How to Word "Break Time" on Learning Plan?

[Amethyst222]

Hello, I am trying to edit my son's Learning Plan (he goes to a Catholic school with limited abilities for accommodations, but I am doing what I can!). He is 10, in 4th grade. Yesterday he came home feeling very angry and upset that he was did not receive any outdoor time for the past 3 days at school (no PE because the teacher was out, AND no recess). There have been many times in the past 2 school years that they have restricted them recess/outdoor time, and it's rarely due to weather. It's usually a behavioral punishment because the kids are "too loud" in the cafeteria, or something similar. This week my son had to stay in to finish work.

Although my son is more the inattentive type, breaks are still necessary for him, as is exercise, socializing, and play (this obviously goes for any kid, but extra with ADHD). So while I have the paperwork here, I want to add a requirement that he receive at least 30 minutes physical break time throughout the school day.

Do any of your IEP's have verbiage like this? What is the best way to word this?

[Onthemove1971]

A few examples are "daily exercise", "movement break", "movement activity" Or "mind break". A few things to consider.. physical activity is required in public school, it's either recess or PE class for all children. Not saying public school is better..just an FYI.

The other thing to think about is...

Imagine his class is being required to stay in... would you be asking then for your child to go outside while the entire class stays in?

Would another teacher/assistant come get him and bring him outside? Then would he be missing what was happening inside? Just things to consider when asking for something in the meeting.

Just things to think about.

Good luck in trying to make this happen for him, can't imagine school with no outside/ movement break.

Hope this helps..

[Amethyst222 in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you for those ideas!

Yeah, I have also been stuck on that problem: if the whole class stayed in, it would be weird to expect him to go out alone, so I'm not sure know how to get around that. I was thinking possibly something like '30 minutes of break time each day, can be consecutive, or in increments (3x 10 minute breaks or 2x 15 minute breaks)' or skip the recess requirement, and request a '10 minute break for every 2 hours of schoolwork'?

IDK how they'd handle this logistically, also since other kids are going to then want a break too... But I can see that he needs frequent breaks, and he feels like he's working non-stop and is very stressed, which isn't helping with focus.

Does anyone else have wording regarding breaks on their IEP?

[Crazyboymomma]

Very similar things happen at my son’s Catholic school. ☹️ They recently made all the middle schoolers take “electives” two quarters of the year (half the year) DURING RECESS. It’s been nearly impossible for us to get the accommodations we were promised. We are considering moving to a public school next year, luckily we’re in a great district.

[Amethyst222 in reply to Crazyboymomma]

Ugh, I feel your pain, getting accommodations is like pulling teeth in Catholic school That's so sad that any school (or any institution at all) would take away the human right to have a break for at least half and hour minimum! Believe me, I wish I had him back in public school too, they are usually much better with these things...

[Crazyboymomma in reply to Amethyst222]

Agree! It’s almost inhumane. Used to love our school, but our difficulties with getting any help for my son (and what I’ve requested has been the bare minimum) has really turned me off. I find it especially hypocritical at a CATHOLIC institution.

[Mamamichl]

I work in special Ed and my kids also have adhd. For some of the students, parents can say that for no reason is recess or physical time restricted. Some teachers do get around that though by having them run laps during recess instead, so I’ve seen it go well and bad. I’m not sure how this fits in for private schools though.