education – mamasmunchkin

Different Methods Help You Communicate with Your Child’s Teacher as a Parent with a Disability

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

As parents, we all know that our children’s success in school helps them carve out a path to their future. Part of that success in school is being able to communicate with your child’s teacher and be part of the educational team. As a parent with a disability, you may feel like you face obstacles in communicating with their teachers or even participating in the educational journey they are on, but do not be discouraged. There are many ways to communicate with your child’s teacher.

Whether it’s this subject or another obstacle you may face in accomplishing your goals as a parent with a disability, the best advice I can give you is to create a plan. That plan needs to be specific to your needs. You should have it outlined in your mind at the minimum to know what you are going to do when you need to put it into effect.

When my son began attending school, the options were limited as to how I would interact with the teachers and other school staff as independently as possible. Being unable to drive, I knew issues would present themselves, though I was not sure how I was going to solve the puzzle that was in front of me. I decided to come up with an alternative way so that I would be able to compensate for my limitations. I was determined to be as involved in every aspect of his schooling as possible and was not going to allow the obstacles that lie in front of me from having the same experience with my child as other parents that did not have a disability. Their school experience is where kids make a lot of memories with their families, and I wanted to share that part of his life with him too.

When it was time to attend parent teacher conferences or meet the teacher, I had to tap into my natural supports to make that happen. Natural supports, also sometimes referred to as organic supports, are a great tool you should already have in place before an event. This will alleviate your need to be worried at the last minute about how you can get certain things done. It took having a network of different people willing to help by being available at specific times so I could participate in those activities.

When the pandemic unexpectedly arrived in early 2020, the ways in which people were communicating and handling their daily lives got flipped upside down. That included how students were attending school. Suddenly, my son was home attending classes over the camera on my computer and he even brought some classes literally into my living room.

On a positive note, the new options that were available not only made things easier but also more accessible. The technology allowed me to interact with his teachers more independently. This helped since I no longer had to coordinate with someone else’s schedule to make sure I could participate in a school meeting.

Things like using email communication, phone conferencing or video conferencing allow you to have open communication with teachers and other staff people. This is a great option to allow open communication whether they have an issue with the student that needs to be addressed or if you have a concern you need to bring to their attention. Suddenly, the limitations your disability might place on you have disappeared and are no longer a factor. You can focus on the matter at hand which is your student’s educational needs.

The most important thing is to be a proactive and involved parent on your student’s educational journey. Research the ways you can participate in the school’s events. Make a plan you feel good about and is functional for you. As a result, being able to be a present and proactive parent will let your child know they are loved and supported.

When interacting with their teachers, reassure them you are a proactive parent and are there to support your student and the teacher in their work. Not only will these steps help your student succeed in their educational life, but you will have the chance to make memories with them that will give them a chance for a successful future.

Contributions Made by Ed Roberts Still Impact the Lives of People with Disabilities

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Although people may not be aware of how disability history has shaped the path of people with disabilities, some people may find it interesting that there have been many people with disabilities who have influenced a lot of activities and initiatives in existence today. Many individuals with disabilities have placed their stamp on American history. In this post I am going to discuss why Ed Roberts’ contributions to the history and advancement of people with disabilities has impacted people’s lives in today’s environment.

This week the disability community celebrates Ed Roberts Day. He is one of the most important figures in disability history for many reasons. Ed Roberts gave the world a blueprint of how to live your life and accomplish your dreams despite your disability. Diagnosed with polio at the age of 14, he did not let that stop him from pursuing higher education and advocating for change that are now considered standard practice for people with disabilities. He is one of the people who led the way in the disability rights movement and showed that people with disabilities could do more than be defined by their physical limitations.

The idea of independent living would not have gained momentum during the time it did if Ed Roberts had not advocated for the rights and equality of individuals with disabilities. His efforts paved the way for the chance to live in our communities while having access to needed supports that would ultimately improve our quality of life.

He broke down barriers for people with disabilities to have an opportunity to experience independent living when other people said that we could not. He laid the foundation for people with disabilities to have the chance to live on campus during their college years, live independently with the supports they need, and be gainfully employed. If Ed Roberts would not have set a path in front of himself during his life, the struggles of people with disabilities in these areas may look considerably different today. There may not be a framework in place to allow students with disabilities to believe higher education or employment could be a possibility available to them.

During his time in college at The University of California, Berkley, he established The Rolling Quads. This group of students with disabilities would be the model of what students with disabilities service offices look like on most American campuses today. They worked together to create needed resources for students with disabilities to succeed in completing their education. This included what they crafted into accessible housing and making the first strides toward advocating for accessible architectural changes in their surroundings.

