|
Family Life Education (FLE) and IEPs
As of March 2020 and the passage of Virginia House Bill 134, Virginia requires that Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams consider the need for age-appropriate Family Life Education (FLE). FLE includes topics such as domestic abuse, harassment, sexual violence, consent, personal privacy, and boundaries. Despite differences in curriculum from school to school, school divisions in Virginia are required to make a summary of their FLE curriculum available to the public. Parents and guardians have the right to view the entirety of the curriculum at which point parents or guardians may choose to excuse their child from any or all parts of FLE.
What does this mean for IEPs?
Schools in Virginia are required to consider your child’s need for FLE. At this time, there are no guidelines in place to ensure this process, so it is important that you, as a parent or guardian, advocate for the necessary FLE curriculum for your child. The need for FLE should be evaluated at least once every school year, but can be revisited if your child shows any problematic behaviors that could benefit from FLE education.
For more information about FLE and IEPs, visit:
|
|
|
Tips for Making that Summer/School Schedule Transition a Bit Smoother
Please reach out to dshn@jmu.edu to share resources that would be helpful for folks in our network, or for more resources on any specific topic.
Transitioning from a summer schedule to a school schedule can be difficult for everyone, but it can be especially challenging for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Whether they are attending school for the first time or are a seasoned student, it is important to provide the support and guidance needed to transition smoothly. There are many ways to begin introducing a new schedule. Here are a few tips to try that may just make the transition from summer to school a bit smoother!
1. Start a morning/evening routine early
One of the first steps in making the transition from late summer nights to early school mornings is implementing a morning and/or evening routine. Whether it is going to bed at the same time each night or waking up at the same time each morning (or, if you are feeling really ambitious, you can try both!), a solid routine can help ease both you and your child into those scheduled school mornings and evenings. The closer it gets to the start of school, you can begin implementing a more in-depth morning routine that reflects what a typical school morning should look like: get dressed, pack a lunch, make the bed.
2. Create a visual
The idea of two weeks or fourteen days can be hard to visualize. Sometimes a week feels like a year and a few days feels like just one! It can be hard to mentally prepare for a specific date when you can’t visualize it. One way to prepare for the start of the school year is to create a visual aid! This can be a calendar, a scale, a picture, anything that helps you and your child visualize the amount of time before school starts. If you use a calendar, you can mark the first day of school with fun stickers or bright colors and use stickers and markers to fill in the days leading up to it. If you use a picture, divide the picture into fourteen sections. When the image is colored in, it's time for school!
3. Take them along to purchase school supplies
Another great way to get your child ready (and excited!) for school is involving them in school supply shopping. While some school supplies are basic and boring (Kleenex and hand sanitizer are not super interesting…), notebooks, binders, pencils, and pencil cases come in all different shapes, designs, colors, and sizes. Allowing them to choose which styles and colors of items they prefer can not only make them excited for school (you can’t use your new school supplies if you don’t go to school!), but it can also allow them to start school with a level of comfort that comes from bringing items they selected along with them to school. Not to mention, cool school supplies can be a real conversation starter in the classroom!
4. Get to know the teachers
Most schools host open houses or special evenings before the start of the school year that allow teachers and students to connect before the first day of class. If you are able to, attend one or more of these events to allow your student to meet their teacher in a smaller, controlled setting. Introduce both yourself and your child to the teacher. If your child is transitioning schools – from elementary to middle, middle to high, or moving to a different school altogether – open houses are perfect for walking the school, learning the layout, and helping your child become more comfortable in the new space.
