Tag: IEP

Sensory supports can quietly transform a child’s school day. We all take in sensory information—from a cool breeze to hallway chatter—and usually carry on. But then there’s that itchy shirt tag that “announces” itself until you snip it off. We all have sensitivities like that—or sensory experiences we crave, like warm sunshine. The difference is […]

Quick answer: The best way to start summer planning is to plan as best you can. Research camps and activities, vet them by phone, visit in person, share your child’s needs (including the IEP), start slow, and use simple daily communication so you can catch overload early. (For more on the school-to-summer shift, read A […]

Quick answer: To navigate the transition from school to summer, talk with the school team about summer focus areas, share the plan with private therapists, schedule therapies early, tuck “work” into everyday moments, and keep notes so fall planning and IEP updates are easier. My beautiful Elizabeth is 26 years old, soon to be 27. […]

So hard to believe that Elizabeth is finishing her first year at her college program. I am so proud of her and all she is doing and all she is pushing herself to do. For the child who once feared the loudness of the cafeteria at high school, it is wonderful to know she heads […]

I have a friend who is quite spontaneous. From the last minute requests to meet for coffee to quick trips with her children, it is all done at the last minute and for her and her world, it works. But for me and my world? Not so much! I think something few people realize is that being […]

It is officially the middle of the school year. Okay, not officially-officially but to me it is. I find myself looking at the middle of January and realizing that fact and think WOW, that time already. It is after this thought that I know it is time do my mid year check. By this, I mean, I take […]

I looked my 10 year old in the eye just yesterday and said: “Michael, you know we have a mere 16 days left of summer”? It was hard to say and so much harder to believe.  Where did the summer go?  How is it possible that three months went like THAT?! But the truth is […]

So many parents, at this time of year, find themselves throwing out old notebooks, half used crayons, semi-dried-out markers, ripped folders all with the excited feeling that it is summer! Time to just relax. Right? Well, if you have a child with special needs, that time of sheer freedom does not arrive in quite the […]

It is funny but just as soon as you get used to something, that something changes.  I am sure everyone can sympathize with that, right?  Well, this is how I was feeling about Elizabeth’s new school year, her last year in elementary school.         I had managed to figure out a few things: How […]

Learning something from a previous experience or mistake is a common thing in life.  We all do it.  But putting into action what you learned may take more effort.  I think this is common as well.  As I left off on the last blog, we were exiting second grade and a year that proved full […]