Ed Roberts is also known as “The Father of Independent Living Movement.” He along with a group of other people with disabilities started the first Center for Independent Living. Now widely utilized within communities across the country, Centers for Independent Living provide a range of supports and resources so that individuals with disabilities can navigate life within their communities.

Ed Roberts later became the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation in California. This agency is charged with assisting individuals with disabilities in obtaining a job. It can also assist you to tap into other needed resources to help you during your employment journey. These resources can minimize the obstacles a person with a disability may face in their line of work. In this role, he also proved that an individual with a disability can successfully oversee an agency.

As a result of his pioneering efforts, Roberts helped people with disabilities live more independently and expand on opportunities for a better life. People with disabilities can live within the community. They can have the full college experience, complete with living in the dorm rooms if they are available at your chosen higher institution. They can also be gainfully employed and hold a position of authority at the same time. The stereotypes he was able to crush helped move people with disabilities in the direction of being seen as people who can make valuable contributions to the world.

Learning about historical contributions of individuals with disabilities shows it is not a negative thing to have a disability. It is also clear evidence that those in the disability community can have positive and lasting impacts on the framework of society.

As a community and as individuals we should follow his example. He did not let his disability be an obstacle to what he wanted in life. The key is to follow your heart and not worry about what others say. Take the torch he has left for us and continue with the mission of advocating for full equity in all areas of life for people with disabilities.

His example encourages us along our paths even though we may feel like some things are insurmountable. There are steps everyone needs to follow to accomplish what they want in life. This is also true for individuals with disabilities. The only difference is that we must sometimes be more creative along the way. It is only a matter of plotting out the course of our lives and seeing things through to their completion.

Experiences of Parenting with a Disability Help Increase Disability Awareness

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate mothers and all they do. Since Mother’s Day was this past Sunday, it made me think about how I’ve used the experiences of parenting with a disability I’ve had through the years. There are three main ways I’ve used my experiences. When I thought about it more, all of them are important to raising awareness of issues surrounding people with disabilities too.

Some people would say that parenting isn’t for everyone. The same could be said from the perspective of a parent with a disability. Every time I give my speech about parenting with a disability, the main message is to do your research before you make any choice.

In the beginning, I didn’t realize the challenges I would face when it came to the way people reacted to me being pregnant. The same was true after my son was born. I wasn’t even sure how I would compensate for my physical limitations. It was both exciting and left me with a sense of apprehension. I was also adjusting to the weekly changes my body was going through from the pregnancy. Some of those changes made life a little more complicated. I was happy to go through these challenges because of the new adventures and experiences parenting was going to allow me to have with my baby.

Because I realized that my son learns from my behaviors and how he sees me react to others, I didn’t want to give him a negative example. I decided to use the experiences and turn them into something positive. The three ways I highlight in this post can have a positive impact on society and the way it perceives people with disabilities in a variety of ways.

The first way is to educate the public. There have been times in a store or even when my son played soccer where people have confronted me with their misconceptions about people with disabilities. Sometimes they have said blatantly mean things to me about being in the outdoors or out in public. Instead of having a negative reaction, I use the opportunity to let people ask questions. This approach is surprising to them but, I believe it’s the only way to help get rid of the unnecessary fear or misconceptions they might have. Most of the time it has created an ongoing dialogue with the people around me at the time it happens. Once people see there is an available space to ask questions, they seem more at ease. It allows them the chance to gain a better perspective into the human experience of disability. Hopefully, it helps them not be so afraid at other times when they may encounter a person with a disability.

The second way is to advocate for issues related to parenting with a disability. Luckily, I have had previous experiences advocating for myself and others for different reasons. For someone who feels like advocacy is a scary or intimidating topic, it’s never too late to start sharpening your advocacy skills. It can be an exciting journey where you learn more about yourself and the way each organization functions. You can also tap into different avenues available in your community for help. Whether it has something to do with school, sports or getting to my son’s doctor’s appointments, I’ve had to advocate for different issues. Other examples include requesting needed accommodations to attend a parent teacher conference or using a delivery service to get a prescription. For the most part, once you express a need there are people around willing to lend a hand.

The third way is to foster a sense of acceptance and understanding of people who have different limitations. For example, it takes me a little longer to get on the floor and play with my son. He has learned to be patient with me and even figured out ways to help. Having a parent with a disability helps children be more patient with their parents, themselves and other people. Because he has watched me adapt to different environments, he has a greater awareness of his surroundings. There have even been articles stating that children of parents with disabilities develop greater emotional skills and are more empathetic than kids whose parents are not disabled.

