BEHAVIORAL Issues
Many children have disabilities that can include behavioral issues.
The rights of the parents at IEP are the same. Understand that children with behavioral issues may need to be physically restrained if/when he or she poses a physical threat to self or others (teacher, classmates, self). There are legal guidelines regarding the manner in which your child will be restrained by a certified/licensed staff person. This means that in most cases, a school that has students enrolled with behavioral issues will more than likely have someone on staff who is certified and trained to properly restrain your child including an in-house police officer. This is usually upsetting to parents upon learning the child had to be restrained.
Understand that a child may tend to exaggerate the situation by stating somebody "put their hands on me." Investigate thoroughly.
Understand restraining needs to be thoroughly discussed and explained to you at the IEP if your child has this type of risk. A proper restraint should not result in bruises or injury to the child. Identify at the IEP who will be called if your child needs to be restrained, check his or her credentials. Meet this person in person and he or she can be asked to attend the IEP. Discuss a safe plan you will be comfortable with understanding regulations have to be followed. Discuss whether or not you want to be called each time your child needs to be restrained. Then write it all out in the IEP!
ANY time you have concerns about the manner in which your child was restrained, discuss it with the school principal, Parent Resources, and Disability Law Center in your area at once.
Understand that it is the school principal's responsibility to maintain the safety of ALL the students. Likewise, the classroom teacher must maintain the safety of ALL the students. If it is recommended for your child to attend what is known as a "contained" classroom, it is not the end of the world. Set a goal and clearly understand the point-system applied that will allow your child to work towards a goal of being included in a regular classroom. Discuss it with your child's doctor, too. Understand what the recommended modifications are for your child with this behavioral risk. Then do YOUR part at home.
Understand that there are cruel kids at school, bus, playground, etc.. Children tease each other. It happens. Whenever you feel it is out of hand (i.e., bullying, physical harm, etc.) you need to promptly contact the person in charge of the school and that is the principal. Then your local police station and follow their advice (physical harm). Let them handle it even if you keep your child home until it is satisfactorily resolved. Get in the habit of attending PTA meetings, special parent workshops, Parent Resource Centers and your NEIGHBORS (the village).
Understand children with disabilities can also be cruel.
MEDICATED Children
If your child will need to take ANY regular medications at school (Ritalin, Insulin, Valium, etc.), it should be spelled out in the IEP with a copy of the doctor's order attached. The doctor's order should be legible with contact information. The regular school nurse can administer medications and you need to clearly understand your school district's policy regarding this. If your child has a one-on-one nurse, he or she will be responsible for your child's medications in school including what the check-in procedure is in the Health Suite. Typically, the one-on-one nurse will take your child to the health suite and sign off medications he or she is giving your child, the medications can be stored in the health suite. NO child should be administering medication to his or her self in any school. NO nurse should be giving your child her own supply of medicines such as Tylenol, ointments, etc.
Understand that if you did not obtain the medication to be used during school, your child should NOT attend school until the medications are obtained.
Understand that if you do not provide medication as prescribed by your child's doctor, you are, ARE subject to child abuse/neglect charges against you. Period.
Understand that any and every piece of medical equipment, adaptation, etc. must, must be properly taking care of during home use if this applies. Adaptations, etc. are expensive and the disability community is very sensitive about broken equipment, dirty equipment, etc. due to improper use, care, neglect. Again, it could lead to a child abuse/neglect charge. The reason is because the child needs the equipment to have a quality of life, learn, and otherwise be healthy and safe. Thus, trust the occupational therapist or physical therapist if you receive a call that equipment needs to be replaced. School systems are not, NOT responsible for providing special equipment as a rule. However, be humble when they do. Smile.
Advocate for your child through your Service Coordinator whenever Medicare or Medical Assistance will not pay for necessary equipment. (i.e., equipment can only be replaced every three years, repairs are ongoing expenses, there are funding resource organizations your Service Coordinator can tap into, etc.). The child's needs always, always come first!
Likewise, the one-on-one nurse, school, school bus driver, etc. must, must take equally good care of all adaptations, equipment, etc. or it could lead to legal consequences (replacement).
Understand that if the wheelchair is not working properly, it cannot be transported on the bus. If your child uses a wheelchair, he or she should be in that wheelchair for the entire bus ride and properly secured. Do NOT use the bus driver to send "things" to school for your child. If you parent a child who uses a wheelchair, there are thousands of online resources, vendors, etc. For example: visit:
http://www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_Living/pa... Have a back-up plan for getting your child home if he or she uses a wheelchair and the weather, illness, bus breaks down, etc. and your child cannot ride the normal school bus home. Identify your area's mobility transit company, taxi cab service, relative/friend and have the contact information handy. Many times, you can leave written instructions with the school and, of course, it can go in the IEP if you wish.
ALL adaptations should be in a secure and durable carrying bag of your choice and clearly marked with your child's name, phone number, etc. Children with disabilities have self-esteem. They have dignity. They are people with unique abilities.
These are the basics for a successful IEP experience. It only seems overwhelming when you have never done it before. Buddy up with other parents of special needs children and share information. You will be more successful through networking with other parents just like with "normal" children.
Respite
This is a chance for the parent, family, siblings, and special needs child to take a break away from the day-to-day routine. There are many ways to have respite (i.e, weekends, summer, holidays, etc.). Be as creative as possible and avoid feeling guilty. Write it into your annual Plan of Care with your Service Coordinator who can tap into many resource organizations (i.e., special camps, overnight care, etc.) as well. In addition, take advantage of help from family and friends whenever you can. Respite leads to peace of mind, too.
Alright, I don't typically do this, but here goes: Y'all know I helped write the Family Medical Leave Act under former President Clinton along with other parents of special needs children. I helped write the Individual Education Act (IDEA) in 1994/97 under former President Clinton. I used to have all 2,000 pages memorized, but don't anymore (LOL). I helped with the early days of Parent Resource Center in Maryland during this time. My boast, of course, is in the Lord. Although things have changed over the years with amendments/republicans, the basics still stand strong. The most important part of parenting a special needs child is staying involved and humility. The same thing applies about normal children, too. Smile. The peace is that through a close relationship with God, your mind will be transformed. God will always be there to show you the way. He speaks through others who pioneered the way. God intended for all of us to live in the Kingdom for ever and ever accepting uniqueness. This is why community involvement is important for the special needs child. The should not be hidden, judged, or hindered.
ANY parent will reap what is sowed and we give God all the glory! amen? Amen!
Posted By: agnes levine
Thursday, September 23rd 2010 at 2:08PM
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