Decoding Learning Differences with Kimberlynn Lavelle

We are joined this week by Dayna Abraham, educator, author, mother, and so much more!  Dayna's newest book, Calm the Chaos (about to be released very soon) is "a revolutionary guide for parents of kids that struggle with big emotions, power struggles, or challenging behaviors".  Having had the opportunity to read a sneak preview of this book, I can tell you that it is for every parent I've ever met and ever heard of.  Unless your home is always sunshine and you never are left feeling uneasy, upset, or ashamed of an interaction with your child, this book is for you!  Click here and get the book pre-ordered so you can get all the lovely bonuses as well!

Last week we dove into the latest research on the best educational methodologies for children with dyslexia (including some methodologies that the latest research supports but have been around for over a hundred years!).

In this week’s episode, I am giving some clear guidelines on the best methodologies for educating children with dyslexia, based on the most current research.

After that long IEP Tips series, I’m excited to offer you an interview today! 

While you're here, be sure to subscribe, rate, and write a review to help others discover all that you have found so helpful!

This week’s final episode stems from the position many families find themselves in of being offered a Section 504 plan when what they really wanted for their child was an IEP.  We go into the differences and similarities of these two educational supports to hopefully allow families to make the decision that is best for their child!

Last week we went through all the steps of GETTING an IEP for your kiddo, but another common question is around how to keep the school from taking that IEP away.

Every three years, the school district must determine if your child is still “eligible” for an IEP and while this brings updated information, it can also mean that the school may recommend “exiting” your child from special education/ an IEP.

And that’s amazing news!  Your child is doing so well that the school thinks your kiddo will be just fine without an IEP!

And if you disagree and don’t want your child exited?

Watch the video or download the audio for this week’s episode where we discuss your options and my recommendations.

Many families assume that a school will recognize if their child is struggling and will assess them and put them on an IEP if that is needed, all without the parents saying anything.  And, honestly, that’s how it’s supposed to work.  For many children, that is exactly how it does work.

However, for many other kids, their needs get brushed aside and they are never assessed, and never put onto an IEP unless a parent or guardian steps in and advocates for them.

So how do you get your child an IEP?

First, write a letter to the school (all the details are in the episode).  Then, be sure that your school follows the law and responds correctly.  Too many schools don’t know the law and unintentionally break it all the time.  Oops!

Sometimes, we need a second opinion.  

If you’re feeling that the school’s report didn’t find give you the answers you needed regarding why your child is struggling, you might need a second opinion.

Are Accommodations the most important part of an IEP?

When we’re looking at IEP goals, we don’t want just an emotional impression of what we think the IEP is supposed to guide.  We need it to be crystal clear so that there is no confusion as to whether or not a child met that IEP goal.

Those goals need to leave no room for interpretation.  If 2 different teachers both read that goal, will they use entirely different methods of measurement?  If so, the results will likely be vastly different.