Everyone’s journey of parenting and parenting with a disability will be different. The most important part is to enjoy the ride because it goes by quickly. Parenting with a disability tests your strengths and limitations like you would never imagine. It provides great rewards that are worth every moment spent overcoming obstacles and sharpening your skills. The result is an experience no one can take away from you. It will strengthen the bond you have with your child for years to come.

Students with Disabilities and Gaps in their Education During the Pandemic

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

During the coronavirus pandemic, the way education is delivered to students in the United States has drastically changed. Students with disabilities are more affected than most by this change.

Students with disabilities are caught in a situation they didn’t choose. How they get their education has been altered so drastically, portions of their daily routine have become nonexistent. Related services that were part of their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) have been slashed to a minimum or eliminated. Few services can be delivered effectively by virtual means or by the student’s parents. Parents are left at home attempting to deliver services they are not trained to provide, potentially causing their student unintentional harm. For example, if parents try to assist in physical therapy sessions, they could hurt themselves or their children because they aren’t trained in the correct techniques. There have even been instances where it seemed to the parent that the student’s impairment was totally disregarded. This left the time used for the therapy session like some sort of preliminary fact-finding mission, instead of building on progress previously made during the last session.

School officials try their best to modify plans and deliver needed services. Because the pandemic happened so quickly, they are poorly prepared to do so. Even now, more than a year into this model of learning, educators are on a continual learning curve they just can’t get ahead of, while students are left behind. It makes you wonder how this set of students going to school during such an unusual time will compensate for the gaps being left in their education in years to come.

Although students are missing their friends and the socialization aspect traditional school offers, some parents of kids with disabilities find themselves in another dilemma. The student with a disability might be at a higher risk of contracting the virus. As a result, parents feel they have no other choice but to keep students in the virtual model of learning. Parents must take extra precautions not to come into contact with the virus. There might be other risks involved with exposure to the virus. If a student contracts the virus, they could have other health complications as well. The million-dollar question becomes how do we get all our students back to school so they can receive their education and services properly, while staying safe from the virus at the same time?

In implementing any reopening plan, many factors need to be considered. First, the health of the students and how to catch them up on the material that is being missed. Students need instruction and guidance about things like social distancing, proper handwashing and most difficult of all, consistently wearing a face mask. Some individuals with a disability can’t wear a face mask for medical reasons. If that is the case for a student, an alternative plan needs to be implemented. Lastly, the health and well-being of the educators must be considered as well.

Currently educators are at the front of the line when it comes to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, other workers such as speech, physical and occupational therapists need to be added to that list. These workers need to be considered essential and should be prioritized. One of the goals in returning us to pre-pandemic education is to fully open schools. That can’t be done unless these support personnel whose aim is to provide related services to students with disabilities get vaccinated too. They ensure students stay focused on their education while making sure their therapeutic needs are met regularly.

These are merely a starting point of suggested guidelines to help students with disabilities get safely back to learning in the classroom. The positive steps we take to rid ourselves of the virus will give kids the opportunity to move forward and make the progress they need to confidently succeed as young adults, well-prepared for different kinds of adversity.

The Importance of the IDEA for All Students

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Thinking about how far I’ve come professionally, it would be wrong not to talk about how the IDEA has helped me achieve my goals. The IDEA or Individuals with Disabilities Act is a very helpful tool for students with disabilities.

Each law related to people with disabilities is intended to give them a better opportunity to achieve their goals in life. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is no different. Before it was enacted into law in 1975, its original name was the Education for all Handicapped Children Act. This law helps students with disabilities get the education and supports they need. It helps them receive accommodations to go to school in an integrated environment with other children.

Socialization is an important part of going to school and growing up. Being included and integrated with other kids has many benefits for everyone involved. It gives students with disabilities the opportunity to get the full school experience. It allows kids without disabilities to be exposed to another person’s perspective. This interaction gives them valuable experiences at an early age. It will also influence their behavior as they get older.

While I always did well in school, I remember some things about the experience that have always stuck with me. Being mainstreamed in the 3^rd grade, I had to explain my disability to other kids. Most of them were very curious to find out why I had to use a wheelchair to get around. This doesn’t mean all my school experiences were positive ones. Being exposed to students who had different reactions to my disability allowed me to be better prepared for how people might react to my disability as an adult. In my opinion, I have been able to take this point of view and use it to try and inform others about the abilities a person with disability possess. It’s been a good teacher on how to get that conversation started with people in the first place.

