IEP help! New Jersey law

[mrl12]

What is NJ required to do by law as far as dyslexia screening and education?

Would anyone recommend putting a request for teacher/staff special education training in the IEP? (My kid's school seems to be very unknowledgeable about ADHD and SPD, among other things.)

The proposed IEP included a behavior improvement with a reward system for sitting still, raising hand (or using a card cue.) It seems to neglect to understand that ADHD and SPD are neurological disorders. What behavioral improvement plans worked for your grade-schoolers? Did teachers allow some level of movement, exercise, etc?

This is overwhelming.

[Onthemove1971]

Welcome to the group!Yes, having a child that has special needs to overwhelming!

I hope I can answer your questions:

If your child has an IEP ( Individual Education plan) they will have staff assigned to a goal and teaching/monitoring your child. They are also required to give you progress updates.

There are certain aspects of the IEP that are federally mandated ( IDEA, LRE) and there are things that are decided locally( what staff are hired, how many sites they work at, how many hours they work).

Things to keep in mind. You want your child assessed in ALL areas you suspect they struggle in. This assessment needs to be in writing.

Once it is clear what your child's struggles are, the IEP team will decide what impacts their learning the most and they will consider that as their primary disability. Other things ( dyslexia, sensory processing, etc) can be listed as a secondary.

Then if they qualify for an IEP, specialist will be assigned to these areas and goals will be written.

Sometime there can be 2-3 Specialist assigned and making recommendations for your child. You can listen and accept the suggestions ( self control, using a signal when needing a beak.. etc).

There are local parent groups, advocates and other professionals that can help guide you through this process.

It would be great if you request a supervisor ( special education, NOT a principal) at the meeting who can help guide you through this process.

It is very common for schools to try to set up rewards and work on impulsive behavior.

Hope this helps..

If you have more questions you can always ask many of us have been through this.

Take care,

[Aspen797]

Great information in the prior response! I understand your concern about the the school’s primary focus on behavior in your child’s IEP. Behavior is always communication. If we only focus on stopping a behavior and not addressing the underlying cause, it will just reoccur in a new behavior!

Really good functional behavior assessments are rare, but golden. They focus on identifying the underlying causes of the behaviors by careful observation over extended periods of time. They look at what function the behavior serves by looking at both setting events ( e.g., hungry, flickering lights, noise, being told to read , etc), the behavior itself, and what was gained from the behavior (escape, attention, etc.).

The meat and potatoes of the IEP should focus on what is causing or reinforcing the behavior and either implementing careful accommodations and/or addressing lagging skills (emotional regulation goals, social skills goals, reading goals, executive functioning goals). The behavior plan itself should focus on teaching your child a replacement behavior, not stopping a behavior. The replacement behavior has to meet the same needs of the child’s original behavior, but be palatable to others, and help address your child’s underlying reason for demonstrating a behavior. Above all, it has to be based in positive reinforcement not punishment. You might like the book, “The Behavior Code”.

Have you checked out your state’s parent information and training center? They are federally funded to assist families of students with disabilities. Many offer training opportunities, referral, advocacy at IEP’s, and more. I think you might get answers to a lot of your questions by reaching out to them. They would definitely know about dyslexia screening and in-service requirements in your state. Check yours here: parentcenterhub.org/find-yo...

Another great resource regarding IEP’s and, more generally, getting your child what they need, is “From Emotions to Advocacy” by the Wrights, a special education attorney and advocate duo. Their seminars and books do a great job of informing parents about their child’s rights, but also helps with understanding the delicate balancing act that often needs to occur in advocating effectively for your child. Wrightslaw.com or Amazon.

Finally, each state has an office for protection and advocacy and client assistance programs. These federally funded offices feature attorneys and advocates who enforce disability related rights and legislation, including special education. Depending on the office, they might offer free advocacy at your IEP meetings, most offer trainings. Find yours here: ndrn.org/about/ndrn-member-...

Good luck to you and keep up the good fight (and/or friendly school advocacy 😉).