Better IEPs

I'm sure you've seen the blue infographic supposedly from the CDC that's been floating around social media for the past couple of days. The fact that "guidelines" is spelled wrong was my first clue this wasn't official. But that doesn't mean it didn't go viral and upset everyone out there, most notably our club: the special needs community. Never forget what we tell our own children and our aging parents: don't believe everything you read on the internet.⠀
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Will school look different in the fall? YES. But our extra special children don't give up their right to (everyone together now) "a Free Appropriate Public Education that meets their unique needs and prepares them for further education, employment, and independent living."⠀
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This will require us to think outside the box and work with our IEP teams to come up with creative solutions so that our children get the appropriate education they deserve.⠀
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I'm passionate about working with teams to figure out how to meet the unique needs of children. Reach out - I can help!

I am getting bombarded with messages from parents telling me they're overwhelmed by homeschooling their child with an IEP. I GET IT. Remember, I've got my own extra special little guy! ☺️ (PS: homeschool isn't going that great for his typically-developing big brother either!)

When I'm feeling anxious about everything that's happening and wondering how it will impact our children with special needs down the road... I take a deep breath and remind myself that there are other things we can work on besides counting to 20 or spelling CVC words.

The purpose of special education is to meet a child's unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.

That's literally what IDEA says.

So teach your child how to make toast. Have them help with yard work. Play a board game where they have to take turns.

Get around to (some of) the school work when you can. You have my permission to leave the bulk of the academics to the teachers. They'll be waiting with open arms the second schools are back in session.

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