If it had not been for the accommodations that were given to me in my Individual Education Plan (IEP), I think school would’ve been a lot more difficult. It’s not because I didn’t know the work, but because of the limitations I had to overcome just to get the work done. Of course, I had transportation that allowed me to get to school. I have to say getting therapy in school helped me keep a regular school schedule and I didn’t have to miss any extra time to get to and from appointments. Because of the educational supports I received, college and beyond were a possibility for me. I was not only able to complete, but excelled in my studies.

Parents and students should stay up to date on what’s going on with their student’s education and related services. As part of the IEP team, they should maximize the delivery of services needed and keep up with their advocacy skills. This is an effective strategy to hold team members accountable when things aren’t going according to what is agreed upon during each meeting.

I know students with disabilities are having difficulty right now because of the pandemic. Parents and their students should be patient with themselves. Continue to sharpen and maintain their advocacy skills. This will help preserve their rights and maintain services they need now and beyond. Connecting with local advocacy and special education groups that offer webinars and other resources can also be beneficial. This will help you learn about techniques and other methods available to maximize desired educational outcomes. Advocacy groups can help if you need to find someone to go to a meeting with you or advocate on your student’s behalf. Using these tools successfully will allow a path for your student’s educational and life goals to be achieved in the future.

Back to School Survival Guide

Featured by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Parents getting ready to send little ones off to school experience mixed emotions. As a parent with a disability, the experience isn’t any different.

During the time of a pandemic, it can seem even more nerve-wracking. Safety concerns are now more common. We need to take precautions for our children and family like never before. While keeping this in mind, don’t lose sight of the adventure school can be for our students. This is an exciting time in both you and your child’s lives. The learning and growth of our children that happens each year molds them into the adults of the future. Making preparations before the first day of school is sure to help create wonderful memories. Here are some ideas to help you get through the first few weeks of a new school year.

As parents, we are our children’s first teachers. When our kids go to school, their teachers add a layer to that learning. Although going back to school looks different now because of the pandemic, it’s important to encourage your child to do their best and enjoy the experience.

“Meet the Teacher” is typically the first thing that happens before the school year starts. This is a critical time to speak with your child’s teacher so you know their expectations of your student. It’s a good idea to work with them to form a collaboration. During this meeting, teachers can be reassured you are there to help your child while also being a source of support to them. The collaboration you form can greatly benefit your child throughout the school year.

A valuable strategy you can use to get your child ready for school is implementing a routine at home. Routines can be of great assistance to our children for many reasons. They provide a sense of security and certainty to how they are expected to behave. Routines also provide a schedule that lets students know the amount of time they have to complete specific tasks. Routines are also helpful for students so they can anticipate what comes next in their day at home and school.

Don’t be afraid to be an involved parent in your child’s education. When people see you have a disability, it opens up avenues of communication. It allows people to ask questions they may otherwise be afraid to ask. As a result, your interaction with them can even dispel stereotypes they might have about people with disabilities.

Keeping up with your child’s assignments and adding to their learning experience can enhance your student’s education. Working with your child’s teacher to find out what’s going on in the classroom can be helpful in many ways. Being informed about classroom goals gives you an opportunity to implement certain activities at home. Games and television shows can be chosen that are geared toward ideas being taught in school. This gives your child a chance to practice what they’re learning at school on weekends. These activities can provide reinforcement of important concepts. As a result, kids can be better prepared for the materials being covered in the classroom.

This year some parents have decided to use the distance learning option offered by certain school districts because it is the best choice for their family. Setting up a separate space for learning at home is a great idea. It helps kids stay focused on their schoolwork. Having a morning and after school routine is another good way to put your child in learning mode. This gives kids an opportunity to prepare themselves for interacting with their teacher virtually. They can also have set activities to help them wind down at the end of the day.

Due to the nature of the pandemic, technology is being used more frequently and is more acceptable than ever before. The truth is, it has always been there to lend parents with a disability a helping hand. Technology can become your best friend to make communicating with your child’s teacher easier. Things like Skype, email or even the phone can help you schedule conferences or quick chats to stay in the loop of what’s going on with your child’s progress in the classroom.

Having open communication with your child’s teacher using these techniques will help increase your child’s educational success. If your child happens to encounter issues at school that need to be addressed, knowing all expectations beforehand makes it easier not only to troubleshoot problems, but increases the chances of promptly remedying the issue.

These are straightforward ideas available to anyone. However, when you are faced with certain situations, you may not be sure where to begin. Hopefully, you will use this as a survival guide or the beginnings of a road map that can help you come up with something similar that works best for you and your family.

New Uses of Technology in Special Education

September 21, 2014 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

It’s been a few weeks ago now that I was watching the news and saw a report of how one of the local schools was using IPads with students in Special Education. This got me thinking about how far technology has come since I was in school. Advances like the IPad have far-reaching effects, not only on society, since we’re very much on-the-go and rely on devices that travel with us, but on the students in today’s classrooms too.

