ADD/ADHD IEP(Individual Education Plan) Information

Here are a few questions that you need to ask at the IEP Meeting:

How is "academic success" defined for your child?

If it's not entirely academic, then what is it? How will they be spending their time while the other students are focused on academics? What will your child be doing most of the day?


What happens if the IEP does not work? How much time are we talking before a new IEP can be implemented?

What kind of training do classroom teachers receive for diffusing behaviors in the classroom?

What is the plan in the event a behavior emerges that puts the student or other students and staff in danger?

What will your child be doing at school that will benefit their own abilities?

What kind of assistive technologies and methodologies are currently being used and what kind of training will teachers receive?



Here's a site ... http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_teaching_strategies.htm

http://addadhd.suite101.com/article.cfm/iep_versus_504



Before you consider developing an IEP for your child, as a parent or caretaker, you should be asking what it is your child will gain from his or her special education experience at school because everyone on your child's IEP team must be in agreement in defining "academic success" based on your child's ability. If it is not "academic" than what is it? How will the behaviors be diffused in the classroom?


When looking over articles about writing IEPs, keep in mind that federal law says that our children are entitled to receive a special education by their own design according to their own abilities. There is nothing in the federal law that states all children must follow the standard academic curriculum or that their IEP is restricted to what is going on in the classroom.

The whole point of having special education laws in place was to make sure that each child with special needs is guaranteed a special education according to his or her ability.


In a pre-planning IEP meeting, consider different teaching methodologies if your child is diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder or any other label that prevents them from fully participating in a classroom with their biological, typical developing peers. Bring with you to meetings, advocates who works directly with your child or other children who have a similar medical diagnosis, developmental patterns, etc.


Remember, the goals of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) for every student does not have to be linked to academic success unless the student with special needs can follow academic curriculum.

If the student with special needs cannot follow the academic curriculum then the IEP team must be in agreement and have an alternative plan in place that matches or follows the child's ability.


IEP GOALS:

The IEP goals should be developed with the following criteria:

realistic
attainable
measurable
challenging

Before setting goals the team must first determine the present level of performance using various assessment tools, the needs must be clearly and specifically defined. When determining I.E.P goals consider the student's ability.

Is the student in the least hindering or most productive environment? Do the goals coordinate or clash with the regular classroom activities and schedules? What special adaptions are being made if they follow the general curriculum? Is there an alternative plan if one is needed?

After the goals, academic or alternative, have been identified, it is then stated how the team will help the student to achieve the goals, this is referred to as the objective. Each goal must have a clearly stated objective how, where and when each task will be implemented. Define and list any adaptations, aides or supportive techniques that may be required to encourage success. Clearly explain how progress will be monitored and measured. Be specific about time frames for each objective. Expect goals to be achieved at the end of an academic year. Objectives are skills required to achieve the desired goal, objectives should be accomplished in shorter intervals.

Team Members: I.E.P. team members are parents of the student, special education teacher, classroom teacher, support workers and outside agencies involved with the individual. Each member of the team plays a vital role in the development of a successful I.E.P.

Education Program Plans can become overwhelming and unrealistic. A good rule of thumb is to set one goal for each academic strand or for each alternative based on student's individual ability. This enables the teams manageability and accountability to ensure that resources are available to help the individual achieve the desired goals.

If the student I.E.P meets all of the student needs and is focused on skills for success, results and outcomes, the student with special needs will have every opportunity to develop according to his or her ability no matter how challenging their needs may be.