed.D. Special Education Advocate www.jodidukeadvocacy.com It’s that time of year again! It is hard to believe that summer is already winding down, and “Back to School” time is upon us! In order to help you and your child with Angelman Syndrome have the best year possible, I’ve assembled a list of 10 ways to prepare for back to school. 1. Create a one-page profile of your child to share with teachers and other school staff. I like to think of what a child would normally tell his or her new teachers during the first days of school and include as much of that information as possible…

  • Education

    Does My Child Have a Good Teacher?

    Does My Child Have a Good Teacher? When I went into the field of teaching in the public schools it was after I had my three children and finished my education.  I was so excited to finally start my “dream” job and naively thought most teachers, especially those who taught students with more significant disabilities, felt the same excitement and commitment.  I have since found that this is not always the case.  Here are 9 questions you might want to ask yourself about your child’s teacher in order to ensure that your child is getting the best educational experience possible. – Lisa C. Gleeson MA SpEd. 1.  Has the teacher…

  • Education

    IEP – Individual Education Plan

    IEP – Individual Educational Plan If those three little letters cause your heart to race, here are some links to help you prepare for your meeting with the school. Special Thanks to our friends Kathy Anderson and Emilie Mullins for the resources. IEP Online Resources What is an IEP? http://www.ncld.org/at-school/your-childs-rights/iep-aamp-504-plan/what-is-an-iep http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/special-education/what-is-an-iep/ http://www.oafccd.com/factshee/fact20.htm Top 10 Questions to Ask At an IEP Meeting   http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/top-ten-questions-to-ask-at-an-iep/   Key Terms for Special Education   http://nichcy.org/schoolage/keyterms   A Few Experts   http://www.paulakluth.com/   Dr. Paula Kluth is a consultant, author, advocate, and independent scholar who works with teachers and families to provide inclusive opportunities for students with disabilities and to create more responsive and engaging schooling…