While I had certain accommodations in school, the thought of what the IPad may be able to do to help students reach their educational goals was very interesting to me. When I started doing some research, it was clear that the IPad was definitely an asset to the classroom. Students were more involved in their work as well as with their peers. Then a light bulb went off in my head when I read about the speech-to-text function. That’s perfect for anyone who has limited use of their hands and needs to type something.

Unfortunately, there’s limited research available on the usefulness of this device in the classroom. One can only hope that maybe as more schools get on board with the idea, someone will conduct further research to determine the positive and negative effects that exist. Although, like everything else, the IPad isn’t a substitute for certain things, and isn’t a feasible tool for all disabilities, it’s encouraging to know it can reach students in alternative ways. It allows students the opportunity to be excited about learning. Once you can engage students in the learning process, the outcome can’t be anything but positive.

What other advances currently available might be able to assist a special needs student in their quest to learn?

Thanks for reading..

For more information go to these links:

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2013/09/09/Breaking-Down-Barriers-iPad-helpful-tool-for-special-needs-students/stories/201309090197

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/06/13/321058641/ipads-in-special-ed-what-does-the-research-say

Teacher Assaults Autistic Boy

June 24, 2014 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

As parents, we expect when we send our kids to school, they’re in good hands. After seeing a story on the news earlier this week, I was completely shocked about the subject of the report. A teacher had been caught on video assaulting a student with Autism.

When I started looking into the subject a bit more, I found out that unfortunately, this wasn’t an isolated incident. I’ve posted before on how students with disabilities experience more bullying by their peers than their non-disabled counterparts. What didn’t occur to me, until now, was the possibility that maybe the person bullying the student could actually be the teacher, and not other students.

Obviously, there’s no excuse for this behavior. It’s a shame that those we entrust with our kids feel they can use their position of trust and power in such a negative way. I feel the Superintendent of the school did the right thing by firing the teacher. Although the School Board reinstated her, I’m hoping the new investigation being conducted will result in the appropriate action to protect all children at the school, especially those with a disability.

I’ve had the pleasure to volunteer my time years ago at a local Middle School and realize the majority of teachers who take on the job genuinely care about their students. Although I’m not sure how, an extra safeguard should be implemented in the education field to ensure the people entrusted with the safety and well-being of our kids on a daily basis are doing exactly that. As a result, the kids can focus on learning instead of the physical abuse their teacher might inflict on them if they misbehave.

For more information check out the following link:

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/9-investigates-teacher-accused-assaulting-special-/ngPHN/

Thanks for reading..

Bullying and People with Disabilities

February 13, 2013 by caste551, posted in Uncategorized

Recently, I’ve seen a lot of different stories on t.v. and online about bullying and its devastating effects, not only on victims but, on their families as well. Bullying isn’t really something new. Like many other issues, the media and its wide reach help bring this problem to the forefront of society’s attention more today than in years’ past.

Students who are disabled experience bullying at a higher rate than those who aren’t disabled. That’s because they’re perceived as easier targets who can’t defend themselves. When parents send their kids to school, they are under the impression that the kids are going somewhere safe, and that their child will not become the victim of a bully.

For parents of disabled children there are a few avenues that can be utilized to help with this problem. If your child is being taunted because of their disability, it could reach the level of disability harassment. According to the U.S. Department of Education, disability harassment is “intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student based on disability that creates a hostile environment by interfering with or denying a student’s participation in or receipt of benefits, services, or opportunities in the institution’s program” (U.S. Department of Education 2000).

It’s very important as parents to know what is going on at your child’s school and to have open communication with their 504 or IEP (Individual Education Plan) team (whichever applies to them). This team isn’t only there to maximize your child’s learning experience but, also to make sure they receive the services and support they need to succeed in their studies.

If your child is having these types of issues at school, it wouldn’t only be hard for them to put forth their best efforts but, also hard to not worry about when the next time might be that they run into another issue with the person in question. Also, if your child is being bullied, their IEP or 504 Team should be brought together in a meeting to see how the plan can be adjusted to address the issue. At the same time, it is also very important that if you find your child in this situation, you proceed with caution in resolving the issue so that your actions don’t inadvertently make the situation worse.

All in all, slowly but surely, the issue of bullying is being addressed by schools. The best thing we can do for our students is to take a proactive approach to help solve the issue if in fact it presents itself.

For more information, please visit: http://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/groups/special-needs/BullyingTipSheet.pdf

Thanks for reading..