If your child is on a special diet due to food allergies, sensitivities, or aversions, it is essential to include these dietary restrictions in their IEP. This is the only way to guarantee the school has a legal obligation to respect your child’s dietary needs.
Tag: advocacy
Must Schools Provide Meal Modifications for Students on Special Diets?
Federal laws and regulations require public schools to provide meal modifications through the cafeteria service, at no additional cost, to children whose disability restricts their diet. This includes children with autism who are on special diets due to food allergies, sensitivities, or sensory issues. In this article, we will discuss: How students with dietary restrictions […]
Behavior Issues at School: FBA, BIP, and Seclusion and Restraint
Students with autism may display challenging behaviors that interfere with their education or another student’s education. When this happens, schools should address behavior issues by conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to create a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). Doing so will help identify why the behavior is occurring and to address it appropriately. Furthermore, schools should make every effort to prevent the need for the use of seclusion and restraint.
Autism and Bullying
People with autism are undoubtedly victims of bullying at a much higher rate than typical peers. In this article, you will learn the signs of bullying as well as tips and resources for advocating for your child at school.
Executive Functioning Skills
Executive function is an umbrella term used to describe a set of cognitive skills we use to successfully navigate everyday life. We rely on them to learn, achieve goals, manage emotions, pay attention, organize, plan, and adapt to our environment. While everyone must learn and develop executive functioning skills throughout their life, people with autism often struggle with executive function, requiring accommodations and explicit instruction in order to thrive.
Social Skills and Autism
Social skills are a person’s ability to effectively interact and communicate with others through our words, actions, and body language. Thus, how we adapt to social situations and interactions rely on social skills. Social skills are learned over time but are not always automatic. Consequently, people with autism often need explicit instruction to learn appropriate […]
Life Skills
Functional life skills are the everyday tasks we all need to lead independent lives. Mastering these skills builds self-esteem and confidence while gaining autonomy. Many people learn life skills through passive watching, imitation, or practicing a few times. Individuals with autism often need explicit instruction with many more repetitions to obtain the same skills. It […]
IEP Transition Planning
One of the core objectives of IDEA is to prepare students for life after high school. Specifically, further education, employment, and independent living. IEP transition services fulfill this objective, and the law requires them to begin the year your child turns 16 years old. Transition is an exciting time when students become part of the […]
New School Year Checklist
Get your child with autism ready for an exceptional start to the new year! Download our FREE “About Me” student information form and use this guide as a new school year “checklist” with tips and ideas to set your child up for school success!
Therapeutic and Communication Options for Speech Issues in Autism
Providing your child with an effective means to communicate their thoughts, opinions, experiences, feelings, and knowledge is essential to creating a meaningful life for them. While it’s true that navigating speech issues in autism can be challenging, it is important to remember that challenging does NOT mean impossible. Furthermore, you don’t have to navigate these […]
Water Safety
Teaching your child with autism how to swim AND helping them develop water safety skills from a young age is critical in order to keep your child safe. Water safety and swimming lessons are not the same thing. Water safety describes precautions taken when around any body of water to keep your family safe. Practicing water safety helps reduce the risk of drowning for your child.
Risk Reduction Strategies for Physical and Sexual Abuse
Having autism brings unique challenges to keeping our children safe and protected. The following information provides a summary of key considerations concerning elopement, water safety and drowning, pica and household toxins, interactions with first responders, and internet safety.
Inclusion
Inclusion is a philosophy based on the belief that ALL students belong to their school community. Inclusion gives all students–regardless of label–access to equal opportunities for meaningful participation. To clarify, access to meaningful participation is not limited to social interactions; it includes various curriculum options too. Furthermore, inclusion encompasses all areas of the school. It isn’t something […]
Special Education Conflict Resolution: Mediation and Due Process
There are times when parents may not be able to come to an agreement about what is needed for their child’s IEP with the school district. Because of this, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides the following options for special education conflict resolution: Mediation, Due Process, and Civil Action. Before we begin discussing […]
SMART IEP Goals
The goals on your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) lay the framework for their education, but what makes a good goal?
The Fundamentals of Special Education: What Parents Need to Know
In this article, Timothy A. Adams, Esq. discusses what parents need to know about the fundamentals of special education so they can better advocate for their children throughout the IEP process. Federal law defines special education as specifically designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, designed to meet the unique needs of a child […]
Special Education: IEP Tips
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is the foundation of your child’s education. Many parents feel overwhelmed and anxious about these meetings, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Below, you will find IEP tips to help you successfully navigate the Special Education process, including: Who is included on your child’s IEP Team Tips for […]
Managing Behavior at School: FBA and BIP
Imagine a child in math class, at a time when the students are expected to work independently. With a shout, the child sweeps papers, textbook, and pencils off the desk, drawing stares from peers and an immediate response from the teacher. A number of factors influence what happens after the child’s supplies end up on […]
Teens and Adults Booklist
Recommended Books For and About Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders For reading recommendations on other topics like education, medical and therapies, please see our Autism Book List Books on Transition Preparing for Life: The Complete Guide for Transitioning to Adulthood for those with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome by Dr. Jed Baker Transition IEPs: […]
Maximizing Time With Your Child’s Doctor
After you’ve carefully chosen a doctor and made an appointment, you may be wondering how to maximize that time with your child’s doctor. This article will provide ideas for things to do before, during, and after appointments to make the most of those valuable meetings. Maximizing time with your child’s doctor by preparing for your appointment […]