Tag: special needs

Tag: special needs

Ugh! Standardized Tests! Now What?
May 14, 2024 Advocacy stacey

We are in the height of testing season. It seems like every school I walk into, all I hear is chatter about the FAST, STAR and I-ready. It’s so sad that the education of children has been hijacked by standardized tests. Be that as it may, testing is nothing new; even when I was in

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Envisioning an Improved Continuum of Services
April 16, 2024 Advocacy stacey

As many parents are participating in their child’s matriculation meeting at this time of year – transition meeting from preschool to kindergarten, elementary to middle, middle to high – there are a few things to understand about what’s referred to as a “continuum of services”. What’s This All About? Those 3 words basically mean that

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To Resolve or Not to Resolve
December 27, 2023 Advocacy stacey

There are tons of influencers out there who are very focused on the benefits of New Year’s resolutions – and a growing batch who say that making a promise to yourself that you break by January 4th is one of the most stressful and unproductive things that a person can do. Somewhere in between is

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IT’S NEVER TOO LATE – NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS
November 6, 2023 Strategies stacey

Unfortunately, far too often, I find both parents and teachers seem to think that by the time a kid gets to high school, they are who they are and that they don’t have the same potential for growth as they once did. DON’T THINK THAT! I have literally seen students come out of segregated “special”

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A Dozen Red Flags of a Hot Mess IEP Meeting :o
October 31, 2023 Advocacy stacey

For many parents, the annual IEP meeting is something that incites a great sense of overwhelm, frustration and doom. This is probably one of the reasons that tons of parents don’t even show up. Most of you might find this really hard to believe (because you’re passionately involved in your child’s education), but it’s true,

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Cultivating Belonging Through Inclusive Education
September 17, 2023 Advocacy stacey

I am the queen of procrastination. It might look like I get things done, but it’s usually after hours, or even days, of putting them off, which is usually precipitated by either reorganizing my house or scrolling mindlessly through social media. I’m sure some of you can relate. Social media includes a ton of behavior

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Inclusive Education…. More Than Just Visiting
September 17, 2023 Advocacy stacey

Certainly, one of the most advocated for settings for kids with disabilities is that of a regular education classroom.  What better place to have exposure to highly verbal and social role models than that of a general education setting? If students are to learn appropriate behaviors, they need to observe them. If they are to learn sharing

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Easing Into the New School Year
July 25, 2023 Strategies stacey

For those parents whose kids are just about finishing up Extended School Year, or those who might be taking a couple weeks off after summer camp to catch a break before returning to school, there’s a couple things that you could be doing to help make your child’s transition back into school a little less

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Can Comics Help Kids Develop Reading Skills?
July 18, 2023 Hello world, Strategies stacey

You Betcha!! Many kids that I know, who happen to have disabilities, really love comic books/graphic novels. When they can match the words to what’s happening in the picture, it just seems to make more sense to them. There’s no guessing who said what or where they were when they said it or what type

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Is Writing a HUMONGOUS Challenge for Your Child?
July 9, 2023 Strategies stacey

Writing for kids with disabilities can be a HUMONGOUS challenge, especially for those who have language delays. Think about it – when we are given a writing assignment, no matter the age, we are expected to: In the following article, author Ann Dolin offers some advice on steps you can use to help your kids

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