Back to School Surival Guide

Don't dread getting back into the swing of things! Get organized and set a mission for this back to school season! Children with special needs have a different approach to getting ready for school.

Everyone needs an IEP, also called Individualized Education Program, An IEP is a legal document that spells out exactly what special education services your child will receive from the school and why. The IEP legally binding document also includes your child's classification, placement, therapies, academic and behavioral goals, a behavior plan if needed, percentage of time in regular education, and progress reports from teachers and therapists. If the school tries to ignore the IEP by responding, "We don't do that service." By all means tell them, "You do now." You and your child have the right to any education service that is needed.

Learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act. This act helps those with special needs to find places in schools, jobs, and other services. The Americans with Disabilities Act became a law on July 26, 1990. "The ADA Restoration Act introduced today ensures the right of individuals to be judged based on performance. It restores the original intent of Congress, harmonizing the ADA with other civil rights laws and requiring the courts to interpret the law fairly, states the National Disability Rights Network website.

Check into your school's view on inclusion. Many school districts dive into placing special needs children into standard classrooms without carefully planning how to make it work. Things must be considered like room to room transportation, medication, peer pressure, etc. There are many books and networks to help you decide if inclusion is right for your child. PBS and Lissencephaly.org are two examples of sites where information on inclusion is available.

Study what types of standardized test your child will be taking. Most standard tests are for the school's benefit, and not for the child's self-esteem. Schwab Learning is an organization that offers advice on how to accurately measure your child's growth and progress. FamilyEducation.com has many ideas, tips, and experts to help with questions on tests and other matters.

Look into how the zero tolerance policy effects your child. We've all heard about the recent increase in school shootings. More children today are at risk with harming themselves and others because them simply don't know what to do. The zero tolerance policy could be unfair to special needs children who are working on fixing their behavior problems. This policy, the act of inclusion, and a special needs child could have a negative impact.

This is a short list of things to consider, but more information is available at libraries, online, and many other places. A mother's job has long hours, no vacation, and no pay, but the rewards are priceless. A child's smile or laughter can make you realize the meaning of life.