In part 2 of our interview with Heather Brace, ESE teacher, we continue the IEP discussion with a focus on accommodations, teacher/parent communication and Behavior Intervention Plans.
Accommodations
One of the most important pieces of the IEP is the accommodations section. Accommodations are provided to the student to level the playing field. They ideally will allow them to be more independent and successful.
The most important thing to remember is this section should be individualized for your child and only should include what they truly need, allowing them to be as independent as possible. Some examples of accommodations are;
- Extended time on tests
- Increased breaks during the day
- Use of a calm down area
- Individualized behavior plan
- Help with certain functional skills
- Access to certain activities for breaks to calm down – walks or going to a certain place or area
- Special pencils or pencil grips
- Use of a special chair
- Use of token or rewards board or program
- Access to certain fidgets at their desk
- Identifying parent/teacher daily communication
Make sure specific accommodations that are working for your child are written on the IEP so that it carries over to the next year or to a new teacher. Adding to this area doesn’t necessarily require an in person meeting, it can also be done over the phone to make additions or changes. Keep this in mind at the end of the year before your child will change classes or teachers.
Parent - Teacher Communication
Having regular communication from the teacher is vital and it is your right as a parent to request and can also be added under accommodations. (IE – daily communication). This could be on paper, a behavior sheet, a written journal that goes home every day for communication back and forth, Class Dojo or similar apps. Make sure this is on the IEP so that it has to be provided by any teacher.
Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP)
A BIP is separate from an IEP and different than just a “behavior plan.” There are a lot of types of “behavior plans” that teachers use to motivate the students and reward positive behavior, such as token or reward boards and classroom economy. However these are different from an official Behavior Intervention Plan.
A BIP is for a child who is struggling with significant behaviors (aggression, self-injurious behaviors, etc, and other typical behavior strategies are not working in the classroom).
First a Functional Behavior Assessment is completed where a teacher takes significant data for a minimum of 4 weeks on that target behavior that needs to be addressed. You would have a meeting to review that data after the FBA is completed and the team would discuss why the behavior is occurring (what is the antecedent) and the actual BIP will be written. The BIP is a specific customized plan written to target that specific behavior. A replacement behavior will be chosen, which needs to then be directly taught to the child.
Typically a teacher will initiate the discussion of a BIP, but if you don’t feel your child’s behaviors are being addressed or are improving and are impacting their day and their learning, you can absolutely request one. A BIP is typically the last resort, after trying multiple different types of ways to address the child’s behaviors during the day without success.
The biggest thing to remember when working with your child’s teacher and when going into an IEP meeting is: “As the parent… YOU are the specialist of your child!”
You know your child best, so do not be afraid to speak up, ask questions and share your concerns AND your ideas!
Sensory Challenges?
Does your child have sensory challenges? Maybe they are having tantrums or meltdowns? Maybe your child is constantly moving, spinning or climbing or it is impossible for your child to sit still or focus? Maybe they are super picky about food or clothing or have trouble in crowds?
Make sure you check out our “Parents Roadmap to the Sensory System.” With this roadmap, IMMEDIATELY start decreasing your child’s frustrations, help them focus, leave the meltdowns behind, and start working towards calmer and more peaceful family time! The roadmap provides strategies not just for home, but also for school!