Building a Strong IEP to Support Boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Kelli Miller, M.Ed June 2010
IDEA 2004
Individuals with DisabiliEes EducaEon Improvement Act
• Authorizes Special EducaEon • IEP: Individualized EducaEon Program • Can qualify under Orthopedic Impairment • Requires educaEonal benefit *Not SecEon 504 Plan: ProtecEon – Not individualized – No goals for progress
Basics of Special EducaEon DefiniEon of Special EducaEon • Specially-‐designed instrucEon provided at no cost to parents • Can take place in general classroom, resource room, hospital, or home • Includes PE Purpose • To provide free, appropriate educaEon • To meet unique educaEonal needs • To prepare for independent living
Qualifying for Special EducaEon • Your child can receive comprehensive services based on DMD diagnosis – Does not need a separate diagnosis to receive services related to academics and behavior – But…you should have your child evaluated in ALL areas to ensure that you develop goals to support growth. • School • Private pracEEoner: Psycho-‐educaEonal EvaluaEon
Research on DMD Use the research on DMD to guide you. • Poysky: OCD and ADHD Symptoms • Hinton: Memory, Processing, Social • Hendricksen: ADHD Symptoms, Learning • Wong: Behavior and Steroids • Morley: Behavior and CogniEon • Co\on: Working Memory, Verbal Reasoning
The IEP The IEP process is collaboraEve. The IEP is a flexible document that details: – Present levels of performance – Measurable annual goals – Related services, supplementary aids, and accommodaEon Common areas of need: Academics Physical Health Mobility Tech *Think ahead: Be goal-‐oriented
Goals • The heart of the IEP: services, supplementary aides, and supports are provided in order to meet the goals of the IEP. • Guides the whole process • SMART – Specific – Measurable – A\ainable – RealisEc – Timely
IEP Services and Supports • • • • • • • •
Academic supports/AccommodaEons Paraprofessional support AssisEve technology/Adapted equipment Physical Therapy OccupaEonal Therapy Adapted PE Mobility/TransportaEon Behavior Support/Counseling
Possible Support/Services • Paraprofessional Assistance – Useful for: • Physical accessibility • Behavior support • General classroom assistance
– Be specific about hours required and how the aide will be uElized. – Not always beneficial – Good communicaEon/relaEonship with teacher
Possible Supports/Services • AssisEve Technology: – Alphasmart/laptop – Word processing programs – WriEng programs – Math programs – Reading programs Helps to maintain, increase, or improve funcEonal capabiliEes
Possible Supports/Services • Mobility – Plan for wheelchair/scooter use – Accessibility throughout school
• TransportaEon – To/from School – Field Trips
Possible Supports/Services • Behavioral Support – PosiEve intervenEons to improve behaviors and ina\enEon
• Social Support – Counseling • Groups • Playground acEviEes
Possible Supports/Services • Academic Supports and AccommodaEons – Increased Eme to work – Decreased work load – Proximity to teacher – Specialized, individualized instrucEon – Visual Aides
• Strengths-‐based
Possible Supports/Services • Physical Therapy: helps child to access general curriculum by maintaining strength and flexibility • OccupaEonal Therapy: helps child to maintain/ improve independence in daily living • Adapted PE – Support within general PE class – Supplement or replacement for general PE
Tips • Be a team player, keeping in mind that you are the expert of your child • Look ahead when planning • Prepare for meeEngs/bring support • Do your homework – DMD – Laws – EducaEonal terms
Resources • TesEng – www.ets.org/testcoll/index.html – h\p://alpha.fdu.edu/psychology • AssisEve Technology – www.rehabtool.com/at.html – h\p://secEon508.gov/docs/AT1998.html • IDEA – www.fape.org/idea/2004/summary.htm – www.wrightslaw.com/idea/index.htm – www.ncld.org/content/view/949/456094
• DMD – EducaEon Ma\ers for Teachers – EducaEon Ma\ers: Adapted PE
Thank  you! Â
Kelli Miller 619.446.8617 kellimaymiller@yahoo.com