UNPROFESSIONAL CODE WORDS

It really does not matter what industry, or profession you are working with as a consumer,  you will find that they all have their own vocabulary of code words. True professionals, know better than to ever say certain code words such as:

“TRUST ME”

The need to convince someone you are trustworthy causes others to think otherwise and make them suspicious. Trust is earned and not asked for. This phrase is unprofessional because you have to provide...

EDUCATION ADVOCACY SKILLS

"ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTION IS OFTEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN HAVING AN ANSWER. A RIGHT QUESTION CAN LEAD TO THE RIGHT ANSWER."

Marie Lewis PhD, BCEA

The world of Special Education leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to transparency and direction.  Some of that is simply a matter of variation as the manifestation of most diagnoses are on a continuum somewhere between mild to severe. In addition there is frequently at least one or two secondary diagnoses...

Please Tell Me That You Walk on Water

This could be the entreaty of those parents who have the distinct feeling that, at the IEP table, their comments are magically heard by team members only in a foreign language. Another common perception is that all comments by parents will be met with rolling eyes, sighs, and harumphs if not another adjustment in the team member seats and a chorus of clearing throats.

While this may be an exaggeration, if you are a parent feeling this way, something...

5 MYTHS about AAC AND SGDs

ALTERNATIVE AND AUGMENTATIVE

COMMUNICATION AND

SPEECH GENERATING DEVICE

Implementing the use of AAC /SGDs is the responsibility of the school-based IEP team.  The Speech and Language Therapist/Pathologist works as part of a team that may also include an assistive technology specialist. They usually complete an assistive technology process (assessment of need) and possibly a direct AAC/SGD evaluation.

5 AAC/SGD MYTHS

Due to many common...

The following are examples of what educational needs, SDIs, and Goals could look like for a child with autism who needs ABA.

This does not have to be an ABA or VB classroom!

The following is just so you can get a taste of what should be individualized in the IEP.

Let’s first define

1.  Educational needs
2.  SDI’s (SPECIALLY DESIGNED INSTRUCTIONS) and
3.  Goals

•  Educational needs

 Academic, behavioral, functional, or social needs that...

Disability Rights: How and Why to Vote

Author: Sandra Carroll, BS, BCEA

While much of recent political discussion in Pennsylvania centers around the two “big” races in the impending election this year, little has been mentioned about disability related issues in the news. In fact, the stakes for disabled constituents have never been higher. While much in political ads center around the contest for the gubernatorial office and the U.S. Senate, where the candidates could not...

When does Executive Function Develop? 

Executive function emerges during preschool and develops in correlation with frontal lobe development from childhood to approximately age 25. A baby's brain grows and develops by overproducing neurons, synapses, or connections. These are then pruned back around the age of three. This process of cutting back weak branches and allowing others to flourish repeats itself after the pre-puberty growth in the frontal cortex around age 11 for girls...

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING AFFECTS HOW MANY AREAS OF LIFE?

When we start talking about executive functioning it does not take long to reach overwhelm because executive functioning affects so many different areas of one's life. It is not very different from the computer's motherboard.

 A computer's motherboard has every logic component attached to it. This includes the storage devices, CPU, RAM, and output device ports. The motherboard connections help all the components of a computer work...

Safety First

Guest Author: Linda Snyder MBA, PMP, BCEA  

with Marie Lewis, Ph.D., BCEA 

Excluding students with disabilities from school safety drills and practices is short-sighted.  The National Association of School Psychologists has recommended that schools consider developing individualized safety plans for students with disabilities.  It is critical that students with disabilities be involved in the planning and practice of safety drills. Although no one can...

Making the System Work FOR You

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS DO WHEN THEY DON’T AGREE WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM REGARDING AN IEP? They can disagree with the school system regarding any of the 3 areas of IEP Appropriateness, IEP Compliance, or IEP Discrimination.  You can choose only one of the areas. (See previous Blog!!!)

We need to use a collaborative approach to encourage families and professionals to develop a meaningful educational program designed to address all the student needs...