5. Reconnect with classmates
Finally, Summer is a very busy time. Between camps, work, and vacations, it can be difficult to keep up with friends. Before going back to school, encourage your child to reach out to friends they maybe haven’t seen much during the summer. Help them to organize hang-outs or pool days. If your child is younger, reach out to parents of children in your child’s class and extend an invite to the park or a picnic. Connecting with others can not only help your child feel more comfortable when returning to school, but it can also serve as a motivator (“You’ll see James at school today!”).
|
|
|
Resources throughout the newsletter are labeled as follows:
[t]=text [v]=video [a]=audio [l]=list [w]=website
[w] Virginia Department of Education Access to training opportunities and resources concerning Special Education in Virginia (including information of the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP))
[t] PEATC Digital Portfolio Allows you to maintain a digitized version of your child’s school information, including IEPs and assessments
[w] Sex Education Information Allows you to search Virginia schools by County/City to learn more about their sex education curriculum
[v] How to get the Special Education process started The disAbility Law Center of Virginia breaks down the legal process of obtaining Special Education for your child
[v] Digital Accessibility ADA National Network shares the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights video series on digital accessibility in schools
[v] PEATC’s Back to School Planning Guide
[w] 10 Basic Steps in Special Education Step-by-step instructions on how to apply for and obtain Special Education for your child
[a] Inclusive Education Project Podcast Ep. Transitions, hosts Vikki Brett and Amanda Selogie discuss transitioning from school to school and applying for/creating IEPs
[t] Parent Guide for Sexual Health Education for Youth with IDD
[w] Bookshare A free service that provides accessible access to thousands of books
[t] A Comprehensive Approach to Transition Created by the Association of University Centers for Disability to explore the best ways to transition from school to school and from school to life
[w] Closing the Gap Explores the way in which accessibility devices help students in schools
[a] Disability Visibility Podcast Ep. Disabled Students, host Alice Wong interviews disabled college students
[v] NYC Students With Disabilities Speaking About Accessible Schools
|
|
|
Tip: Use YouTube's media player controls to make videos more accessible. Find out how at the links below:
|
|
|
|
Youth Advisory Board Connection
Tips for Transitioning to a New School:
Transitioning to a new school as a disabled student can be hard to navigate. These tips come from one youth advisor who has experienced some of these same challenges in her own days at school.
- Meet with teachers before the school year if possible to discuss accommodations and set expectations. Also meet with any 1:1 aids to discuss how support should be provided. Consider having a Q&A session at the end of the meeting to cover any areas of uncertainty.
- If a student uses equipment throughout the day, try writing out some directions for teachers about how to operate the equipment. Making a presentation with slides and images about how to do this is a great idea.
- Make a registry of assistive equipment, and a plan of where equipment will be kept. Label equipment with the student's name and school.
- Do a walk through of the hallways and class schedules so you can know how you can get to each class, where you can sit and rest, sensory-friendly or quiet rooms, closest bathrooms and cafeteria locations.
- Make a clear schedule of the student’s day, including class times and locations and teacher and 1:1 aid names.
- Include students in their own IEP and support meetings so support and goals can align with the needs and wishes of the student.
- When communicating about support and especially when encountering problems with support, try having the student with disabilities send an email before their caregivers– it can make the issues seem more real and impactful to the teachers and school administration.
- Connect with other parents and caregivers at the school– both of disabled and nondisabled students. They will be an important source of support and advocacy.
- Make sure you know who to talk to to get resources and support. Other parents and caregivers at the school may be a great resource for this.
- Make a plan in case things go wrong: including bullying, discrimination, abuse, and lack of accommodation. Make sure the student has at least one adult that will create a safe, student-led space for the student to express themselves.
 
|
|
|
Extra-Curricular After School Activities
The right after-school activity can be the perfect opportunity for children with disabilities to showcase their strengths, develop new interests, make new friends, and build confidence. These extra-curricular activities can make a major positive impact. Here's how:
|
|
|
Build Confidence and Respect
Success in after-school activities increases confidence in self as well as helping build respect for others. Achievements in extra-curricular activities can translate to an increased self-esteem in daily life.
|
|
Discover New Interests
Trying new things is a great way for your child to learn about themselves. It may spark an interest your child wasn't aware of, or your child may realize they are really good at something new.
|
|
|
Social Connectivity
Extra-curricular activities can help your child make friends and possibly find a social niche. Activities outside an education setting can help your child socially connect in different, and more meaningful ways than they are able to do in school.
|
|
Learn Lifelong Skills
Children who find interest and participate in activities such as music, art, sports, dance, chess, or any other recreational activity, often find that it provides them a positive outlet they will continue to use throughout their life.
|
|
|
|
